Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-09-12
Written for the Spirit of the Age.
Views Of the Hudson and Niagara.

Views of the Hudson and Niagara.
June, with its long days, luxurious foliage
and wealth of sunshine, had arrived. The
school-room, and its accustomed routine Of
studies were becoming irksome. The papers
teemed with accounts Of city amusenfeufes as
well as charming country attractiong, fer the
votaries of health or pleasure. Saratoga
wed with Newport, and Newport with Cape
May in their resources for killing time, and
the number and character OF their distin-
guished guests. Fashionable Springs in the
heart of the country, and the grander allure
ments of the Sea beach, had each their res
pective claims on the money-spending pub
lie. But to none of these did our inclination
lead. We were not in search of health or of
the fashionable world, but to crafty an IL
tense desire, formed long years ago, to behold
the magnificent Cataract of Niagara all
other places seemed tame compared to our
idea Of this. The matter being thought pos
sible, we put our plan in execution. The
school and its cares were dismissed the key
turned in the lock, combining its hopes and
fears, its pleasures and anxieties no linger-
ing on the little porch now to watch the de-
clining western sun : this cherished winding
up of our days work was soon to be supplan-
ted by greater beauties. Before another
twenty-four hours, we would be speeding
our course northward, towards this master
work of nature. Arrived in that great Ba-
bel, the Metropolis of our country, we paused
to breathe, if breathing it could be called,
amid the din and confusion found On Broad
way.
The third day found us on the Hudson. that
noble stream that has no rival. Constantly
on the qui oiUe, none of its beauties escaped
us. The river itself, SO deep, and expansive,
receives its waters from the adirondack, and
conscious of its own powers, disdains any
tributary, save that Of the Mohawk, which
bears its mighty tribute to the Ocean, lader
with the rich products of the wealthy regior
it fertilizes. A traveller on this stream ha'
the most charming succession Of views ships
steamers and barges are ~couFsing their wa.
in every direction. The railway traces it
course on the eastward bank, and with it,
tunnels and stations, and numerous train
gliding up and down, form another item i
the variety of objects. Then the clean, nea
and fl%ourishing looking towns, with the love
ly country-seats that surround them, the vel
dant v%elvetry lawns, some terraced, other
sloping gradually to the waters edge, wit
their duplicates in the mirror-like r~efectio
below, all contributed to a scene of enchan
ment that we were unwilling to have broker
Advancing farther up the river, the scener
became holder, wilder, and more magnifcen
First the Palisades came into view, then Il
Highlands; lastly, the Catskills doomed |
before each, increasing your admiration
you glided by them. The Highlands approa
the waters edge with their bold rocky from
and sometimes over hanging cliffs. 7
lIC-A-l-sl- lia Observation-Disclosures
rugged sides are concealed by foliage a
distance. The softened outlines of Rou
} Top and High Peak are defined against t
western sky, and the Mountain House, thou
distinctly seen, is yet but a mere speck
its elevated lyric. The blue misty haze Il
envelopes them is prolific in imaginary r
\ lures. You sit on the upper deck Of t
. Steamer in the lazy afternoon sunlight, a
! in that half sleepy, dreamy state, multiE
Rip Vanwinkle scenes without number
: Turn your eye in whatever direction J
c will, it would scarce rest on a spot which
3 not associated with some classic, historic
: legendary interest. Irving, Bryant, Pau
ing, Drake, Willis and Miss Warren, b
all contributed to enrich literature by {
criptions of these lovely haunts. They h
added ornaments to the mantle of beauty
IS which nature had already clothed them.
l. Here on this bank lay TT. Lea there "
I" Washington's head quarters this widen
t. of the river is Tappan Bay on that ban.
! Tarrytown nestled among these HighlO
is West Point beyond is Murderer's CT
~ or Moodna, immortalizedby Paulding to
cast, cool and shady, reposes Underclif
~ the west is that part of Highland terri
n made familiar by Letters from Idlewil
he among the glens of these picturesque MI
ell tains, Rodman Drake wrought up the
h of his inimitable " Culprit Fay )" and Ii
a there is "Queechy," the home of FL
a whose pathetic story has melted so n
eft, readers.
lei But the evening passes. The glorious
Il which has lent its aid in the playful Ii
and shadows of the scenery, is now sin
behind one Of its magnificent couch
nes peries.' Enough of daylight, howeve
in left to see Albany and Troy, at the latt
ore which, we rested for the nigt, actually
an come with lassitude, gazing at such al
stall cess Of loneliness.
leo The next day was spent in t~raveIlin
'" the Central Road, through Schenec
n Utica, Rome, Rochester and reached Nic
Falls quite late. We were a little chagr
though at the idea, that the first sights
sounds that greeted our eyes and ears, 81
be those of the viol, flute and may d
We did not pause to listen, but mount
our third story rooms, where the SCUM
revelry were hushed in the tremendous
of the Cataract