TO ENGLAND via SAN FRANCISCO.

Evening Star, Issue 2894, 29 May 1872, Page 3

TO ENGLAND via SAN FRANCISCO.

(From our Special Correspondent ) New York Feb. 25. At last there is a prospect of our getting on. We left Ogden at 6 p.m. on Saturday, the 17th, aud went along pretty well as far as Rawlins, 321 miles distant, which we reached in twenty-four hours. On our route we passed bulwarks of snow which showed where the blockade had been, and we also passed numerous trains which had been on the road twenty-eight days. We are now going along pretty well, only we are nob certain how soon our progress may be stopped. We expect to roach Sarajnie to-day, which is distant from Ogden 459 miles. If so, we understand the road is clear as far as Omaha, but between Saramie and that place there are fifty intermediate stations, and the train stops at each. This is slow work compared with our ideas of railway travelling. Our train is a large and long one, and is accompanied by a number of goods and passenger trains which have been on the road for weeks. I am in good company, as I am with the New Zealand mails and a goodly assemblage of people from all parts of tbe earth. I am the only passenger from the Colonies in the Pulman car, the rest being Americans from Mexico, Montana, California, etc. , etc. They are a fine race of men, but their chewing and spitting are vile. They amuse themselves all day long by playing a game called “ poker.” These cars are certainly luxuriously fitted up, and are most comfortable. Everything is scrupulously clean, aud were there no fear of another blockade, travelling in them would he most enjoyable. They form a sitting room by day, w’ith washstands, clpaets, aud bedrooms by night, which surpass anything I have before seen. I am afraid the people of New Zealand, who are mostly interested in the transmission of their mails by this route, will become sick at heart by reason of the lamentable delay o£ their mails— and no wonder, seeing that they pay so heavy a subsidy. I may say, however, as far as my observation goes, that our mails were sent- eastwa d by the first train which left San ; E'ranc : sco during sixteen days. At the same time 1 am not sure that great blame is not duo to the Union and Pacific Railway Company, for their not taking the proper precaution of erecting snow sheds across the Rocky, Mountains. Had that been done no delay would have occurred ; as, from what 1 saw, I conclude the snow storms to be of no consequences excepting in the cuttings. Doubtless it is a great achievement to form a railway across about one thousand miles of desert, but I am sorry to say the whole nndertaldng appears to be one of those shoddy speculations which some in this country engage in with ulterior views. The disparity between the Central Pacific line and that on which I am now travelling is so great that they do not appear to belong to the same great Continental line. I am not inclined to find fault, hut I am certain this company has not exerted that forethought nor taken those measures that were required to avert the hindrance to travelling and commercial intercourse that has occuired. They have not even a snow plough on the line, and all this culpable absence of precaution has arisen through their having been no previous winter so severe as during the past weeks of 1872. They have, however, now learned to value the advice and example given by experienced settlers in these parts. I am told on good authority, that this blockade will cost the company 2,000,U00 dollars or about L 500,000. The country over which we are travelling i? splendidly adapted for grazing. We have just passed the highest station in the world, namely, Sherman: which is 8424 feet above the level of the. sea. We Jiavo been descending the Rocky Mountains all the- afternoon of yesterday, and this morning (the 21st) we are in the State of Nebraska, having left the snow behind us. We breakfasted at a station named La Platte, 295 miles distant from Omaha. This is the first square meal since leaving Ogden. It consisted of coffee and eggs, Ac., for which a dollar or four shillings was charged. This sounds expensive, but these hostelries depend upon passenger traffic, for success, and the providores invest large sums of money for the accommodation of travellers. Our train reminds one of an emigrant passenger-ship. Bach passenger carries more or less eatables at the best of times ; but when it is considered that we were in doubt whether or not we should be blockaded for an indefinite time—you may imagine what varied larders were carried by the passengers. Amongst them is a gentleman from British Columbia 'en route to take his seat in the Parliament of the Dominion of Canada as a representative of Columbia. He informs me that by the time he reaches his destination be will have travelled five thousand 5 miles. What would New Zealand statesmen say to that 1 The only recognition of his : services are his travelling expenses, and 600 dollars for the session. The condition of the annexation of British Columbia to Canada is the guarantee df a new line of railway across the Continent connecting those large territories. When the work is commenced, which will be soon, large and valuable tracts of country will be opened up adapted for shepp and cattle runs, as the highest point across the Rocky Mountains will only be between 4000 and 5000 feet. Omaha town is the terminus of the Union Company’s line, and tight happy were the passengers to change carriages into the North Western carriages of a Chicago company. There are three lines connecting these towns. Hence the annoyance experienced by travellers from touters for their special lines. We here crossed the Missouri on a temporary bridge erected on the ieo. A magnificent bridge is nearly finished for traffic, which will be a great advantage compared with present arrangements for bringing mails and passengers. '• We are now in the State of lowa, and as far as can he seen the land is rich and fertile. Nothing that 1 have seen comes up to the farming here. Millions aud millions of acres of land, however, lie uncultivated, which may be bought for two dollars an acre. When the time a? rives—if ever—that human beings occupy these lauds, averaging 2000 miles in length, by an unknown width, then will America be truly great. I observe that a desire to cu'tivate the soil is not a feature in the native American character. Brother Jonathan believes rather in commerce : in turning over the penny quickly, leaving the rougher and more exposed labor of agriculture to the Scotch, Germans, or any small capitalist who may have a large family to maintain. We cross the Mississipi on a handsome iron bridge, It seems strange to look down on that noble river, and see horsemen and wag.

