The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-12
Our Lebanon Correspondence.

LEBANON STRINGS, August z, 1852.
Impressions of Lebaaon--Hs Scenery, Hotels, and
Jisiers-TisH to the Shaker Tiiage-Account Of
their Manners, Costume, &c.
My rapid tour was drawing to aclose, when
directed my face towards Lebanon. The Western
railroad conveyed me from Albany to n country
station called Canaan, where a coach was in wait
pg to curry such as were destined to the springs.
LEARNING that the distance was but seven miles, and
the road billy and suited TO pedestrians consigned
my traps to the driver and started out on foot
was indeed well compensated for the slight fatigue
Of the walk by the beautifully diversified scenery
which lay along the route; and when attained the
summit of one Of the hills overlooking the quiet
valley ofLcbanon, beheld prospect sufficient to
that he might here end his pilgrimage, and dream
no more of
Morn Of toll CT nights Of waking
reached the hotel just in time to get an ablution
and change my costume somewhat before tho dinner
bell rang; and when did enter the spacious saloon,
was delighted to sec it graccd by most respecta-
ble-lookirg company-composcd, for the most
part Of ladies and children, and comprising many
very handsome young girls. The principal hotel is
the Columbia House, an extensive and very commo-
Ul0us DullGlng, Win sllll
tastes and convenience of guests-large fruit gar
dsns baths, billiard and bowling houses, and pazzas
all around the ediicc. The table, too, is excellent
ly stocked ard the walters civil and attcntve-not
seeking to levy black mail, like those of Saratoga
There are three other minor hotels i'll the place, %
water cure establishment, post office, grst mill, and
O congcries of handsome cottages. The situation
Of Lebanon is delightful, lying. it were, in tho
lap of the amphitheatre OF mountains which elevate
their pine crosts on all sides around. l in
siinctiyely sailed out for stroll among these
mantle hills, and following the course Of babbling
rivuet coming down from the mountain side, ar
rived at what might be considered the ultima
thuie Of progress. Before me, and barring an as
cent TO the summit, stood q section OF
cleared forest, where the woodman's axe Rad been
unhear5, and where tho tangled brushwood seemed
TO intervene its barrier and convey tho mandate,
"thus FIR shalt thou go and no farther" Though
not on my native heath, felt myself once more in
familiar scenes for, "where tic mountain there
10 me wero friends" and Obstacles only whctted my
.CliInb tho cr9g and tread The bralsc.r
Bert on gratifying my impulses sct forward, and
after an hours contest with difficulties | found my
self standing the apex Of tue Ill., with the most
magnificent Landscape spread out on all sides, mel
lowed ana Lormonized N by the glow cithoaunmnal
setting sun, and felt that the pleasure and serenity
OF mind derived from the contemplation Of such
scene was . rich pucrdon for my toils.
J made the descent with almost equal difficulty,
the wcodcocks now and again starting up before NY
footsteps, nId flying with the sbt hoie OF alarm ~
the deeper Iecesscs Of the woods; aod now broke
mon ny ear the wild music Of tho evening
belIs.' fummoriug The stfoiiers 20 return from
th.ir rhmbles by the intimation that supper
would be on the table in haHf an hour, nj which
tine The large bell IL again rung. TINS 3 the
tom adopted here where there are such indac nents
to Ioyo about, ond where como the guests may be
al distance jfom the hotel bat within caTshot Of
that loud tocsjn.
At suIpcr, W. abe to obseryc orau. more