Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-06-23
From Cleveland to Montreal by
Water.

peller Africa, about O'Clock L. NJ, j une
I'd, and soon the innumer;lLle lights oi
the city began TO fade from view. Only
the more intense lights from the light
houses now indicate the point of start
ing. After watching the rejection OF
the moonlight from the waves for a
short time, we laid ourselves upon a
shelf for the night. The novelty of the
situation and the thought of being
ON the wafer. this ,tirst night, was moi
IeondneiEe 60 Soand and peaceful sleep
/ The next morning. we awoke to fad tie
earth 30 much smaller than usual, that
our view was distracted on ali sides by
the sky cutting the water. Friday was
dull and cloudy, a drizzling rain contin-
Hing through most of the day. About
IL A. NJ. we passed Long Point, long
sandy projection from the Canadian
shore, and arrived at Port Colburn, at
the head of the Welland Canal at 5 p N.
This canal is miles from Niagara Falls,
and forms the only connection between
Lakes Erie and Ontario. 1t is % miles
in length and has 27 locks. We are fa-
miliar with the terms "lock up" and s'un-
lock- but here we "lock up" and "lock
down." the latter, with one exception,
in this way. 1t takes from 10 to is hours
under favorable circumstances, to pass
through this canal. When several boats
and vessels wish to pass both WAYS at
the same time, which frequently hap
pens, it takes four or five days. AS this
canal does not admit the passing of
boats drawing more than 9 ur 10 feet
of water, new one, running parallel TO
this, has been in process of construction
for the past Eve years aud is now near.
ly ready for use. This will allow the
passage of boats drawing IL or IA feet OF
water. The construction of the locks re-
qulreS an immense amount of heavy ma
sonry, and what we saw looked to be OF
a superior order. The finest and most
expensive portion is the aquedilct over
the Mohawk River The largest town
on the canal is st. Catharines, which
has some reputation as resort for In
valids, on account of the medicinal
properties of its mineral springs.
We retired about ten o'clock. and af-
ter sound nights sleep, awakened 10
find ourselves still locking down." At
ter passing some four or five locks we
left the canal aud struck out for the
blue waters of Lake Ontario. The day
being bright and sunny. the water ap-
peared strewn with aparkling gems,
caused by the reflection OF the light from
the ever varying ripples of the water
After pleasant ride of some five hours,
we gradually approach the wharf at
Toronto. Having a couple of-heHrs st
our disposal, while some freight is being
unloaded, we took stroll through the
Capital City of the Province. The streets
are of moderate width, but the buildings
present a very substantial and business /
like appearance. The people of Toronto
are noted for their excurting proclivi-
ties, and notwithstanding the great dis
aster at Kingston, only few days pre-
viOus, the water in the bay near the city, |
was neatly black with all kinds of wa
tercraft. from the light racing scull to |
large pleasure yacht and steamer. Sew
eral of the latter were going and coming |
with crowds of gaily dressed excursion |
lists, and bands to enliven the occasion |
with their music. Toronto is the home |
of the worlds champion rover, Hanlon,
and on the island just opposite the city |
stands the fine large summer Hotel pre-
sented him by the boating association of
Toronto. A generous gift, it would
seem at tirst-but not SO much so, when
we are told that some of the members
of this association made $150,000 on his
races. At 5 m. we resume our course,
and soon the Canadian shore appears in
dim outline in the west A glance
around helps US TO appreciate one of
the proofs of the earth's rotnndity, i. e.,
that the sail of distant vessel is the
first thing to be seen, and the hull next.
"a ilG ha far hut
appear no larger than handkerchief By
IhiS time We had begun to feel so much
1T home upon the water that Saturday
night we slept all the more soundly for
.he regular pulsations of the engine.
sunday morning we arose to find it cold
md cloudy again. About noon we came
n sight of Kingston. The Insane Asy-
um, Penitentiary, colleges, and fortsI
present fine appearance as we approach
he shore A few passengers being left,
ind some freight discharged, We now set
,ut down the st. Lawrence. We passed
everal islands of all shapes and sizes,
,ut the celebrated Thousand Islands
ire not reached till about 4 o'clock.
when, as if for our especial accommo-l ,
lation, the murky clouds gradually dis
appear, and the golden sunlight of eve
ling lends additional splendor to the
lea4ty of the scenery. At this point {
he river. some two miles in width, is
lied with a perfect laharynth of ISL ]
nds while the mirror=like surface of the /
water is seen in all directions, winding a
nd twining among them. To the mex
it would be hard matter to
ell which channel TO take, or what di- t
ection to go. At distance, we see the Id
lrge Island House and surrounding tJ
amp grounds. On some smaller islands,
ear our course, are several coZy looking | !
ummer residences of wealthy New Ir
,orkers, not yet occupied for the sum- d
ler. A short distance from these on q
n Isolated island stands the school t
opse-a very good situation to prevent
unless the pupils are good
winners, Looking back along our d
curse; the islands give the river banks
ne appearance of being. trimmed with 81
eep green edging. After viewing this
specimen Of Natures hand :
work, some one gave expression to the
Vident thought of all, by exclaiminc,
How were these islands formed i'm this
lighty river?" About ten O'Clock in
Ie evening we run" one of the MANY I
lpids for which the St. Lawrence is re-
owned. The deep and rapid current
,nders the scene both exciting and in W
,resting. The velocity with which we Of
'avel, reminds us of the course of time, "
I'D the Rapid, one of the things of the al al
asst. We arose Monday morning to find ~
lie banks whtened with frost, and have r.
nee seen many TRACES of effects in the -
vegetation, but the frost was e
)t so severe as to materially damage W
ops or gardens. The day proved CT
light and pleasant, giving us Il good op- CT,
,rtunity to observe the country along sil
e river, which in this part of its course vi
,pands into several lakes, bearing the di
lmes of as many different saints pr
We are now traversing what is known
the kreneh country. inhabited almost ev