Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-05-06
D. P, THOMPSON. EDITOR & PROPRIETOR.

some parts covered with rich verduge and wild
flowers, and the steep green banks of the oppn
''e shore with th9ir pleasant looking cottages,
what would not look pleasant from such a spot y
NO. beautiful as all this may be, cannot now
enlarge upon it; but il is of Mount Hope, the
City of the Dead, of which | write. What an
appropriate name for Cemetery It speaks Of
Immortality, rather than mortality. How cheer
ing the sound TO bereaved Christians who Law
some beloved friend beneath the sod, in the full
assurance she will rise agRin--We have laid
her in Mount Hope! Oh, should not all our
grave-yards, instead Of being dull and gloomy
receptacles Of the dead, be made pleasant
gardens, aud have Mount Hope = inscribed
over III" gates Of these silent citIes! with how
much less reluoiance should ~e enter these hal.
loved precincts ! A few years sings where
were FeasAnt MUnht Au5afn, the treeiiwoot
Cemetery, or Mount Hope? ~
1t wss pleasant afternoon in Juyas our par
ty drove through the rural city Of Rochester, to
visit Mount Hope. We noticed one beautiful
cottage as we passed-beautiful more for Its
home among trees, and fine shrubs, and rare ex-
otics about the piazza, and vines whose tendrils
t"ined gracefully round the white pillars
Those plants are the delight and care Of
little Invalid, said my friend. "She dtvotes her
time and attention TO them constantly when she
is able to be about. She prides herself upon
her roses, which she rCars in great health and
beauty; and her chief delight is in transplanting
these children Of her love to Mount Hope and
one OF the sweetest spots in that garden Of the
dead, is where her father and lite brothers
sleep. She has bordered a grave for herself
and mother; and says when God sees fit to call
her soul to himself, her poor body, which has
been such painful load in life, will have
pleasant nook among roses in the graveyard"
But am DEPRESSING. Here we are nl Mount
Hope. Indeed it is most lovely spot-nature
in her own wild state, and art with all her re-
inemens. The pretty pond of clear bright wa
ter, " like a set gen." at the foot of the hill, re.
fleets the blue sky and green borders wi tn pc.
culiar clearness. But the most lovely part of
the ground, perhaps, is deep hollow, whether
natural OF artificial do not know, but a series
Of labyrinthine walks lead to the small circular
grass plat at the bottom. bordered with flowers.
Looking up from this spH, the grave stones upon
the terraces, one above another. look like senti
nels holding watch over priceless treasures.
From the summit OF Mount Hope. Lake Ontario
is seen stretching afar off, though it is forty miles
distant from Rochester. From the observatory
in this point, most rich and highly diversified
prospect is to be seen.
Beautiful beautiful Mount Hope who would
not be willing to rest at last within thy pleasant
borders! The birds here sing untanned ia
their native trees, and the squirrel bounds un
moested over the low graves. Here the wild
flowers live their life of beauty and fade
away; the snow OF winter, like sllvery m mile,
covers thee the soft wlnls blow over thee Oh;
may we hope that all who rest within thy quiet
borders, may rise in spotesS and gIorIfi ID budles
to Join the host of the redeemed in heaven!
But the beauty of such spots as Mount Hope
has soothing, and, trust, beneficial, effect
upon the heart. The grave itself is not so clad
il terrors the tomb, the shroud, the dark abode
are forgotten, among sunny hooks and bright
flowers; and how imperceptlbIy peace is d if
fused over the heart We love to come and
watch about our treasure, whose earthly form
sleeps in garden of roses and we are led up
ward and upward, to contemplate the glorious
kingdom where those who sleep In Christ, live
again in glory. s.s.T.