The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-22

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Its Scenery sand Extraordinarily New
observation-disclosures Of the Work.
Few habitual residents Of New York are aware OF
the inviting points Of interest that he seen and
enjoyed about High Bridge crossing the Harlem
river itself one OF the most complete ana massive !
works Of engineering on the Continent. Approach
ing the bridge from MacComD's DAM at 155th street,
the view In all OF Its aspects IL one Of the most
charming that can be found any picturesque coun
try In the world. To the lett or westward ~ the
Wild and rocky blum, upon whose summit Is built
the new reservoir from which the upper part Of the
island will be supplied with water. THIS structure
rests upon the crest OF the elf like crown
OF GOLD, Its red embellishments not yet having
been grassed over with sod. When the spectator
arrives at point q few hundred yards from the
bridge the landscape on every hand breaks into
scenes OF Understandable loneliness. On the West
chester side OF the Harlem river beautifully shaded
glades, with the tall elnls aud the upright oaks the
mountain ash and the Lombardy poplar, extend
away towards the northern sky over q rolling and
mountainous surface. which is marked by network
OF devious paths and serpenrine roads whose direc
lions lead to LOFTY spires unique styles Of archi
lecture. Fruit trees aviarles, rooKeries and sngu
lar masses of dark green forest trees with broad
meadows and endless stretches Of drive. mark
this wonderfully beautiful district which,
1t must be said, seems to possess all the
charms that delight the eye, with everything
grand or beautiful in nature Sl0png gently
to the rivers edge 10 the we'll trimmed lawn, coy
ge Ss II ss
elements OF the landscape give the prospect
strange yet beautiful diversity.
Letting the eve sweep around TO s0uthward
OF the bridge, upon the bank can be seen
thousands Of excursonlsts. who daily repair
picncs aud sequestered walks Yesterday the
number was unusually large, because Of the fine
for happy event or pleasing episode It should
always be laid to the proptous weather, II prOpi-
cas x sss Kinds n 81
garb, but most or them appeared in rus
TIC neatness tnas d Was N ,o entire harmony
over the slope, some sitting al the tables with babies
and babies. too. who would rebel at the name-even
the ladies' nurses and Young mothers. girls In single
bessedness and others with a like indefinite pros
pect, all OF whom attacked the vands With savage
ferOcity worthy OF better or worse cause. Planted
In straight and terminating only at the waters
edge are some rich aiiantuS trees, and further on
Tne vista q down the river toward Hsfie ia tr
umph Of nature. The stream OF liquid but rtppled
silver, shining from crimson sun and giving out
beautiful pictures Ofthe surrounding scenery through
every changing atmospheric phenomenon, together
with marshes OF Paris green and the tasteful and even
fishermen. the playful Dathers, the dark shadows Of
the craggy rocks, an old wateriogged scow, and the
general character OF the rugged shore on the west
makes up valley seeming to unite everything upon
| which the poet loves to dwell
Perhaps the grandsst point Of the he. VIE, view
from which grim Locking .v embankh .n re-,
reservoir. destined in about two months to supply
the whole upper portion OF the island-aboye ia6th
| street-witn water. The whole OF the preciplt0us
the waters edge in massive, Irregular and moss.
grown rocks, whose sides display large assures and
| deep seams, alternating picturesque effect with
| the deep green foliage massed together IN album
dance and strewn all over the mountains
1 ordfh Q 1aQf
the waters edge, and dissolve In the distance. amid
heightened shadows from the setting sum- into dark,
cufnulus clouds, looking like dark mounds through
the aim twilight Of evening. shooting up the side,
| now hidden behind the shrubbery and now peerlng
cases ascending the reservoir. All OF the auxilia-
ries Of the engineer are at hand and can be seen In
large plies Of idle masonry and the scaoidinss and
1 lumber Men that look but little larger than their
ana ass dow se r 1nsn are
work upon the main aud sub-wOrkS that constitute
| this grand piece of engineering.
Reaching the top OF the hall, after very tiresome
ascent one finds himself In the middle OF rocks and
every other element OF the massive whole The
IT'D street to l7ath street and east Of Tenth
was Quilt under the direction and personal supervt
SION OF Mr. w. L. Dearborn. and has been In process
OF erection during the past two years. Ii has q
depth OF eighteen feet, and wide embankments,
through the centres OF which are puddle walls made
LEAKAGE Of me water ana resist its pressure Ths
water will be pumped up from the main aqueduc
| seven and half feet into smaller mains leading to
| the reservoir, by enormous engines made by the
| eminent engineer, Nj. w. E. Worthen, who has
| had great experience In the water WORKS OF this
| country. AS the distance that this water
Will be pumped Is rpendlcuar height OF Ito feet.
| or what 10 the same and the volume Of water
100000 gallons, the feat Is considered In.
terestng application Of power. There are Two gate
houses tho nnuent and the affiuent which are built
OF solid and durable masonry. Besides this reser-
vOir tower Is being built. the foundation having
already been laid, to carry water up to height OF
4o5 reet above the low level OF tine Harlem river,
that the highest points on the island can oc supplied.
The loftiest point Is on Washington heights and
| 275 feet above low water. the capacity OF till5
tower, which will be highly ornamental and afford
O fine view to all caring to see the Narrows, the
| Sound, and for o radius OF forty miles about New
York, will be "a, 600 gallons. 1t will be built OF
black, gray and pink granite, and will be credttabe
to It's designers spectmea OF lofty architecture
| The pipes are now being laid to Carmansye, and
In two months time the reservoir Will be filled, and
another great and useful monument VIII have been
erected to the usefulness and public spirit OF the
| Croton Board.