The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-02
ate., Ets. Eso~ Ess., nto., Et..
[OonclltsiOn.1
Journey TO Pittsburg Across the Ale
- Rheny Mountains-PIttsbur

Journey to PittsbuTB Across the Alle-
gheny ountains-PlttBburg.
We had left Harrisburg on Friday. On
Sunday morning we arrived at the loot of the
mountain, which is crossed by railroad. There
are ten inclined planes-hve ascending, and
I'VE descending. The carriages are dragged up
the former, and let slowly down the latter, by
means OF stationary engines-the comparatively
level spaces between beng traversed sometimes
by horse and sometimes by engine power, as
the case demands. Occasionally the rails are
laid upon the extreme verge of giddy pre-
eipice; and looking from the carriage window
the traveller gaZes sheer down, without stone
or scrap OF fence between, into the mountain
depths below. The journey is very carefully
made, however-only two carriages travelling
sasetheT-and while proper precautions are
taken, is not to be dreaded ioT its dangers.
1t was very pretty, travelling thus at rapid
pace along the heights of the mountain in q
keen wind to look down into q valley full of
light and so. tness; catching glimpses through
the tree-tops of scattered cabins; children run
ming to the doors; dogs bursting out to bark,
whom we could see without hearing; terrified
pigs scamperlng home wards; families sitting out
In their rude gardens; cows gazing upward
with stupid Indifference; men in their shirt
sleeves looking on at their unfinished houses,
planning out to-morrow's works and we riding
onward, high above them, like whirlwind. 1t
was amusing, too when we had dined, and rat
tled down steep pass, having no other moving
power than the weight of the carriages them
selves, TO see the engine, released long after us,
come buzzing down alone, like great insect,
its back of green and gold SO shining in the sun
that, II 1t had spread pair of wings and scared
away, no one would have had occasion, as |
fancied, for the least surprise. But it stopped
short of us in very business-like manner When
we reached the canal; and, before we left the
wharf, went painting up this hill agaiu with the
means of traversing the road by which we had
come.
On the Monday evening furnace.fres and
clanking hammers on the banks of the canal
warned us that we approached the termination
of this part of our journey. After going through
another dreamy place-a long aqueduct across
the Allegheny river, which was stranger than
the bridge at Harrisburg, being a vast low.
wooden chamber full of water-we emerged
upon that ugly confusion of backs of buildings
and crazy galleries and stairs which always
a0uts on water, whether 1t be river, sea- canal,
or ditch, and were at Pittsburg.
Pittsburg is like Birmingham in England; at
least, its townspeople say so. Setting aside the
streets, the shops, the houses, wagons, facto-
ries, pnbic buildings, and population, perhaps
1t may be. 1t certainly has great quantity of
smoke hanging about 1t, and is famous for its
iron-works. Besides the prison to which have
already referred, this town contains a pretty
arsenal and other institutions. 1t is very beau
tifully situated on the Allegheny River, over
which there are two bridges; and the villas of
the weather. citizens, sprlnkled about the high
grounds in the neighborhood, are pretty enough
We lodged at most excellent hotel, and were
admirably served. As usual, 1t was full of
boarders, was very large and had broad colon
maze 10 every BIOry OF Lne nOubes
We tarried here three days. Our next point
was Cincinnati; and as this was steamboat
journey, and Western steamboats, usually blow
up one or two a week in the season, 1t was a1-
visable to collect opinions in reference to the
comparative safety of the vessels, bound that
way, then lying in the river. One called The
Messenger was the best recommended. She had
been advertised to start positively, every day
for fortnight or so, and had not gone yet, nor
did her captain seem to have any very fixed in
teDtion on the subject. But this is the custom ;
for if the law were to bind down free and inde-
pendent citizen to keep his word with the public,
what would become of the liberty OF the subject 4?
Besides, it is in the way of trade. And if pas
sepgers be deooyed in the way of trade, aud
people be Inconvenience in the way of trade,
what man, who is a sharp tradesman himself,
shall say. 1--WE must put stop to this!"
Impressed by the deep soemnity of the public
announcement, (Oeing then ignorant of these
usages) was Tor hurrying on board in a breath,
less state Immediately; but receiving private
and confidential information that the boat
would certainly not start until Friday, April
the FIRST we made ourselves very comfortable
in the meanwhile, and went on board at noon
that daY,