The Portland daily press., 1863-08-17
COMMUNICATIONS.


My last letter land lrst) left me in a
shower near Lake Champlain. A fine sun
set afterward gave us magnificent ride
across the northern portions of this lake by
bridges .about ten miles in length, to Kousis
Point. Across the lake southwestward, the
Adirondac mountains look hazy in the dis
tance, and the nearer view showed the charm
ing lake surface, dotted here and there with
sailing vessels and steamers, while on our
right, as we reach the New York shore, is the
new Fort Montgomery, in process of erec-
tion. The work is well advanced and looks
formidable. May no occasion arise through
the folly Of John Bulls advisers-or brother
Jonathans-for its thunders to disturb their
peaceful waters.
From Rouses Point we begin our directly
western progress. We see enough of our
surroundings, as we pass by moonlight to Og-
densburg, TO discover that we are passing over
a level territory similar to that which borders
the ST. Lawrence as you approach Montreal
by the Grand Trunk. A portion of the coun-
try Is cultivated, more OF it is new, and bears
all the marks Of being recently settled.
At Ogdensburg we cross the st. Lawrence
by moonlight, and find ourselves transferred
to the Grand Trunk at midnight We make an
experiment in the sleeping car, and roll and
swelter three or four hours, preferring at day
light the better air and prospect of another
car. We reach Toronto at 10 o'clock, after
magnificent morning ride, along the north
ern shore of Lake Ontario, over a portion of
Canada's most productive soil. l make but
little note OF towns and places. The railroad,
here as elsewhere, fails TO give you the best
views OF the settlements. But some of these
towns are well settled and thrifty in appear
ance; developed and built up by the lake COM
merce and the new facilities of the Grand
Trunk. Toronto is fine city. The Universi-
ty buildings and the Normal School edifice
are elegant structures, as remembered from
former visit. The exigencies of the day forbid
any delay to look about at this time. Pressing
on through dust and heat, a hundred and sew
enty miles farther to Port Sarnia, we pass
through immense forests of timber and fields
of wheat; most OF the grain ripe for the har-
vest much earlier, am told, than usual. At
Port Sarnia we part with large party of New
England teachers, who at this point take a
steamer for Chicago, by way of Lakes Huron
and Michigan. The question with your cor
respondent is not easy TO decide, whether to
follow his ticket with the excursion and spend
three or four days on the lakes, going some
800 miles around the State of Michigan, or to
go across, by way Of Detroit, a distance of 800
miles.
He elects the land route, thus hoping to see
more of the towns and institutions of that
beautiful peninsula. Leaving the company,
Saturday evening finds him in Detroit, a beau
tiful city on the connecting waters of Huron
and Erie, sufficiently elevated above the water
level to give 1t good drainage and pleasant
outlook.
A stranger in strange city, was fortunate
enough TO encounter at my hotel former ac-
quaintance from Maine, DIR. Noyes of Water
vile, who has been here for a short time in
successful practice of eye and ear treatment.
MY good fortune gave me also an introduction
10 Thomas Romeyn, Esq, prominent lawyer
OF the city, whose kind attentions, coupled
with those of his accomplished wife aud daugh-
ter, contributed much toward the pleasure of
my two days in Detroit. On the Sabbath |
found myself invited in different directions, by
the sound OF the church-going bell. The SER
vices at Rev. DIR. Duflield's church consisted
mainly OF addresses, by Rev. Messrs. Chidlaw
aud McAuley, in behalf of the Christian Com
mission. These gentlemen have spent much
time IN the armies of the Potomac and the
Cumberland, ministering TO their physical aud
spiritual necessities. Their statements and
appeals were therefore based upon the right
grounds to produce most telling effect They
spoke again IN the evening TO a vast audience
in the hall of the Young Mems Association.
producing powerful conviction of the great
value OF this Commission as a ministering
agency in the army. With DIR. Noyes visited
the residence of Major Lewis Cass, former
consul at Rome, 10 examine his very exten-
sive and valuable collection Of paintings, sta
tuary, and other objects of art, collected in
ltaiy and elsewhere abroad Nearly every
room on the floor of the house, (late his faith
er family mansion) is filed with the costly
anu rare productions Of art. Time failed us
IN the examination much more would il in
description. "
Inc MAJOR himself Is an invalid, and excus-
ed himself after opening these art-treasures
TO our examination. The General. his father
still vigorous in his old age, lives at present
with a daughter in the city; devotlng himself
to the care OF his accumulated millions. and
praying for the peace of his Jerusalem-the
country which he has served so long; a peace
through the submission of the rebels, not
through the weak yielding Of the north to the
naughty demands of southern demagogues.
may he live to see the day.
among the substantial evidences of the in
tenigehce and prosperity of Detroit, are the
numerous large and fine structures for
scnooi purposes. Public schools and private
semiharies 90 here abound. Most of these are
now closed Tor vacation. Among the estab-
iIshments which l visited, is the aAcademv of
the Sacred Heart,n Catholic convan,,ai
school, conducted by sisters of that ordar
The premises are spacious and elaaa,,Ntha
sisters IN black robes and broad plated might
caps, cheerful in their work, domestic nd in
tellectual-and are doing good service we
doubt not, In training many orphan children
gratuitously, for responsibility in life. while
their school for the children of the wealthy
gives them the means of conducting their
Charitable enterprise.