Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1857-06-25
dgt 4lttgfeb Gnquun,
katchss,d, Conn, Thursday, June rs, 1857
Editorial Correspondence No. Il.
THE RIDE CONTINUED.


THE RIDE cbNTINUED.
said fell asleep. the moonlight resting on nv
bed. And slept we'll, faint tracery of the mic
lures had seen along the Valley road the day pre-
visus. tinging my dreams For hours slumbered
with a vague impression on my mind, that outsi de
the rain was falling, and on the roof and through
the thick foliage of the trees the drops patterins
necessarily. bell at last restored nv conscious.
ness, and though ceaselessly the beat of the rain
sounded outside, I saw the sunlight streaming
through the window and far away tinging the out
line of the mountains which could perceive from
the easement.
arose. and gazing out, beheld no evidence of a
storm, but clear, balmy June morning pervading
the whole scene. Just them as if shaken by pass
ing breeze, the trees at my right poured off show
er of drops, and drew my attention in another d.
fection. There, shooting far above the taest
branches, and falling back Oh the gables of the
house. and the shrubbery near by, perceived jets
Of lovely fountain, whose descending spray tnkled
in the clear basin into which it at length fell The
mystery was now explained, and throwing off the
sleepy influence Of the delusion looked from each
window of the apartment to behold new and stri-
kingiy beautiful features Of wild and cultivated
country. My room on the extreme of one of
numberless gables which rtted out from a large
castle of a building and from one of the windows
could perceive the greater part of tall range of
wooded hills. forming an amphtheatre, in the
midst of which stands this modern and beautiful
country house. Beyond, stretched long avenue of
trees, and through their thick branches far away
half-hidden in vines, observed the gstenng won
ders of the lodge. So dark had it been the night
previous, had scarcely noticed the grounds pass
ing the gate unobserved, and half unconsciously
leaving my horse in the hands of the groom.
But now in all its beauty the landscape lay
stretched before the eye, and all around, the cyl
dence of the taste and wealth of these whose hosp
tality shared. Slowly l arranged my toilet stop
ping ever and anon to glance out of the window, or
watch the fountain that still sent up its JETS ard
scattered its prstnatic drops spray and grass At
length the dust Of the road somewhat removed from
my soiled garments, opened the door, and stepped
into the hall, which seemed to lead in all direc-
tions. A slight click, and rattle of balls upon
billiard table, drew my feet toward an open door,
where early as it was, assembled merry par
ty of ladies and gentlemen, amusing themselves
with the game. Here morning sautations passed,
a few jokes regarding my torpid state the previous
evening, and an offer to share the game. But
much was accomplished, the bell for breakfast
sounded and with lady leaning my arm, fol-
lowed the group to the hall below. But as my stay
belongs to the long ride yet to be accomplished,
will make hasty meal, and pass on, though the
company, the grounds and the house, would make
subject for longer letter than propose to write
cannot, however, leave the premises without
passing glance at the pictures and statuary and
while write, comes back to me tho magnificent
sunset view, which beheld I raised my head
from my meal-a picture hanging above the man
TEL and shedding radiance over the whole place
Although composing but few features, it is so ex-
qu'stly expressed upon the canvass, to rivt the
attention to ia wide tract of moor, among whose
dark pools few ducks feeding-rccds bending
before the wind that slightly rufles the water and
q dark groupe of mountains in the back ground
and sky tibged with the glow OF glorious sum-
mer sunset-simple as are the features, there is
depth OF loneliness-of still, unbroken solitude,
WHICH entrances the mind. And then, the picture
has such beauty of outline such correct warmth of
coorng, such minute descriptive force, it holds
your gaze, and will not let it 60.
The breakfast discussed, l stole away from the
company resolved to spend the short time had to
spare for my journey, on looking the picture
gallery, in which of the finest paintings in
this country. Here is the picture of the Battle of
Monmouth painted by Leutze, at an expense Of
$4,000 1t occupies the entire end of the room,
and is 80 arranged, that in case of fire. it can be
slipped through division in the building into the
worl .
ment he encountered Lee after he had disobcyed his
orders He has ridden down at full speed upon him,
and his horse suddenly checked, stands in an easy
position before Lee, who with head fallen seems to
writhe under the Generals words. 1t contains at
least an hundred prominent igures-many of them
correct ikenesses the ranks of soldiers and
troops Of horsemen, engaged In conflict on the fields
Of the back ground. Far away, rolling in dense
masses, Is the thick smoke of the conflict, and
through the thin mist Of the distance, you see the
horses attached to the artillery de6ling along the
valley. There is enough of study in the picture
TO occupy one for day but time being limit
ed. We gazed hastily around the gallery, where
haneso many sheautiful specimens of the artist
pencil Here also is another historical picture from
the came artists hand The News of the Battle OF
Lexington" rough, Manufactured farmer mount
cd on powerful horse without bridle has ridden
ut full speed into little village. As he goes on
he beats upon drum which is suspended from his
neck and quick to it in response, farmers are un-
yoking their teams In the furrow, and women bring
Ing out muskets, swords and scythes One feels the
blood tngle in his cheeks, as he gazes on the de.
termined features in the groupe, and in the enthu.
sasm Of the moment. forgets the circumstances BY
which he is surrounded, as if he was one of these
to whom the drum beat its alarm, and on whose ca,
fell the fearful cry Of TO r. simple change
of position restores the mind to consciousness of the
difference Of the scene and in the next picture, d
vided alone by narrow strip of gilt frane-an incl