The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-10-03

lined view of the Suspension Brldge
one Of the connecting links between Pitts
burgh and Allegheny-is distinguishable
in the gathering gloom. And now we are
on the Ohio, and the plash, plash of the
wheel bears us onward. Oh how longed
for all the dear friends call mine to be
standing with me enjoying the serene lovli'
ness of that evening. With feelings OF
intermingled sadness and joy we finally
entered the saloon and thence to state
rooms, where refreshing sleep soon over
took us. The days slipped peacefully
away. The beautiful May mornings were
spent out on deck; the picturesque beauty
of the scenery continually changing and
confronting US with fresh surprise at
every bend of the river. Indeed, the pan
Drama of grandeur and beauty seemed end
less. We passed Wheeling, Va. about
noon of the first day out, and numerous
other pretty, comfortable looking Virginia
and Ohio towns were passed during the
day.
On Friday we halted and had fine view
of Huntington, a handsomely situated and
thriving Kentucky town. 1t is the termi-
nus of the Chesapeake & Ohio road; from
here large steamers convey passengers to
Cincinnati aud intermediate points. In the
afternoon jovial and happy party Of us
we're grouped upon deck, listening to the
sweet, wild notes of our English mocking
bird, and watching the hills their proud
heights, garnishcd with flowers and verdure
the meadows and lawns spread out a beauti-
full mosaic of grass and flowers. The vine
covered thickets were bursting with song
of birds. "But look ~ cries one of the
party, "we are nearing town. Come,
ladies, get your hats, and we'll off for a
stroll" Sure enough, we were allowed
about twenty minutes in which to ascend
the steep bank and have glimpse Of Ash
land, Kentucky. First was seen the blast
furnace of the "Ashland Iron Works. "
1t also has a large hotel, a three story
brick building, entirely too large for the
town. One of the gentleman in our party
had once lived in Ashland and he informed
us that when the house was built, some
body told the rest that the Lexington &
Big Sandy, or some other road, was COM
ing there. But it never came. Still Ash
land is a thriving place, about one hundred
and fifty miles from Cincinnati, and some
day will no doubt be stirring little city
as it is near great fields of iron and coal
in Kentucky. Four miles further and we
approach the smoke developed city of Iron
ton. Like most river towns, it is on high
bluff and enjoys fine view of river and
land scenery. We had to content our
selves, however, with views from the
steamer as it only stopped few moments.
At Maysville we arrived towards morn
ing and here lost two of our travelling
companions, very plea SAINT and gay Ken
lucky girls, two sisters, who had been Wis
iting friends in Allegheny.
At 10 o'clock on Saturday morning we
were at the Cincinnati levee, just four
nights and three days from Pittsburgh,
and distant nearly five hundred miles
Were here transferred by hack to the Gen.
Lyle, fine and handsomely furnished
mail steamer. The change was decidedly
agreeable, and at p. NJ. we left Cincin-
natl. Our supper was delicious, consist
ing of nicely broiled chicken, sweet bread,
golden butter, fragrant coffee, ice cream
and other delicacies. The table looked SO
tasteful, with it's snowy napery and bou-
quets of early Spring flowers. After sup
per most of the passengers assembled Oh
deck. "Old Sol" was just tinging the
tree tops with his departing rays, and the
scene was really enchanting. So many
pretty villas nesting among-some of them
merely peeping through-the luxuriant
growth of vegetation on either side. One
of the gentlemen had brought his guitar
that pretty, and l thought, perfectly ap-
propriate little air:
"a breath from Adams paradise
The careless breeze is tlinging;
An echo from an angels harp
Our Joyous bird is singing,
Earth lieth still in restfulness,
Save passing thrills culver,
AS tangled sunbeams knit and break
Across queenly river.,'
We now entered the saloon enmasse and
we ladies amused ourselves at the grand
piano, whilst the gentlemen lounged, lis
We awoke the next morning-the bright
sun streaming across our tiny apartments
and found we were already at Louisville.
Coffee was being served in the saloon for
those who wished to leave the steamer at
once; and breakfast was ready at Z. After
which we took a coach, and were soon
bowling along over the smooth Nicholson
pavement to Wizards Hotel.
Seldom have l found myself so we'll
pleased with any town or city on so short
an acquaintance. Its streets are wide and
regularly laid out, and it presents the ap-
pearance of possessing much wealth; yet
the dwellings of Louisville have the pleas
ing popularity, generally, of appearing
homes rather than mere dwelling places.
The residences are mostly built in the cot
tage or villa style of architecture, and
each embowers itself in shade and shrub
berry, through which are given glimpses OF
gardens and grape arbors. Plenty of CON-
forts, a wealth of flowers, neatness and
lovliness on every side, but no Ostentatious
display of massive "brown stone" or
"marble fronts. Every one who has
ever had the pleasure of visiting Louisville
has remarked the condition in which the
streets are kept, the sidewalks and paving
stones are marvel of cleanliness. We
left the city with all its allurements at an
early hour the following morning. "Cave
City "-seven miles from the celebrated
Mammoth Cave was reached at
o'clock, and at P. NJ. We were in Nash
vile, had fine view Of the capitol as we
entered the city. We proceeded at once
to the Maxwell House," at which place
the Knight Templars were holding ban
quet, and consequently we noticed many
handsome "Knights ~ and richly dressed
ladies. The Maxwell House" is consid-
cred the finest hotel in the South, and is
really elegant in all its appointments. The
following morning We proceeded TO Chat
tanooga-the days ride exceedingly mo,
notonous, the country thinly settled, and
nothing of interest transpired-arrived at
p. N. and from our chamber windows had
fine view of lookout Mountain and
was urged to remain over and join a party
to visit the noted mountain; but though
delighted with our hostess and her guests
and RECALLED upon delicious Strawberries
we were obliged to decline. And accord
ingly made our exit at 5 O'Clock in the
morning. Took breakfast in Cleveland,
Tenn, dinner in Knoxville; and passing
through beautiful portion of East Ten
nessee we arrived in Greeneville at P. II.
| This is quite pretty town and very appro-