The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-08-17
AROUND TO NIAGARA.
To the Editor of the Cambrta Freeman.

don't think | used the word "graphic" in INV
promise but l will try to give some account
OF my tour, hoping that it may prove not unin-
teresting.
] arrived in Williamsport at noon of Tues
day, the 9Th inst, Here | found the pedagog-
icai fraternity strongly Represented from all
parts OF the State, and among them our friend
Prof. Geo. w, Cope, of j ohnstown, who greet
ed me warmly, and informed me that he had
at my disposal share in first rate bom in
"the little house around the corner,' as he
termed it,-meaning the Herdc House, which
is beyond all question one of the finest and
largest hotels in Pennsylvania
L found that the teachers convention had
organized ; and after a sumptuous dinner
went down to the Academy of Music, in
which the sessions of the convention was held,
paid my membership fee of one dollar, and sat
down to watch the progress of affairs. The
session was chiefly occupied in the considera-
ton of resolutions of respect for the memory
of the late DR.. Burrowes, of Lancaster
Speeches we're made on the subject by Hon.
ii. &. Hickok, Professor Brooks, and others
OF course, the resolutions passed unanimously.
We learned also that the proposed excursion
would leave Transport at o'clock Thurs
day evening, arrive at Niagara Friday morning,
leave Niagara Friday evening and arrive ut
Williamsport Saturday morning. As we had
q desire to see the country through which we
were to pass, and so me circumstances making
it quite evident that we should be more missed
by the convention if we remained than if We
left, decided us to leave for Niagara Wednes
day morning.
There are several routes from Williamsport
to Niagara. The convention excursion. l
have since learned, went by way of Elmira and
the Erie railroad. Going after night, as they
did, it WAS the best, as being the shortest aud
cheapest. We went by the Northern Central
and New Yo k Central railroads.
We left WilIiamsport at about o'clock in
H.,
we're surprised to find Mr.. Themas j. Davis,
of Ebensburg. on his way to some friends in
the neighborhood of Z tica, New York As
his route was in good part the same as ours,
we were glad to add him to our party.
Wednesday, the 9th inst, a beautiful
day, and we went rattling through the Lycom-
ing woods and fields at great rate. The
scenery along this part of the way is uninter-
estng. Fifty-three miles from Wiliamsport
we came to Troy, fine town in bradford
county. Sixteen miles further on crossed
the State line, and nine miles further still
came to Elmira, New York, busy lroad
town of about 16,0G0 inhabitants. Leaving
Elmira, wo spun along the bank of the Che
mung canal past Horse Heads, Millport, Ha-
vana, to Watkins, at the southern extremity
of Seneca Lake. At Watkins we had two
hours TO spare. which we spent chiefly in ram
bling through Watkins Glen at one end of
the town. This famous glen is one of the
most romantic and lovely spots ina ginable.
We went all through it, climbed up the dizzy
precipice, aid returLe ed to the town through a
cemetery SO beautiful and quiet that / hope
only good people sleep there. Returning to
town, took dinner at the Langdon House, q
comfortable home-like place co onyenient to the
depot.
Our excursion tickets calied for a voyage on
Seneca Lake. This lake ia IS miles long and
from two to five miles wide. We embarked on
the "Onondaga," IA fine side-wAeel steamer
at U O'Clock in the afternoon, ard put off
for Geneva at the opposite extremity of the
! lake. The voyage on the lake most de-
lghtful. The steamer was provided with every
convenience, and the passengers, who all seem
ed tourists like ourselves, were good humored
and agreeable. What with running the length
of the lake, and crossing from one side to the
other several times to take on and put off pas
sengers at the different landings, it was about
O'Clock in the afternoon when we got to Ge-
neva. This is pleasant, Respectable old town
of some 10000 inhabitants. Here We struck
the New York Central railroad, and here we
were obliged to part from good friend
Davis, with whom We had spent plea SAINT day
He took the eastern bound train for Utica, and
q few minutes afterward, we were laundering
along towards the setthg
They make good time on the New York
! Central this evening in particular they were
nearly an hour behind time at Geneva, but at
Rochester, fifty one miles distant, we were only
/
! | was ever before so whirled about as in going
! from Geneva to Rochester.
| Twenty three miles from Geneva we came
| to Canandaigua, a handsome town of some
! 10000 inhabitants. This town is situated at
! the northern extremity of the lake of the same
name, and is the county seat of Ontario coun-
! ty. The town is very much scattered so
! much SO that the express agent at the place
toG US that when he got half dozen pack
! ages it took lin all day to deliver them.
Twenty eight miles northwest of Canandai
qua VIC came to Rochester. This is q prosper
Gus city OF over 81 600 inhabitants, 1t is sit
uated on the Genesee river, seven miles from
its mouth. Rochester is distinguished for its
manufactures especially of flour, for which il
has acquired wide spread reputation At
| this place had two hours to wait; but there
was so much hustle and business going on that
| the time did not hang heavily on our hands.
1t was between ten and eleven o'clock in
| the evening that we left Rochester, and went
rushing along through the darkness towards
Niagara. Fifty-seven miles from Rochester
we passed Lockport, on the Erie canal, an i'm
| portant town of about l5 GOO inhabitants, and
about eighteen miles further on we came to the
railroad suspension bridge, where gen
eral overhauling of passengers and baggage
some going into Canada, some to Bufft
10, and some to the Falls We were among
the latter /; and after a short ride of two miles
further we brought up in the town of Niagara
Falls at one O'Clock at night.
We went to the Spencer House, an excellent
hotel in the neighborhood of the depot. The
house was about full; but we succeeded in get
ting bed and retired about two o'clock and
slept the sleep of the just
But we were up bright and early the next
morning, for we had gone to sleep with the
eternal roar of Niagara in our ears. and were
all impatient to see the falls. We saw th'
falls. We spent the day lingering over the
strange, wild, awful beauty and magnificence
and have glorious pictures engraved in hearts
from which they can never fade away.
Very truly, &c.,s 7. j. CHAPMAN.