Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-04
Our Raytlan Correspondence.
NUMBER FIVE.
GlPsY CAMP, PLAINS OF CuL DE SAC,
WEST INDIA ISLANDS.

IhCe-lS was Wltn muCn pleasure tnat saw
the city of POrtau Prince as a mere speck
in the valley beneath, while my horse bore
me on up still higher on the mountaius-still
farther from the hum of traffic aud the strife
of crowds, into the great sanctuary of the
wild woods, where Allah speaks to hearts in
undertones as soft as mothers prayers or
lovers whispers.
Introductions are city affairs, but we are
not beyond city influence yet, so l will
make you acquainted" that is, | will put
you on speaking terms, with that body of
dasbiDg borsemen you see riding up. The
original form Of introduction was thus: "Mr.
So-and-so my friend Mr.. Thus and so, if he
steals your wife or your donkey, I'm respons-
ible." So far as wives or doukeys, watches or
purses are concerned, think | can safely
vouch for the honesty of the company, with
the exception Of one--a newspaper corre-
spondent, who won't appropriate more than
opportunity will permit.
But, ladies, should any of them succeed in
stealing those fossil remains which you call
your affections" l will not hold myself re-
sponsible. | might advise restoration, lest
they place themselves in the condition of
the man who bought the elephant; but it
would be needless They are all adopts in
the game OF Hearts, and know as well
as | do that pleasure is in conquest, not in
possession.
Foremost on the van rides Captain w.
young French officer There's not lady in
the Union that wouldn't fall in love with his
handsome mustache and graceful undress
uniform. He is brilliant and fascinating, and
regards himself irresistible.
Next comes Ernest L., an artist; his long
ringlets flow over his shoulders, and
thoughts of beauty light that olive brow
where genius sits enthroned. He is verit-
able Bohemian scarcely notices the intro
duction, but puts spurs to his horse and
dashes on. He will halt by and by to gaze
at some lovely scene, or note the graceful
| droop of the vines or MOSES from some tree
or rustic Wayside cross. This splendid Fro-
mont. looking man, in every respect his op-
posite, is his best friend. He is an Ameri-
can, of Indian descent, surveyor of the
mines of Hayti, has been to Texas, Kansas,
California, Pixies Peak, Mexico, Minnesota,
&C, and tells thrilling stories of frontier life.
Ladies adore him. He takes hearts by
storm, but l greatly prefer the gentle, child
like Ernest.
To the right are Alfred and Eugene De
S., botanist and geoogist, both in the
Government employ, and commissioned to
explore the sylvia and strata of the island
of st. Domingo.
A reporter, ever on the alert for an item,
like hungry bird for worm.
/ These, with two aids. de camp, who act as
| guides and cooks, complete the number, and,
! altogether, constitute that honored and in
depeD dent body known in the Carib Isles as
the Gle C. Exploring Company" Nine
| in number, we'll mounted, well armed and
enthusiastic-with Spanish blankets on our
saddles and hammocks, and musquito bars
strapped on behind, tents and provisions in
the rear and our alligator TASKS filled with
the soul of Bordeaux vineyards-we set out
a merry, dsshing, daring band, to explore
the interior of this tabled Eden of the Tropics.
We had so many toasts to respond to, last
words to say, and good wishes to exchange
with the host of friends whose fate it was to
stay behind, that we did not leave the city
till late, and so concluded to pitch our tents
on the plains of Cul de Sac tonight.
We have sent couriers to the city with the
news, and in few hours they will return
with couple of dozen Others and wine and
supper. In the mean time we all write our
journals; that is one of the rules of the COM
pany. Ernest sketches instead of writing
some of his pencillings are more expressive
than any language.
The country through which we passed to-
day has been so passing fair, that hour after
hour wore on, and the miles we traversed were
very few. Earnest had to stop to make q
sketch, Captain to admire some post OF de-
fense, Alfred De S. to examine some thistle
down, or Eugene to pour acid on rocks ol
bowlders, and to listen to and note down
the result of their experiments. So when |
talk learnedly or stupidly-whichever you
please-respecting primary, secondary ol
tertiary strata, Fossil Saurians, Mammals
or Testudinata, Conifere, Cycadeae or Equi
cetace, you may rely on what | say-tor
whether l understand it or not, be assured
that it is the concrete wisdom of the SaVan
of ST.. Domingo.
All of which will be profoundly efudite, n
/ doubt, but by nc means original. Originality
however, being below par-or, as Bohemia
has it, "played out'-you won't regret Il
find it among the missing.
, 1t is greater to be general, and comman
the results of all mems minds, than to be
simple originator. Shakespeare and Plat
absorbed every thing within their reach, an
expressed it better than any one else. Kane
Franklin, and Commander Wilkes availeC
themselves of the experience and researche
of every one attached to their expeditions
'Timothy Titcomb' never said new thing
, he served up to the men and women of th'
> present age what their grandmothers and oil
: maiden aunts had been drumming into thei
ears for years, but which never touched tn
: heart, nor head either, for that matter. Bu
, the young orator, all grace, and power, an
beauty, blended his vast audience into on
. and swept its heart-strings with master
hand, and inspired il with the love ofloVe, th
t hate of sin, the scorn of wrong; and yet b
: said nothing new, made no pretenslon
y originality. =,
Don't you wish me equal success with m
dull materials
!. The natives are gathering about the CAM
. already the pine-knot fires are blazing, an
bambula dance is just commencing. I'll
roll of stirring drums calls US, not to fam
s but pleasure, which is dearer..
; III see tonight if can't win the hearts
{ some few of st. Domingo's dark browt
daughters. Women, all the world over, 10y
: soldiers or individuals in soldiers dress
. whether for the tinsel or the suppose
" bravery / don't know; but it is fact
}. the philosophy that underlies it what
may.
: The company are courteous enough to il
70 form me that my hussar costume becom
IS me to q point of beautiful deception. Tit
hey for the dance and female conque
Busne hearts, you know, of either sex, q
r always fair game to child of Egypt.
n The tramp of horses is heard on the plail
a. our friends are coming. Redder the red fiji
light flashes; louder sounds the bambu
ie drum; brighter shines the glittering III
p forms of the last arrival" !" giddier gro'
2 the dance. My friends, enough ny
"a "conquer or to die" as poets have 1t.
Obi women, if you have hearts TO Civ
y prepare to give them nowI AH Tev9IrL
St MAxuFGOTURIHa.-The PhiladelphiaLsdS
et says; =,
rs The mills at Manayunk, with few exec
10 tions, are getting ready TO commence opeI
e tions, two or three having already start'