Year: 1860




cape last week from being thawed out anC
brought back to its wonted Elasticity anC
muddiness; but sudden change of vino
and weather had a sslutary effect and nov
the earth is firm again, the air cold anC
bracing.


The late DANTE Convention in this State
seems to have attracted but little notice
from the people; in fact their attention wal
very generally turned to our own State and
the proceedings of the Democracy at Indi
annapolis. The result of their work was
looked upon as the turning point for oil
against the Great Dwarf at the Charleston
Convention, and now the Douglas men
draw their political robes about them with
apparent self security, looking forward to
the time when their Worshipful Master
will take his seat in the much coveted
chair, and they be the recipients of many
honors from his generous hand-in other
words, they imagine what glorious time
they will have, when, with sleeves rolled
to the elbow, and without let or hindrauce,
they are admitted to the public crib
But ere their ill-advised schemes are ac-
complished. it is extremely probable that
the strong arm of the Opposition will dash
them to the ground, and they. with their
man, will sink into the mazes of obscurity


The Republicans of this State seem to
be unanimously in favor of Lincoln for the
Presidency, and would give him hearty
support in case he got the nomination; but
they are not obstreperous about it, and will
support any man upon whom the Republi-
cans generally can unite.


A large majority of the Danites will act,
in the approaching campaign, as they did
in the great contest between Douglas and
Lincoln. and every attempt to bring the
two factions of the Democracy together
will only be successful effort to widen
the breach between them.


Things is working, and all the Opposi-
tion have to do, is to unite upon good
man, marshal their forces in harmony and
good feeling and march to the field of bat
tle-certain victory will be awarded to
them, and the advent of a new state of af-
fairs, in the administration of government,
will be hailed with acclamalion from all
sections of the country. And so mote it
be-.


Coming up from Mattoon one night last
week. l invested fifty cents in the luxury
of sleeping car; but the verdict am ready
to render is decidedly unfavorable to the
institution, for you might as we'll try 10
sleep in Sage's bake, oven, at a red heat, as
TO successfully court the drowsy god in
one of "them things" especially if it is
under the charge of negro, as this was,
who takes delight in firing up" and
keeping the temperature of the atmosphere
inside at boiling heat, while that Of the air
outside is in the neighborhood Of Zero


Unless tired nature is completely ex-
hausted, and the whole night is before
them, l would advise travellers to forego
the apparent luxury and try to put up with
the Inconvenience Of the old way.


Business in the course of the week call
ed me to Urbana, and l had the pleasure
Of meeting with many persons who were
formerly citizens of Terre- Haute, but who +,
like all Americans, migratory in their char
acter, found inducements farther West and
and selected this place to pitch their tents
and build up homes. And their choice
fell upon a good spot, for the country
around is Of the best in Illinois. The view
looking west from East Urbana, or Old
Town, is one of the finest 1 ever saw, and
second only to a view from Sandy Hook out
upon the broad Atlantic. But, unlike that,
here is an apparently boundless tract of
prairie country, dotted over with farm
houses, barns and haystacks aud subdivi-
ded into fields Of corn, wheat and meadow
which, in the proper time of year, yield
bountifully under the influences of culti-
vation and amply reward the farmer for his
toll and time. besides making him the most
independent of men.


Urbana proper lies about a mile and a
half east of the Chicago branch of the Hi
nois Central Railroad, aud since the road
was built, rival to the old town has
sprung into existence, which already
equals it in population, business and i'm
provements, and bids fair TO leave the 9th
1 ,,,f fha Tho Tr.
bana, lies on each side of the railroad, al
the depot, and is pleasantly situated, eth
er for business or residence.


1t is great pity the two could not have
been united, as it would be one of the mos
important points in Eastern Illinois.


As tits, however, the interests of the ci
tizens are divided, a jealous rivalry exist
between them, aud the prospect is, tha
East Urbana, with its county seat, will be
come suburb town in spite Of all they
can do. But, notwithstanding this stat
of things. consi derable business is done il
both places, and many of the citizens lool
forward TO the time when the Intermediat,
space will be built up. and their interests
consolidated.


On Saturday last, our train had quite al
exciting chase after herd of seven deer
that happened to be grazing between tn
road and fence. AS soon as they saw tn
coming train they run up their flags o
truce and put out; but the iron horse. un
accustomed TO the usages of war, didn'
heed them, in fact, redoubled his exertion
10 the hot pursuit. 1t lasted almost fiv
minutes, the nimble creatures maxim
splendid time. when an angle in the fenc
and ditch under the road suddenly impe
ded their progress. The hesitation, how
ever, was but momentary. Six Of thcr
cleared the fence beautifully. but the sev
, enth, making a long, bad jump. struc
heavily on the top rail and fell lifeless I
( the ground. The others, after clearing tn
, fence, were on the broad prairie and 500
out Of harms way.


You may possibly hear from me agai


from Cape Horn. j. B.


IL We take the following from the Ne