The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-31
MOVEMENTS OF THE PRESIDENT.

The Presidential Trip Through tho White
Mountains and 20 Saratoga Springs-Eu.
thusiasm Of the People on the Way-Arrival
at the Springs.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NJ Y, August 20, 1869.
The flying visit OF the President and family to the
lake and mountain region Of New Hampshire, the
switzerland OF America, must have been very graft
tying, both In respect to the favorable weather
which prevailed during his presence as well as In
the enthusiasm manifested by all classes Of visitors
passing a few days or weeks in that interesting
locality. ON the morning OF August 81 the President
and Mrs. Grant, having taken short ride from the
Crawford House, In an open carriage, to the
"Notch," ana rapidly viewed some OF the
beauties OF that wild and romantic vicini.
V, returned, overtaking the coaches which
conveyed the rest Of the party and had
proceeded on the road to the foot Of the
Mount Washington Railroad, distance Of twelve
miles. The President passed the coaches and
drove ahead at rapid pace, reaching the depot
about thirty minutes In advance Of the coaches
There were here about nfty or sixty ladies and
gentlemen awaiting an opportunity to make the
ascent. Among the number was Rev. Asa D. Smith,
ID. D., President OF Dartmouth College, wife and
daughter, and several professors Of the same In
sitution. The President and lady were introduced
to these learned gentlemen and passed some
minutes IN conversation. DR.. Smith happily re-
marked, swell, Mr.. President, we have already heard
OF your visit to the wilderness Of Virginia the sum-
mer Of 1894; hope you will be pleased with your
trip through the wilderness Of New Hampshire"
The President replied that he was enjoying his visit
very much and found the wilderness OF New Hamp
shire very interesting.
While waiting for the coaches the President, In
company with the inventor OF the Mount Washing
ton road, sylvester Marsh, and Nathaniel White one
OF the directors examined the locomotives and cars
in use. Upon the level track the locomotive had a
peculiar look, having an inclination towards the
front OF nearly forty degrees The engines combined
the double qualities OF steam and air, the former
motive power being used in the ascent and the lat
ter by the compression OF air IN the cylinder acting
under the management Of the engineer as safe and
steady reverse movement In the descent. The cy-
finders are constructed so as to be perfectly air
tight and by the use OF an extra set Of valves act
with wonderful SUCCESS when used with air instead
of steam. The cars were open, resembling some
what those used on the street railways.
Both locomotives and cars were supplied
with three means OF checking the descent
OF the train in case OF accidental the ordinary
break series OF ratchets and the air break. The
peculiarly Of the railway Is that 1t makes an ascent
Of 500 feet in distance OF three miles, The grade
is in some places thirteen and half inches IN three
feet. The track is laid the entire distance on
STRONG TestlcWOTk VI uedVy ulaCou w ueeb
the angle OF ACTIVITY, and securely boted. The
trestlework rests upon the firm granite bed which
forms the sides OF the mountain, and varies from
to seventeen 1eet In height, meeting the irregu.
larities OF the mountain side Upon the strngers OF
| the trestlework, set the ordinary gauge OF the
roads generally In in the country, were strongly
bOed strips OF heavy band iron, answering the pur-
| pose OF iron rails Midway between these sringers
| was third rail OF wrought iron, Doted firmly to
| the trestlewOrk, and composed OF cogs also Of
wrought iron, and strengthened by bolts, the cogs
| power which Is principally applied TO the
SSs Of r eoas Which VINE irm the driving Wheel
the engine Is in motion making the ascent the c0gs
the driver take hold OF the cogs In the middle rail-
| the whole train moving or with steady progress
and at the average rate OF mile in twenty minutes
or the entire distance from the bottom TO the top in
| an hour 10 additionally secure the safety OF the
ascent an iron clasp has been attached, holding the
engine firmly to the track The cars seat from forty
to fifty persons, which number can be readily taken
| at a single trip to the summit.
When the coaches arrived the President and party.
II sS aooa. @ lh sealsu
as the altitude became greater, expanded In scope,
until for miles In the dim distance intervening
mountains and valleys, rivers and lakes were 70 be
as far as the eye could reach The highest point
in the trestlework when reached was announced
as jacobs Ladder; There were several Jokes
ssess as s'sn
Inc Inc" feat cans can be accomplished by means ' Of
modern machinery as good, and probably the only
manity. In an hour and five minutes the train
reached the terminus OF the road. cannon belched
forth Presidential salute, but the demonstrations
were almost smothered IN the tempestu0us ethereal
element which beat over the granite top OF the noun
grouped about the rocks, having come up from the
Glen House to see the President.
During the excitement and diversion occasioned
by the arrival OF the President and the cheers and
waving Of handkerchiefs, a number OF hats and
vells taking advantage OF this cessation of vigilance
the agitated atmosphere darted up fn the air and
sailed OF far the mountain sides. Tue ladies,
uttered violently while the capricous winds, with
out regard TO sex, required an extraordinary agility
preserve any sort Of regularity In the disposition
From the car the President and party proceeded
at once to the Tip Top House. and found the Interior
able. The thermometer indicated forty four degrees
Fahrenheit, and In places the air was sunclenty
cold to form Ice. Overcoats were quite convenient,
After visiting the points Of interest and afrording
the finest view from the crest OF the mountain. the
Presidential party sat down to lunch, consisting
largely Of pork and beans, very appropriate Yankee
| the greatest altitude IN Yankee land. Having re.
turned to the foot of the mountain, the PRESIDENT
and Mrs. Grant, IL. the same conveyance IN Which
they drove to The mountain, SEE out Oh the journey
back 70 Bethlehem, followed by the coaches. The
during tae absence ,a Of ,ne rredsn,
his arrival at ne village the the, people were
houses Every conveyance which appeared over
the OF the hill, near the village taken in
the distance as that containing the President. Ac-
cordngly there several false alarms before TIL
President really did make his appearance. AT the
hotel he was received by Samuel G. Cobb, an eX-
Alderman Of Boston, and Judge Gilbert OF Brooklyn.
The houses OF the village were tasteuly decorated
with flags and flowers In 'front.' Of the hotel was the
motto "Welcome to Our President
The coaches arrived about twenty minutes later,
during which time the President and Mrs. Grant
engaged in conversation with the guests OF The
hotel. A large open conveyance, somewhat resem-
bling well finished band wagon, and drawn by
eight fine horses, drove up The President
and Jessie Grant took the front seat
afordng the best view. Mrs. Grant and Miss Nellie
Governor Stearns. wife, daughter ana niece Gene
raj Porter and SUFFICIENT number to make up an
entire party OF fourteen took the remainder OF the
seats. The rest slowed themselves away In two