Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-08-13
Grabsllmg Sksttk.
"HOMEWARD BOUND
A VOYAGE AROUND THE LAKES.

the magnitude of our inland seas,
the greatness of the cities along their
shores, or the vast resources of the re-
gion extending far back from the
sound of the commotion of their wa
ters. One must actually see, to under
stand that, beyond the 10th parallel
of longitude, there is almost, as it
were, another continent After spend
ing some months in the State of Wis
consin, the desire for home brought
me to Chicago, the magic city of the
West, which twenty-five years ago was
only promising and presuming place
for broken merchants, and adventurers
to start anew in the world
1t was a beautiful moon light eve
ming on the 22d of last month when we
embarked at $3.50 on the Idaho pro-
peller. The reflection of the moon on
the water looked as if there were myr-
lads of silver serpents working their
way in a wary chase toward the shore.
A gentle breeze invited one to the
deck, and of course, to conversation.
The motion of the vessel being for the
time new to that which we had expe-
rienced for several days, anon provok-
ed sleep, and at 1890 every body who
had not some secret of sorrow, was
asleep in the most comfortable Of beds.
The majority of the passengers
were up early enough next morning,
$50 o'clock, to see Milwaukee in the
distance. How beautiful were the
bright green waters of the lake, and
how inspiring the pure air as it wreath
ed the forehead with an invigorating
embrace. A grand city is Milwaukee,
only Sc miles north of Chicago. Years
agone when the easterly winds blew
strongly, the harbor could not be en-
tered until the wind had abated, and
many light craft has been wrecked
while waiting for the opportune mo-
ment. All this is changed. The har-
Dor now is excellent, and sits like a
basin at the feet of the gentle slopes on
which the city is built. One is re-
minded of Mediterranean city, at the
first view of the public buildings and
dwellings descending toward the river
and lake.
Ample time was given here to Wis
it the principal parts of really the most
substantial of the Lake Michi-
gan cities, and at one o'clock p. NJ,
we were again cleaving the enchant-
ingwaters, with the vessels course for
the Manitou Islands, which we reach
ed at 7:15 A. nj. of the oath. Nearly
all were up in time to observe Sleep
ing Bear Point, or before any land APP
peared in view to realize the loneliness
of water, water everywhere" for af-
ter passing abreast OF Manitowoc the
land disappears.
Here stop was made, to supply
the great furnaces of the engine with
food, and for many years it has been
the depot for that purpose. Early as
it was, the passengers were eager for
tramp ashore, and presently a long
line of both sexes might have been
seen proceeding to explore the rising
SUBMITS sloping up above the lake
some two hundred feet. The grass
was still wet with heavy dew, and
crinoline was obliged to double reef
its expansive proportions, at the ex-
pense of show of classically de-
veloped contiguous pedal proportions.
What one would hesitate to do in town
is not thought Of when in the midst of
the wilderness. There is no artificial
creation there, nor do artificial man.
ners interrupt the enjoymet of scene
ry and incident. Limbs are limbs in
the sense for which they We're made,
and not mysterious creations for eti-
quctte.
At 9:l0 the bell tolled, and once
more the brave Idaho was bounding
away, as if in ecstacy OF having a.
good company aboard. About six
O'clock every body was on the alert to
catch the first view of Mackinac, or, as
it is now generally spelled, Mackinaw.
Patience was not long taxed, for the
white and weather beaten limestone
cliffs presently loomed up in the dis
tance, and the narrow plain at its base
looked like a brown belt drawn around
to keep the base from extending fur
ther into the water. The ladies were
especially pleased with the view. Miss
L. speculated ON the Lovers Leap"
promontory to the right Of the vii
lage, and Mr.. and Mrs. p. dwelt philo-
sophically on the loneliness Of the vii
lagos in the winter season.
At 7:l5 we were ashore. A serene
moonlight evening gave us ample OPP
portunity to visit Fort Mackinaw, two
hundred feet above water level, and
the ruins of old Fort Holmes, situated
on the highest point of the island,
about three hundred feet above the
lake. 1.-THE tourists objects v" Sugar
Loaf" Arch Rock" Robinson Folly"
ETC., silently secured our presence, and
after a romantic exploration of two or
three hours, we were back again in
the steamers comfortable cabin.
Midway between the Fox lslads and
r. II. pet. xrrs,-