Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-09-20
Letter From New York.
peooKLrs. n. Y, Sept. 1e:h, 1872.

BRooKLYN, N. Y, Sept. 16.h, 1872.
DEAR JOURNAL: The East River, although |
II does not possess the stately grandeur OF the |
Hudson and the magniaeepce Of the Palisades, !
canaot be compensated for BY treacherous rocks
and slimy fats, such as may be met with be-
tween Hunters Point, Long Island, and the en-
trance Of the East River into Long Island
Sound, still has charms for thousands Of ex
cursionists on every succeeding Sunday.
Four or Aye roomy and handsome steamboats,
are employed in making hourly trips on sun
days, during the summer, froaI Peckslip, N. Y,
to Harlem, hori-sula aud Astoria, and from
there by transfer to two smtlier steamboats, 10
High Bridge by way of the Harlem River.
The great mass of the people who participate
in East River Sunday excursions are notably OF
German birth or patentsge; and to the towns
and villages scattered along the head waters Of
the East aud on the borders of the Harlem
Riyer the countrymen Of Bisniark flock on every
seventh day of the week. Twenty Ave cents
per head will take each man, woman and child
as far as High Bridge and for family Ct five per-
sons, Hans Gretchen and the aaxen haired
children, FIVE dollars will be sufficient to give the
entro family good, healthy dinner, plenty Of
lager, and pay their fares both ways, up and
down the East River,
A Germiu garden In the crowded city ia gen.
orally indicated by the presence three wooden
tables, one dozen Of thick bottoned lager beer
giasses,a lovely flower pot with a dismal
shrub stuck in its damp clay twenty pounds Of
Swiss cheese, cheaply framed picture Of
Carl Schurs or Franz Sigel, big wooden club
under the counter, and, perBSps, also some
wooden shoes No, lS).-a la J. Thomas-snd
a frescoed fence with a shooting gallery and
cadaverous bar-kesper, who manifests gloomy
cheerrulness in numbering the English Ian
guaRe.
This is all changed when the thrifty Teuto1
goes to WestchesteT county. There he finds
large gardens with real trees, Eve or six musi-
clans who play Strauss watzes continually, +,
hot soup at twenty cents a plate, and rehsated
roast beef for Hfty cents a dish, with acres Of
sliced potatoes made sour by plentiful distribu
| tiun Of boiled vinegar. There he may shout till
| he is exhausted and then he may read the
| Hocisntldtt or discuss the bad ingredients of
! his loved lager.
| The boat was crowded to its utmost capacity
yesterday. There were allisorts Of people on
pnard, but the German element had the pre-
! ponderance. The saloons were filed and the
forward deck held a great jam. Boys Of tender
age, but having brassy countenauces, peddled
cakes, pretzsls, and gift boxes of candy, which
they sold at 6ve cents a box to unsuspecting
mothers with small families.
Soon we were passing Blackwell's Island and
the large stone buildings that encase so many
foolish men and women were seen for a mo-
ment and then vanished. Crowds of men in
white cotton suits, who had been committed for
ten and thirty days, were swarming in the
grass near the river bank, and the eyes aud
faces of the criminals of both sexes CLEANED
frOm between the iron lattices OF the gloomy
penitenliary fortress. Wards Island, with / s
masses of paupers and needy emigrau,s, was
passed next. and in few moments the paddles
Ot the steamer were dashing foam AMI spray on
either side in the channel MS swept wiftly
by Randalls Island. Here the strains Of the
different German bands are waited over the
river as we pass by the scores Of gardens
known as jones' Wouds, Bellevue and Salzer's s
Parks and one is reminded of the well known
song % Lydia Thompson,
30, | feel so awful Jolly,
When the band begins to play" etc.
Now comes the confluence of the Harlem and
East Rivers, and in another moment the crowds
of people push and scramble for precedence at
tle gang plank as the steamboat rounds TO at the
dock on the Wes.chester side.
The m,jOritr OF the passengers are transferred
at au extra charge Of ten cents To the Harlem
river BRAT, which is crowded to its greatest
limit. The frst bridge opens wide its iron
gates to let the little steamer pass into the Har-
lem River and the boat houses of the Sa2phO,
Dluutle $ and other bnating clubs are in sight,
crowded with their members getting in and ou.
Of their shells and boals, mostly half naSed and
J exposing their we'll tanned skins. The Harlem
River, which is 4 splendid course for rowlnS, is
made very picturesque bv It's large number OF
small boats and shells. Ten minutes after we
have passed BY the boat houses we arrive at
High Bridge with its gtand and l'fty arches,
and the scene on ascending this monument of
solid masonry is really one Of the grandest
within the neig hbThood Of New York.
TIE excursionists Scatter every where. some
to take a stroll under the big, nverreaching
branches ofthe trees along thernad, others to pat
bologna sausages at the swindling saloons near
the bridge, and others to go and dine quietly al
the Fort Washington Hotel across the High
Bridge, where there is excellent cooking and tue
politics., Of waiter girls.
This part OF the Harlem River is an exquisite
bit Of scenery, and some beautiful villas are
scattered along its banks, hidden in leafy tree;
and having picturesque rocks for back
! ground.
The Sunday excursion To High Bridge is ont
of the most charming that can be made, and th'
} expense is more than repaid By the beautiful
scenery and the healthy recreation it affords.
Respectfully Yours,