The excursionist may traverse again the route through the
mountains,--and some portions of it are well worthy of a second visit,
or by a different route may reach the St. Lawrence River, and find new
objects and scenes to claim his attention. Should the latter be his
choice, he may take the train of the Concord & Portsmouth Railroad, at
Portsmouth, and go _via_ Manchester, Concord, White River Junction and
St. Albans to Ogdensburg or Montreal, thence homeward by the St.
Lawrence River, or the rail route, as preferred.
Many, however, will wish to see Boston or New York; and a pleasant trip,
comprising a visit to these two cities, may be made by boat or rail from
Portland to Boston, thence by Long Island Sound to New York. The Sound
Steamer Lines are four in number, all of them having an initial stage
by rail to some point on the Sound where connection is made with the
boats.
THE FALL RIVER LINE comprises a trip by rail from Boston to Fall River,
forty-nine miles, there transferring to one of the floating palaces, the
“Bristol,” the “Providence,” or the new and elegant “Pilgrim,” the
latter being conceded to be the finest boat on the Sound. J. R.
Kendrick, Esq., is the general manager of this line, with headquarters
at Boston, and Geo. L. Connor is the general passenger agent, located in
New York.
THE STONINGTON LINE has for its inception the rail route to Stonington,
Connecticut, _via_ Providence, where connection is made with the elegant
steamers, “Massachusetts” and “Rhode Island.” This route has more of
rail and less of water than the preceding, and avoids the “outside”
passage around Point Judith, a consideration that has its weight with
the timid and sensitive.
THE PROVIDENCE LINE is under the same management as that of the
foregoing, and comprises a rail trip to Providence, and boat from there
to New York, the steamers “Stonington” and “Narragansett” being employed
on this line.
THE NORWICH LINE has for its beginning a rail trip to New London, thence
by steamer to New York.
The start from Boston is in the early evening, the arrival at the
various boat landings being in ample season for “bed-time,” and the trip
through the Sound is a night ride, arriving in New York in season to
connect with morning trains if desired. The passengers who arise in
moderately good season will enjoy the latter portion of the ride, as the
boat enters the famous passage known as “Hell Gate,” passes down the
East River in view of the islands on which are located the various
reformatory, penal, and charitable institutions of New York City,
continuing between the cities of New York and Brooklyn, under the famous
suspension bridge, and around the Battery and Castle Garden into the
North River. The shipping in the harbor, the sprightly tugs steaming
here and there, the ferry boats plying between Long Island and New York,
and the ceaseless activity and bustle of all things animate, all combine
to give to the scene an air of life and vigor so characteristic of all
that pertains to the great metropolis of America.
The sights and scenes of the city itself are so numerous and varied that
the pen falters at the thought of even attempting to mention them. If
the reader has a desire to “do” the city in a systematic and thorough
manner, he should secure the company of some one familiar with its
customs and its places of interest, or consult the pages of some city
guide book.