The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1848-08-19

then like some silver snake gliding lazi
ly, with tortuous windings through the
lgreen meadows, and then again is los
behind some point or hill. to reappear II
the distance, adding much to the beauty
of the scene. l did not count the num-
Der OF church steeples that may be seer
from the top OF Holyoke, but it is sale
that more than thirty may be seen on q
clear day. Mount Tom is yet higher
than Holyoke, but Is seldom visited by
travellers on account of the difficulty Q,
ascending it, and the fear of rattlesnakes
which still intest its rocky sides.
Descending from the mountain we
wendell OUT way towards Amherst, dis
tant some ten miles. The road thither
winds around the foot of Mount Holyoke
and presents many romantic views amid
The deep glades and overhanging rocks.
Amherst Is very pleasantly situated in
an Amphitheatre, surrounded on three
sides by hills of moderate height. cover.
ed with dense green foliage. But the
situation is all that can commend it 10
the travellers notice. It's College COM
mands fine view OF the country around
and in its Faculty and the number of its
students, commands high rank among
the Colleges of the land. In times rast
it has been famous for its Missionary
spirit, and the number of its alumni who
have entered the Missionary field would
bear fair comparison with that of any
other in the country. Here Imet with
what is rare, at least in our day-a learn
ed barber. Stepping into a Barber's shop
i found the barber young colored man
busily porting over Homer, with Lexi-
cons and grammars spread out before
him in formidable array, and was
pleased to find quite proficient in
Greek and Latin, having read quite as
much of both languages as is generally
read in our Colleges. His only IN
struction had been from the College stu
dents, with whom I found he was a
great favorite. Such instances OF per-
sevsring effort under the most d,scour-
aging instances, are rare, and always ex-
cite feeling of admiration and respect.
He was true sun of Africa and his jet
black skin and prominent lips, told con-
cluslvely that no white blood was min
sled in his veins.
The road from Amherst to Northamp-
ton presents little of sufficient interest to
detain you with description. The DIS
lance is seven miles, much of the way
through the meadows OF Hadley and
Northampton.
Northampton I have already said, is
the gem OF the valley, and 1t would be
difficult to find another place where SO
much rural beauty is crowded together
in so little space. 1t has long been ia
vorite resort of travellers and many,
tired ofthe cares and turmoils of city
life, seek in its pleasant shades, retirement
and health. Round Hill, long famous
for ITS school, and now for the water
cure establishment that crowns its sum-
nit, is hill of considerable elevation,
commanding fine view of the town be-
low, with Hadley and Amherst IN the
distance. The Hospital, like the porch
at Bethesda, is full of the sick and lnfrm,
waiting for the angel of health to restore
them through the medium of the pure
waters that fill its grateful baths. The
fashionable invalids that crowd to Cape
May and Saratoga, are not to be found
here, and the healthy traveller is con-
WINGED that here at least, no imaginary
sickness pales the cheek and dims the
eye.
1t was at Northampton that Jonathan
Edwards lived and wrote, and in the
bosom of his family David Brainerd laid
him down to die at the early age Of 80,
after having won imperishable fame by
his devotion to the Missionary cause
among the Indians. His tomb, plain
flat slab of sandstone, stands in the old
grave yard, and the we'll beaten path,
testifies that many are foundto honor the
remains of departed piety and worth.
By his side lies Jerusha the daughter Of
Edwards, whose gentle hand smoothed
his dying pillow, and who followed him
in less than year 10 that world where
her labor OF love is now receiving its
eternal reward. The Elm in whose CRATE
full shade Edwards was wont 10 write in
Summer, is still pointed out, hale old
tree that bids fair to weather the storms
OF another century. Edwards himself
lies in the old grave yard at Princeton,
with Aaron Burr his son-fn-law, his sue.
cessor in the Presidency OF that College,
and Aaron Burr his grandson, the Vice
| proe;dapt NJ tho J1njtad States North.mp
ton is quiet place with little business
to disturb its peaceful calm, and before
the railroad was made, rejoiced in the
sobriquet OF "Sleepy Hollow" But COM
mend me to these sleepy places where
the good old customs of our ancestors are
preserved uncontaminated by the vices
and follies of modern fashions. Where
Mammon has not hardened the heart, and
rooted out the primitive hospitality of