The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-08-08
THE GALE DOMAIN,
Correspondence of the Caledonan,
The Lakes ofN. York---Sketch-
es by a Traveller.

No, Nv,
New York is the most richly jewclled with
lakes of any State in the Union, and the coro-
nal is well fitted to the proud title of royalty
she has assumed of the empire State. -
lake Champan, Lake Ontario and Lake
Erie lave her borders, and Lakes George, o.
Media, Cayuga, Seneca and a hundred others
lie embosomed among her hills, or ndorn her
fertile champaign. The scenery which sur
Wounds them is as diversified as the lakes are
numerous Standing on our evergreen noun
toins, we look down on lake Champlnin, stretch
inc far from south to north in placid loveliness,
while little beyond her shores, the hills of
New York rise in majestic grandeur, piled
mountain over mountain, until their rugged
and lofty SUBMITS mngle with the sky. Lake
Georre reposes like an emerald between hills
covered with evergreen, which rise bold and
abrupt from the very shores, and throw back
their shadows upon her peaceful and lmpid
waters, in which they are reflected with the
perfection of a polished mirror. Lakes Eric
and Ontario fill up large basins almost to the
brim, and ever restless, their waters are some
times dashed up to fury by the unbrolIcn
sweep of the wind over their level surfaces for
hundreds Of miles, till their proud waves dis
dnining restraint dash up the surrounding
slopes, deluging those who have dared to tres
pass on their domain, by planting their habita-
tons too near the shores
Ofthe numerous lakes in Western New
York, the Seneca is perhaps the most beauti-
full though it bears a strong resemblance to
several others which lie nearly parallel to it,
Ii extends from south to north about 40 miles
with breadth of from two to four miles.
Passing into New York from the west branch
of the Susquehannah, in Pennsylvania, ! tray
crsed a very rough and hilly country, much
ofwhch is not, and never will be settled.
first came in view of the Tenecn lake, in de-
scendng the hills from the South The pros
pect opened on the north upon finely cul-
tlvated, but somewhat billy country, with the
long strip of dark water in the centre, extend
ing in n winding direction so as to assume
somewhat the appearance of large sluggish
river. AT the head of the lake are some thou
sands of acres of rich interval which at no
very distant day was probably covered with
the waters ofthe Lake, and ut the upper cx-
tremity ofwhch is situated the village of Ea-
wanna. The day was hot and sutry and when
We embarked on a small steamer scarcely
breath of air was perccptiblc; but soon after we
were under way, a cool breeze from the north
came sweeping up the lake, rendering cur
condition comfortable as could be desired
was informed that there is invariably a
breeze from the south in the forenoon and from
the north in the afternoon, which renders the
navigation of the lake delightful in the
SUMMER season. The shores on the upper
part Of the lake for the most part are nearly
perpendicular lodges of shelving rocks, from
fifteen to forty feet high; having the appear
ance of wall regularly laid up with fat
stone; and over these, the small streams fall
INTO the lake, forming most beautiful cascades
as they dash from rock to rock down the mar
row channels they have worn in the preci-
pcc. A little south of Ovid, one of these
streams larger than any other which I saw on
the east of the lake, falls something like one
hundred feet forming almost continuous sheet
Of foam, and in connection with the romantic
surrounding scenery, presenting picture of
unsurpassed beauty. At the foot of the falls
is a large Touring mill, finished with much taste
and elegance and costing about $25 900. The
northern part of the lake is surrounded with
very rich farming country. The shores are
less abrupt, and on either side the slope is very
gradual from the lake, presenting a diversified
scenery of woodlands and highly cultivated
b fields, mostly laden with rich crops of wheat
"already white for the harvest" At the north
md off lo1, Al
Hourishing village of Geneva, and on high
bluff commanding view of the lake for some
miles to the south, is situated the college |
buildings and many fine residences of the in
habitants.
Inc lake is said to be very deep and is fed to
great extent with springs, and for these caus-
es 1t never freezes in the winter except some
times for few miles near the outlet. In YER
cold weather, dense cloud of vapor rises
from the water, SO that the course of the lake |
can be traced for great distance
In connection with the lakes of New York,
let us glance at that wonder of the world Mag
ara After the glowing descriptions of this
mighty cataract by the most able writer's in
'he world, it must require one far holder than
myself to attempt a renewed description. and
l can only briefly and family express my own
Impressions. .. ...... a..,..n |
stood on the bridge connecting the Amer
ican side with Goat Island and gazed on the
1oamng river as it came rushing and dashing
over the rocks for half mile above, at another
ume or at another place should have recarded
'ne scene as grand and imposing beyond des
cription. Again stood on the br;nl, sc H.
Prec'pice over which the water on the Ameri-