Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-20

The Journey Along the Central Sysefnt
from Savannah to Athens.

miles in length, connects the two cnlei
centres of the State, and richly repays
the observant tourist who takes the trip.
Another journey, far less pursued, but
even more enjoyable, is from Savannah TO
the delightful scenery in the Ortheast Of
Georgia. We leave the road TO Macon at
Miilen, and alter running through over 30
miles Of fine land, and passing such
lively little towns as Waynesboro, we
arrive in
AUGUSTA,
the second city in the State in regard to
age, Savannah, OF course, being the first.
1t was laid out by Gen. OglethOrpe, the
founder Df the colony, exactly $50 years
80. and was named after Augusta, the
fayuTite daughter Of the second GeOrgius
Rex, whose name was given to the State.
A ride through the broad streets, inter-
secting each other at right angles, and
lined with various deciduOus trees, which
afford shade in summer and admit the
warm sunshine in winter. reveals the
mathematical mind of the military genius
whose methodical plan in this second city
we so much admire in his design of the
first. Among her celebrated citizens
Augusta boasts Richard Harry Wilde,
the author of that exquisite gem
of lyric poetry commencing, MY
life is like the summer rose"
She has an Industrious, a generous and
prosperous population OF over 10000,
is pre-eminent In cotton manufacture and
possesses among many noble public in
situations, princely orphan asylum
whose provisions for the helpless little
ones Of both sexes make it the pleasure
and pride Of her philanthropic people.
ATHUNDER STORM.
While we were in Augusta we Witness
ed one OF those sublime exhibitions of at
mospheric electricity, which are not I'M
common in tropical and semi tropical
chimes. 1.-THE Lord looked unto the host
# the Egyptians through the pillar OF fire
and OF the cloud, and troubled the host of
the Egyptians" These words arose be-
fore our mind as we stood one evening
outside the door OF the Planters Hotel.
We had never before felt these words so
tOrcibly, nor seen their significance
so wildly as we did then.
The day had been oppressively
warm, our inspiration had distilled into
perspiration, and we had arrived at the
terminus of our railway journey weary
with heat and defled with dust. The
clouds were assembled in mOuntain-like
masses, ready to discharge their refresh
ing rain and, as it proved, their stones Of
hail to cool and clear the sultry air.
sudden CLEAN, as OF ftful phos-
phorescence dancing like lumi-
nous spectres behind broad wells
of grey vapOr. Soon the reflected flicker
became the direct flash, and tremulous
wires of incandescence, white and daz-
cling with impetuOus ignition. darted out
of the darkness and instantly disappeared
again in their own light. Anon, the out
line Of a sable cloud was tringed with
brilliant silver, which evaporated in the
twinkling Of an eve into mists OF over
spreading brightness. Then as the light
ming leaped from one end of the
heavens, enlightening the world, and
kindled battery at the other end, the
whole field Of the armament was afiame.
The embattled hosts poured forth their
heaviest artillery, with loudest rattle and
longest roar. The awestruck spectator
could now no longer gaze without fear
upon the binding fires, nor hear without
a sympathetic tremOr the deafening re-
ports Of the attacking thunders, and the
despaiTing reverberations of the re-
heaven were taken by storm,
and the plains OF the celestial Arma ed
don were swept witt Bosom, which de-
strOyed every nOXious eXhalatiOn, and
brought in its train the benedictiOn of
purity and peace. During Just such a
night as this ''the Lord looked through the
pillar of fire and Of the cloud and troubled
the hosts of the Egyptians" who fled in
confusion when they saw the frown on the
lace OF God. Science and scripture alike
declare that to the works of darkness
"our God is a consuming fire."
At Augusta we leave the Central, and
taking the Georgia Railroad, one OF the
best constructed and conducted railway
systems in the State, we travel a distance
of 1lG miles,
TO ATHENS,
where. very properly, we find the State
university. The Athenians are an esti-
maDle people. They enjoy a salubrious
climate, exhibit To their visitors some su-
periOr natural scenery. and eXhult in their
billy situation and fruitful soil. In their
business they display considerable en-
ergy, while in their social intercourse they
unos' entatiOusly manifestno little beauty.
intelligence, and experience. But their
great feature is their masculine vigOr i'm
the academic education of the young men
Of the university, relieved by the feminine
grace with which the work of men.
tai refinement among the young
ladies' OF the st tie is pros.
ecuted at the Lucy Cobb Institute Town
aud gown (the gown representing both
! seXes) co-eXist in the greatest harmony
and good will, Ii was IN the year 1854
| 100 years since-that an act was passed
in the Legislature of the State granting q
| charter 10 the Governor and other appoint
| ed persons as trustees Of the institution
thereby established as the university Of
| Georgia" Since then it has grown like
the century oak to grand proportions, anC
! from under its sheltering ard fostering
| shade thousands OF trained men
have passed into the sun
| shine Of the exposed world as from
! the sacred environment Of tree OF life
Its campus contains 81 acres, and liz
| property, apart from land, amounts &c
about $3.50 600. It's library, the nueleu,
! Of a bibliotheca worthy Of so great
State. contains 10000 volumes of valuabl,
works. Its physical and chemical appa
ratus IS not equalled in the South. som,
| OF it's buildings are dilapidated with
axe, but its chapel Is noble hall
and it's encore College," given b,
the city Of Athens az "A cost Of S25. 900, is
! pleasure TO every observer. For ever
! department OF practical occupation. The
student may here be fully equipped, and
what is Of moment with many, the tut
| ton, except in law and medicine, is fire.,
| to all, IRRESPECTIVE OF place OF birth OF
/ residence. We conversed with several o
| the students, few ~ whom were at ther
work, and found them thoughtful an,
| evidently in earnest. We met most Of thu
professors, who struck us as mel
| in all respects fitted for their responsible,
! posts. And the venerable Chancellor
who, with the polish Of Grecian philoso
! pier united the dignity and urbanity OF
Roman patrician, commanded our esteem