The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-03

their departure: not however without bringing with
snem the substantial accompaniment OF picnic.
They crossed the river TO the opposite side and were
soon lost to view. And now for her nnal race the
steamer went to her work manfully, and quick time
dropped her longing passengers at
- KRYP0Rr.
NO revelry disturbs the solitude which reigns
around this spot, nor carouse annoys its grand
tranquility All stil-still as the grave. II is In
all respects retreat OF pleasure and save FOR the
millons OF katydids whose chorus on the trees re-
sembes not little the pouring OF water on heated
iron, no sound is heard to mar Its sweet repose
Ten minutes after the landing OF the John Romer
the excursionists had all disappeared, some to
friends, some to dine and enjoy the good things OF
life, some TO ramble through the shady walks, but
all had disappeared. Three hours and more passed
merrily away, and shortly after four O'Clock the
steamer wheeled around and conveyed her invigor-
AROUND STATEN ISLAND.
The steamer Old North State yesterday made one OF
lying around Staten, by way OF "the kills. returning
through 1.-THE narrows." The day was all that could
be desired by the most ardent Pickwickian-an at
mosphere that would otherwise have been very warm
being charmngly tempered by the cool veil OF clouds
that impeded the SUMS rays and lent serenely gen.
erous shade TO the fair face OF nature. The cloudy
sky had, however, one effect which was a cause OF
regret TO many-vz., 1t deferred large numbers OF
cautious people from venturng on the usual Sabbath
pleasure trip by the menaces Of approaching storm
and rain shower, and no excursonist desires to
partake OF his avorte pastime when Jupiter Pluvus
invited appearance at the fae. Leaving pier No.
North river the vessel sped down the harbor past
southwesterly past Robins Reef light for the north
ery end OF Staten Island the gem Of the peerless bay
OF New York, and entered
THE KILL Won KULL,
tne long narrow strip OF water which separates the
Island from the New Jersey Shore "The Kills."
which have borne their Knickerbockerian title for
upwards OF Two hundred years unchanged, have not
during that period remained unaltered in appear
ance. brace OF centuries ago they were merely
succession OF salt meadows or lacunes, having
central water channel Of considerable depth, the
meadows covered with rich, deep growth OF rush.
Ike grass and shores and hisides garnished with
robe OF luXuriant emerald foage To-day the salt
meadows are covered with the waving lances Of the
tai PUSHES The channel is still deep and navigabe
stream and the shores and slopng uplands clad
In their sombre green attire; but the ripping OF
the "Kills" on The yerges OF the salt meadows
and the gravelled shore Is lost In the foam
and rollers that surging from thousand keels burst
freuully on the beach, and natures green mantle
the woodland and sward IL broken by the varied
tnts Of immortal residences that rise in terraces of
beauty on every crest or nestle in the dells, while
the smoke and cindery breath of hundred factories
the incense OF civilization, Is waited by every pass
ing breeze down on the erst pure and unsued
bosom Of the waters In passing oyer one-third OF
villages are seen fitting by in panoramic succession,
and the
BEAUTIFUL PAssAIC,
weary OF Its tumblings over the falls" rolls leisure
ly into the lap OF Newark Bay, ere ii Is tossed into
the arms of the sea king, Neptune, and is borne
away on the breast OF the earth-enclasping sea to
murmur its lullabies around all the world
ARTHUR'S KILL,
or staten Island Sound IL IL Familiarity designated
Is merely continuation Of the XIII Won kuil at its
southern extremity, where 1t untes with the waters
of the Raritan river and bay, which form the
western portion Of what is generally known to
metropolitans as 1.-The lower bay.n The Kills are
very narrow at this point and the whole trip thus
far has been in every respect q succession of PIC
turesque river scenery, with much less of tina, same
ness OF beauty which characterizes the Hudson. In
fact 1t is dfcult 10 realize that the vessel has been
traversing sound" which this piece OF water in
reality is The view at this point is charming in the
extreme, as the seeming river expands itself into
noble bay confusing the vision by the low nat hor-
ION line OF the distant Atlantic ocean. Rounding
the Matawan Point the steamer swings up TO the Key
port pier aud allows her passengers three hours
pleasant rural recreation at the expense Of but q
short walk TO The envrons OF the village. Heading
her bows almost due east ''the good ship" lounges
away from her moorng, and under the stimulus OF
an increased pressure OF steam Is soon buleting the
waters or
Coney Island, with its white, sandy beach, lies
bleaching at the further side of the haven, and to
the left or cardboard" side as the pilot professionally
terms ~ lie the southern slopes Of the buY lower
extremity OF staten Island, its hills covered with
perennial verdure and dotted with sundry tall white
beacons, beckOning the inward bound mariner ike
angels OF hope 10 harbor OF repose. Far away Ton
the 'starboard" quarterl the long, yellow lines of
the Sandy HOOK beach appear ike streak OF ochre
on the ecked surface OF the water, while the rugged
Neyersink Highlands, with their promontored crest
supporting still other lighthouses complete the pic
ture in that direction fleet OF s.oops and schoon-
ride idly at anchor In the safe crescent of the
Horseshoe, while a bevy OF vesse :, OF every build
and tonnage swarm quietly around a low long mar
hulk that noats ali the year round Just or the tail OF
the West Bank. The hulk Is the quarantine hospital
her are recently arrived vessels undergoing fumiga
ton or awaiting inspection. The immediate fore
ground IS ned IN by the new quarantine storehouses
on the West Bank, submarine shoal, stretching
nearly due north and SOUTH just west OF the ordinary
ships' channel. With the helm "hard down. the
steamer sweeps gently round, and
THE NARRows,
like the barriered portals To leudal castle, springs
into sight with Its walls Of fertilization abuting on
the waters verge and Its towering hiilsides rdgeI
and pierced by q network Of parapets and APP
proaches Forts Hamilton, Lafayette. Richmond
aud Tompkins with their tiers of brlsting guns,
grin Stern warning OF determination 10 keep
wen, n called on, the trust reposed in them, while
the spires Of the distant city like giants peerlng
through the air to that the warders al the Mar
rows are keeping vlgilant watch.
THE GOLDEN SUNSET
hickers across the expanse Of waters Illuminating
every ridge, dlngle and wod and as the vessel
ploughe her way up TO the great cy wi tn her plea
sure surieted freight the ripping waves from her
wake roll slleDtl, TO either shore, putting their
dlinping lips TO catch the smile OF the lIowsy
sun he sinks to his couch behind the die ant
Jersey hills.