The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-11-20
How the City Appeared to English
Eyes Twsnty-Six Years
Ago.
Old Time Habits and Customs Faithfully
Described.
How n Live American Newspaper Was
Conducted In the BackwOOds.

0cAlAcAhdh III thO VI
America" printed in London IN 1855, by
Huest & Blackett, successors to Henry
Coburn, 10 Great Marlborough street."
In turning over the leaves
of the first volume-the book is
in two volumes-the eye of the Sentinel's
representative CHANGED to rest on chapter
ten of the book, which is devoted to a de-
the swriter in 1851. at which time
he passed through the city on
his way, With his family,
to a point in Iowa. 4 perusal of this chap
ter showed it to be full of matters of interest
to our citizens and we accordingly lay the
entire chapter before our readers, only pre-
missing that the author signs himself -.
Richard Beste, Esq" residence, "Grosyenor
street, London"
OF AMERICANs-A''GoNE CoON'-DIFFICULTY
OF GOING FURTHER-AN ISOLATED PRIEST
COLONEL AND MRS. DRAKE-PLAN OF AMERI-
CAN CIITES-A MORNING VISTA SPIRIT
SHoP-THE CAPIToL-WALKs-BUIIN HORSES
BUYING A wAGoN-A CARPENTER-AMERI-
CAN ENGLISH-BUYING A LoCATIoN-THE IN.
DIANA NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. NEWSPAPERS
FASHIONABLE SHOPS.
Mr.. Turtle, the proprietor or manager OF the
Wright's House Hotel at Indianapolis, seemed
to think his premises already too full to
commodate my party; but he showed me a
wing of the house, running back between yards
and gardens, which could have If the apart
ment would suit me. There were several bed
rooms, side by side, all communicating with an
open balcony and trellis-wood shaded by roses
and jasmines in full bloom. We were seduced
by the freshness of the flowers, and engaged
the rooms at once by the week. We did not
consider that, there being no second story over
that wing of the house, the sun would strike
through the tiles and roof, and raise the tenn
perature of our rooms to that of a moderately
heated oven. When we discovered this To be
the case IL was too late TO change, and we
CONFERRED ourselves by opening the doors upon
the howery balcony and the windows opposite;
we so secured n current of air-heated, but re-
freshing.
We went down TO dinner in a large room on
the ground floor. There were not above a
dozen other persons at table, so that we con-
stituted half the company. Here we first saw
in use what, in the East Indies, We're called
dinner table several light frameworks of wood,
covered with paper, were swung upon hinges
rom tne ceiilRg. ana huhg ooWn %l Iaanoa
through and was knotted TO the bottom OF each
framework, and was then carried on through
pulleys to the further side of the room. This
negro waiter boy was pulling steadily, and so
caused the hanging screens to wave backward
and forward above the table. Thus not only a
delicious current of air was Kept up, but also
the flies were dispersed that congregated in
black patches upon the dishes whenever the
lad paused 10 rest in his monotonous exercise.
Ii was a most simple and inexpensive, but
most delightful way of being famed.
The company consisted of either bOarderS in
the mousse OF travellers. IDey were ali quite
inoffensive. Indeed, all Americans are so at
their meals. As they grudge every minute
which they steal from business for the purposes
Of eating, and as they never-or scarcely ever
drink wine, beer or spirits, they have every
motive to be silent and none to talk. Although
they of course want the polish OF the highest
circles, their manners are very much better
than those OF the same class in England; and,
indeed, their universal politeness 10 women Is
unequaled, unaPproached,ev even by any class In
any country. Here are no fussy petits SONS
and idgeting complimentary interference,
such as Sterne finds so delightful, but show
OF genuine respect for petticoat by whomso-
ever worn. In no saloon, in no steamboat
throughout the United States will any man, OF
whatsoever rank, retain a seat while any
out one. Like Byron, they
reverence petticoat;
A garment of a mystical sublimity,
Whether it be of muslin, silk or dimity."
But though the Americans do not drink
wine or beer at these ia bles dhote, they are not
sparing of iced waller, the one universal luxury.
Here, also, Tor the first time we saw tea drank
at dinner. Large boilers full OF tea were stand
ing on a side table, and the women especially
were frequent applicants for it. / tried the
mixture, and can truly recommend large
bowl of strong tea, with large lump OF Ice
floating and quickly melting in the middle of
IL, as being most palatable at a midday DINNER
during the dog days:
/ was done for; / was gone coon. Having
told the reader the meaning OF the former ex-
preston, may as Wen mere re mark the derlva-
heard around me. 1t seems that some cele-
brated sportsman, some American Colonel
hawker; being ont Win t ANS nus g nh a rac"oS
in a tree and leveled his piece.
"Don't give yourself the trouble, Colonei
fate. You never miss. Don't trouble your
self to fire. L conclude to come down to you.
I am gone COON.
about as helpless as that of the coon. had
come by steamboat and railway as far as rail-
way or steamboat could forward me In this
direction. Water there was no more of, and
the railways were completed no farther. IL
was true that several lines were planned out,
which would go TO 81. Louis and the Paclfc,
put we had no wish TO stay at Indianapolis
until they should be completed. had been
told that the stage coach direct from Cincln-
natl passed through the town and along the
National road 10 the Mississippi, and 70 this
had trusted. The stage coach came rolling mp
will not describe what has been described
SO often; suffice IL to say that the one body OF
the vehicle held places for three with their
their faces TO the horses; and a bench across
from door to door for three more, the only
support for whose shoulders was q leatnern
were only nine places, even could they DE all
secured, which was doubtful; and nine places
would not suffice for my party. Moreover, the
have to travel all that aud the following night.
IL was not to be thought of. What could be
mot at an, said MT. Turtle; edo as we all
do. Buy a wagon and a pair OF horses, and
drive across the prairie"
The spirit of adventure was upon US, and
the idea was rather taking.
We walked out TO evening service. III Was
the festival of pus Christi, and we called
upon the priest. Poor, Reverend Mr.. Cue
guen he was in a Responding state! We were
no longer in the go-ahead diocese OF Cincin-
natl, but in the old diocese of Vincennes,
founded by the French settlers OF Louisiana,
where French clergy and the apathy of French
routine have to contend with American ener-
gy Four bare brick walls were. indeed, rooted
In for a church, but whitewash and plaster
there was not; pavement TO the floor there was
not. There was a capital organ, but no one to
play on 1t or to sing. Mr.. Gueguen, himself of
French origin, had been there for many years
he had himself created whatever now existed,
but he seemed to despair of doing any more.
He himself was living, apparently broken
hearted, In poverty and dirt and the noise OF
the dozen children OF the Irishman with whom
he boarded. The town, indeed, could boast
many handsome churches handsomely finish
ed for every other denomination OF Christians,
but the members of government and of the
legislature met at Indianapolis, as II was the
capital of the state; and the clergy Of the sew
eraI denomina q lions called upon all to subscribe
to their several funds. He had not the spirit
r1Q of ali .fh Qr Ia