Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1872-08-22

RoADS-TIIE INDUSTRIES ON THE LEHGH--MAu-
NIFcENT sCENERY-A GOOD HoTLL.
Correspondence OF the Commercially
TAUGHANNocK FALLS"
CAYUGA LAKE, Aug, 10th 1872
From this charming retreat propose writing
you OF the pleasure afforded one in getting here.
Leaving our geodly city OF Wilmington. at G45
A. NJ, Thursday, We reached the North Penn.
Depot for tho 045 train from which in charge
OF conductor and gentleman az we'll, Ga posi-
ton and character not always cOmbiued), we
were comfortably carried through a beautiful
country, IN cars built in our own city, poHsesa-
ing all the requisites for the comfort aud pleas
ure Of the traveller. The road IL in good condi-
ton and the cars ride smoothly winch, COM
bined with the attention of tine employees, make
one feel secure from accident and enjoy pleas
ure not realized on every railroad
We pass through country rich in agricultu-
raj products. All vegetation is vigorous, build
lngs good, farms well cleared and cared for, and
every hamlet and village showing energy, taste,
and merited Huccess-the whole forming
beautiful panorama Of hill and dale, charming
to tho eye, and delightful to the memory-the
reverlo only being broken by our arrival at Beth
lehem, town old in years but young in enter
prise, wherein blend in peaceful harmony the
graves, the landmarks, the customs and the
people of the Long Ago, with the activity and
life OF the busy present, a town the "Old" and
New separated by river, but cemented by
the chain which gathers mp tho centuries-a set
tlement whose peculiarties and merits will am
ply repay long trip to see. Here we leave the
North Penn. road, and in few moments are
living along on tho Lehigh Valley II. X. which
winds 80 beautifully long the Lcligh river.
careless observer would suppose this to be
continuation Of the North Penn. road. and vol
he might for the change il made ~ quickly and
the elegant cars, smooth road and polite atteu-
tion of conductors and mon are so similar as to
call no observation to the fact that in moment,
under different management our comfort is
pleasantly continued.
'Is grand experience to be rushed through
such valley AZ this at the rate Of % miles an
hour valley sublime in picturesque scenery,
rich in agricultural and mineral wealth and
teeming with activity, enterprise and "brains.n
The whole valley il alive with honest toll and il
does one good to fly through its mountain passes
and breathe its busy, inspiring atmosphere, One
feels for the time that
Life is real, life is earnest"
and that honest industry is a heritage and bles-
sing to mankind
1t would shake mp some of the slow dreamy
drones of society to see the toll required and
patiently borne by others that they may idle
away the time which was given them for higher
purpose The ride grows in interest as we dash
along the banks of the beautiful stream, under
cliffs of the oyerhangiug mountain, hundreds a
feet above through deep cuts in the solid rock
and over high trussle work and bridges spanning
the river and chaAm1. We pass through thirty
lNNhHt anu Db5lilb humorous lUlUlelhb FURNACES
which seem almost fabulous in strength and pro-
portion, when We gaze on the great mountains
of cnder and refuse which have passed through
their ponderous jaws and now form towering
hills to be the wonder and admiration of future
generations, a. they gaze on them as some
mighty ''cOnyulsiOn OF nature far back in the
ages
Coal trains of from 100 to 200 cars each pass
us continually, while lumber in raft and boards
surround Us on every side. As we dash along
the SIDE OF the mountain chain about half way
up ITS dizzy height, scene bursts upon our view
10 full OF grandeur and beauty as to be beyond
descripton-with the mountaiu summit tower
lug far above on one side, We round point when
the valley for many miles IN extent opens in
moment to our vsw-an immense basin lies away
below us, in its centre nestles the pretty town of
Wilkes Barre, through whose borders tle beau
tuul but treacherOus Susquehauua meanders in
peaceful splendOr-this scene appears but mile
or 10 away. and yet IL miles have yet to be run
before We reach the town. have enjoyed much
beautiful scenery, hut cannot now recoliect any
similar scene that Impressed ms with it's perfect
peacetlllness aud picturesque beauty more tlan
thus, as It flashed upon Us almost ~ vision
the remembrance Of which will be rare picture
to hang upon the walls Of memory. Ia about an
hour we reached Wilkes Barre, which il it had
no other redeeming feature should be blest for
the enterprise that built aud maintains snch an
accommodation to travellers as the Wyoming
Valley Hotel. Beautifully located on the north
DIhucll ol INC Ouhtllellhih river, II ID surrounded
by many piazzas from which All extended view
of the Wyoming Valley stretches out before
us. The House is handsomely furnished
and elegantly carpeted the bill of fare
il a pattern, and is served by attentive walters.
The cooking il uneXceptiunable, and makes one
almost wish that one half the other hotels which
infest our land were blotted out OF existence al
poor food, miserably cooked is striving hard,
with show OF success to equal our late war in
the number of its victims, Everything il kept
IN perfect order, and neatness reigns supreme
Although large house, it accommodates only
''OO guests, giving ample room to all. II is
strictly first class" and its terms only $3.50
per day. All persons require a stopping point
between Philadelphia and Niagara Falls. They
cannot do better than enjoy the thorough accom-
mediation of this house, where they will be po.
ltely received by Mr.. ward, the gentlemanly
bookkeeper, and under the able management of
the proprietor, j, B. StOrk. Esq, they will re-
alze the truth Of the expression that he il fully
calculated to run hotel"
Leaving Wilkesbarre we follow the Susque-
hanna through it's winding way, through similar
peturesqe scenery, until we reach Elmra, where
we leave the Lehigh Valley Railroad, thoroughly
delighted with the pleasure and accommodation
1t affords, impressed with the belief that few
roads in the same distance can offer more in
ducements to the tourist than the North Penn
sylyania and Lehigh Valley, from Philadelphia
to Elmira.
As this letter has assumed proportions greater
than | had expected or desired / will leave
other matters until again moved by the spirit.
e. L, L.