The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-16
HIGH RDlQee

In the immediate neighborhoOd Of this splendid
metropolis OF ours there Is no place OF resort de
servedly popular as the country that stretches TO
miles on either shore Of the Harlem river particu
larry that part OF 1t which lies to the westward O
the bridge at Macomb's Dam, including Spuyten
Duyvil. with its estuary on the Hudson river.
The northern lines Of the island OF Manhattan IL
the peculiar combination Of their land and water
scenery, are unequalled by anything In boldpess OF
majesty the North river, even the Rhine which In
many respects it greatly resembles, can boast.
Indeed those who go up the Harlem for the first
time nearing before making the adventure nothing
In praise Of Its varied and for the most part grand
scenery, is astonished evenif ne has any love fol
wherewith to calculate his thoughts. His visit &c
the river was not induced by any expectation OF
In nature, but simply TO look upon one OF the
grandest triumphs or modern engineering
Hign Bridge, over which In vast volumes is
tlded In pipes OF enormous diameter the water
Wnicn, above everything else is the up-buider OF
the CITY OF New York. The High Bridge, however,
speeony becomes 70 the visitor matter Of second.
TO Ignore It's presence; but his examinations are for
the scenery In the heart of which It has at the ex
constructed. ~
ON the northern lines Of the island Of Manhattan
from Macomb's Dam TO spuyten Duyvil, the shore
rises boldly almost precipitousiy from 200 to 800
feet and az the ruggedness OF the far-stretchnQ Cliff
Ii at this season almost uniformly concealed by the
redundant foliage OF the original forest trees the
grandeur Of the the eye follows ia simmons
frontage 1.-THE water OF the river LAYING Its feet is
nowhere out OF consonance with the less bold bank
While the New York shore Ia remarkable for the
grandeur OF its extended precplce, the westcheser
feature. And 1t Is quite remarkable, the opposite
character throughout their entire extent OF
tn aae k shores of the Harlem On the so.
we have grand outlines that really verge on the
majestic, IN some places exceeding IN bodness the
wal-ike lines OF the Palisades while on the north.
erly bank we have for the most part rolling coun.
try, with low shore; and although the land rises
gradually as 1t retreats from the water, 1t nowhere
challenges the admiration OF the observer-tbat H.
10 the degree It's opposite does.
Many or our wealthy citizens whose love OF the
beautiful induced them TO ignore the more norherly
parts OF the Island, have not failed TO seize upon
picturesque spots, on which 10 build their out of
town residences, and IL noticeable that these villa
SUES, not only on the Harlem but In the country
contiguous thereto, are rapidly being improved but
without Ia any material degree interfering with
ane natural and striking characteristics OF the right
Many nave supposed that when the natural water
channel which untes the East and North rivers is
70 and fro without being compelled to 20 around
New YORK Island, warehouses and factories win
u tna away everything that might tend to
sne estHetc Improvement OF the shores. Commerce,
however can never eliminate the beautiful or the
Maestic from the lines OF the Harlem. Its New
YORK shore above McCombs Dam h too abrnpt tn
make 1t the seat of manufacture or of trade. while
tne Westchester line west OF the Harlem railroad
pnuke aitnough not difficuit to cover with large
superstruGtures LOT commercial purposes, will not
be valuable, possibly, for half century to come
me foundations Tor the tower tobe erected for
the tanking Of ne water that is ultimately to be
conveyed 70 Washington Heights have been com.
menced The Arst course OF stone has been Ia,s, On
the solid rock and when completed the tower viii
nave an altitude OF about 1856 feet from the level OF
the embaDkment OF the reservoir now I'm coiIrse Of
construction, and OF about 500 feet above low Alter
mark. From the embankment OF the reservoir On
W. poaf ri
ward surveys over magnificent country. In his
sweep mag be Included gllmpses OF the ocean and
Long Island, the East river, with It's many ISLANDS
parts OF the city OF New YORK, OF Westchester
county the Palisades. New Jersey and outlines of tho
NUS OF the far.on Connecticut. When the observer
Is Ialsd an additional 200 feet what an alLimposlpQ