The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-08-26

impression on the inhabitants OF this romantic
county-the in-gathering Of her sons, scattered
abroad through the whole extent of this country ;
and the only feeling Of those who have had the
good fortune to participate in the gratifying pro-
ceedings, is that Of extreme pleasure and approval
1t is not perhaps. so wellknown as il should be,
that the county OF Berkshire lays claim to the pa
rentage of an unusual numher Of men, who have in
their public career, not only done credit to the
place OF their nativity, but to their country large
II would be tedious to recapitulate all who adorn
this list, but when we mention the names of Bry-
ant, Sedgwick, Charming, Dewey, Belts, and Spen-
Ger, fair sample of the host OF those well known
names who belong to this place is afforded, and
who would form list too long Tor detail. We un-
derstand that not than year has elapsed since
the happy thought of an assembly of the Sons of
Berkshire originated with few individuals of this
city, proud OF their connection with this beautiful
and distinguished county. No sooner was the pro
ject promulgated than it was caught up with ayidity
Old Massachusetts echoed the proposal, and num-
bers stepped forward with creditable ZEAL TO for
ward the undertaking; but beforeagoing further,
few words relative to the locale Of this truly COM
mendable celebration.
The town Of Pittsfied, the capital Of Berkshire
County, is situated towards it's western extremity,
and near the source of the Housatonic river. II
was originally settled about the year l74O, and has
gradually, but steadily, been keeping pace with the
general progress of the country, and is now pro-
missing and fast rising town. The population
amounts to about 1900; contains about 200 houses,
four Churches, Bank, Medical Institution, an
extensive and fourishing Academy for young
ladies, and no less than four newspapers are pub
lished each week. Nothing can be more beautiful
than the scenery of this county in general but that
which presents itself to the eye from the town OF
Pttsfeld is eminenty so. Situated on an emf
hence in the centre Of an extensive plain, II COM
mands prospect oil a most diversified and roman
tic kind. For miles away in the distance the un-
dulang surface Of the fields, swells into gentle hills
and sequestered vaes-there is nothing fiat, stale,
or unprofitabe-crops Of every kind teen from the
rich soil, and hue Of verdure delights the sight,
which is at last intercepted by the majestic piles Of
the Green Mountain range, which form in bold re-
lef,a margin tor the lovely central valley, all round
the horizon. These hills are clothed with verdure,
and forest timber to their loftiest summit. There
is nothing meagre or barren to mar the harmony of
the view, and altogether it is faithful and grand
emblem of the intellectual fertility Of the REGION of
the enterprise and elevated character OF this dis
tinguished section Of the New England race, whe
are proud to hail it as the land Of their boyhood's
home.
Thursday and Friday last were the days dedi-
Gated to the Jubilee OF the "Sons of Berkshire I"
A committee, appointed by the county, had made
arrangements, most judcioasly, to give as much
eetdt and honor TO the occasion as it was possible
to do. On Thursday morning Pittsield presented an
animated appearance. The arrivals of the trains
Railway, which passes through Pittsteld between
Albany and Boston, brought legons partake in the
proceedings. According to arrangement, CON-
miltee of the citizens OF Berkshire, were in wait
ing at the Town Hall, TO give formal reception to
the Emigrant Sons Of that county, and register
provided ain which were inserted their names, as
an interesting memorial for future days of the hap
py event which brought the distant and far scatter
ed but aectonate sons OF the soil to their beauti
| full native hills. A procession was formed which
marched out to the "Jubilee Hill," short dis
lance from the towns. where, it was proposed to
hold the exercises CT the day. The weather
| however, proved adverse; about one o'clock the
distant mountain tops were enveloped in misty
clouds, and copious discharge OF rain from the
Of the day. At two O'Clock p. M. the vast assem-
| bage met In the Presbyterian Church, where the
Rev. Mark Hopkins, President of Williams Col
| lege, addressed them in a discourse Of a nature
| suitable to the occasion the Rev. William Allen
followed it with poem composed expressly for the
service, in which he recounted host Of names long
honored-treated patheticaly Of 'the days of other
years" and spoke IN terms OF congratulaton 10 his
1 1.
their home, and their restored brethren. The re-
mainder Of the day was passed in the unceremoni-
Gus meeting OF friends at the houses of the citi-
gems OF Pltsheld; and 1t was hard to tell who rel
| lshed the delight OF that evening most, the Emf
grant Sons OF Berkshire to revisit their homes or
the citizens of Pittsfield to hail their return.
| Friday morning was ushered in freighted with
| expectation, but not without apprehension as to
the threatening appearance of the weather Rain
had descended in torrents during nearly the whole
preceding night. The ground was saturated with
wet, and the fore part of Friday its dropping at
mospherc and mist shrouded mountains contrasted
strongly with the vivaclty OF the crowds that
| thronged the hotels, and the numerous detach-
ments OF strangers who cheerily chatted in the
the uncertainty OF the day prevented any decision
as to when the exercises should be held. The
church used on the previous day began to be fieu
at halt past nine O'Clock, and at half past ten, it
was densely crowded by an audience, the greater
part OF whom consisted of lades-the gentle.
| men, of course, courte ously declining all accom-
modatlon until the ladies' were comfortably seated.
The glorious uncertainty of the weather afforded
cause OF some amusement, and extensive specula-
| ton. No keen broker ever scanned the rise and
| fall OF stocks-no shrewd lawyer ever turned over
the leaves of the volumnous brief with more
searching acumen than the weather wise peered
| through the dlmed windows, or turned to the wea
ther.cock to see what way the wind blew. The
| folks in the gallery, strongly impressed with the
vane OF seats, most pertlnacousy adhered 10 them,
and wherever temporary vacancy occurred by
the tenants curiosity TO have peep at the clouds,
| II was hled up bytwo or more watchful can
dldates: Numerous enquiries were directed to the
marshals as they now and again became visible in
| the crowd by their badges OF office, one of whom
at last assembled the pulpit stairs, and announced
| that the collective wisdom had concluded pro-
cessional march to Jubilee HILL"
In few minutes the church became emptied
the procession, headed by a band Of music, form.
ed outside in the following order:- e
| The President OF the day, and the Sheriff Of til
/ County
! The Vice Presidents
| The Orator of the Day.
| The Clergy-the New York COmmittee-the
| Berkshire County Committee Berkshire Agri-
cultural Soclety-the Faculty OF Williams
College-the Faculty of the Berkshire Medi
cal lnsututon-the Emigrant Sons, and for