The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-10-07
A Glance at Lake Champlain-
Lake George for the first time.
Benson, Sept. 5, 1857.

Mr.. EDiToR Last Mgrdsy morn
ing, IL was decided that we, viz; party
Of twelve, including two babies, and the
subscriber, should take short pleasure
trip. As this morning, (which paradox
ically speaking was at the same time,
the last August and the FIRST august one
Of the monthly found us all in Benson,
We we're unfortunately obliged to make
this non.get.at.able, getaway from
able place the starting point of our jour
.ney. Accordingly, with some haste, and
little dignity we made for the nearest
boatstation, Benson Landing. This is
one Of those places admirably fitted by
Nature, for what 1t has been appropria.
ted by Art, l think Ethan Allen, or
any other candid man, who had his Pc
ouliar appreciation of the eternal it,
ness Of things" would pronounce this
the most fitting place possible for Ian.
dipg--the road leading down to it winds
along through valley most tttingy;
or perhaps should rather say is wound
for all its free.will agency is destroyed
By the stern and crampiug bills on either
aide, which, destiny.like, in spite Of the
twists and turns which the roadsimpa.
tiently makes bear it inevitably along to
!" the landing. Here, the most cursory
glance discovers that nature has furnish
cd jnst room for a public house and
wood pile the only requisites for good
station. But the enterprising proprietor
has saoreligiously crowded in a store
Yet by dint of profound skill in civil
engineering he has laid out road en-
'tirely through to the wharf 80 that one
may safely drive down to it, provided
hs is prepared to back out But let us
consider ourselves aboard the boat, for
3 t. time and space will not permit,
In classic bowers to stay"
= From the head Of the lake, for many
miles down, upon either side, an irregu.
lar chain of rugged hill extends along
near the shore, placing limit to tho
view. Notwithstanding the irregular
manner in which nature has disposed
these hills, there is yet an evident re-
ssmblance between the two ranges, and
the steamboat passenger obtains an idea
Of the striking similarity between the
Vermont and New York border towns.
But his best way to be undeceived in
this regard is TO take foot tramp of a
few miles to the east and west from the
lake. As he rises the first ascent on the
western side, if height more towering
does not Immediately obstruct his vision
he is Thoroughly discouraged by the sight
of mountainous, woody territory,
stretching away in the distance, and he
turns back toward Lake Cbamplain, and
the center of gravity with nearly equal
speed. The hills comprising the eastern
range arc of somewhat less elevation
than those of the western, yet, like " the
front row" at the concert they are
bound to be higher grade than any BE-
hind them; and if our tourist will but
climb up. this side, he will stand upon
the highest part Of cultivated, roll.
ing table.land, extending eastward until
Ito hills are lost in the Green Mountains.
The narrow lake combines many of tho
beauties Of the river with those of the
lake. 1t has not, indeed, that insinua
ting, persevering river char acteristic of
worming itself into any chance opening,
and working itself along as if intent OIL.
ly on progress in any direction without
any straightforward principle whatever
but as it is with the patrimopy of a
wsll-grooved channel it has Il very de-.
sirable appearance of strength without
effort, and moves along with dignity
entirely free from haste-it has o rivers
beach. a rivers landscape, but the repose
Of q lake
But mat, only and majestic in deport.
msnt Is it lie, it could furnish no moro
lasting charms for US than the Nymph
Calypso for the home.bound Hero of the
Odyssey, since We were destined so soon
to realize and more than realize our long
cherished ideal of the picturesque and
sublime in the person Of its tributary
sister, its long since successful rival, Lake
George. I think our company were in.
AuenOed somewhat by the quiet nature
of our travelling medium" Gf you will
excuse the idlom). Little was said upon
any subject-I for one felt decidedly
non. committal. If scene was pointed
a. beautiful, I assOnted to it, and believ
~ ~, put Wouuereu now III would com
pare with Lake George scenery. Moth
ing Of interest occurred aboard the boa,
and a short journey brought US in sigh,
of the old Fairgrounds of Ticonderoga
our pyo-tenspore destination At this
distance, We could see only one or two
snall detached portions Of the ruins, re.
ninding ono rather Of the tabled Cyclic
psan ohimpeys then of tho monuments
q If Libsriy'a battles We needed some
guardian angel Of Liberty to renew the
command, "Pus off thy shoes from of
5thy feet", for We could not. realize the
:, sieredusss Of the presence wo were en-
tsring. And how could we Our craft
was sailing with as lofty bearing at
any brig of war that ever meuaced its
walls, and yet the mouth of no cannon
thundered out its veto to our approach
no ensign more significant than the cat.
tie quietly grazing among the ruins indi
Gated what power was 10 vogue, or whe
Their we were to meet friends or foes
And when we, with other passengers had
landed, avowe6ly as spies, directly be
,uaa IN ita 10 v.urown ramnarts M ,r,.ok