The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-14

plan by UpJ0hn-there Is panorama not only OF
the river for many miles, but q complete vista OF
mountains, and the eye takes in at glance dis
tance Of from thirty to forty miles in every drec-
ton.
To the north lies Mount Tom and his associate
emnences, and opposite to him Mount Holyoke, both
of greensboro bursting up most geoogicaly through
the sandstone. These mountains are too well known
to need any description from me. They loom up in
the distance grandly, and form glorious back
ground to the other features of the andscape-the
spires, the villages, the country seats the rveran
ensemble Of everything picturesque and beautiful.
No wonder the orators and bookmakers OF Massachu.
sets indulge in the euogistc when they speak and
write about the scenery of the valley, and the views
from their mountains. There are thousands OF visi-
tiers now in these regions who are willing TO admit
all they say, and yet would remind them
OF the usual accompanying unsentimentaI Yankee
thrift, which makes a good deal of money out of
these pictures painted cheapy by nature on our ret
ma. On Mount Holyoke, Spectator, OF the tinware
genius, has fenced in the stand point on the nmt,
and requires two shillings federal money from every
one who comes there to admire the works of nature
who herself charges nothing for all the pleasure she
gives us.
Springfield has some historical pretensions. It's
first name was Agawam, changed to Its present name
in 1640 The records Of the town show that the early
difficulties of the courts and magistrates We're of the
same simple-we had almost said artleSs-character
which mark our own.
Mr.. Valentine has not more curious materials in his
hands for his Manual than to be found here.
Pigge and hogge were constantly bringing their
owners into trouble, and SANDER could strip Yankee
as well as Dutch bile Springfield also had its witches
and its mobs. Nay, its disturbances rose to the
dignity of rebellion under the fostering of Gen.
Dan Shays. His defeat was, however, most igno-
minous and the story of his adventures figures very
entertainingy in n late work OF DIR. Howard in
Western Massachusetts,
The United States Armory is much visited by
strsngers, and the government has been expeodng
large amounts OF money upon 1t for two or three
years successfully, which keeps its friends in very
no. RI nt in via itu | ia
under the management Of q civilian, of the name
OF Whitney, who is also a general ct militia,
position by no means inconsistent with the other
character. The government deemed il wise policy,
during tile administration of Pierce, to change the
government of this establishment from the hands of
men OF war to those of men OF peace. Why not
place the armory, on this principle at once under
the care of the clergy of Springfield?
Large quantities of arms are manufactured in the
neghborhood of this city for foreign use. The Ame
rcan improvements require peculiar machinery; and
rather than incur this expense, several foreign 60
vernments are making large contracts here. Cars
for foreign railways are also beginning to be
featured to considerable extent The railroad
the Isthmus Of Suez, nearly completed by the last
accounts, will hear, be stocked with cars from the
Springfield manufactures.
There is a large amount of travel setting in the d.
rection OF Northampton, BrattlebOro and the White
Mountains. The railway fare averages little over
two c ents mile; the speed is great, and the accom-
modations are good all along the route. The wea-
Their is warm. Yesterday, in very elevated and
airy position, 10 feet above the river the mercury
stood at Sc degrees in the shade. though
refreshing heeze prevailed during the day. and
gave to the rustling foliage around MS the
effect of distant waterfall. The barometer is rising
slowly-the usual indication of fair weather. This
morning shower passed over the neghborhood and
laid the dust little / saw locomotive yesterday
which was named the Olympan. could not &C
count for the selection of such name, until con-
sidering the dust hereabout which is enormous and
battles all description and ruins all clothes, con-
cuded il was because the maker had heard Of the
puirerem Oiympicum and thought that here was the
dust and his engine should be the OlymDan.
proceed northward to-day on a short clrson
in our own State and shall see, as compared with
our scenery, or whether our mountains. and lakes
and rivers Of New York will pass muster alongside
ofthe Connecticut and old Uncle Tom.
OUR NIAGARA CORRESPONDENCE.
NIAGARA FALLS, July 6, 1858.
The Fourl.-Accident at the Hydraulic Canal
Table Rock, &c.
The anniversary of American Independence was
appropriately celebrated here yesterday. The day
was exceedingly fine, and the village presented
beautiful and animated appearance At nine o'clock
procession was formed of the several companies
composing the Fire Department of this place and
Niagara City, citizens and strangers. The process
sion moved to the head Of the Hydraulic canal to
witness the arrival of some steam tugs, which had
been chartered by those having charge Of the
Engagements, to form q feature Of interest in the
celebration. This movement was in con-
sort with the action OF the officers
of the canal, who had determined to make a
demonstration on the occasion, by letting water into
the canal Circumstances interered with the plans of
those managing the canal works, and instead of adj
hitting the water contemplated on the day Of the
celebration, tho programme was In haste changed,
and the ceremony was altered to letting the water
out Of the canal the work of filling having been done
a few days previous. After considerable delay the
tugs arrived and were welcomed salvos Of cannon.
The procession reformed and marched TO the basin
delivered by Stephen NJ. Allen, Esq. Mr.. Allen
had arranged a very pretty feature for the
canal part Of the celebration. A small tug
had been introduced into the canal for the purpose
OF towing 10 the lower basin a scow, handsomely de-
corated. containing number Of young ladies' repre-
senting the several States. This part OF the affair
consumed considerable time, but finally all things
ready and the tug moved with ts fair and pre-
cous freight amid the shouts of the multitude upon
the banks. All was proceeding as happy as mar
rage bell but the tug entering the basin the
cry came from the shore that the dam the sluce
designed TO discharge the water from the canal at
the proper moment, was giving way. The scow
was Immediately hurried ~ the shore aud the occu
pants taken out In the shortest possible time.
The greatest excitement now prevailed. Many
were Of impression that the cry raised was hoax,
and designed TO mar the ceremonies, aud iniure the
managers of the work. But the action OF the officers
of the canal showed the faacy Of such an idea The
water gradually gained strength, the bank began TO
crack and settled, and finally away went some fifteen
or twenty feet of the embankment. carrying with IL
the seats and staging erected Tor the audience and
speaker. The water rushed through the breach
with an impetuosity rivalling in force the rapids
above the falls and sent the bank no nsgncant
cataract. The accident eicctualy destroyed all the
effect hoped for by the managers of the canal The
great danger TO which the people were exposed by
the iniudicous admission Of the water at this time
and the reprehensible want OF Judgment exhibited
in the construction OF the dam. filed them with dis
gust II not with horror that could I've 40 reck
less. The dam constructed Of loose dirt, sho-
yelled in 10 the thickness of eight feet over
the sluceway, and was but about ten hours old |
rLln