with an absorbing interest, which would indicate that it must have formed a marked epoch in their own lives, while the impressions which still linger in their memory of the romantic life led on the "fairy isle" by its happy possessors seems to be that of a charming idyl. We resolved to take an early opportunity to visit this spot, around which for us also had long hung the halo of romance. A small steamer made daily trips to and from a point a short distance above the island. We had already come to feel no slight interest in this diminutive steam craft, as each morning she made her way up the river, stopping at all the regular landings, and many places that were not, in her willingness to oblige every one; directing her sharp-pointed prow first to one shore, then the other; dashing over to the Virginia side at a "hail" from some solitary passenger, then back to the Ohio shore; backing, turning, steaming, fussing, and fuming like a veritable little busybody, as if the work of the whole world rested upon her shoulders, and the day was far too short in which to accomplish her appointed tasks. At night she would come quietly gliding down the river, looking for all the world as if she had no other vocation in life than to make a pretty picture of herself in the placid depths, and giving us an infinite sense of relief at the thought that her day's labors were almost over. To accomplish our island excursion, and at the same time enjoy the novelty of a ride on this little steamer, was a combination of pleasures that was not long to be withstood. So one fine May morning we, two sympathetic souls, eager with the same project, boarded the Sallie J, and steamed away to our destination. The day was gloriously fine, with that exhilarating freshness in the air peculiar to May. The river had arrayed herself in the clearest of blues, a color she does not often assume, and which gave added beauty to the landscape. Altogether the day was such as soon tempted us to the pilothouse the better to enjoy it. Our zigzag course and frequent delays, instead of proving annoyances, served as a means of diversion, and not the only pictures seen from behind the pilot-wheel were those from nature, for many an interesting bit of study in the way of human nature was afforded as we touched shore either for passengers or packages. Sometimes the delay was caused by a formidable array of farmer's produce, destined for WATER-LILIES IN AN EDDY OF THE ISLAND. the marketable object would be a hapless victim in the shape of a terrified calf, or some poor bleat ing lambs inclosed in a sheep-fold on a sunny knoll, which would be quickly secured by the nimble rousters, who made a picturesque procession as they filed back to the boat with their struggling and affrighted burdens. When we considered the purpose for which these poor victims were being conveyed to market, and had a realizing sense of our own share in this wholesale slaughter of the innocent, then indeed a cloud seemed to come over the brightness of the beautiful May day, and we were ready to avow ourselves henceforth the strictest of vegetarians. Up the river we advanced by slow degrees, past the rich bottom lands lying along the Virginia shore, once owned by George Washington, past the lower end of Blennerhasset's Island, or "Little Blanny," according to the vernacular of the neighborhood, beginning a mere point of land, and varying in width until at the upper end, three miles its silence is broken by the shrill whistle of the picture which could not easily be surpassed. We passing steamers, we recalled a certain paragraph had already admired the wealth of foliage in which in a series of articles prepared by Blennerhasset, the island abounded, the festooning vines clamberunder the head of "Querist," which appeared in ing with lawless abandon over the tall trees, until the Ohio Gazette, published in Marietta, while the shores in places partook of almost paradisiacal Burr's projects were still pending, advocating the beauty. The first thing that attracted our attenseparation of the Western country from the Atlantic tion upon going ashore was the enormous size of States in a "peaceable and constitutional manner." the trees by which we were surrounded. Such The paragraph was to the effect that "it will for- giant sycamores we had never seen before, and ever remain impracticable for our shipping to per- indeed they form a marked feature of the island. form a return voyage against the currents of our We lingered awhile at the landing, trying to recall long rivers." The writer did not seem to take in imagination the scenes of that eventful winter into account the progressive tendency of the age, night when, amid the howlings of the storm and and while the shores of his island echoed only the the darkness, Mrs. Blennerhassett accompanied sound of the dipping of oars and the song of the her husband to the boat, and trusting her own boatmen, no prophetic vision or hearing seems fate and that of her children to a merciful Provi to have been granted him concerning the floating prodigy of the nineteenth