Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-08-13
WARRINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
SKETCHEs OF SUMNER TRAVEL.

evening, from Saratoga, reaching that city at 9
p m. after ride per rail across a region Of coun-
try described at length in the of my similar
tour OF the last season. The truth is | am no
watering place man not being able to allow myself
more than twenty-four hours at any one Of them
left that city (Albany) at n. IN. TO-DAY In the
midst OF what appeared TO be q settled hard and
cold rain, the first that had fallen on nv route
since my departure from Washington Taking
the western (AlbanY and worcester) railroad. |
am now rushing towards Boston The view
Of Albany from the Of this road for some two
or three miles out from its depot on the east bank
Of the Hudson, Is the finest ever managed to
catch, though had been there dozen times In
the last dozen years. The city lies stretched out
like map before the observer-like a ground
projection, as map makers express it-with its al
most every house, and more especially its every
conspicuous building, in full view We have
fine view down the river, also of its waters,
dotted over with steamers and sailing vessels and
Of the ornamentally cultivated west bank FOR some
miles below the city. Immediately adjoining the
railway, at least for few miles from the river,
the countryis uninviting, and has hardly vet been
brought thoroughly into cultivation Soon, how.
ever, intervals between the roads 81 cutsn afford
me opportunities to catch sights exhibiting the
agriculture of Rennsellear county, n. Y, in very
favorable aspects. The rain Of last mig bit and this
morning has had charming effect upon the face
OF the country; deepening the tint Of everything
green upon IT, and Frightening that Of the yellow
hues Of all grain fields, cut and uncut The
farms here are evidently generally larger than
along the line of the New York Central railroad
come TO this conclusion not so much from the
size of the fields from the size and style of the
farm buildings, all which indicate the possession
OF more means by the owners of the soil here than
those of the Mohawk valley and western New
York along the line Of tie States great railroad
and canal. The same neatness and care which
Distinguishes New York agriculture west of the
Hudson is visible here, though the farms being
larger, their yield is not, apparently so great acre
for acre. The country is rolling; reminding me
In The swelling Of its constantly changing gentle
and unequal hills, much, indeed, Of the confgu-
ration of the Piedmont region Of Virginia; though
miss that sections more interesting background
OF the picture as seen from the windows Of the
Orange and Alexandria railroad-the towering
Blue Ridge, laying from twelve to twenty miles
to the north and west. The further | progress
east, the more am charmed with the count,v
trsversed by this Western railroad The grace
and variety Of its hill and dale scenery are far
more Interesting than any west of il in the State
of New York have ever seen and as seen from
the car windows, one fluids many more streams
winding about in all directions, and bordsred
each with dark green foliage, as well as small
mill ponds innumerable sometimes three or four
OF the latter within the eyes scope at the same
moment.
Our first stopping place was at Chatham. %
miles east Of Albany, beautiful village. looking
almost new as Il were. l have great antipathy
to paint and putty made town. Yet such an
one is far preferable TO the style Of the town. along
the railroads in the western reserve of Obio
where one sees dilapidatOn not attempted TO b-
concealed even by those cheap means Of hiding
decay and dirt Chatham, though built Of wood
Is however we'll built, and better preserved than
almost any other wooden village / know OF
We are of again, rushing east, through a coun-
try that continues to exhibit features almost iden
teal with those of the territory bordering this
railroad west Of Chatham; though as we near the
Massac husetts State line (wbere We have lust ar
HVed) the hills become higher, thong not uncul-
nvable to their SUBMITS, most Of them and the
valleys become deeper, Of course Two miles
west Of the State line traverse the only tunnel
upon this road, short one, cut through very hard
rock. Immediately the line (State) a cute
Yankee has built hotel 10y the railroad side): 40
that while he sleeps and eats his guests in Massa
chusetts, he liquors them in New York where he
can snap his fingers at the law com peuing him 10
dose his customers with MIR Hen-feyer Burnham's
Well-Watered stun ION the sly,' IL selling them
liquor at all. Gradually the country seems to be be-
coming, as we proceed east, more rocky upon its
surface though less really in its own character
the rocks seem strewn about upon its surface being
drift bOuders while rock cut. have disappeared
from the rail road. The celebrated Shaker y,Isg.
lies Just now In sight on the north, with nothing
whatever to distinguish il, in its visible appurte-
nances, from New England agricultural villages
generally The rail road in Its vicinity lies in the
valley Of stream the south that drains the terri
tory between two ranges Of high hills-a valley Of
unequal elevation, and therefore agreeably pictur-
esque, In the centre Of which stands the consider
able town Of Pittsfeld Massach useits, at which
we are about to stop, as the engines hoarse throat
has just screamed the usual warning OF brakes
down" As much Of the town as is seen from the
car window as we again progress east exhibits II
IS rural one well shaded with wide-spreadIug
trees Hanging the cottage-built white houses
Of which IL is for the most part composed; though
manufactures Of wooden and cotton goods rear
their manY-storied heads here and there on the
banks Of the Housatonic on which Pittsa.ld
stands. A graceful little mountain situated three
or four miles south Of the town, makes a capital
background for the picture Further east the To-
NoO Vi VIC laIIrOdu appears 10 cIlng 10 the south
edge OF the valley, showing it to the passengers
for It's whole breadth of two or three miles tied
over with farm buildings, diversified fields, and
the scattering village Of Dalton.
Hinsdale, manufacturing village, is soon
passed. when the railroad running nearer TO the
branch OF the Housatonic, along which it is
built, the country becomes more rocky and pre-
cipitous, and consequently less generally cult
waited; scrub timber taking the place generally
of the beautiful cultivated fields delighting nv
eyes two hours ago. Manufacturing villages are
upon the banks Of the stream which we are cross
Ing and recrossing, at times thrice In the space
Of mile. The country here is very broken, the
valley IN which we travel being now but a deep
gorge between two high rocky hills, almost en-
urely covered with timber; though wherever a
clearing would pay, 1t has been cleared and is
cultivated.
Asw approach Springfield from Chester fac
tories point - miles west Of that city or town
the valley widens a little. and commendable
efforts are made to raise potatoes, grass, Indian
corn, and oats from It's miserably poor soil; bu,
evidently without avail. But for il. factories
srewed plentifully along this valley of tha We,