The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-14
A visit to the Mountains OF New Jersey.

anu tuut 10 ihucPcuucHt PuuiC JCuiAduSLi,
Visit to the Mountains OF New Jersey.
One Of the pleasantest excursions in the neigh
borhood of this city, is that TO the mountains Of
New Jersey, about sixty miles from New York.
The route lies through neof the most picturesque
and delightful districts that can possibly be met
with in any section of the Union.
The mountains are accessible in one day with
the greatest and comfort Imaginable. The
traveller starts by the Railroad cars from the me-
ropolis at 8 o'clock in the morning, and arrives at
Morlstown IN twoland a quarter, or two and half
hours; and from thence TO Schooley's mountain,
distance OF twenty miles over the mountains, is ac-
compshed in stages in few hours. This drive is
indeed most delightful, the road being picturesque
In the extreme, new passing over q high
hill, and now through pleasant valley
sleeping in the shade, whilst the prospect at
every point presents the most varied and agreeable
landscape in the word-the deep green woods-the
richly cultivated elds-the lofty verdant hills-the
cottages and farmhouses glistening in the bright
sun-glimpses of distant meuntains-waterfalls,
gtenng like silver, lar away in the hills-ail ma
king up scene varied, new, calm and
peaceful, that the weariest soul experiences its bliss
full influences, and scars for the time from this
world of disquietude, to a land OF purer airs and
softer skies OF its own creation. On every hand
the scene is truly American There is a vastness
and grandeur in the landscape peculiarly charac-
teristc. The ysky itself seems loftier, and the
air freer than in the lancs beyond the and one
cannot but be deeply impressed with the character
of happiness and prosperity with which the whole
scene appears TO be impressed. II seems if peace
and liberty rejoced together, they walk hand in
hand amid those quiet hills. and that their solemn
words of prophecy and Triumph, are echoed by
thousand airy voices in the smiling wales below.
Norristown is charming little village. There
is here one of the finest hotels in the country-a
building, which in point OF extent, elegance, and
comfortable accommodation, has nothing to fear
from comparison with the Astor House itself, and
capable Of lodging one hundred persons with the
greatest ease, and in the first style This fine
building has been erected by the munfcrnce Of
Mr.. Gibbons-the famous steamboat proprietor.
At this moment number Of the most respectable
families in New York rusticating at this house;
the male branches generally visiting the city every
day, going and returning by the railroad. The
parors and dining LOOMS are of the most spacious
and elegant dimensions-and the bed rooms are so
many models Of neatness, elegance, and comfort.
One of the great charms Of residence at Norris
town, is the cool, delicious, health-nfusng morn
day sun, in the quiet evening the air is cool, fra
grant, and refreshing, as if it came from the bower
Of Paradise.
AT Schooey's Mountain there are two houses of
entertainment-one is "Belmont Hail." conducted
by Mr.. Hinchman,-the other, conducted by Mr..
Marsh Belmont Hall is large building. capable
accommodating upwards Of one hundred visitors.
1t stands on point elevated about twelve hundred
feet above the level of tidewater 1t has spacious
pazzas, and is sheltered from the rays of the
by solemn old wood, of tall and venerable forest
trees on one side and beautiful apple orchard on
the other. Marshs's house is of smaller dimensions,
but is surrounded by a number of lodging houses,
which enable the proprietor to accommodate as
many visitors as Belmont Hall. The houses are
situated within few rods of each other, and both
are distant about one mile and quarter from the
'sprlng," which bubbles up from the mountain
brow, and is considered Of great efficacy in cacu-
lous complaints.
Belmont Hall is very well conducted. The
extremely cool, clean, airy and comfort
able, and the table is always well laid out, and
provided with an abundant supply of the good things
of this life; to which the bracing mountain air
enables the guest to do ample justice. One OF the
principal amusements at this place is driving about
the country, and riding on horse back. At Belmont
Hall there are several good trotng horses and the
exercise is, we need hardly say, very beneficial to
people from this city At each OF the houses there
is small band of music; and generally in the even
ing there is a social dance, in which those fond of
that amusement ENJOY themselves very much. There
is none of the hustle and noise, and confusion and
pretension here, that are met with at the huge
watering places where the crowds 60.
One of the peculiar features OF this part Of New
Jersey is its locofocoism. 1t is quite overrun with
locofocosm. AT almost every cross-road you see
a tall hickory-pole, sometimes old and marked
with the irosts of years, and sometimes still bear
ing all the evidences Of being recently planted
Very few " ash-poes" are to be met with-the soil
appears to be quite barren of them.
On Saturday last the locoiocos had three or four
meetings in different directions in this region Of
the mountains. One was held at Hope, another
at Anderson, and others at other places. The
meeting at Madison was attended by the Hon. Eli
Moore, of this city, Jno s. Bush and A. Welles,
Esqrs All Of these gentlemen spoke, and also Mr.
Crane OF Mississippi. The whole affair sort Of
HOLIDAY to the country people in the neighborhood
aud the boys and gIls had a regular "froc."-
There were probably upwards of twelve hundred
persons the ground, Of all ages and both sexes.
After eating famous country dinner Of capital
roast pig and boiled chickens, nterarded with
fresh butter, no, corn and apple pies, and washed
down with native whskey, the crowd adjourned to
abeautful apple orchard, and there listened 10
Mr. Moore, who made great speech to them Of
three hours length. from stump Immediately be-
meath glorious old apple-tree-the clusters Of ripe
golden fruit hanging about his head. He spoke of
the tariff and other matters in the usual style Of
Tammany Hall, only little more spicy, to suit the
country appetite. Mr.. Crane and Mr.. Bush follow
ed, and Mr.. Weles wound up with very capital
speech.
Ia these political gatherings the ladies', il appears,
are as much, if not more, in earnest than the men