Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-06-22

COMPLETION or CARRIAGE ROAD TO THE SUMMIT
HOUSE.

COMPLETION or A CARRIAGE ROAD TO THE SUMMIT
| HOUSE.
During the week past, through the courtesy Of
Hon. W. II. H. Bingham. one Of the members
OF the Mount Mansfield Hotel Company, we have
bad the pleasure ofa trip to this enchanting sum
mer resort-have thoroughly enjoyed the myishing
view from the summit Of the mountain, and in
fine have experienced one of those pleasant occa-
sions which constitutes an oasis in the life Of any
business man.
or course, it is unnecessary here n dilate upon
the magnificent view which is obtained from the
Nose or Chin Of the "Old Man Of the Noun
tains.' Our only object in this article is 10 in
form our readers how this scenery may be enjoyed
and by what means thi. pleasant trip may be
made.
No loyelicr ride this season Of the year can be
devised, than a carrage-rido from Montpelier via
the " Notch Road " to Stowe. The distance is
about twenty miles, and the yiowsa along the route
are superb. Arriving Mt Stowe, the first object
which meets the view Is the magnificent Hotel
one Of the largest in the State, erected by the
Mt Mansfield Hotel Co., and on inspecting it,
is surprised at the extent of the conycnienccs
and accommodations which have been provided
Tor the comfort Of their guests The Hotel is pro-
yded With dining room which will seat $50
guest at one time an extensive laundry, large
dancing hall, billiard room, bowling saloon, and
last but not least, theatre, complete in all its
appointments, was added 10 the attractions of the
Hotel during the past year by the enterprising
proprietors.
The hotel is under the management Of Mr.. 4
Mrs. Lavender who are rapidly winning golden
opinions from all for the admirable manner in
which they discharge the complicated and diff
cult duties of their position No pains are spared
by them for the comfort and convenience Of their
guests, and nothing will be left undune 10 make
them feel perfectly at home and render their stay
pleasant The traditional " Hotel clerk" does
not flourish at Stowe and guests will find moth
ing but the most accommodating employees, will
ing at all times to furnish information or contrib
ute 10 their comfort. Under the management Of
Mr. & Mrs Lavender the cuisine of the hotel will
be kept fully up to its former standard, and lift
were possible would be improved upon
From the hotel to the foot of the mountain is
delightful drive Of five miles. Well do we re-
member our first ascent of the mountain Our
team was billetcd upon the nearest farmer to the
foot Of the mountain, and although a nominal
carriage road had been laid out 10 the half way
house, Of our party cared to risk the dsloca-
ton of their own or their horses nocks by the
hazardous experiment Of making use Of it with
team. The ascent was made on foot, sweltering
under the feryent heat Of a noon-day sun, and oc-
cuped nearly four hours. There was at this time
q cabin upon the summit, which unfortunately
for US, upon this occasion, had been previously
pre- -empted By party of ladies and gentlemen,
and the only consolation we could extract from
them was TO hear their shouts Of laughter and see
their enjoyment Of the occasion, without the priv
ilege or power of partaking therein A couch Of
pine boughs, improysed for the OCCASION and
from which neither time nor disposition was given
70 extract the numerous and aggrawtng knots
and larger limbs, aspaced as neara high shelf
ering rock as might be, and was our only bed
and the next night saw party Of as drenched
and exhausted tourists as ever assembled Mans
field, on their homeward route lamer if not wiser
for their experience.
Thanks to those having charge of this matter,
the experience Of those who ascend the mountain
to-day is far pleasnter. \ span Of horses takes
you from the steps Of the Hotel at Stowe, and
lands you safely on the steps Of the Summit
House without the necessity of changing horses,
or getting out of the wagon The road from the
Halfway House to the Summit has been com
pleted during the past year, and will remain a
monument to the skill and energy of the present
members Of the Hotel Company, of which they
may well be proud. It is double road allowing
the passing of teams at any point and has so
good grade that team can trot smartly all the
way down, and even good portion Of the. way
up. 1t is entirely free from stones or stumps, or
any obstacle to an easy and agreeable ride. This
has been attained by taking circuitous route
from the Halfway House, and the course of the
road resembles as much the letter as anything,
AMI is three miles in length, instead of one and
one-half miles, as was the old bride path. 1t
must have required no little faith, as well as en-
| tcrprise on the part of the propriotors to have
inaugurated and carried out this great work for
the convenience Of their guests We feel sure,
however, that the outlay will be justified by the
increased travel to the mountain which will fol-
WV ~ Alttt an improvement 10 It's NtctH.iuiltN
| Especially will this prove true in the case of in
yalids, DESTROYS of experiencing the benefits of the
pare mountain air, which is highly recommended
as ponaeea for nearly all the ills to which the
flesh is heir" It in this view OF the case that
at any rate, we think the Investment is fully JUS
tiable. Too much cannot be said of the fresh
mountain air. as n remedial agent and Mr. Bing-
ham informs US that he knows of many inyalids
who have been kept away from the mountain, be-
cause Of the labor Of making the ascent over the
old bride path
The Summit House will be this summer under
the competent management Of Mr.. A. s. Spauld-
ing, of Morrisville, which is a sufficient guaran-
tee that it will be well kept, and enjoy as great
popularity as ever before.
After full enjoyment of the glorious view from
the Mountain, a hearty supper and refreshing
nights rest, a two hours drive took us to the
Hotel at Stowe, and pleasant and prosperous
ride Of three hours landed US safely at Montpelier.
We cheerfully commend the trip to our readers as
one which will repay better dividends for the
capital invested, than any other which has come
to our knowledge or under our observation.
HALE REoEPrIoN.-The Dover people gave John
P. Hale a very fine reception, on Wednesday,
with speeches and procession and music and mill