New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-08-11
CORRESPONDENCE.
Journey from New Orleans to Western
New York.

| DURHAM, n. Y, August /. 1870.
When | look around and see mountain
peerlng above mountain on every side. 1t Is
hard to believe that it is only few days
ago since we left the flats and plains OF the
Crescent City.
Our trip, at starting, was every thing
that could be desired. as far as pleasant ears
and well conducted road could make it
for such every body admits. the jackson
railroad to be under its new regime. A de
lishtful shower, that laid the dust and
dressed the foliage in a brighter green
cheered lis for many miles upon our way
However. the miserably gOtten-up meals
that one has to encounter while travelling
through the Southern States, is enough to
tax the patience of any person. Those who
are hungry are particularly apt to find fault
when the keepers of the railroad stations de
fer the cooking until after the arrival of the
trains, and supply only one waiter to a
dozen despairing individuals, who call from
all sides at once for articles that just begin
to arrive. when ''all aboard" is sounded,
and everybody scrambles back into the
cars, not by any means satisfied, and go on
their way only to find repetition Of the
same at the next stopping place for meals.
Fortunately. the fare improves as we travel
NOnthward, and through Ohio and Indiana
| good country food, well cooked, and
promptly served. forms striking contrast
to that furnished nearer home, for twice the
amount asked in those States.
| The new bridge from Louisville over to
Jacksonville, affords "a splendid view of the
falls, and of the surrounding scenery, that
well repays taking the trip across. The
crops throughout the country look flourish
| ing, although they appear meagre when
compared with the bountiful yield that at
| this season of the year beniticent mother
| nature spreads over the prairies of the
| great Northwest.
The lurid glare that lights up the heavens
| while passing at night through the mining
portions of Pennsylvania always reminds
| me OF some heaving, painting monster, and
recall portions of the wanderings of Little
Nell and her grandfather. 1t seems like
some fairy transformation upon waking, the
morning after, to find ourselves rushing
along by waters that mirror the lofty noun
| tains, and ones thoughts revert to those
words of the old school song:
where sweep the waters of the blue Juniata."
However, the river must have changed its
color, for it looks very much like other
rivers that are anything but blue.
New York at this season OF the year is de-
serted by beauty and fashion. but not by
business, for our conveyance was blocked
several times in the streets while going only
a short distance. Everybody OF means has
left for the mountains or sea shore. and.
judging from the grOtesque dressing of some
of .thOse who remain, | would add that
every one possessing taste had gone. too.
New York ladies seem to be trying to
wear out their last winters old black silk
underskirts, we see so many with buff linen
dresses ioOped over them, that, as one can
become accustomed to almost anything,
that combination does not look so very bad;
but imagine the effect produced by IA black
silk underskirt, garment OF blue and
white striped Japanese goods Topped over
it, and on top of ala white swiss over
dress. Several equally charming mixtures
could be given as samples of the prevalent
style of dress adopted here.
Fifth Avenue aud other fashionable up
town localities seem entirely deserted;
many mansions are undergoing repairs
during the absence of the occupants, while
the closed blinds, shrOuded chandeliers and
furniture of others are like ghosts. remind
ing lis that mirth and gaiety are banished
until the heated term is over.
trip up the Hudson is always interest
ing. for time and association have hallOwed
spots along its banks, in whose history fact
and legend are SO intertwined as to be
almost inseparable. and it would be a bold
to discover what have been accepted as
kindred truths since the days when Hendrick
Hudson and his band held dominion here.
Sunny Side, that just peeps from its en-
towering trees, will always be held sacred
as having been the home of one of the kind
Hest and geRtlest of American writer's.
st. Anthony's Nose, rising dar1ly against
the twilight sky, bore a striking resem,
blance, on an exceedingly enlarged and
grotesque scale, to that important organ.
The cleaning lights of West Point cast
their rays over the waters as we passed,
and two boat loads of merry children, on
their way homeward after a day spent III
picnicing. sent cheer after cheer across the
water.
We landed during the night at the little
town of Catskill, and at day-break all were
reused by voice that rang through the
cabins, proclaiming that the omnibus had
arrived and was waiting: every body hud-
died out on the bank together, presenting a
most varied mass of bundles, babies, shawls,
trunks, baskets, and every other thing with
which travellers atflict themselves.
A few minutes ride brought us to the
hotel, where we waited until the stage came
Ill d JIlCC II Wdo PdCACu duu
out, as only such conveyances and street
cars can be packed, but number were still
unaccommodated which rendered a second
conveyance necessary, that was soon filed
likewise, and we all started on our way.
OF course it rained, and every body on
top got wet, and every body inside was
smothered by having all the windows
closed, while all the children cried at once:
but the determined good nature and Oblig
ing disposition under all circumstances
with which Heaven seems to bless stage
travellers, conquered every difficulty, and
after a ride of twenty-five miles up hill and
down, over bridges and through valleys, by
peaceful, home-like looking farm houses,
and orchard trees laden with apples and
pears, We pitched our tsnts for the summer
among the mountains that surround the
charming village of Durham. l do not
think there is lOvelier view for many
mile around, than can be seen from the
mountain slope, on which is situated one of
those New York farms so Justly celebrated
for their good cheer. The country as far as
the eye can see is spread out like one vast
panorama, that whether in sunshine or
shadow. at morning or evening, bathed in
moonlight or swept by mountain storm. for
| have watched it under all aspects, is as
grand to look upon as the breezes that
sweep over these mountains are healthful
and life-giving to breathe. ANON.
Not having heard from the debating So
o;o+,os IN ro1o t;oD tn ba s.INJ,-