Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-18
"ON THE wING.n


BANGOR, NE, Aug. II, 1864.
Editor Star: As We cannot hear from the Star
we can at least let yon hear from Is as to The
mans, tho left your goodIy metropolis on the
mig ht OF the 5th inst. in search OF cooler at
mos phere than has been found upon the shores
Of the Potomac during the present summer.
We took the night train for New Yorh, and
reached that modern Baby lion at q. m. II Is
a matter OF fcongratulation that the agitation OF
the air line railroad project in Congress has
had the effect to cause the companies interested
to place such superior cars upon this road for
the use OF through passengers, as well as rid
travellers OF the nroleraole nuisance OF ira
versing the streets of Philadelphia in horse
cars to reach the respective depots. "Compe-
titon is the life Of trade" and while its effects
are thus beneficial, those benefited have cause
TO be grateful.
New York does not look as though war, s.k fina
visaged war" had effected its prosperity or re-
tarded its progress, nor does "grass grow IN its
sea y tns
the rebellion. On the contrary, the march OF
improvement keeps steadily on, every branch
Of industry being taxed to its utmost TO Ill the
demands made upon them. Vast numbers OF
buildings are IN progress and the busy hum and
stir OF industry are more noticeable than ever
before. OF all the sights and wonders Of this
wonderful city none equal the Central Park.
Tt uly this magnificent work of art tif 1t may be
SO ttrmed,) is characteristic OF our country, for
W here else would such great undertaking be
originated and so far carried out IN such an In
ity Of Washington had taken the initiatory
SIPS to provide Park for the accommod alton
of IFS public. Hardly more than stones throw
beyond Its corporate limits, can he found q
place lar superior to the Central Park in point
OF natural beauty and scenery, and sus cep tibIo
OF Improvement for this purpose.
mag nificent steamer Metropolis, OF the Fail
River Line, for Newport, R. l. Passing
through Long Island Sound the eye is charmed
with beautiful scenery, surpassed only by that
Hudson. PASSING
Navy Yard, Forts, and other places Of inter-
est you pass through Shell Gaze" and yerlly
this seemed another proof Of the adage, that
''the devil is not so black as he is painted" for
In the narrows' quick channel, through which
we passed, there was nothing TO Justify so ap-
probrious a title. They Go say. however, at
half tide the current is tremendously swift and
fierce, and oftentimes dangerous. If il be s.
true rule "to Judge things as they treat you,n
should say SHELL Gate" had been outrageously
s!andered in its nomenclature. The steamer
Metropolis is q grand Institution In all it's fea-
lures, and especially in its suppers, which are q
good deal ahead of the New York hotels as we
saw them: The wind stiffened and blew quite
fresh off shore, and we here experienced about
the first comfortable feeling Of coolness in
weeks OF drought and heat
Reached Newport at 3 a. m, and were con-
yeyed to our rooms at Ocean House, where
we found comfortable quarters. That New
port is the pleasantest summer residence upon
this continent was voted unanimously by our
entire party, (including the baby,) after an ex-
dences ranging in variety from cottage to
palace, the neaest, cleanest streets, purest air,
incest walks. 1t was a treat for Washingto-
mans indeed, and we appreciated it. There
were but two Washington families staying
there, though the hotels were filled to their
utmost capacity.
as good as in years past at least so the habitues
of the place say, owing to the great quantity
OF sea weed in the surf. 1t being Sabbath, la
dies did not battle, and we males had the plea
lfUsE
ndtnreI."
A very pleasant company are gathered to-
gether at the Ocean House, and its accommo-
dations are excellent. The lower hall extend
ing the entire length of the building, is the
grand promenade, and is deliciously cool and
pleasant
Altogether our stay here was delightful, ana
the feeling was one Of universal regret when
the order was given to take up our line OF
Old Colony ard Newport Railroad TO Boston,
which place we reached at p. m.
We were disappointed in the "hub OF the
universe" though its environs and surrounds
ingS are charming. The "hub'' is a terribly
dirty place to our eyes-as much so as WASH
ipgton-and we rather shocked an inhabitaur
Of the "hub" who was reviling the filthy con-
dition of the National Metropolis, by remark
ing, "ies, II is nearly as filthy as Boston"
Stopped at American Houses a good hotel,
but we can't make out why people from other
cities always eXtol their own hotels and cry
down those of Washington; for certain IL is,
that with one or two exceptions, they are no
cheaper, or better. Speaking OF cheap
ness in price OF living, the farther North YOU
go, the higher prices are. at least such il our
experience, and 1t is about time that this fact
was understood. II any one doubts il, let
hem take a trip to the Canada line and be con-
yiDced. 1aI
Tuesday, visited Bunker Hill and FaneuiI
Hall, OF precious memory; took a drive to-
Chelsea Beach and bath in old ocean. This
peach is one Of the finest In America, and q
treat resort for Bostonians. Spent the day in
visiting and sightseeing, and at night took
boat for Portland. l
The scenery in Boston Bay is beautiful,
though the shades Of night set in before we had
much opportunity for viewing It The Islands
which skirt the harbor are picturesques; passed
" Nix's mate,' small Island, on which
rests small tower or beacon, and con-
cerpipg which q bystander related legend
some what on this wIse Some years ago a GER
tain character named "Nfx," was hung here
for murder. He died protesting his innocence,
and foretold that for hanging an innocent man
the Island would dwindle from it's prosperous
and that the waves would wash it
away. 1t would seem as though this predic-
ton had or was to be verified, for but little
mains of the Island which was formerly large
and prosperous.
A pleasant quartette on the boat relieved the
Of the voyage at night by singing
variety Of choice songs and hymns, and the
time passed very pleasantly till the hour for
We were favored with good
weather, and escaped anything like sea sick
ness; reached Portland at 8 a. m, q thriving,
beautiful city, and here let me stop my LETT
ter. s,