Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-08-07
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer
LETTER FROM WESTERN NEW YORK.

mind, or at least, gives him knowledge OF
geography that he would acquire in no other
way. By no possibility can man learn as
much of the geography and topography of his
country from books as we can from travel and
the attendant facilities for personal observa-
tiou. No description, however graphic, can
convey to the understanding as acurate pic
ture of landscape as is conveyed through
the medium of the eyes.
When person takes a notion to travel, l
do not believe that he should consider it neces-
sary to post off to Europe. There is much
in this country to be seen. Several years can
be pro6tably employed in journeying over the
States and Territories. To know all about Eu-
rope, and nothing of ones own country, is an
accomplishment of doubtful utility.
THROUGH OHIO.
A select party of two, one of which was the
undersigned, left Cincinnati last Thursday for
trip to Western New York. We came over
the Atlantic and Great Western road, or broad
gauge route, as it is called. We left Cincn-
natl at half past eleven o'clock on the New
York lightning express, and shot out through
the rolling country like an Indian arrow. l
don't know that this comparison is beautiful,
but let it go-the arrow, mean. In little less
than two hours we ran to Dayton, sixty-slx
miles, and there stopped three minutes for
lunch. Upon this line there are splendid
lunch houses at all the principal stations; but
of what utility is lunch house when you are
given no time to enjoy it? That is the thought
which occurred to me at Dayton, as | barely
got poised on three legged stool in front of
tempting array of sandwiches, cheese, pie,
milk, tea and cake, when the rascal of train
commenced to slip out of the depot.
Dayton is city of some twenty thousand
inhabitants, full of vim, life and enterprise.
Ohio is famous for the number and beauty of
its cities, of from eight to thirty thousand in
habitants. TO the population Of the State
there are more Of these gems of rapid growth
than in any other. Lam not native of Ohio,
nor did ever live there, but several trips
through it have given me an august idea of
the wealth and power Of that great common
wealth. That State settled sixty or seventy
years ago should now contain property to the
value of two thousand millions of dollars is
something worth thinking about.
We ran to Urbana, through fine rolling
country, by three o'clock. The farmers were
cutting their wheat, oats and hay, and one
could but note the advantages which they
have in improved machinery. The farmer
now rides as he cuts hay, being able, with the
improved moving machine, to cut an acre an
hour, whereas, with the old system of hand
moving, an acre day was considered fair
work.
At Urbana the greatest travelling show in
the world was on exhibition. I refer to the
gigantic concern which P. T. Barnum has
launched upon the country. 1t is undoubted-
ly the biggest thing in the way Of show ever
before seen on earth. The large tent seats
fourteen thousand people, and within are three
separate circus rings all full of performers at
once. Barnum moves altogether by railroad,
it requiring four engines and over IL hundred
cars to transport his monster concern. His
daily expenses are over seven thousand dol
lars, yet admittance is had to the whole gi-
gantic combination for fifty cents!
A word as to Barnum himself He is very
wealthy and could retire on a priucely income,
but he prefers to roam over the world with
monster strings of wild animals and circus
performers. 1t is a question if a man of
active mind and habits, like Barnum, can
ever be contented. Indeed, it is denied that
there is man in the world who is really con-
tented, be he Of active habits or otherwise.
l once read of wealthy man who proposed
to give farm to whomsoever was contented.
So he put up sign board by the roadside
upon which was this inscription: Il will give
this farm to any man who is contented." !"
Several passed by, paused, but, upon reflection,
moved on again, knowing that they could not
rightfully claim it. At last one, who thought
himself particularly well situated, ran in glee
to the rich man saying, Il am truly contented,
1 will take the farm" "Are you certain you
are contented ?" asked the rich man. "Oh
yes, sir, there isn't doubt Of it" "Then,
what do you want the farm for?" enquired
the rich man, at which the other vanished.
OH contentment what jewel thou art, and
how rare! But I must hurry along The
reader can moralize for himself if in the mood.
At West Salem we were given the liberal
allowance of ten minutes for supper. 1t is a
question if man does not injure himself by
boiling meal in ten minutes as much as he
would to 60 without. The supper was good,
however, and was shocked that the landlord
should charge but fifty cents for it.
We passed Meadvillo and jamestown while
asleep, and awoke at Salamanca. At Olean
we stopped for awhile. Olean is quiet New
York village with a population of two or
three thousand. Two Of us, two valises and
trunk were conveyed from the depot to the
hotel, over a mile, for fifty cents. Oneis struck
by the reasonableness of charges i'll eastern
villages and towns. The hotel rates are sell
dom over two dollars day, and the fare is
all TIT reasonable man could desire. But
you do not get waited on" as much as at the
same class of hotels in the South. There are
fewer walters, porters and boot-blacks dancing
attendance. This is we'll, for large number
of hotel drummers is an indication of want oi
employment. A man, white or black, whose
business it is to hang around dep6ts and drum
for hotels. would likely be in better employ