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Show 412 WESTERN WILDS., channel, and half a dozen or more alligators, about six feet long, were sunning themselves on the drift- wood. The view there was not lovely, but back in the city, and on the level tract in every direction around, it was all the tourist could desire. Attending Baptist Sabbath- school and Presbyterian Church, I found about three dozen persons at each ; whence I argued that the Houstonians are not piously inclined, or that a bright Sunday had greater charms outdoors than an orthodox sermon within. Monday morning I was early awakened by a few shots, and rose to find some of the patriotic citizens celebrating the thirty- seventh anni-versary of the battle of San Jacinto. I was evidently in an extreme Southern latitude at last. Pictures of Lee and Stonewall Jackson adorned the places of resort; the boys whistled " Bonnie Blue Flag" and " Dixie ; " and two of my neighbors at the breakfast table had an animated conversation about " the doings of them d d thieves up at Austin," a polite reference to the present legislature. By midday the weather was as hot as it would have been in Ohio ; then the weather-wise said : " We'll have a norther," which is recognized as nature's regular plan in Texas for settling the weather. The day invited to repose ; and Houston is a " reposeful " place. All the dwellings have a delightfully home- like look, with wide porches around them, and are almost hidden in dark- green groves. If one were rich, and corre-spondingly lazy, I can't think of a better place for him. But to be poor, in the far South ah, that is bad! If that's your condition, better stop in upper or central Texas. Thence to Galveston the " mixed train " consumed four hours in going fifty miles. At every station little darkies invaded the train to sell gorgeous tropical flowers, especially the immense magnolia buds, which expand to the complete flower in a few hours after being gathered. The road slopes to the south- east so gently that the eye can not perceive the decline, and on the whole route one does not see fifty houses. I am curious to see the thickly- settled part of Texas, for I have never found it yet. Herds of Texas cattle are seen in all direc-tions, and grazing appears to be the only use made of the fertile plain extending thirty miles inland from the coast. Nearing the shore we find a few houses, surrounded by little farms devoted to fruit, vege-tables, and poultry for the Galveston market, but nothing to indicate the vicinity of a great city. Passing these we enter open country again, and flat, marshy land of little value extends some five miles from the Gulf. Passing the Confederate earthworks, erected to defend the channel |
