The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-25
THE cATskMLs.

New Summer Rerreat-OpeuinR of the
Overlook Mountain House-A View from
. the Highest Peak Of tho CatskiIIs-How to
Get There-Gathering or tho Beauty and
Fashion of New York.
OVERLOOK MOUNTAIN House. June 10, 1871.
The people hereabout boastfuly tell that in the
autumn time many years ago Washington Irving
and J. K. Paulding stood where your correspondent
now does and, drinking In the pure cool breezes OF
the mountains, inspired BY the picturesque
GRANDEUR OF THE SCENE,
spoke of as being the finest view that had greeted
them any quarter Of the globe. After such glowing
praise shall not stop to describe at length ali the
beauties OF the scene, but will content myself with
giving the readers OF the HERALD some slight idea
of IT'S extent and grandeur. Standing here upon
this the highest peak OF the Catskill range $500
feet above the level OF the sea- LOOKING to the north
the towering spires OF Albany greet the gaze; while
in the northwest rise the majestic Catsklis, each
peak rich In
ROMANTIC LEGENDS.
Turning to the southwark the eye reaches az far
as Poughkeepsie. which Is plainly visible, and in the
extreme south the shaggy peaks of the Shawan-
gunks pierce the clouds. To the east the eye an
ders into Massachusetts, and Vermont and far In the
distance Mount Holyoke and the Bcrkshires lift
their giant FORMS In the west to the horizon are
seen range after range Of mountains, their rugged
sides clothed In all the luxuriance Of summer, with
Cooper's and Shrew's lakes
SHIMMERING IN THE SUNLIGHT.
Directly below me lies the valley OF the Hudson,
rich and lovely plain. dotted DER with countless
towns and villages and traversed by a thousand
ROADS whose Iabyrinthine windings bring to mind
the legend OF
RosAMoND's BOWER.
Through this plain for distance OF q hundred
commerce. threads its way along, ever turning to
look back, like departing lover 10th to leave
familiar scenes, its lapsing waters they kiss the
shore murmuring q sad farewell. Here aud there
in the vast prospect the sun pours down q Hood OF
golden light tngng roof and spire forest and PLAIN
with Its mellow hues, while the lowering clouds at
times throw their shadows over hill and dell,
forming
AN ENCHANTING PICTURE
Thus. under the magic influence Of cloud and sun.
shine. the aspect OF the view is continually chang
rich green OF fields forest contrast nnely with
the brown mould OF the upturned meadow, and In
deed the whole landscape IS one OF peculiar grace
and beauty. For years the erection ola
MOUNTAIN HOUSE
upon this peak has been talked OF, but the project
never took definite shape until 1869, when MIR.
Secor, oil the Allaire Works, New York city, pur-
chased the property and began preparing for ITS
Mr. Secor died. and for time the project was aban.
d0ned. Last year, however. q company was organ
lZcu, uOel COmpicteu anu le25cu 10 Mi. John f..
Lasher one OF the most popular hotel managers In
the country. The house. which was opened on the
10Th inst, Is model In every respect, built In the
most modern style, supplied with every conve.
nience and with capacity Tor $40 guests. From
each room fine mountain or river view can be OBJ
talned The Geographic and postal facilities arc
ample. Music is hourly discoursed by first class
orchestra. The temperature is remarkably cool,
the thermometer last summer indicating no higher
than seventy-eight degrees The followers OF LAX
Walton will be pleased to learn that there IL
fine fishing In the immediate vicinity. With such
inducements IL Is not to be wondered at that the
house IS rapidly filing up with the best people from
all parts OF inc country. Its accessib ty Is another
point in Its favor. beng only seven hours from New
York via steamers Mary Powell, James w. Baldwin
aud Thomas Cornell the Albany day boats and Hud-
son River Railroad TO RondouL and Rondout and
Oswego Railroad TO West Hurley where the hotel
carriages are In waiting for every train.
GRAND BALL
will be rendered by Mr.. Lasher on the 9th inst.
About two and q ha!f m les down the mountain il
another summer resort, calledthe Mountain Home,
designed for those who desire TO pass their time IN
rest and quletncss rather than In fashionable hotel
life. AT the foot OF the mountain Is the beautiful
little village oil woodstock, where there several
summer boarding houses and summer hotel all
open and decKed with the smiling faces and fashion,
able costumes OF the throng OF city visitors who
nave already Hooked thitner.