By Water to the Columbian Exposition | Page 6

of Oriskany was fought; and Fort
Stanwix, which was besieged by the British in 1777, occupies a site
now in the center of the city of Rome. The latter is laid out with wide
streets well shaded with maples and elms. In the resident portion, a
very high artistic taste has been displayed in the erection of dwelling
houses. Although this thriving city of almost 16,000 inhabitants has not
so many points of interest as its namesake, the ancient metropolis of the
glorious Roman empire, whose wealth of antiquities is perfectly
marvelous and whose relics of classical and papal times are alike
almost innumerable; still it possesses one interesting feature that ought
not to be left unmentioned: It was here that cheese was first made in
factories.
Other important manufactures are merchantable iron, brass and copper,
locomotives and agricultural implements.
Greatly favored by the clemency of the weather, we sped through this
beautiful region, which is a never ending source of interest to the
tourist, sailing past New London, Grove Springs, Higginsville,
Dunbarton, State Bridge, Durhamville, Lenox Basin, Canastota, New
Boston, Chittenango, Bolivar, Pool's Brook, Kirkville, Manlius and
Lodi. At the latter place the bed of the canal suddenly widens
considerably, being about twice its average width. Entering that portion
of the grand artificial waterway, we found its waters so shallow that we
could plainly discern its rocky bed.
We entered the city of Syracuse when the last streak of daylight had
faded from the west and the blush on the waters was followed by the
reflection of the far blue arch and its starry host.

Opposite the city hall, a magnificent structure, the "Marguerite" was
made fast to repose after a fifty-five miles' course that day.
Syracuse, situated in the heart of New York State, has been
appropriately named the "Central City." Its wonderful growth for the
past twenty years entitles it to rank amongst the foremost cities of the
East. It has a population of nearly 100,000, and is one of the leading
manufacturing towns of the country. For a long period Syracuse
practically controlled the salt product of the United States; in fact, it
was that which first gave the place its importance. The existence of the
vast salt springs of Onondaga was known to the Indians at an early date,
and the secret was by them imparted to the Jesuits in 1654. The State
took possession of the springs in 1794; and laws were passed for the
conduct of the manufacture. Although numerous companies are now
engaged in this industry, it constitutes a comparatively small factor in
the commercial interests of the city, inasmuch as it possesses at the
present time over five hundred industrial establishments; giving
employment to not less than twenty thousand people.
The city is handsomely laid out, containing many fine public buildings
and private residences.
When I came on deck the following morning the rain fell in heavy
showers. A cloud appeared to open directly over our heads, and let
down the water almost in one body, but at 7.15, as the violence of the
rainfall had somewhat abated, we departed from Syracuse, sailing past
Geddes, Bell'isle and Canton, where we struck another shallow place in
the canal. As we approached Peru the mists were rolling away, which
gradually, as they became thinner, received and transmitted the rays of
the sun; illuminating them with a golden radiance, increasing every
minute in splendor, until they vanished.
Therefore, it was a redoubled pleasure to glance at the green plains
studded with yet greener woodlands; the little mountains raising their
crests, and the lovely lakes gleaming like floods of molten silver.
Thus we journeyed along past Weedsport, Centerport, Port Byron,
Montezuma, Pitt Lock, Clyde and Lock Berlin.

Nearly midway between Syracuse and Rochester, forty-nine miles from
the former city, we halted, choosing Lyons for our night's lodging. The
town, having a population of almost 6,000, is the seat of Wayne County,
which produces more dried fruit than any other county in the State. The
oil of peppermint forms an important product of manufacture, there
being a score of peppermint distilleries yielding annually more than
100,000 pounds of this costly oil.
Thursday, the 27th of July, as the tints of a bright morning reddened the
eastern sky, we pursued our journey, greatly delighted with the cool
and refreshing atmosphere. Speeding along we passed Arcadia; Newark,
a thriving town, numbering about 4,000 inhabitants; and Palmyra,
seven miles beyond, with broad and well shaded streets.
Two miles south of Palmyra Joe Smith, the founder of Mormonism,
claimed to have dug from a hill, which now bears the name of Mormon
Hill, the golden plates constituting the first Mormon Bible.
Sailing by the villages of Lower and Upper Macedon, Pittsford was
reached; a beautiful town of more than 3,000 inhabitants and