one may spend weeks constantly finding new objects of interest and new scenes of beauty. It is unnecessary to particularize— every visitor will find them, and enjoy the sight more than any description. "The steamers all call there, on their way to and from Chicago, and hundreds of small sail vessels, in the fishing trade, have here their head-quarters. Drawn upon the pebbled beach or gliding about the little bay are bark canoes and the far-famed "Mackinac boats," without number. These last are the perfection of light sail-boats, and I have often been astonished at seeing them far out in the lake beating up against winds that were next to gales. Yesterday the harbor was thronged with sailboats and vessels of every description, among the rest were the only two iron steamers that the United States have upon all the lakes, the "Michigan" and the "Surveyor," formerly called the "Abert," employed in the coast survey. "For a wonder, Lake Huron was calm and at rest for its entire length, and the steamer Northerner made a beautiful and quick passage from Mackinac to this place. The weather continues warm and dry, and hundreds are regretting they have so early left the Saut and Mackinac, and we believe you will see crowds of visitors yet. JAY." A SUNDAY ON LAKE HURON. DURING the autumn of 1856 the steamer ILLINOIS arrived at Saut Ste Marie on Saturday evening, on her return from a trip through Lake Superior, having proceeded to La Pointe, situated on one of the "Twelve Apostles," and thence crossed over to the extreme western shore of the lake, near the mouth of Pigeon River, returning along the north or Canada shore to the Saut, with a pleasure party on board. While the steamer was detained at the wharf, below the mouth of the ship canal, most of the passengers, and many of the citizens of this ancient and romantic village, together with a few Canadians from the opposite shore, amused themselves by music and dancing; while not a few drank deep from the intoxicating bowl. This scene of pleasure was kept up until near midnight, when, one by one, the passengers retired to their rest, and the villagers bade adieu to their new-made and old acquaintances. The next morning the steamer was coursing her way through the pure and lovely waters of the St. Mary's River, with every appearance of a fine day. After passing Sugar Island, the Nebish Rapids, and the island of St. Joseph, and entering the broad waters of Lake Huron, a most beautiful view was presented to our gaze. In the rear was seen the entrance to the De Tour passage, just passed, and the British island of St. Joseph-on the north lay Drummond Island, attached to the stars and stripes, although bearing a foreign name—while in the far distance southward were seen the romantic island of Mackinac and the main shore of Michigan. At this time, the hour of breakfast having passed, the Rev. Mr. -, an Episcopal minister from Ontonagon, Mich., was invited to read the church service and preach a sermon, for the benefit of the passengers on board, among whom were persons of different creeds and nations. Never was a discourse more appropriately selected, or received with more devout attention, considering the mixed, and mostly strange, persons assembled in the after-cabin. The lake, when seen, presented a serene and quiet calmness, alone disturbed by the powerful machinery propelling us through the waters at a most rapid rate; while the sentiments and rich melody of the speaker's voice lent a charm to the scene never to be forgot by many then present. Thus should it always be on a Sabbath, while journeying over these magnificent waters, if the weather will permit-blending serious thoughts with the most grand and lovely objects of nature-that produced by the view of land and water, as seen at times on the great lakes of North America. A bounteous dinner was next served up, affording delight to those blessed with good appetites; while every passenger, male and female, seemed to enjoy the scenery that during the entire day was visible from the deck of the steamer. Thunder Bay, Saginaw Bay, and Point au Barque were passed in succession-the mainland on the Canada or Michigan shore being, for most of the time, seen in the far distance; while occasionally the smoke of a passing steamer or a sail vessel caught the eye, silently gliding over the broad waters of Lake Huron. Were it not for the almost criminal carelessness or recklessness of many of the owners and masters of steamers navigating these lakes, whereby hundreds of valuable lives have been lost and millions of property destroyed, no more safe, instructive, or grand excursion could be found on the face of the globe. |