century. When about half-way up the island, the pilot informed us that we were passing over land once owned by Aaron Burr. The constantly changing current of the river had obliterated every trace of it. Even the elements seem to have conspired against this unfortunate man, sweeping away his property just as fate had swept away his cherished schemes. We were landed at the upper end of the island, near the site of the Blennerhasset mansion. It was the same landing used by the family during its residence there. From here the outlook up the river is remarkably fine. Not far away is the conjunction of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, the latter spanned by the handsome bridge of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, while Parkersburg, on the Virginia side, and Belpré, on the opposite shore, with their surrounding hills, help to complete a dence, urged him to flee from the officers of justice, who were already on his track. With words of cheer she aroused his failing courage and inspired him with some of her own dauntless heroism. It is said that with her own hands she held a lighted torch to assist his embarkation, and shouted words of encouragement to him as he started on his perilous voyage. We endeavored to imagine, too, the horror of the following days, when she and her little ones were at the mercy of the mob which held possession of the house and grounds, making frightful havoc of their once vaunted beauty. Marks the soft isles that, 'neath the glittering beam, It is very evident from her letters that she never became reconciled to the fate that deprived her of the once cherished home. In the same poem she says: "Oh, why, dear isle, art thou not still my own? Thy charms could then for all my griefs atone." Why, indeed! our own hearts echo, and remembering all that her loss involved, we felt like execrating the memory of the "tempter" who lured her and her loved ones from their Eden. Otherwise she might have been spared the sad fate that followed her so relentlessly, might have lived and died in her island home, and, instead of all the desolation that surrounded us, our eyes might have been gladdened by the sight of the proud mansion rearing its spacious walls in the bright May sunshine. The hours on the island passed all too quickly for the accommodation of our pencils, which could not remain idle with so many objects to tempt their skill. The giant trees especially possessed so much interest for us, that neither the heat of the sun nor any other discomfort could dampen our enthusiastic efforts to transfer them to our sketch-books. came steaming All in good time the Sallie J down the river, and stopped to take us aboard. She was already headed for the shore, and was coming in, all staunch and trim, when, but a few rods from the landing, she stuck fast, the river being unusually low. Then what steaming and wheezing and fretting followed in her efforts to get off. She turned and twisted, and finally swung around with her stern wheel resting close to the shore, looking as if she had finally "got her back up," and was bound to remain where she was. The close proximity of the steamer "so near and yet so far" for any available opportunity of boarding her was rather exasperating. Thea came the happy inspiration, Why not reverse the usual order of things and get in at the back way. We looked at the big wheel quizzically; to attempt to climb it seemed formidable; and then, what if it should commence its revolutions during our transfer from the ground to the guards. Then came like a flash the thought, Was not that the same place where Mrs. Blennerhasset displayed such heroism on that dreary winter night? Might we not be standing on the identical spot where she stood, torch in hand and words of cheer on her lips? Should we display less courage than did she? No; perish the thought! We quickly clambered to the guard, then, walking along its narrow planking, presented ourselves at the front of the boat to the evident surprise of the captain, who doubtless wondered by what novel method we had achieved our embarkation. The steamer was not long in getting clear of the sand-bar, and at sunset we were landed at our starting point. AT MUNICH IN 1880. BY A TOURIST. MUNICH has not, as Dresden, Nuremberg, all-because of the houses!"' And there is more Vienna, and many continental towns have, a charm which attaches the visitor at once to the place. In spite of its many beauties and great advantages to the artist, one must know it well really to like it—at least that has been my experience. I once heard of a country girl who was asked, on her first visit to town, how she liked it. "The city ?" said she, "I didn't get to see it at sense in that than one would think. But in Munich no one could say such a thing. The streets are built according to the best architec'tural and sanitary regulations; the public buildings intended for amusement, instruction, and ornament are placed exactly where they ought to be. The parks, public gardens, and squares are faultlessly kept, and full of large and beautiful |