The Wilmingtonian. (Wilmington, Del.) 1882-188?, 1884-07-26

The sub-soil hereabouts differs entirely
from that in the region over which we have
passed From Wilmington to Conestoga
gneiss, serpentine and other azoic rocks
prevail, being part of the great bed running
from Trenton to the Susquehanna. Now,
however, the soil is of a full brick-red color,
rich in iron, and the rocks partake of the
hue of Indian Red. The caves at French
Greek are natural cavities excavated by
water in this rock. According to the mem
Dry of the oldest inhabitants, the Tories,
during the Revolutionary War, used these
caves to hide away horses, the rocks being
large and the place SO wild that no person
unacquainted with the place could find
them. Another story is that, band of
horsc-thieves about 40 years ago hid away
their stolen horses here, and when the officers
of the law pursued the thieves, they lost
them in these rocks.
Apart from their historical interest the
Falls present many attractions There is an
excellent three-story hotel, with all modern
improvements, with excellent fishing in the
immediate neighborhood, and the most
romantic scenery conceivable Swings,
shooting galleries and boats are at the dis
posal of the transient visitor or pleasure
seeker.
Returning to the main track, at So miles
from Wilmington the cars pass Joanna
Heights, the location of the great annual
Camp Meeting, to which pious and impious
folks repair from all parts. Here we cross
from Chester county into Berks county,
along the line of Hay Greek, Stnson Ran,
and Indian Run, streams once famous for
their trout, but in which the speckled beau.
ties have since become "small by degrees
and beautifully less"
Birdsboro, the next depot, is an important
iron-smcltins centre, the ore (magnetic
oxidc) being brought from New Jersey.
| Here we see evidences of the great FIXTURE
prosperity of Reading The Philadelphia
and Reading, and the Pennsylvania roads
keenly compete at this point, and the latter
are laying track along side the Wilmington
and Northern road which will give tire,
lines of railroad entering Reading from the
East. The Schuylkill comes into view just
beyond and is broad clear stream, very
different from the muddy, polluted rivci
which enters the Delaware below Philade
phia. The cars cross over a fine bridge
above Naomi and before the traveller ha.
recovered from the effect of the grand
mountains, which rise up everywhere AROUND
him, the train comes to a halt and he is il
Reading.
If the cndeavor to sketch the scenery
along seventy miles of rail in three houl
run be difficult task, (and most persons
would admit it to be such), what shall bt
said of the attempt to give an idea of {
ilourishing city of $4,000 inhabitants, ON the
strength of four hours stay? Necessarily
nothing can be CLEANED but mere genera
| impression.
This impression, however, in the case OF
Reading is an eminently favorable one. The
streets are model for the corporations O
other towns to initiate. The City Council
of Reading spends $4,000 a year ON tho
streets, and every cent of the money seem.
to be accounted for. Comparing Penn
street with our own Market street does moi
lead us to a ilattering conclusion. 1t is q
billiard table beside vacant lot, or well.