Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-04-24
TO ST. LOUIS BY RIVER.

To the Editor Of the Public Ledger
The trip by river frem Memphis to
ST. LOUIS in one of the floating palaces
of the Memphis and St. Louis Packet
Company is one of the most delightful,
as II is undoubtedly the least tiresome,
methods of travelling between the two
great rival efties Of the Mississippi Val
lev. Leaving the Bluff City on the 18th
Monday, your correspondent was
Aoated up the river on the palatial Belle
Memphis, Captain john c. Crane com
maudirg The belle is beautiful
specimen Of marine architecture, and
Offered by corps of gentlemen who
do everything IN their power to make
their passengers feel at home. Among
the many fine vessels that compose the
mercantile feet Of the St Louis Packet
Company not one, probably, is a greater
favorite with the travelling public than
the Belle Memphis. Captain Crane
walks the quarterback, and has an
eve to everything appertaining TO the
comfort aud pleasure of his guests
The Office is made popular by chic:
clerk Billy Blenker, and associates, Bran
nick and Lee Above the texas stand the
accomplished pilots, Captain McPheet-
ers and Harry Matson. who are never so
happy "a when bevy of fair ladies visit
them and take few lessons in the art
of guiding the Belle around the
bends or up the sweeps Of the mighty
river Down below, amid the rushing OF
machinery and the Kissing of steam,
stands the safety valve of the boat
the steady engineer Morse Brashear,
who talks like book and delights to
explain to the ladies the mysteries Of
the machinery by which it is surrounded.
On machinery Morse is a wheel
horse. The engine he knows as well as
a lover does his sweetheart All her
foibes frivolities, weaknesses, peculiarl-
ties, good points, strong points, ETC., are
as familiar to him as household words.
The Belle Memphis had a fair trip Of
passengers on her upward bound voy-
age. Among others may be mentioned
Colonel Bryce, an old st. Louis pork
packer, who was returning bone, having
in charge his accomplished nieces, Misses
Jennie ard Laura Mellon, the daughters
of Col. J. S. Mellon, who in Confederate
times was Chief Commissary at Grenada
and other points in Dixie" These
charming young ladies were the life and
soul of the trip. Their witty speeches
and musical laughter could be heard in
the CAPTAINS cabin, where the COM
mander held several reunions, to which
he invited number Of his guests, or up
IN the pilot house, that castle in the air,
where the young ladies listened 10 Capt
McPheeters descant upon the dangers Of
the deep and the excitement OF a life at
the wheel; yea, even down in the engine
room, where old o." Morse" gazed eompla-
Gently at his engine and explained its
complicated works 10 the assembled
crowd Of visitors. Reaching st. Louis
ON Thursday morning, your correspon-
3eus had the pleasure OF meeting the old
Comm, ,dore Of the Packet heet-Presi-
dent Johr A. Scudder-who gave the
information, as he stood admiring a
huge boiler. that it was one of two in
tended for the elevator works Of the
company at Memphis. These boilers
will be sent down on the next trip Of The
Grand Tower, which will aieO carry th'
necessary machinery, engine, etc, fol
the works.
Stroling up Pine street, the greal
auctioneer, c. II. Tyler, hove 10 sight
aud was rejoiced 20 meet Memphian
The firm OF Tyler & Co. has the larges
auction house in the United States, oil
the corner of Fifth and Pine streets
The firm does an immeaRe business, an'
stands deservedly high Ia mercantile
circles. Your correspondent fortunstel.
met an old Memphis friend. now !
citizen Of St Louis, Colonel George b
Eddy. superintendent Of Bradstreei
Commercial Agency. In company witt
Colonel EDDY aud his estimable lady
we we're invited 70 visit the cellars 0
the American Wine Company by Harrl
Cook. the affsble secretary, wheI
vour correspondent investigated th
mysteries OF wine making in AZ it
forms. Captain Cook disappeared foz
few seconds, and returned remarking
Here is our celebrated brand, the Ia
perial. which is equal 10 the best Frene
champagne:" boast which we found
% trial. to be not without considerable
Foundation, the Imperial being delight
fol 70 the taste and smell, snd sparkin
min most seductive manner as
bsssed in the long French glasses. 10
cellars of the company are sixty-hv
feet under ground, and are kept az a
oven temperature all the year round.
conitalof half a million dollars y en-
alored hy the ssapany IN its immeas
business. Many Of che hnest brand
are kept tor years in tbe cellars befo'
the public has an opportunity 70 tAs'
them. as the company has deterwiine
80 make American vine the e9ua~ 4
.asy on earth. Immense gats, tsoo
md If casks, and an untold naDsar