The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-06-30

1~-SA1
I to him, had occasion to enquire "whose been
here since Use been gone," but the answer
was not satisfactory.
Decline of Agriculture In Massa-
! chusetts-A few Observations of
Travel.-There are various routes by which
one might reach region of country lying in
the Southwestern part of Massachusetts,. The
most direct would be ever the New York Cen
tral, by way Of Albany, thence via Boston and
Albany. until it is necessary to change the
comfort of easy coaches for the more primi-
tive mode for travelling in stages, which drag
lazily up the steep mountain sides, then tear
down the precipitous descents at pace which
would seemingly insure speedy destructlon'
Our recent visit to that section, was over a
different route and one much more satlstac-
tory. for the Erie provides for its passengers
not only ease and comfort, in magnificent
coaches, but an unbroken line Of enchanting
scenery. the grandeur and magnifcenee Of
which never ceases to interest and inspire the
beholder. It is true that those exceedingly
sensitive will retain firm hold, and look ner-
vously about as the train goes tearing over Its
crooked path, describing curves SO sharp as to
produce feeling of apprehension, but the
/ traveller soon becomes accustomed to these,
and rather enjoys them as being harmless
species of adventure. 1t may be that but few
stop to realize that jim Fisk would no longer
relish the control Of the road, should it be
made to extend in a straight line, for the
crooks and turns rendering what is ahead so
uncertain, are so typical of his life, that to
manage it is eminently adapted to his natural
inclinations.
From New York we leave the New Haven
Railroad depot, at Twenty-Seventh Street,
Corner Fourth Avenue, and move slowly to-
ward the northern limits of the city, through
the tunnels, along streets, across streets, and
under streets, past the huge structure which
is being built at the corner Of l42d Street, for
Union Depot, which, for its immensity and
magnihcence can hardly be surpassed. Here
an engine stands waiting, and We are soon
conscious that the city is rapidly receding, and
we are passing by numerous villages, parks,
&c, which are in reality only suburbs of
Gotham. During three hour ride, toward
the central part Connecticut, one sees wealth
profusely distributed on every side. Country
homes, clothed in the beauty and magnifcence |
which wealth affords, are to be seen in every |
direction. By and by we come in sight of
hills, then mountains, and do not wonder on
arriving at Winsted, Connecticut, that the
roiIroad foyn,5pafae for in 'front.' o-a ,,o,,-
tains, on each side are mountains, and looking |
back to see where we came through, the gap |
appears closed as if hill had been rolled in at |
the entrance, leaving there solid mountain.
A stage ride, from this point 70 Massachusetts,
is not distasteful, except to those whose nerves
are sensitive.
This section Of country comprises a success
sion Of mountains and valleys. The country
is naturally adapted to grazing, and but small
amount of grain is raised. 1t is related that
at some period the devil was transporting an
immense quantity Of stone, in leather apron,
aud as he was flying over this region of coun-
try, his apron string broke and his load was
scattered broad cast. The truth of this seems
apparent, when one views the abundance of
geological specimens prevailing here. The
time has been when no more prosperous nor
happy people lived than were gathered at the
"centers" or scattered through the country
The puritanic influence of New England, per-
vaded every household, and every four miles,
stood the meeting house at which, on every
Sunday assembled every family living
within its limits; and up the noun
tains sides and down the valleys rolled
the repeating echoes Of the anthems Of wor-
ship. Through the week the fathers followed
the plow, keeping step to to the time of Old
Hundred or America, confident in the knowl-
edge that when they should have passed be-
yond the hills, the children would follow their
footsteps in the furrows, and revive the dying
echoes of their fayOrite airs. Those days have
passed. The golden gates have been unlock
ed, the star of empire, moving westward, has
rugged barren aspect. One farm after an
other passes from the hands of a New England
owner, to the possession of foreigners, ether
Irish or French. The land is stripped of its
timber by colliers, and left to grow up to
alders and Underbrush. Even where the
fathers remain, the sons take an early oppor-
tunity to bid good by to farming, and seek for
tunes in towns or cities.
The decline of agriculture and society is
growing more rapid each succeeding year.
The centers which few years ago contained a
number of families, are nearly or quite deser-
ted. Here and there stands church building /
which few years ago was crowded to its ut
most capacity on the Sabbath; now its doors |
are rarely opened, weeds grow rank in the |
path, and the sound of the bell rarely dis |
turbs the feathered occupants of the belfry. |
We were never SO forcibly impressed with the |
waning condition of this part of the Bay State, |
as during recent visit there, after an absence |
of two years. The march of retrogression had |
been rapid, and the changes wrought were pain
fully apparent. One of the agencies which |
has been at work here. is also at work through |
out the whole country. The desire of young |
men to leave the farm, as soon as they reach |
an age when they can begin to labor, is to be
sincerely regretted, and is mStter of con-
siderable concern, as it not only fills our cities
with great numbers who barely earn living,
but leaves most Of the country to pass into the
hands Of foreigners.
The mild paternal government of
Russia ordains that the Hebrews
must shave their boards, and the
police relentlessly enforce the edict.
1t is expected that the personal gov
ernment will next order all Russians