The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-10-06

1rttrrs upon fbe Srenrrp, fustitutious an0
STUDENTS of amherst.

Special Correspondence of The Culedonian
AMHERST, Mass, Oct. I, 1855.
Amherst is celebrated not only for its
College, but also for the unrivalcd beauty
of its situation. II, in the former respect. it
may be surpassed by other institutions whose
years are more numerous, and whose fame
more extensive; in the latter, certainly, it
need fear no rival. The Connecticut Valley
is celebrated the country over for its richness
and varied scenery, and there cannot be in
all New England finer drive than along its
banks, from Hartford through Massachusetts,
and Vermont, till where, little stream, it e.
merges from those dark forests which shut
out from view the birthplace of this good old
stream. Of:en the charm remains unbroken
till the traveller has penetrated the forests
even, and drunk from its very source. Thro'-
out the entire distance it is one continuous
panorama which never tires the eve Of the
beholder. AT times the valley is very mar
row, barely admitting the river, the highway,
and railroad while the bold, towering cliffs
on either side impart an air of grandeur and
sublimity which cannot tail 20 impress all
Again the river widens-the bold mountains
fly back, and lean in gentle slopes against
the distant sky-the river widens its channel,
applies the brake to its impetuous current,
and slowly winds along throu Oh meadows
prairic-like in fertility and beauty. Such is
the Connecticut Valley near Northampton.
As it stretches out on all sides till it meets
the hills Which overlook it, it seems like an
immense basin with the river in the centre
for an outlet. Amherst lies on the Eastern
edge Of this basin. some six miles back from
the river, and the view cannot lie otherwise
than fine embracing, as it does, so large an
extent Of country. under so high state of
cultivation Ascend with me the tower upon
the College chapel. Below Won, few miles
to the West, lies lTadcy. embosomcd in elms.
and surrounded with crops that put TO flight
all fears of famine. |, is a quiet little place.
with famous street nearly as wide as the
whole Of st. John>hury Plain. 1t seems
hardly possible that this same spot was the
theatre upon which were enacted some of the
most traeical scenes in Indian warfare-vet
so it was. Here the two rrgici.lcs, Goifc and
Whallcv, were sccrctcd. and here. like guar
dian angels. they came forth when the Tndi-
ans suddenly attacked the town. and led the
di>oryanzcd inhabitants to battl" and to VIC
tory. Next comes the river and beyond it
lies northampton. suggestive Of manv honor
ed namcs-meE who lived ir earlier DAYS and
bv improving their many talents. have given
illustrations Of the truth that "thc memory
OF the Just Is blessed" On Hill which ri
Sos Ike bluff hrvond the town. stands The
Water Cure establishment. Tons II seems
like fortress or dismal castle and not like
the a'tra tive and inviting >po, which II real
" is. Sill further westward. Et>,hanntou'.
two spires are seen. and between Them W.,
hav" AN imperfect outline Of the celebrate ed
Willi>ion Seminary. Brvond. portions OF
Southampton are seen. and on thu. hill. Slope
:sr away. beneath those old maple trees. can
vou not discern house of ancient date =
This house was the birth place of The late i.
Il. Edwards, Professor in the An,lovcr Thco-
logical Seminary. Other towns are also Wis
IDLE. but these are the ones which specially
attract our attention.
Mt>. Tom and IIo'vokc. on our left. form
the Southern boundary of this immense Ia
sin. Were Olympus one Of our nci-hboring
mountains. We should say that this reservoir
was the goblet from which .Jovc and the 9TH
er gods Tuaticd the " flowing nectar" but as
it is We can account for this singular forma-
ton in no such probable way. HAD intend
ed to speak in this of the College and it's
progress. of the two literary societies and
their condition but this must he reserved
for ano Their time. have introduced YOU to
the crfernaiS-the Intervals shall follow.