The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-11-10
Letter from Eur0pe.--NO. 3.
LONDON, Oct. 10, 1865.

LONDON, Oct. 10, 1865.
Mr.. STONE We have not reached
the season of fogs-at least not the season
of London fog; but we are come upon
some London weather which rather invites
me to stay in the comfortable reading
room of the Charing Cross Hotel, and
write word to my friends.
1t would tire them as much as my
self, no doubt, if, in this laborious way
of writing, should attempt to give them
a connected history of where I have been
and what have seen. 1t will do to say,
that have been to Scotland, East and
West-touched the highlands and the
lakes, and made my pilgrimage to the va
rious memorials of Robert Burns and Wal
ter Scott, not to speak ofnumerous other
renowned and venerable names that greet
the traveller from monuments of marble
and of brass-though they had raised more
durable monuments to themselves. This
Journey to the North has involved some
thing of Eastern, Western and Middle
England; and so rich is the whole way in
objects and scenes of interest, that one
might grudge to close ones eyes for an in
slant, and even resent those cuts and tun-
nels in the railway from which one is sure
he will emerge to new wonders.
1t is a great mistake to suppose, because
England is small in extent-and even En-
rope soon traversed- that, therefore, Ma
ture is petty in her works. We do we'll
to admire the untamed grandeurs of our
own scenery; but, it seems to me, that
the original wildness and rugggedness of
Nature, becomes even more wild and rug
ged where there have been added ever so
many touches of softness and beauty, here
and there, furnishing to the observer that
ready contrast by which both extremes
are thrown into relief, while the whole is
melted into matchless and indcscribable
harmony 1t is such an effect that one
encounters, very often, in the Old World.
1t is a world mature and cultivated. Gen
Grafton after generation, under the good
providence and inspiration of God, has laid
pious hands upon the mother earth before
going to sleep upon her bosom, and though
she has sometimes been impiously abused,
yet God has repaired her breaches. and,
on the whole, the mother seems TO have
greeted each successive generation with u
sweeter smile
Even now, in this high North, when
in your lower latitude. "sere and yellow y
is the description for everything that grows
upon the earth, there is an almost unmiti-
gated greenneSs-only just enough of ex-
ceptional russell to tell us that harvest
has been gathered.
But have only had glimpscs l have
not paused in my flying career at every
place where it were good to pitch ones
tent l have passed by, and so l will not
treat you to anything just now, aside from
this flying observation.
The Railways in Britain and all their
appointments, are most admirable Ii
amused me the other day, as we were
nearing Manchester, to hear some gentle
men in the same carriage with ME telling
how they could remember when the Rail
way from Liverpool to Manchester was
opened, in 1880, as they reckoncd; how
every passengers name had to be register
ed in a book (whence they have blocking
offices" instead of "Ticket offices y, and
how each one received the number of his
carriage as preliminary to taking his seat,
Of course, the increasing business prov
ed too much for this slow process. But
the thoroughneSs which it indicates is by
no means superseded. There seems to be
an excellent and praisworthy idea all the
time working itself out into practical man.
Hesitation. The idea makes pretty little
equation in political economy, which may
be put thus on behalf of the Railway
company: Serve us with your money,
and to that extent we will serve you with
all our resources" The purchase of tick
ct implies a contract Your ticket is hon.
ored. You are courteously and elaborate
ly looked atter-your questions answered
no matter from what depth of local igno-
rance they may spring; and your wishes
consulted as if all the servants of the cor
poration had been not merely instructed,
but specially inspired to show themselves
your friends. No doubt, some special in
spiration Is occasionally ministered through
the silver of travellers, and, no doubt,
there may prevail something of tenderness
for strangers welfare that does not DIFF
fer much from a lively sense of favors to
come" However, it is all too pleasant