gons pacing to and fro on the ice. Large towns are now becoming 80 familiar to our sight that we pass them by unheeded, until we reach Chicago, Our cars run along one of the main thoroughfares of the City—a custom quite popular in America, but it gives a European an idea of danger. We had some time here after changing carriages to survey the burnt ruins of this once fine and prosperous City. We beheld on every hand new and spacious buildings in course of erection ; and there is no doubt but Chicago, Phoenix like, will rise out of her dust and ashes, more substantially built than before. Its position as a city is second to none in the United States. A few years ago the population was only 20,000; now it is supposed to be 320,000 : so great aud rapid has been the rise and progress of this wonderful place. The following day we arrived at Pittsburgh. This town is the Glasgow of this part of America. It is a town of coal and iron —a dirty, smoky town ; and the bouses, which are mostly of brick, look as if they were coated with black paint. Not so with the manufacturers’ mansions. We passed some of the most elegant houses and grounds to be seen anywhere. At Pittsburg, we crossed the Alleghany River on another bridge, and during the night ascended the Alleghany mountains, which for diversity of scenery cannot be surpassed. We had the benefit of a full moon, and certainly looking down from some of the gradients gave rise to anything rather than pleasant sensations. But we went on safely, and arrived at Philadelphia early in the morning. In importance, Philadelphia is the second city in the United States. The population is close upon 700,000. We only stopped to breakfast, after partaking of which we resumed our journey, and after three hours travelling reached New York—a distance of 00 miles. I have thus endeavored to fulfil my agreement with you to give an outline of the overland route through America. Whatever my feelings, now that the turmoil and weariness of the trip are passed, on calmly reviewing the scenes through which I have passed as I sit here in the City of New York, notwithstanding the fascination of change of scenery, I should not care to encounter the journey again. I should prefer the real comfort of a sea voyage throughout. Undoubtedly it was on important season of the year, but nrder any circumstances there is the long weary ride of 3,200 miles. To those who are willing to pass through this ordeal few routes present greater variety and grandeur of scenery —perhaps none can he found to equal it; and and now that my task is done, I will enumerite the States through which we pass: California, Nevada, Utah territory, Wyoming, Nebraska, lowa, Illinors, Indiana, Ohio, Pensylvania, and tNew Jersey. Glad indeed was your humble servant, after confinement in these curs during ten nights and clays, to enjoy the exhilarating luxury of a warm bath in New York. American character has been so fieqnently and graphically drawn, that I will not attempt any description. It is sufficient to say that those who carp at the profanation of the Sabbath by the Americans, were they here, this being Sunday, they would see, or at least have an opportunity of observing a striking difference between what is written and what is really the case. In this large hotel, the Metropolitan, containing I suppose 500 bedrooms, there is a subdued stillness and quiet which might serve for an example to many who are louder in their profession of sanctity. Wc leave by one of the Cunarcl boats on Wednesday tbe 28th, and look forward to arriving safe in England about ten days afterwards.