The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-07-27
OAK KNOLL COTTAGE,
EAST DENNIS. Mass. JnlY %

Dear NOrtherner Readers:
Sitting on the pleasant veranda, in
haling deep draughts of the invigorat-
ing breeze that sweeps across Cape
Cod on this bright morn and gazing out
over broad eXpanse of sparkling, sun
kissed sea, find myself sufficiently am
bilious to attempt a brief description
of our very enjoyable trip hither,-a
trip that ranks among the pleasantest
of my many peregrinations.
Leaving home on July 9Th, stop
over night in Detroit furnished an OPP
portunlty for a brief visit with our old
friend Miss Waring, who gave us an
evening trip over to Belle Isle that af
forded glimpse at the charming pie
ture presented by the vari.colored lights
of the city, twinkling across the water
like some vision of fairy-land. The
city of the Straits" may well be proud
of this beautiful isle, which has been
reclaimed from worthless swamp and
converted into one of the prettiest
parks imaginable. The ferry boats that
run every half hour charge but the
small sum of five cents per passenger,
and even the poorer class are thus en-
abled to enjoy many an outing in this
ers, the murmur of fountains, or plash
of oars with accompaniment of happy
laughter
July 9th at 1870 a. m. found us aboard
the special train over the Grand Trunk
Railway bound for Kingston, at the
head of the st. Lawrence. No sooner
sleeper than we began to meet old
81. l., nl-a fl.na
new ones, So that we felt quite at home
by the time we were ready to embark
on the river. The Michigan delegation
comprised at least 200 tourists and as
usual, the jolliest among them was
Editor Pattengill of the Michigan
School Moderator, who kept the VOL
verines well to the front throughout the
journey by eliciting occasional rendi-
tons of his favorite song, Michigan,
My Michigan" 1t was merry, good
natured company that fioated down the
st. Lawrence all the live-long day, de-
spite the fact that it was routed out at
four o'clock in the morning in order to
take the steamer at five, and our party
enjoyed (?) the novel experience of sit
ting down to breakfast at ago by home
time.
The Thousand Islands are well named
forming the most numerous collection
of river islands in the world They are
of every size and shape, most of them
thickly wooded, many handsome villas
and beautiful grounds enhancing the
natural beauty of the scene. We noted
one particularly lovely spot with
"Carpe Diem" inscribed above a pic
turesque boat-house beside which were
moored tiny shallops, graceful row
boats, and white-winged sail. boats, each
one looking as if ready to do its share
in making practical application of
the motto which, in this instance ought
surely to be translated, "Seize pleasure
as it fles." At times our steamer seemed
almost ready to land us at some dock,
and again would suddenly shoot into
shining, lake-like expanse, or head for
a channel too narrow to be perceptible
at distance, though nearer approach
resolved the wooded bank into numer-
Gus islets with shining waterways lead
ing in every direction. 1t is a lovely
picture, and must be seen to be appre-
ciated. The latter portion of the trip
is enlivened by the excitement of run
ming the various rapids such as the
Long Sault, Coteau Cedar, and Lachine,
though to one who has shot the Sault
Ste Marie in canoe these rapids seem
somewhat tame.
We passed under the magnificent
new bridge of the Canadian Pacific
railway, and also that triumph of en-
gineering skill known as the Victoria
bridge, and then found ourselves front
ing the splendid panorama Montreal
presents, with the twin towers of Notre
Dame looming up in the midst and
Mount Royal forming massive green
back ground. 1t was about seven p. m.
when we landed at the City of
Churches" with its 200 miles of streets,
its substantial stone business blocks,
and its $50, 900 inhabitants, comprising
strange mixture of English, Scotch,
and French. A little stroll about the
streets that evening gave us hint of
the many interesting things it contains,
and we were highly delighted when we
learned from ID. s. Wagstaff, the cour-
teous and capable agent of the Grand
Trunk railway, that arrangements had