Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-09-02
Willoughby Lake---a little Para.
disc.


Willoughby Lake---a little Para
disc.
There is most enchanting spot up
North in the town Of Westmore, 30 miles
over fine smooth road from ST. Johnsbu-
~. We allude to Willoughby Lake, a bo-
dy of water some six miles long aud from a
mile 10 a mile and half broad, surrounded
by mountains, aud forming with all its sur
roundngs bewtchingly beautiful retreat
for the summer tourist The number of
visitors to the Lake has been very great
this season, and we find many glowing des-
criptions of its varied attractions IN the CT
~ papers. The editor of the Springfield
Mass Republican has made visit to the
place, and from his graphic pencillings we
make the following extracts
My first impression was that of unmin-
gled surprise aud delight 1t was unlike
any other scenery that ever saw Before
us lay a narrow lake-say twice as wide as
the Connecticut at rlngheld-running
straight Norlhward, while on each side rose
two mountains, almost perpendicularly, pre-
senlIng bare surfaces of rock at some points
many acres IN area, and attaining height
calculated TO be $50 feet 1t looks as If
the mountain had been split in twain, the
two halves being moved apart so as to pre-
sent parallel surfaces, and the lake planted
between them, to drink elernaly from the
springs that live IN their bosoms, aud to
darkle in their mighty shadows. Our first
view of the lake caught II rolling aud spark
ling under fresh breeze aud midday
sun. Straight through the gorge, and beau
ia,ll ia, a.. 4 Il, -.
picture, the Owls Head, a mountain that
rises from the West shore of Lake Mem
phremagog, stood defined against the sky,
and gave finishing touch to the scene, in
keeping with its wild and singular charac-
teristics
After giving a description of the spacious
hotel recently erected on the shore of the
lake, and telling how he was disappointed
in not having made the contemplated fish
ing excursion, and catching the 25-pound
muscaonge trout from WilIoughbys crys-
tai waters, the editor proceeds
These two mountain peaks are called
respectively Mount Hor, by the writer to
whom | have previously alluded, but the
former, by the people in the vicinity, is cal
led Mount Annance, though for what rea-
son | could not learn. The name Will
loughby" was given 10 the Lake by an Eng
lish hunter from Canada, who discovered il,
and having accidentally cut a blood vessel
with sharp stone, gave up his life IN the
wilderness, and his name To the lake at the
same time. Mount Annanee is reached al
It's summit by bride path commencing in
the forest near WiIoughby Lake House
and the view presented from it is the mos
magnificent that can be imagined. At III,
foot lies the sparkling little gem of lake
Far in tie Northwest, Lake Memphrema
cog stretches its silver line, tying Vernon
TO Canada. To the North and Northwest
lies the valley of the ST. Lawrence. Tn,
Green Mountain chain aud the Whit
Mountains lift their noble peaks in TN
distance, while here aud there the humbl,
hamlet or the more ambitious village do
the intermediate scene, apparently unbrok
en- forest. This scene, so wild and so be
wllderIng, so grand IN its extent and char
acter, overlooking alike the dominions O
the President aud the Qeen, well repays
visit to the spot, aud the somewhat sever
task of ascent.
But there is one little feature of romanc
10 which have not alluded. was not a
bic to visit it, but what say of il is au
thenlic, or SAID TO be, which answers IN
same purpose. About half way up Noun
Annance, directly at the base of the per
pendicular wall of rock, is located trac
oil land OF several acres IN extend, and bu
slightly inclined, which is called the Gar
den OF Eden" This garden cannot b
seen at all from the lowIand, and here gro,
spontaneously large number of rare plant
including several varieties of roses Thes
plants have always been there since iii
discovery of the spot, and embrace seyera
species never before seen an The Unite
States, and others very rare. Here, IN III
sunny spot, the conservatory aud hot be
OF Nature, these plants have been nurture
by the sun, rain and wind in summar, an
preserved III winter by the reflection {
heat from the mass of rock above then
which gathered and radiated it, Thes
plants will be found described, am inform
ed, IN Woods Botany, the author of whic
mas visited the garden and taken note of il
treasures. The garden IS, OF course, anon
the wonders and hons of the spot.
This remarkable locality, of which $
little is known. will soon be no uncommo
sight TO the traveller. The road of wbic
have before spoken. as being built at III
base of Mount Annance, will soon be con
pleted, and will be stage route from III
termination Of the Passumpsic Railroad
Canada. The new Hotel, which beioi
this sees type, will be finished aud throw
open, has ACCOMMODATIONS for I25 guest
with plenty Of cot room in the dancin.
hall. Boats were ready to be launched Il
hshlng excursions when we left, and hay
doubtless, ere this, been baptized in III
crystal waters of the lake