The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-01-31
TRIPLES or TRAVEL.
ATPip to New OrIeans-ObserVattOGs
and ReEeCti0ns by the Way.

Editors Journals:
= sBayard Taylor, in his introductory
chapter to his book, Europe Seen
with Knapsack and Staff, presents
his readers with his motives for travel,
his method, and the resources with
which he began his perigrinations.
He set out with determination to see
Europe, not with the casual eye of an
idle saunterer, nor yet with the incen-
tives of a professed tourist. He
nevertheless saw as much of Europe
as any known tourist, and compos ed
as delightful volume out of his OBJ
servations and the reflections which
they oceasioned, as as been produced
by any traveller. This he accomplish
ed under great peeuniary inconveni-
ences, and under circumstances that
would have deferred any other indi
Vidual. Oliver Goldsmith, with his
flute and his skill at disputation for
means Of subsistence, is, also, another
remarkable instance of what may he.
achieved by small means. when the
resolution is we'll and firmly fixed.
To journey for curiosity, it is not nee
essary that the purse should be like
that of POrtunatus; nor that the
wardrobe should be of the kind pos
sessed by Miss Flora Nc Flimsey.
1t is simply sufficient that they
be enough, for it is seldom
the case that the traveller, hampered
with baggage and a superfuity Of
cash, sees or hears anything of any
value to anybody. He who sets out
to travel with his mind made up to
gather information as he proceeds, is
possessed of an advantage of no Ordi-
nary magnitude, should his purse be
light, and his knapsack meagerly
supplied 20 4f
Feeling a desire see for ourself how
the exploded Southern Confed-
eracy" looked, so far as our visit ex-
tended, we took deck passage on the
Quickstep TO Cairo. 1t was nightfall
ere we left the wharf. The weather
took a change for the worse; it began
to sleet. and freeze, and blow great
guns. But seated at a rudy, cheer
full stove, the description which Burns
gives Of the beatiic condition of
Tam O'Shanter" in the ale house
parlor, suggested itself to our mind:
y :. The wind without might roar and ristle,
In the cabin, no doubt, every one
enjoyed himself, under the care of
Captain Dexter and his gentlemanly
and attentive clerks. On deck eaclI
one made the most of his situation,
and though not gurrulous, or often
sively inquisitive, each was sufficient
ly communicative to contribute some
thing toward diminishing the tedium
of the trip. Among the INDECENT, as
among the wealthy, selfshness is to be
found, as entire self-abnegation no.
where exists; but if any, there is
scarcely any to be found, as who
would feel pain at the condition of
others whose happiness is not supe-
rior?
There were two or three charac-
ters on board whose peculiarities
would be worthy of delineation, but
this we shall forego, and proceed with
our observations. sse
During the night we made excel
lent speed, the boat making good her
claim, to her designation. We reached
Cairo on the evening following. Not
an incident occurred worthy of note
during the passage, nor an object seen
that would repay description. Natural
scenery is viewed at disadvantage in
midwinter, when the verdure of the
fields and the foliage of the forests
have withered and decayed All is
d1ear and desolate. Not pleasing
image meets. the vision, and Dot an
agreeable sensation causes the human
pulse to quicken.
In passing down the Mississippi.
the interest with which the shores are
viewed, and the different localities in
spected, as the panorama passes I'M
Z der our gaze, is enhanced chiefly on
account Of their associations. The
war has made the Mississippi, its
shores and its islands, classic.
Belmont called to mind the daring
expedition against the rebel force en-
camped there, the victory at first, the
defeat afterwards. Columbus Oppo-
site, its defenses deemed impregnable,
twined BY the advance up the Tonnes
- see, looks seedy and forlorn. re-
y membered landing there IN 1868, in
December, and after a short stay. of
thirty-slx hours amidst every discom-
fort, leaving it for Union CITY, on the
Mobile and Ohio road. Hickman
which, before the war was one of the
most abandoned dens on the Missis-
sippi, appears TO have received \ few
touches at renovation, but It's present
wretehedness and past reputation viii
prevent It from soon assuming the
striving. 6usineSSch aracter 1t oIf5e nos
sessed. Our regiment held possession
'otthe place for some days In January!
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