Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-12-17

ing valleys and grand mountain gorges of
central Pennsylvania. This lovely river, flow
ing so calmly and serenely through its broad,
deep channels, and studied with islands innu-
merable, seems as it were, to bind the brow of
the city with a band of silver The beautiful
suburban villages lying on the opposite bank,
with their housetops and spires glittering in
the sunlight and reflected in its water, seen
through the mellowness of distance, add
richness and variety to the landscape. Of fur
ther, in the same direction, are seen a long
line of hills and bluffs, clothed with snow,
while in the greater distance beyond. blue
tinted mountains loom grandly toward the
skies. On the north east and south, the hills
and mountain ranges stand guard like lines
of sentinels. Taking the river as the front,
Harrisburg is built in space, which, by the
surrounding hills, has been formed into reg
ular amphitheatre The site Of the city is
plain, except that portion called Allison's
hill, which is somewhat elevated, and Is large
enough to contain population OF more than
dozen times that which the old Roman COL
liseum would accommodate. The streets are
lined with shade trees, and the large number
of fruit and ornamental trees in the gardens
and yards of the residences, must give it, In
summer, that air of freshness and verdancy so
often noticeable in country villages. Toward
the east, and almost in the centre Of the city
as projected, are range of hills and bluffs.
On these heights are located the Catholic con-
vent, Brant's magnificent residence, and the
Harrisburg cemetery, which, with their great
variety of natural and artificial beauty, crown
the little city with splendor. Lincoln park
Promenade park and the capitol grounds are
all handsomely located in and near the centre
of the city the latter being somewhat eleVa'
ted-a perfect wonder of beauty. Wandering
through the labyrinths IF walks, carriage ways
and buildings, one can easily imagine himself
in the midst of an ancient garden, surrounded
not only with Natures beauties, but with the
handiwork of man in its most artistic forms.
The river, upon the bosom of which lumber
is brought to the very doors Of some of the
residences, stretches its great length through
the extensive timber region of the State,
reaching out by its various branches into
thousands of acres of primeval forests, and
permeating them, stands ready as their nat
ural messenger to carry their timber to the
haunts of civilization. Another natural ad-
vantage of the city is the fact that the cele-
brated Sykens Valley coal is produced in
vast quantities in the county of which this city
is the seat of justice, and within thirty miles
of it. These anthracite coal beds are almost
at the doors of the people of this city, and
supply much of the coal used here.
RAILROAD CITY.
By force of its position, Harrisburg is the
centre ola distinct and independent system
of railways, radiating from it to almost every
point of the compass. Thus, if you take your
stand at the Pennsylvania Railroad depot
and look south, you will see railroad track
leading into Baltimore and Washington cities.
Look east, and you see another leading into
Philadelphia Turn your face to the northeast
and look along track leading to New York
city. Look north, and you will see another
running to the northern part ofthe State, and
into nearly all the towns of the central part of
New York State. Turn south, and you will
see one leading into the great Shenandoah
Valley and the whole of the eastern part Of
the Southern States. Again, turn to the west
you will see track extending to Pittsburg,
and from thence to the vast number of towns
and giant young cities of the far West.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The stranger is struck with the number
magnitude and fine architecture Of the public
school buildings in Harrisburg. There are,
l am informed, twenty-three in number, of
which eighteen are owned by the school board,
and FIVE rented. The value of school proper
ty in this city is estimated to be over $780,
900. The schools afford room for about 5000
scholars, but the rapid increase of the popu-
lation has crowded 50 fast upon the school
accommodations that they are behind the re-
quirements of the city. The school system is
said to be an excellent one, and under the
charge Of competent teachers.
CHURCHES.
Some forty churches attest the religious
zeal among the people, and most Of the places
Of worship are very substantial and elegant,
and some of them fine specimens of architec-
ture.
The city is furnished with beautiful drive
ways in every direction, while the Park AS
sociation grounds is provided with one of the
finest trotting tracks in the country.
MANUFACTURES
of all kinds are in full tide Of success, but the
principal branches ofindustry are the furnaces
for smelling iron, nail making and the manu-
facture of all kinds of machinery, which gives
lucrative employment to thousands of men.
RAILROAD CARS
are manufactured to very great extent.
There are said to be over two thousand rail-
roads in operation in the United States. Of
these it is said that the Pennsylvania railroad