Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-07-02
The Editorial Excursion PARTY.
The following letter, written for last week
Spectator, Gid not reach here in time to APP
pear in that issue:

Spectator, old not reach here in time to APP
pear in that issue:
GENEVA, ONTARIO COUNTY, n. Y,
June 23rd, 1872
DEAR SPECTATOR-It had been our inten-
ton to give you somewhat detailed account
of the doings of the Editorial Excursionists,
the places they visited and the manner of their
reception during their trip through the North
but our transit has been so rapid, and our time
so occupied with the many entertainments pro-
vided for US, that it was soon discovered to be
impossible Leaving Baltimore on last Mon
day morning where our party was formed and
where we were most Hospitality entertained at
the ST. Clair Hotel and made to feel fully at
home by the kind attentions of the gentlemanly
clerk, Mr.. Foyle, We took the cars of the Nor
thern Central Railroad for Elnira, which place
we reached the same evening about five clock,
having passed through the most beautiful re-
gion of country We have ever behela. The
broad fields Of grain, lying On both banks
of the winding Susquehanna fill the beholder
with delight, and form striking contrast to
the uncultivated fields of Eastern Virginia.
and members of the Press, who escorted us to
the Rathbun House, where delightful enter
tainment was prepared for u.s. Late in the
evening the citizens called in their carriages
and took US driving around their beautiful city,
and to see Eldridge Park-a small but lovely
and exquisitely arranged pleasure ground lying
just outside of the city-owned by DR.. Eldridge,
one of Elmiras most prosperous and liberal
hearted citizens. This Park contains about
fifty acres of land beautifully laid out and taste
fully arranged embracing small lake and sew
era well stocked fish ponds. DR.. Eidridge has
beautfed these grounds at his own expense
and il is his inteutioa to continue to do so I'M
til they are as perfect as they can be made, and
then will present them to the city of Elmlra.
Such whoe-soul libelality should not pass with
out its due need of praise, and should be an
inducement TO rich then elsewhere to devote
their money to some end which may be of last
ing benefit to the public at large. Our recep-
ton and entertainment at Elmlra was all that
could be desired, and We must say far more than
we had expected. And though everything
was provided that we could ask, yet it was not
the abundance of everything that delighted US,
but the kind, hOsplta ole, whole-sOul manner In
which every hing was done that won our hearts
and gained our heartfelt thanks. Whilst at
Eldridge Park we hal occasion to make the &C
uuainarce of Skinner u Goodhue, who sent
their compli ments in the shape Of several bas-
kets OF sparkling champagne. Also with MIR.
James A. Gibson, of he Rathbun House sam
pie rooms, who exhibited similar spirit of
hospitality in the same direction. On the fol-
lowing morning we were conducted in carriages
by the citizca to visit the Eimira Female Col
lege, situated on the outskirts Of the city
This is prosperous Institution of very high
standard, and contains about one hundred and
twenty-four pupils. Having been shown oyer
the buildings and grounds which are we'll ar
ranged and commodlous, we were conducted
into the che pei where the pupils were assem-
bled, and several short addresses Of welcome
and reply were MADE by the trustees Of this
college and by some of our party. The num-
Der of pretty faces il the audience seemed to
embarrass tie speakers somewhat, and they
looked as ii they would have been much more
happy c)uld their addresses have been more
private AID in fact don believe there has
been any time at which some Of our party fel.
SO strongly drawn towards our fellow citizens of
the North as they did on that occasion. To-
deed our heart became much agitated and pull
stated with great phianthropic throbs, which
seemed sufficiently enlarged to embrace the
whole Union.
From Elmira we proceeded to Buffalo by the
great Erie railroad, reaching there about eight
o clock. We were met at the depot by the
citizens with carriages and conducted to the
Mansion House. Having washed and fixed up
little we again entered the carriages and were
driven to the Rooms of the Buffalo Club, where
we partook of the splendid repast prepared for
us. Our reception here. as at Elmira, was
warm and enthusiastic La justice to the peo-
pie of Buffalo we must state that the reception
they wished to give us and in fact had prepared
for us, miscarried through some mistake as to
the time of our arrival. They prepared to re-
ceive US at the time mentioned in our pub
lished programme, but we were delayed at Ell
mira for six or eight hours, and the telegram
we sent was not delivered until too late. But
the kindness shown us at Buffalo, and the sin
cere regret expressed at their disappointment
were more than sufficient to assure us of the
good will of the people Of this thriving and
growing city. Not having time to write up
our trip further, we must postpone to another
letter an account of our visit to the Falls of
Niagara, Watkins Glen, &c. A. S. M.