AUCKLAND TO LIVERPOOL,. LETTER No. 3.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume VI, Issue 548, 15 December 1877, Page 3

AUCKLAND TO LIVERPOOL,. LETTER No. 3.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE "BAY OF PLENTY TIMES." "We left New York in the State of Pennsylvania upon September 6th. During our stay in the city the weather was oppressively hot and the streets dusty. For my own part I was disappointed with the place ; it did not come up to my expectations. Though the much boasted of Broadway is undoubtedly a fine street, still it is not so very broad, and in that respect compares unfavourably with Kearney street or Market street, San Francisco. I visited the new Cattle Market, which certainly is a triumph, up. whioh go stairs at a gentle grade, so cattle are driven up to the top, these vast rooms are divided into large stalls, whilst below is the place devoted to milchycows, and attached to the buildingunderground is a vast slaughterhouse, so cattle- can be slaughtered as soon as bought. Coming in after the sale was well over I was unable to form any idea of the quantity and quality of the live stock nor the prices they fetched.. Thers is no lack of gaiety there. Sothern was attracting large houses, and altogether the draipatic art seems muoh appreciated there. The country is in a terribly unsettled state _ It seems there is an incredible amount of corruption even in high places, and startling revelations are continually beiiig made.. No. investment is safe, and wo., betide the greenhorn who confidingly treats,/ his all to. any of these speculations proclaimed, abroad.in such glowing colours.. The strikes have demoralised the country, though now settled, at a great loss to tho strikers.. Flour is dear,, work scarce, and a. bread riot is the happy, prospect prophesied for the- coming winter- ' In the Western States, the- Indian raids,, and the Chinese difficulty,, are the exciting,- and engrossing topics of conversation-, audi speculation. I mast not close-these very-brief remarks about America without paying a. tribute, of praise to the nation individually;, ftsom. every one I reoeived muoh civility ;, and.it was my privilege during my journey to. meet with, genuine Yankees, who, for affability, knowledge, and refinement, might set our own countrymen .-a- .humiliating lesson.. They

deeply felt the compliment paid to their country in the reception General Grant got in England, and I can only predict that a country possessing so many men of ability and honour., must succssf ully get through the throes of social and political revolution which await it, and. stand out foremost amongst the nations of the worlds, as a united and well governed, power.. Our voyage across the* Atlantic was a rough one, being for the most pant a> succession, of head- winds, but our/ Bhipi stood* it nobly,, and for comfort and attention tp passengers I can cordially recommend this line, which, has beenstarted only a few years, and already bears a high name.. SCOTLAND. We were off the Mavisbank Wharf, Glasgow,, by 11.30 on the night of the 18th. The next day I went to Ayr ; it was the first day of. the- Western Race Meeting, which is held here, and is one of the best race courses in the United Kingdom, and much patronized by owners of' high pedigreed* horses. The weather was perfect and the running goody though calling for no especial remark. That part of Scotland has a high name amongst breeders of stock of all sorts ; there the finest Clydesdale horses are to be seen, Ayrshire cows of the purest strain and wonderful milking properties are raised.. In the picturesque island of Arran opposite is reared & small, hardy, and stout horse, which I think would. bo admirably suited, for: New Zealand.; Having enjoyed'aday inithe " Eandio' Bums," I took train for the North. IN THE HIGHLANDS. The Highland line runs through most exquisite sceneiy, past the well cultivated lands around Perth, along the side of Killiecrankie, up whose wooded sides the desperate battle between Dundee and Mackay was fought in 1689 ; then the train runs through bleak mountain, ranges up whose heathery sides the hardy Highland sheep find their scant though sufficient food.. Amongst, those hills the golden cairngorm. is found;. a. precious stone dear to Scotchmen, and a prominent jewel; set. in the dirks, &c.,.0f. the national Highland, dress. Leaving the mountains behind we pass through.' the valley of the Nairn; hero, you see fields of oats, some still gplden, others already cut and'stooked. . Past Dalcross, where • you see Lord Moray's half -ruined-castle peeping through the trees in : the distance; past far-famed Culloden, then for three miles along, the Moray Firth till: we reach. Inverness, .the capital of the Highlands. . This townis justly;, celebrated for its scenery; the beautiful 1 situa*tion, and the graceful public buildings which adorn it. A noble castle stands on a height above the River Ness,- on the same spot as Macbeth's Castle stood* some of the walls of which are still to be seen; On the opposite side is the Episcopal! Cathedral, a graceful building of which Episcopalians and Presbyterians are alike proud:. The richness of the work inside, the pulpit, the font (akneeling--angel in marble, from a design of ' Thorwaldsen), all loving gifts from devdut Churchmen, amaze strangers, who little expect to find such a house of worship so far north. Whilst I was there a peal of eleven bells was put up and solemnly dedicated by the Bishop. It is a striking fact as illustrating the good feeling which exists between the Presbyterian and Episcopalean Churches, that the largest bell was the gift of the town, which of course is chiefly composed of Presbyterians. The day after they were hung, they rang continuously to celebrate the golden wedding of the Bishop, who is also Primus of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, and on that date he was presented with a chalice for the use of the Cathedral, a perfect and truly marvellbus specimen of the goldsmith's art, being " 8J inches high, consisting of bowl, knop, and vase of perfectly plain burnished gold, overlaid with finest and most delicate scroll -work, encircling and uniting 12 artistic and instructive silver medallions, engraved in Niello work of Scripture subjects in connection with the Holy Communion, and 6 smaller circles of blue, white, and red enamel ; the whole effect brightened by 112 jewels, large and small, and yet subordinate tj the main design."