Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-27
FROM wASHfNGPOy TO THE
THOCSAND ISLANDS.
Correspondence Of The Star.l
ALEXANDRIA BAY. JEFFERSON CO., NY

riEeu In Jersey CITY, and, crossing the DeS-
hrosses stfeet ferry, landed at the joining slip
10 the one occupied by the magnificent Hudson
liver day steamer "Ohsuncey vibbard," fof
Albany. This river at New York is usually
spoken of a. the North river to distinguish i.
from the waters on the south side of the city.
Having half An hour TO spare before starting,
with my companion we wandered along the
lower part of the city, aud were particularly
struck with the evidences of neglect in the
character OF many OF the buildings. vacant
lots, ana OLD ana diispidsted structures with
notices upon them, "For Rent" making maui
fest the truth of the assertion that the business
OF the city of New York is rapidly
EXTENDING UP The ISLAND,
and that already much OF the property towards
the Point has deterorated in value and is losing
its controlling influence in a business point of
view. Completing our hasty survey, we glanced
at the produce markets ia this section before
the thrnDg OF business in that part OF the city
had regularly set in. We returned to the boat,
where We had breakfast. After the usual
hustle occasIoned by the rapid movems ants OF
hundreds of people, the carrying aboard OF bag
gage, and the din of repeated whistlings and
tolling of bells, the steamer headed up North
river. A fine band or music was playing, while
the decks and cabins were not only filed, but
crowded with gay and Joyous throng OF per-
hspe one thousand souls.
Up THB HUDSON.
We took seat on the forward deck, to OBJ
serve the shipping and the city, and to take note
toe OF excitement in anticipation Of the pleas
ures of the day. The direction OF the river here
is nearly straight, flowing almost in direct line
north and south for nearly one hundred aud
during the greater part of its course, and the
fertility OF the land adjacent TO it, the distance
it penetrates into fine agricultural region, aud
its near approach TO the American lakes are
circumstances which contribute to make the
Hudson one of the most noted for comm rce
among the rivers OF the world. In connection
q al rNncr
let for the commerce Of the grain producing
states bordering on the western lakes TO wv
York and the seaboard. Fleets OF boats AMI
RATS are constantly passing through the New
York and Erie canal and down the Had son
c irving all classes of Commodities auf building
materials TO the CITY of New York. The tide
extends to Albany, and rises at that city about
thu es feet. From Castleton up, the navigation
is more difficult. but the country a ijoiuing the
river is particularly fertile and beautifully cu
tivated.
The steamer made but few landings, consii-
eriDg the many populous towns and villas, stop
ping at Toukers, Nyack, Tarryt0wn, Newbsrg,
West Point, Poughkeepse, and atskill, but a.
each point many got Off to visit raj places the
largest number, however. leaving Us at West
Point and at the landing for the Cstskiil Mo1n-
tain House. The through passengers for Albany,
Saratoga, and other points west remaining to
the end OF the trip. Although we had several
times passed and repassed along the North river,
this was the first occasion that we had done SO
in daylight and upon steamer. The bold aud
beautiful scenery of this river has been SO wei
and so frequently described that | viii nos at
tempt it here. 1t will require a more gifted pen
20 do ample justice to its N 3gnihcent scenery.
Many of the points along the river rise to tue
height Of over 0W feet, aud the Cstskill moan
tains, continuation OF the Appalachian chain,
in full view, rise in places to 2 800 feet. Tue
great wilderness and the firODdack mountains
lie OF to the east. The river, on appro 1ching
Albany, tOs, say ten miles, has 4 marrow aai .
conn q; Atively shallow channel, and ia mJT3
difficult OF navigation than I hal ore EionSlV
supposed in this part the b)sts frequently &c.
aground and causing delays. Al Albany the
river Is spawned by several bridges, thu prInci
pal OF " aIch IS tue Que recently constructed D.
The N8w York Central and hudson RAILROAD
company, the draw OF which il oaera-si b.
team, stordi"g double paSsIge-wty for yes
sels, and is one of the most rem irkabls works Of
the kind in the country.
ALBANY AND VICINITY.
On arriving at Albany we put up at the Del
aware House, a magnificent establishment that
would popularize any great city. Calling upo1
my friend DIR. Grimsby, who WAS at hOm5 and
IN excellent spirits, he at once proposed drive.
After an Introduction to several prominent
medical gentle men or the city, We drove around
to see the extent, beauties and alterations of
the city of Albany; the settlement OF which,
under the name OF Beaver Wycke, was coevsl
with the arrival of the dr5t Dutch settlers in
America, ante-dates that of New York, and but
a couple Of years later than the settlement of
jamestown, Va. We visited the Hospital and
Medical College. The former is a large and
well appointed and conducted INSTITUTION, sup
ported entirely by the benevolence and charity
Of the people of the city. The Medical College
has good library, and one of the finest museums
OF comparative anatomy and pathology in the
the country. The city park, although new aud
still in process OF improvement aud extension,
has many beautiful avenues aud extended
drives. Ii occupies elevated grounds, and from
different points commanding admirable views
Of the city and surrounding country. The walls
Of the new State House are nearly carried 10
their intended height. The situation of ths
building is high, and commands an extensive
view; 1t occupying whole square, and In archi.
tectursistyle contrasts well with theC ). govern
meDt buildings Washington city. The material
used In the walls is white granite, which ia
brought from Maine. The city is supplied With
water from Lake Rensselaer,, but works are
nearly completed to add TO the supply, from the
dudson river, above the city.
FROM THE HUDSON TO THE ST. LAWRENCE.
Having spent an agreeable evening in AL
bany, a little before IL O'Clock We took the cars
Tor Waterfront, and thence TO Cape Vincent,
On the ST. Lawrence river, q distance OF 209
miles. We arrived at Watertown in tims f0I
breakfast, and had q fe moments time to look
around this handsome and wealthy mauufac
turing city. Here the stream, with Its chara,
tersstic name-Black river-sttractsb by its dark
color your attention. The water power is very
considerable, and although utilized to soms ex-
tent, there is nevertheless vast power going
20 waste. Arriving at Cape Vincent We got on
board tie regular steam packet j. III. Kelley
which runs TO Alexandria bay, about 50 miles
IN connection with the RAILROAD over which we
had passed, making two trips daily. stopping
going aud coming at Clayton. We arrived a.
Alexandria bay, which is in the midst of the
Thousand Islands, a little after / O'Clock, and
were greeted on our approach to thewhsrf, and
while landing, by the music Of the splendid
g Wstertown band, !" which had few DAYS be
fore taken prize OF thousand dollars 10
contest for the prize in Canada.
ALEXANDRIA BAY
Is the name given to q small inlet of the ST.
Lawrence river, in Jefferson county, n. Y
There is a village situated on il Of bet wesn
three and four hundred inhabitants and there
are two very large and spacious hotels, known
as the s'Crossman House" and the 'IThousanI
Island House." The former well known to
sportsmen and fishermen for many years, aud
the latter an imposing structure erected within
the last few years. From the tower Of the
Thousand Island House q magnificent view
may be obtained OF the river, the islands AMI
the adjacent country for many miles. At these
houses We found about three hundred visitors
and seekers for health as well Is pleasure
Among the gentlemen sojourning there with
their families We noticed Gen. Breckenridge
and family, Of Kentucky; Rev. Mr.. Skinner
with his family, from Cincinnati, end among
the guests Of the medical profession We noticed
DIR. j. ID. jackson, Of Kentucky, and DIR. DAw
son, OF Cincinnati, all Of whom were enjoying
the facilities for exercise In the open air, many
Of them passing from 0iRht To tW6Iya boura IN