Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-22
LETTER FRON ST. JOIN.

WiSrasseis July "a IFto'
LETTER FROM ST. JOHN
Up THE xiyER-TRIp TO FREDERICroN--A
FINE SalL-A GARDEN VALLEy--THE Cap
rrAL OF New BRUNswICK-E FIT TO Gov
ERxoR WmMoT's-SpEEcH MAkiSG on THE
RETURN.
ST.. JoHS, July is.
Since MY last, our party OF the Press Of
Maine has visited Fredericton and returned
to ST. John. Thursday morning. at nine
O'Clock, we started with full ranks from the
Victoria Hotel, and alter being carried abou
embarked there upon the good steamer Davit
Weston, Cnamed for her enterprsing captain
and owner fer trip to Fredericton. This
steamer is Of large capacity for her business
is well fitted for the accommodation of passen-
gers, and makes the run to Fredericton ga
miles) in about nine hours. The down trip is
is made in two hours less time. Good meals
are furnished aboard, and there is no jar or
motion Of the boat to give one an unpleasant
feeling to deprive him Of his appetite and
dinner.
In several respects have been disappoin,-
ed, / must confess, in the St. John. 1t is a
much larger river in width having greater vol
ume of water than / anticipated. The Ken
nebec and Penobscot both could not fill its
banks. At Fredericton It's three-fourths of
a mile wide. The average width between ST.
John and Fredericton must be considerably
over nile, for in some places il expands into
broad bays and nowhere is less than half
mile. Legs are doomed upon each side miles
and miles, and yet the channel which runs be-
tween the beems is so broad that il scarcely
seems to be diminished at all by the thousands
of acres Of logs that line its banks. | was no
longer surprised at the apparent amount of
water which comes tumbliDg over the falls
near the suspension bridge, after had seen
the river above. 1t bears upon its bosom
quite large feet of small crafts for the
transportation of lumber and other freight.
Rats of logs float upon it that are to RATS on
the Kennebee and Penobseot in size as the
Boston Coliseum to common country cottage.
Formerly it required several weeks to float
RATS from Fredericton or vicinity to st. john
but now steam tug will complete the job in
two days. think the most of Maine people
have an idea that the ST. John is about the
size of their rivers, but they have only to see it
to be undeceived.
In regard to the face and character of the
country on and near the banks, had no cor
rect impression. The lower part of the river
for perhaps half the distance to Fredericton
has bold, rocky, rugged banks, broken into
hills and rasines, whiiened in some places
with limestone cliffs, in others Drowned with
our common ledge rock, and these crowned
with spruce and fir. As we ascend the river
its appearance changes wonderfully. For the
rugged and varied scenery and barren country
we gradually make an exchange to low banks,
and as fine ntervae land as the sun ever
shown upon, covered with luxuriant crops.
looking the picture of rural content and
plenty. The spring freshet mandates and en-
riches the soil SO that no dressing is necessa-
ry, and the blowing and cultivating of the
land is rapidly and easily done. The nearer
we approach Fredericton, the better appear
the buildings ald farms. We were told tina,
these farms are held at high figures, that the
the farms are kept in the same family gener-
alton after generation. have seen no such
intervaies in Maine as this. The crops at
Fredericton are nearly as forward as at Dan
gor. At St. John vegetation is not SO adj
vanced as at Fredericton. Farmers have just
commenced hsying. Grass has not suffered in
this vicinity with droughtand is greener on that
account than the crop was in Maine when we
left. The yield will be large. Well may this
valley be called garden. Still it does not
show the animation, cultivation and'improve-
ment which might be expected. The river
seems to be the principal channel for trade and
travel. Roads appear TO be scarce and not
much used. There are no wharves for the
steamer to stop at. Every now and then her
course would be delayed 10 take in passengers
ana freight brought alongside in small boats,
% W "'sehaiee cargo and travellers 10 be con-
49, W u'e SHORE. No apple trees Of
an! consequence are seen at ST John.
but up the river there are good orch,
ARCS: Cora Iipens there well We were told.
Ia fact there Is nothing raised in Mar.
which will not grow as well a, ,ha g,
John. Along the river there are mills IN
operation. The logs are larger than in our
streams. mostly spruce, which are saved into
deal and sent to Europe. heard but one ex
preston among our party as to the beantv of
the river and the superiority of its shores for
farming. Steamers run to Woodstock.
W. aprivad AZ Ere1prictOn at C. u NJ sraa