Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1865-07-28
From the Boston Transcript.
Letter from BrattlcbOr0ugh.
BRATTLEBoRoUGH, W., July,

BRATTLEBoRoUGH, VI, July, 1865.
1t must be very agreeable to your readers,
condemned by circumstances TO remain at
home, tugging at the business oar, and getting
no vacation, to hear from all points of the COM
pass in New England and elsewhere, of the
numerous, nonl. pininrosque and every way do
lightful localities for hours of pleasure and rec
reation notice that quite tribe of cores
pondents-with spice of amiable conceit, and
malice, perhaps, in their impulse to enlighten
and entertain, and the expression of their re-
gret that all their friends cannot partake of
their enjoyment-are bent upon giving the tan
tazing information. Suppose, for once, join
them.
1t is pleasant to be in Vermont to breathe, if
only for few hours and on the edge of it, the
atmosphere of this fine old State; so strong in
its political and moral rectitude so free from
the fostering corruptions of great cities so
rich in brave men and fair women; ; where la
Dor is held in honor and wealth comes of ac-
tive enterprise and faithful intelligent work.
The Green Mountain Commonwealth has had
historic fame heretofore, and in the last four
years has gained new glory by its steady pa
triotsm and brave deeds. The false democra-
cy of political tricksters, who usurp grand
names, to contradict its noble meaning has no
life here. But the true democracy, endowing
community with real freedom, equality and
general prosperity, abounds, scatter ng its
blessings on the hills and along the plains, in
all the exuberant signs that mark an orderly,
educated and thriving people.
Vermont has peculiar advantages which help
TO make it representative of republican institu-
tions. 1t owes something to its inland position,
exemption from large concentrations of popu-
lation, and the diffusion of its industry. OF
these helps its citizens have made a wise use ;
and for this they deserve credit. Peace has al
ways shown Vermont sound in principles and
quietly law abiding. The war has shown Ver-
mont full of spirit and energy-loya in its con
ceptions of its duty to the nation. and daunt-
less and self-sacrifcing in fulfilling its obliga-
tions in the great struggle for the nations safe
ty. All honor, therefore, to Vermont and
may her mountains ever be green and her val
leys abound in fruitfulness.
1t is difficult for the passing stranger to see
Bratteborough by reason of its outrageous
ness. Its loveliness is concealed by one of its
greatest charms. 1t is bedged in and hidden
by masses of foliage, shadowing and hiding its
streets so that it is hard, without seeking
some overlooking eminence, to see within its
confines more than a few rods of it, at once. II
is labyrinthic. You must get a clue TO it and
then find it out by degrees and in detail When
and as you do this, you discover why it has
and deserves its celebrity-as one of the most
beautiful as well as one OF the most salubrious
of resorts-why it is chosen for residences, and
for establishments" of various kinds. The Ho-
garthian lines, characteristic of il, are charming
! 10 those eye-siek of the rectangular arrange.
I ments of cities, or the single straight avenues
on each side of which, so many towns are al.
ways standing on dress parade. Here, OF me-
cessity, from the character of the land, the
highways ard by-ways go up and down, and
| wind and sweep in gentle or more extended
curves. This fact has invited culture to tame
the original ruggedness of the region into fas-
cinating irregularity and to give in all direct
! ions and at almost every step "bits" of pleas.
ing effects.
| l have been, with the exception of few
miles, all through the Valley of the Connecti-
cut, and know how opulent it is in scenery. ]
have followed il down from where il is a mar
row strip among the mountains, and where it
spreads broadly out into green meadows, unit
| the banks of the river, that cleaves and crink-
les through it, become indentations of the
shore on Long Island Sound, and am. o
course, ready TO indorse whatever any local en-
thusast "to the manor BORN" or only visitor
chooses to say of the special merits of any par.
! ticular town or village. incline, nevertheless
| Just now to the opinion | have heard Others
express, that, taken for all and ALL Brattlebor
ough deserves the "banner," for the quantity
as well as the quality of its attractions. To b,
sure at first hunted it up between the drops
| Qor the gentle, intermittent showers alternstet
to-day with CLEANS of sunshine,) and took it by
instalments wandering about as il were, in
gallery hung with many specimens, rather thar