Litchfield enquirer., 1849-09-13
Travelling Sketches.
! Winnipisseogee Lake, N. H.,
J Sent. /, 1849.


Friend Kilbourne-Finding myself in
possession of leisure hour on board the
beautiful little steamer, LADY of the
Lake." awaiting the arrival Of train of
cars from Boston on the Concord and
Montreal Railroad, from which train this
said Lady of the Lake" takes passen-
gers to the charming village Of Centre
Harbor, nine miles up this picturesque
lake, l avail myself Of the hour, to give
you some account of an expedition Of a
a few days to the Switzerland Of Amer
lea.
I am rather Unexpectedly a wanderer
amidst these delightful scenes, having
left my home in your own good county,
(the dearest land to me of all the earth,)
on the 18th ultimo, for the purpose OF
attending Commencement at Williams
College, on the 18th.
Commencement Day was as delightful
as The NEST fastidious could DESIRE The
exercises evinced high order of intellect
ual attainment, in the young gentlemen who
took part in them and were said 10 COM
pare tavorably with those OF the first liter-
airy institutions of the land, by critical
friends competent TO judge in such matters.
To nae, however, the performance of most
thrilling interest, was the Address delivered
by the Rev. ADAM REID Of Salisbury, before
one of the Literary Societies of The College
on the evening preceding Commencement
II was characteristic Of the author full Of
vigorous thoughts, ierSely expressed, Tend
ing 10 elevate the mind and enlarge the
understanding and heart. The principle oil
his discourse was, the majesty and immu-
liability of Law, beautifully illustrated in
the harmony Of Mature generally, and the
laws of physical health in the human body,
as we'll as in the order OF the heavenly bod>
les: In showing that the great law of mind
is ACTION, ExERcIsE-and the law OF its de
velopemeni,S ELF>CULTURE-he showed most
conclusively that no enviable distinction
was sver attained, in any department oflife,
except by persevering and intelligently di-
recied EFFORT: not for day or a year, but
constant, unremil,ing and systematic. AS,
however. it will undoubtedly go to the press,
/ will no, mar il by any farther attempt at
description.
You are doubtless acquainted with the
bold and striking mountain scenery, which
surrounds WilliamStOwE, and with the fine
drives which are found among the smaller
hills, embraced within the amphitheatre Of
its loftier mountains. Leaving these, the
day after Commencement, tOe flor / must
now speak of a party Of eight persons 'rav-
cling in Two calriageS,) took the wild and
romantic route along the Hoosic River to
the Falls Of the same, some II miles down
he stream, where there is a thriving and
beautiful village. in which there is consid>
era bic manufacturing of wool and cotton.
This 1.-THE 18th Of August, was the ami
versary of the battle Of Bennington, 10 which
Molly Stark was not made a widow-and
we saw many people returning at evening
from a commemoration of the. day.
Leaving "Hoosic Corners" the following
morning, we had a pleasant drive to Ben
ning,on, where we dined at the excellent
Hotel of Mr.. Robinson-:elegraphing our
friends in Connecticut before We sat down,
and receiving an answer from them on ris-
ing. In the afternoon, we drove through
SALISBURY and Arlington, in view OF the
Bennington Battle Ground, which was
pointed out 10 Us by an old gentleman who
was living in sight OF the field when the
battle was foughl-Ihen lad some six or
eight wears old-and still lives on the same
SPOT, a venerable man of 30 years.
We spent the night al fine Hotel in
Manchester. On the following day, you
could have looked out upon the celebrated
Green Mountains OF Vermont, you nigh,
have seen our party vending their way over
sinuous and ascending rOad--some stroll
ing along in rear Of the carriages, some in
advance, some gathering fruit, and some
flowers others turning ever and anon 10
gaze upon the magnificent mountains, mark.
ing the outline OF the western horizon :
while others still, were guiding the horses
on their weary way, Bat, to the csedit OF
the State. aud 10 the shame Of our own,
am constrained 10 say, that even Mis great
mountain turnpike, like many others which
/ have travelled over now and heretofore in
Vermont, is much superior 20 many roads
Of the same name 10 Connecticut.
Spending The night and the Sabbath NJ
the only Hotel in Chester--Which Hotel we
would caution all future travellers 70 avoid,
unless they would subject themselves TO The
liability Of being carried forward or backs
ward ON their journey by other anisais than
those generally used in the prosecution Oi
iourneys--we were of as early as possible
Tor Windsor on the Connecticut River, pass
Ing the high chalky cliffs Of Asculney,
shfo' one OF those singular Nolches' which
so frequently occur In this mountainous
region. Windsor Is q respectable old will.
age, where is located the Stale Prison, and
one Or more Banks and II is also the seat
Of some manufacturing. The Connecticut