Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-07-13
General tHtsrelIanu.
For the journal.
NOTES BY THE WAY.
Ar.nnnAnrn.- n.rnnr
oUsftNsIoN BaIDdE,

Niagara, ~ Y, July 4, 1866.
Leaving Vermont with its hills of green
and bracing air, your correspondent took the
cars at Rouses Point, and after a pleasant
ride in a very commodious and easy car
reached Ogdensburg in time to 90 aboard Of
the fine steamer Bay State" which was in
readiness to 60 up the St. Lawrence upon our
arrival. We fully appreciated the transition
from the dusty and crowded cars to the clean,
roomy and comfortable boat and thus we
were initiated into pleasant experience which
continued while aboard. | need not tell you
of The scenery Of the St. Lawrence, or Of the
good accommodations which greet one on
these river boats, as doubtless you know
too well the story " of its grsnduers and at
fractions, and so l Immediately enter in
msdiGs res. The scenery of the river is pictur-
esque and varied, giving one greater interest
than the Father If Waters affords, and
sometimes rivaling the Hudson with its
charms.
AS we sailed through the thousand islands,
which remain as sentines Of the river, the
eye beholds new objects of interest upon each
Isle--some towering up their rocky sides
and covered with " tall oaks which from the
little acorns grew" others with a more mod
est face covered with shrubbery and green
herbage; and as we sailed along it required
but little Imagination to make the changes
panoramic treat, and gave us much pleasure.
River scenes are interesting to landsmen, and
toward evening the boat stopped to take on
woodland then came a scene which adds
something to the variety. The sailors seize
the wood-the jest and laugh rise above the
sound Of their labors-now and then a strong
em hattie 0ofd-and then at work with re-
newed yigor until finally, the bell rings, the
ropes are thrown from shore, the planks
drawn in, the " Bay State commences to
puff the boat swings around, and once more
we are on our way up the St. Lawrence. 1t
reminds me of the Mississippi, and the times
when, Soldier Of Uncle sam, we had zach
experiences bar then We stood with guns
in hand, while the "colored folks " threw
the wood.
The morning salute at Oswegn, greeted
quite early the sleepers on the " Bay State II
AS the cannon spoke out the tones of another
4th of July. The chimes Of the belle, min
gled with the voices Of the boys and the sound
Of FIRE crackers served to remind US that
the day was appropriately observed.
The sail on Lake Ontario was pleasant
one to- day. As the boat stopped, new arri-
walls added the celebrating clement, who were
going to Charlotte, N. Y, to pass the day.
National music rung out in the cabin,
and we, too, felt like adding to the Jubilee
Of the day.
A shower on the Lake, 80 romantic on
land, was really interesting on the water
/ From calm an occasional gust OF wind, Their
more frequent ones, until the blow was con.
tinuous when finally the gathering cloud;
sent forth " little drops" the advance OF tn,
more proiuse contribution, which followed
soon after. As the rain came on, the wave,
became more regular aud calm, and when tn,
rain ceased we were in better mood to enjoy
the voyage. How social every one seems
each contributing To make his 1eighbor com
Portable, and different dispositions and tastet
find congenal ones, and thus we become sat.
i,fed and pleased on board Then to those
who are about to travel westward | advise
60 by the Lakes, if you would enjoy trF
and avoid the heat, dust and inconvenience
Of the cars, If you would grow fat, live
sumptously and desire TO be better and hap
pier, take trip on the ST. Lawrence and on
Ontario, and if convenient on the " BayState. "
NJ ore anon. Yours, g.