The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-08-02
Lake mahOpac.

- hhhk mAHoPAC, July ~, Ioio
me Lake and Lake Scenery-Lake Fisting-The
Cimae' Cunning, Bathing, Visitns-7he uses Of
Botohefors, a"d the enjoyment of The Married
The ODf Club, and the Beverage Of its Members
The alters and their Stories The Btoods and the
Antt Bioods-rhe Young Ladies and their Fishing
excursions; in short, the rambles, adventure,
an,ssen,ents, and habits Of every body.
FRIEND BENNETT +
Not having observed among your numerous
ountry correspondence any account of the proceed
ings OF the season. thus far at this most delightful
place, and presumlng that such would be interesting
to at least those who have had the good fermne to
become acquainted wlth the secret OF its existence,
and not yet been able TO render to it their annual
summer visit, embrace few leisure moments
(r 'ther an unusual episode in the lives of those
who become involved In the charming society here)
TO undertake the task and, in come xion there
with, as many OF your readers, and perhaps even
yourself, may scarcely be aware OF the existence,
still less attractions, OF so, TIL lately, obscure
spot, will (hoplng that the consequent extension
of my communication will not render il the less
worthy OF your indulgence in its nsertlon) ATTEMPT
a bret description OF 1t. more lovely one Nature
could not desire; and it has been pronounced by
those vel qualified ojudse, TO be equal to any OF
the famed European ones of similar character
It's priocpsl feature is lake of clear pure and
generally placid water, about four miles in length
and two miles in breadth; and, besides the intru.
sion OF a small peninsula, embracing three wooded
islets OF the most exquisely picturesque descrip-
ton, with varied shores, abrupt, rocky overhang-
ing and pebbly, and atiording the most romantic
| grounds Tor pic mic Ing excursions and bathing
The lake 10 situated 10 Putnam county, about thir
| teen miles from Peeksklll, and fifteen miles from
| the great Croton Dam, with the river of which it
communicates. II was once under considerations
| | believe, to employ it as the head of the sue
t was appehended that its water er ' would
| be neither sufficient reliable in quantity. II is
supposed to be about 1900 feet above the level OF the
Hudson, and the road from Peekskill to it is sue
cessiOn OF ascens, sometimes abrupt and at others
gentle, occasionally relieved by descent or level
| The greater part OF the county indeed, although
containing many extensive and highly fertile farms
| Is mounta nous and sprlney and aDoundlng in rvu-
lets, ponds and lakes. The one in question-Lake
| Mahopac-and which derives its euphoneus name
| from that OF the chief of tribe OF Indians, which
formerly inhabited this part of the country-is much
the largest and finest. is of cluster of three
| imbedded at distances OF half, and one mile, in
knot of widely spread hills, the SUBMITS of several
OF which afford splendid prospects OF either one
| two. or the whole OF the group. Lake Mahopac
thus viewed at one point, It's CLASSY surface spark.
ling at the base OF the rich green sward of the sur
| rounding hills, seems like diamond in ts green
velvet caslset; at another, languldy and darklv
duatng amid the forest trees encompassng it, like
| the liquid streamy eye OF lovely girl, floating
about beneath its dark lashes Dvergiug from the
lake are many interesting rides, peculiarly so, to
those fond of varied and mountain scenery. Que of
| them, TO Carmel, the county town, situated upon
pretty little lake about four miles distant, is
sldered remarkably hne, and is not incoDsidera-
| BILE attraction OF the lake. AS regards bathing,
which seems To be an important consideration IN
visiting the country, ] have already alluded to the
many excellent spots of this place but one in par
cuIar from its peculiar locality and great extent oil
gradually shelving shore, Is esteemed unsurpas-
sed tor the retirement and security II affords to
ladies and children. The lake abounds in fish,
such pike, plckere perch and bullfish. The
latter are caught in great quantities., and though
small, most delicious. Good cunning u a isu
be obtained In the vicinity. In short there appears
to be nothing that could render summers sojourn
in the country most satisfactory to the most varied
tastes, that this place does not afford Boarding
accommodations, scenery, society, usements,
and climate. The climate here, far from being
harsh from ts mountain elevation or damp from
Its lakey proximity, is blande, invigorating and
lubr0us Colds are very rarely contracted, and
consumpve invilids become benefited by resi-
dence here during the summer. Thus ends my de-
scrpton, and strange as IT may seem, its charming
subject was almost unknown as desirable place OF
summer resort until few years since, when some
asray New Workers, wandering about the country
la search OF some new place to renovate them
during the sOlsce, stumbled upon IT, and after
selfshly revelliDg upon It's virgin charms by them
selves tor season, accidentally exposed the secret
in the exutation OF their discovery. The knowing
multiplied rapidly, and though mum"
the word, the place has become pretty well known
and ap ,reciaed The last three seasons 1t has been
thronged with visitors, and the very last many
II
three large hotels and numerous adjacent farm
houses. The hotels and PRINCIPAL farm-houses are
situated on the borders Of the lake, about 300 feet
equldlsant from each other, so that their boarders,
who are constantly lGterminging, form, III fact,
one community The hotels, which are obIquely
opposite TO each other, Che main road running
between them) were formerly under different
proprletors (Mr. Monk and Mr. Berry, but are thus
season united under the proprleiorshlp OF Mr.
Monk. They are new, large, well hnlshed and
handsome buildings, and under excellent manage
ment-the superILtendence OF Mr.. Crane. The
farm house is conducted by Mr.. Berry, and it's &C
commodations, though small are OF the first order.
The landlords OF BON establishments are remarka-
BILE for their courtesy, afabty, liberality, and al
tentlon 10 their guests
The season thus TAR has been rather duer than
was anticipated a great many visitors have, how.
ever, arrived, and the great mass are expected
during the month OF August. Several extensive
merchants, with their families. have been, and
some are now here Also many young married
ladies, some with pledge or two OF affection, are
residing here for the season, whose husbands bust
ness in the city keeps them there during the week,
and who have just time enough TO dart up here over
Sunday snatch kiss from their beloved and dart
back. Some old bachelors too are here, who, when
they are not smoking at table, are fussing about
with the ladies', who use them as dogs to fetch and
carry. Some young ones, too, who are learning.
There are also some young boods here, boiling over
with spirits and devlltry They organized an g Owl
Club" short time since, as members of which they
mysterlously disappear in the day time, roostng
perhaps al the bar, but under the shades OF even
ing commence their huttering and hootlng. The
smashers, cocktails, cobblers, juIens, and segars,
well as the slumbers OF the quieter portion OF the
community, suffer until almost the peep OF day,
when the owls adjourn. Then there is another
party of nice young men, whose lack of spirit deter
or debar them from the owl fraternity, who prefer
to loaf about the streets and steps, regaling each
other, and occasionally curious loaier with Bill
ingsgate stories. The owls are the wild
they the mild party Then there are some
green young men who keep aloof from
both divisions, though the devil is at work al
young veterans in every thing we call "hfe." They
circulate about with every body---Tom, Dick and
Hany-and do every thing with impuniy and APP
pause-sing, dance, drink, smoke, and tell stories
And among all, there are some highly respectable,
educated, excellent fellows But few young ladies
have been here as yet, Miss r. from the city, be.
ing the prettest but lots ol them are expected IN
Anaiist The daY is sneni here about In the follow.