Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-08-31
THE EVENING STAR,
JOTTINGs OF AwASHINGTONIAN.

kind we have vet seen. In fact, the place bear
the impress of thrift and industry. LIS MARCO
lie one of the finest in the world, ana us com
mercial importance cannot be over-estmated
Here we met our new "CnanceIior OF inc ex
eheouer,n Hon W. p. Fessenden, plain, un
pretendiup looking man, but conceded to b
one of the first statesmen in America. His an
pearance was feeble and careworn, and it i
70 be hoped that he will be benefited by tn
relaxation. As he jokingly remarked he aha,
emily run away long enough to pay his taxes. .
Maine and the country both have confidence
in the new Secretary. May health and strength
be given to enable him to discharge his duty
to his country in this her trying hour
Here we also met the Congressional Com
mittee on Coast Defenses, engaged in q tour Of
inspection OF the coast Notifications OF the
East, Hon. Mr. Rice, of Maine, chairman.
large number of invited guests, including nu'
merous representatives of the Press, accom-,
panied them, and the indications were "a gooa
time" generally.
The corporations of Portland, Bangor, and
other Cries, had extended to them their nos pl-
talities. An invitation was courteousy gwen
in their visit that day to the Qualifications in
and around Portland Bay, and those OF us who
went were much gratifed and benefited. The
importance of having our coast defenses in
proper condition and fighting trim, cannot be
oyer.estimated, when we consider the fact that
not A hundred miles distant at that very hour
the pirate Tallahassee was preyIng upon our
commerce and ravaging our coasting trade.
We visited Cape Cottage, noted summer
resort, about miles from Portland, buta much
pleasure. 1t is beautifully situated, however,
and susceptible of being made delightful place
At 10 p. m, took steamer "Lady Larry" for
Bangor, anda couple of hours after whilst en-
gagged in swilling that terrible stuff known as
NeD England Whiskey in the cabin, felt won.
derful change in the motion of the boat SO great
as to land the glass from which we were
drinking in the opposite corner, whilst we
were deposited through the door Of an adioin-
ing stateroom upon its floor. at a loss to &C.
count for this strange action on the part of our
result Of the terrible stuff we had been imbbing,
we hastily sought our feet and upon reaching
an erect position, realized that we were on the
ocean and Sin a SWELL" We hate swells, be thew
human or ocean, and the experience of that
moment didn't serve to lessen that feeling.
Considerable commotion was at this moment
evident above us, where our ladies were SIT
ting, and steadying ourselves by any project
ing object sufficient to support us, we sought
the upper cabin, where we beheld about one
hundred unfortunate individuals in the in
cipient stages CT sea-siekness. Oh, it was
CHASTITY party! Occasionally some oyercharged
sister would rise and rush hastily to her state
room, and as she laid hand on door knob the
door would open violently, and she shoot like
a meteor from our sight.
We resolved to brave it out; so lighting cigars
we took positions on the after deck. The night
was dark and stormy, waves running high.
Pretty soon heads began to swim, and it wasn't
long before we realized the HOLSTERS descrip-
ton of sea-sickness -" The first hour he was
afraid he'd die-the next hour he was afraid
he wouldn't"
We speedily sought state.rooms, heads feel
ing as large az barrels, and stomachs as uneasy
As the waters beneath US.
Next morning we entered Penobscot Bay
The scenery along the bay and river, is bold
and striking, and we, who had often read of
siron bound coasts, but never seen them. could
now realize the appropriateness and grandeur
of the term. Penobscot River is dotted along its
shores with beautiful, thriving, towns, some of
them very ancient. Its channel is navigable
for ships Of great draught and size, the rise
Il Tatl rs Ioip al hi fant hn Inhf
house situated at the entrance of the river, is
In very commanding position, and its ap-
pearance striking and picturesque. Far off TO
the right is the ancient town of " Castine,' said
to be the oldest town in these parts. Steaming
up the river we pass Fort Knox, opposite
Bncksport apparently an impregnable fort OF
granite. Just here, the river takes a sudden
bend, almost a right angle, and we should
think hostile ship would have but poor
chance 10 get beyond Fort Knox, though such
men as our glorious old Admiral Farragut, we
verify believe would go past this, formidable
as il seems.
We soon reach Bangor, the great lumber
market of Maine, and of New England. As
we near the city great numbers of sawmills are
passed, some of which cutfrom fifteen to twenty
millions of feet of timber each season. Some
idea OF the immensely of this trade may be
formed from the fact that one single drive, as 1t
is termed, brings down 100000 logs, or about
100000 600 feet Of lumber. Ths uncommonly
low state OF the water this season has lessened
the quantity usually sawed.
Bangor is built on hill, (or series of them,)
sloping abruptly to the river. Residences are
located on the sides and summit of these hills,
whilst the stores and business portion Of the
city lis at their feet extending along the shores
of the river. 1t seems to be well supplied with
churches, as from the window of our hotel we
counted the spires Of seveni The sidewalks
are mostly Of wood and gravel, and the general
appearance that of an unfinished town. Some
beautiful residences are located along the hills
winch overlook the river; . Bangor is the resi-,
judge the corporate authorities were of pretty
strong Republican propensities, for at the time
of our arrival they had refused the use of the
City Hall to the Democratic State Convention,
called to make nominations for the approaching
campaign. The Democrats had thereupon
erected large tent, or series Of tents, to the
left of the city, where they were in session.
the papers Of the city.
We took steamer to Bucksport, about Is
miles from Bangor, and ''staged" it twenty
miles in the interior TO Ellsworth, prosperous
town doing large lumber business. The ride
was unmarked by incident, except the sterile
appearance OF the country, the apparent scar
city Of labor, and the number Of fresh water
lakes called here ponds, which add greatly to
the scenery. These lakes are full of fish, and
are often resorted to by Bangsrites.
The ride from Ellsworth to Bangor, along
the summit OF range Of hills, was very in
teresting-dense forests on every side, which,
apparently, had never been trodden by the foot
of man, and in which deer, moose, bears and
other wild animals still roam at large AT
a farmhouse where we stopped to 'bait'' our
horses, the farmer, a stalwart old fellow OF CO.
bronzed and rugged, with the exposure of
threescore winters, showed us a bear-trap in
which he had caught thirty eight bears. His
accounts of the scenes and dangers through
which he had passed were delightful and en-
Pertaining TO us denizens Of crowded, dusty
cities, although one of our party had lived near
here a number Of years, and had participated
in many a hunt. We reached Bangor the sec
ond time, and again met the committee which
we had left in Portland. Among them were
Hon. J. W. Patterson, Hon. o. Ames and Hon.
Jo III b. Alley, the former q member OF the
House Committee on the District, and a strong
friend TO our city.
We left Bangor on Monday for Danville
Junction. where we took the Grand Trunk
Railroad for Gosham and White Mountains,
and at 9 D. M, hungry and tired, rested at the
Glen House Our White Mountain experience
we reserve for our next letter. 5.