St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1882-12-23

with the following composition,
written by young lady student of
Covinston High School, on the
subject of
TRAVEL.
The beneficial effects Of extensive,
or even limited travel, are difficult
to enumerate. The mind is fed by
new ideas, which, revolving i'll tho
busy brain. multiply and increase,
suggesting trains of thought which
expand the susceptible mind. The
diversity of scenes, the varying natu-
raj phenomena, the novel customs
OF different countries. which can
not but attract ones attention while
travelling, are never failing source
of interest ana improvement. Travel
also affords opportunity for Gull
tured and well-formed opinions
upon the art and literature of our
own and former times. In the
present age an observant traveller
can thus obtain store of knowl-
edge which, by other means. could
never be supplied. But in olden
times, journeys from place to place
We're looked upon as periods OF
anxiety and utmost discomfort, and
were undertaken only from neees-
slty, since these journeys must be
made by coaches, accompanied by
well-armed guards, as protectors
against the highwaymen, who
might be.expected at any moment,
OH the lonely moors or in the vast
uninhabited forests through which
led the traveier's road.
How greatly has the progress
sion of the Nineteenth Century
facilitated travel, by the extensive
employment of steam and elec-
trlclty, and the use Of many minor
improvements, even upon the modes
of lew years since! Now gaze on
the putting iron horse" with his
train OF miniature palaces. in which
one lives with as much comfort as
an his own house; then turn and see
the swiftly moving electric train,
propelled as though by magic,
winding through broad cultivated |
lands, surrounding prosperous vii
lagos and populous cities; and con-
trast the steamships of to-day with |
Ramsey's first experiment. Travel,
by such means as are now every
where available, is at once the most I
and profitable way of
passing ones time. SAKE has thus
aptly, though ludicrously, described
a journey by rail:
Singing through the forests,
Rattling over ridges,
Shooting under arches,
Rambling over bridges.
Nhizzing through the MOUNTAINS,
Buzzing DER the vale"
The views from the windows of
lallway car, though rapidly shift
ing, often indeliblr impress them
selves upon the mind. From an
elevated position, what grand
scope the far-reacning landscape
.tfuras the enchanted gazer! From
he depths OF a verdant valley, how
'he mountaln-tops tower, till lost
n the blue expanse above! But
'oon the scene cnanses, and undu-
ating prairie lands or dense forests
break upon the sight; and these
quickly passing, silver thread is
seen III the distance, every moment
widening and nearing, till one looks
lpon tue luxuriant growth of
'ioplng savannabs bordering the ,,
swift and sparkling stream.
In ones wandeIings, he may {
,ause to hear the thunderings Of
he Niagara, and gaze on the fear ,
III beauty of its fall, as the abyss
nsatiable swallows the sinking
waves. "a thousand radiant rain
lows archins each, while the wood
S deafened by the torrents roar"
Ind one could scarce name the vast
'eauty and completeness which fill
us hungry soul, as he speeds Ger
he varied surface of this globe of
urs. Yet Natures beauty is not
Ill. The wondrous monuments of
mans labor yes, man himself
he difference in the history and ,
zones, life and manners, of the {
everal races of the earth, which, {
nlly to realize aud appreciate, one
aust closely observe, form a most
Interesting sablect for thought and c
mpl ovement. Thus to travel, ac- I
ommodating ones self to the vari-
rs circumstances which may arise. !