Meigs County Telegraph

Correspondence.

For the Meigs County Telegraph.
Way Notes.
Rahway, July 21, 1859.

If we remember correctly, we were under the Table Rock when we took leave of your readers in our last. After remaining here some hours, we ascended to the top of the cliff, and then to the Tower, which stands on the Table Rock, very near the edge of the Falls. From this Tower the view of both Falls, of Goat Island, and of the whirling of the angry waters for miles above, preparatory to their mad rush over the vast precipice, is very fine. Here, also, during the afternoon, may be seen a beautiful, well-defined rainbow, hovering, like a guardian angel, over the foaming, frothy waters, as they come up from the profound, unmeasured depths into which they have been plunged, and start again on their onward course. Its either end seems softly to kiss the angry waters, and say to them, "Peace! Be Still!" and soon they roll on as quietly as ever. The sweet embrace of the beautiful bow has stilled the mad raving of the water wraith, and quiet reigns again in her dominions.

About one mile west of the Falls is the Tower of Lundy's Lane. It stands in a beautiful, wide-extended plain, and from its top is one of the finest views on this continent—a delightful country, the Falls, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Niagara River, and Brock's Monument, at Queenstown Heights, all spread out in a glorious panorama; and at its foot an old English Captain, who was engaged in the action, still points out to the traveler the old lane and the orchard where the battle of Lundy's Lane was fought; shows him the very spots where the battle raged hottest, and where the dead were buried. In fact, he fights it all over again. The farm is still owned by the Lundy family, and golden wheat now waves above the ashes of the heroes.

Canada, in this region, is beautiful, and produces good fruit, and fair crops of grain. The wheat was good, but not yet quite fit for the harvest when we were there, (July 12th.)

Delighted with our visit, we took cars again at 5 P. M. for Chippewa, and then boat for Buffalo, where we were glad enough to rest our weary limbs with our quondam pupil and friend, the Rev. J. Hazard Hartzell.

Next morning at 8 o'clock we seated ourself for a ride on the New York Central R. R., for Albany. This road runs directly east, crossing the Genessee at Rochester, and then following the valley of the Mohawk nearly to Albany; consequently the traveler is carried near three hundred miles through the very heart of the Empire State. And we must say that the country is one of the finest we have ever seen. The wheat was just ready for the harvest at our passage, and they told us New York had never had a better crop, which we thought to be true, from the very fine fields that we saw everywhere, on either side. The potatoes and corn also looked well.

The whole acres covered with low sheds at Syracuse attracted our attention. On inquiring, we found they were salt pans, the salt being made here by evaporation. As we lived in a city of salt, we did not care to make farther inquiry.

About sun-set we arrived at Albany and immediately were transferred to the steamer, "Isaac Newton," for New York City. The boats on this line (the Peoples') are magnificent beyond anything on our western or southern waters. The "Isaac Newton" is a four decker, having her dining-saloon and wash-rooms below the water, a common steerage deck, containing an elegant ladies' saloon, and two cabins above. Some idea may be formed of her size when it is stated that she has two hundred and ten double berths in her two upper decks.

As we expected to be at New York City by 6 o'clock next morning, we retired early and arose at 4 next morning, in order to catch at least a glimpse of the far-famed scenery on the Hudson. But, thanks to our stars, the boat had been fast the fore-part of the night, and had waited for the tide to carry her off, so we were seventy-five miles yet from the city.

Soon we were among the Highlands, and all that we had heard of the glorious beauty and grandeur of this scenery was realized. The river, winding like a serpent around among the rugged heights, as if searching for the easiest places through which to cut its way, constantly deludes one with the belief that it ends just ahead, running up against a massive mountain of limestone.

Soon we discovered West Point to our right, perched down among these mountains, in one of the loveliest spots we have ever seen. By 8 o'clock we knew we must be approaching the city, from the great number of brigs and schooners whose white sails, unfurled to the sweet morning breeze, gave them the appearance of monstrous sea-birds, with their white wings spread.

At 9 o'clock we were landed; at 11 took cars for this place, where we arrived a few moments before 12, and soon found the way to our uncle's residence. Then came the introduction to unknown uncles, aunts, cousins, half cousins, &c., which lasted for several days.

But as we are to speak to-day at the annual picnic of the public schools of this city, to be held between here and Staten Island Sound, on Rahway River we bring our note to a close. H. F. M.