Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-08-30
Mountain Rambles.


Ia certain rumbles along terrestrial paths, /
came % the top Of certain eminence known in
Rochester as the Richardson Hill. or Randolph
mountain, being the hight of land between Ran
dJph and Rochester, or between White River
and the Bethel branch III. altitude has been
only measured by thermometer in boiling wa
tcr' which, allowing 500 feet for degree Of differ
euce in boiling, would make about 2SOO feet above
tie ocean. The geology of the bill is that which is
common 10 Eastern Vermont, having the substra-
um and great mass Of silecous and quartz ore slate
illusions Of quartz and bikes are seen here and
there, giving the appearance of very hard and
rather barren soil But when the top was reached.
theyiew became enchanting There was spread out
in the east and northeast the high lands and
mountains Of Orange county The hills, with
their patches Of green forests, were as blue as
rystallzed waves Of the sea, and quite as charm
ing. The line Of the railroad was discernbe for
some distance, was also the line OF the Connect
icut, bat not the river itself Then appeared
the principal mountains of New Hampshire. -
There was the peak Of Kearsarge, and the ridge
from which that is divided, about 20 miles away
to the southeast then Moosilauk, nearer and
in full view then the Fmnconas and last of all
the White mountains, with the old grim mon
arch of New England and all the North rejoicing
in his uplifted splendor. Turning to the west,
from Shrewsbury peak to Warren, the Green
Mountains we're all before me, with every ridge
and known emlnence between us How quietly
they preached Of peace and loveliness How
true that " The mountains shall bring peace to
the people, and the little hills by righteousness
Below and around Us were people that knew
God, and they dwelt in quiet habitatons. Plen-
ty was GROWING every cultivated hillside, and
abundance crowding the yallies. Surely, this is
people whose God is the Lord
But this was by no means the end Of the vision.
Through notch to the south Of west, we could
clearly see the Iaconies, as far as the eve could
discern them through the aperture. They were
apparently the mountains in Ira, or between
Pittslord and liubbardton and were very distinct
10 the north of west, through another gap, APP
peared the Adirondacs their sharp peaks brst-
ling up into the heavens with an acuteness always
nnmistakeable and peculiar Their distinct blue
ness was fairly whitening out in the rays of the
descending sun, but still they were visible. and
quite as distinctly marked as the White noun
talns on the cast wanted to sing, and did,
On the mountain top appearing"
And again
Gould We but climb whore Moses stood.
And view the landscape o'er'-
Here were four or five counties in Vermont. or
points in them, Of great interest, distinctly yisi-
Die fifty miles Of the course of the Conneeti-
cut river traceable and much of the fine scenery
this side of it. The principal peaks of New
Hampshire circumscribed the vision there, and
some in western Vermont, and some in New
York, bounded the utmost western view. Verify
this seemed as If travels about home paid. If il
was worth while TO travel 50 miles or more to en-
JOY fine view from Mansfield, it would pay to
take as extensive a one from less eminence, ex.
tending into three States. II mountain air is de-
slrabie Tor inyalids, here it is. Ii pleasant and
iatguing walks are desirable, here is the oppor-
tunity for them where, ever and anon some view
breaks in to surprise you II travellers can go to
the White Mountains and pay SO per day for
board alone, and all other charges in proportion,
for about as good an opportunity for recreation
and reouperation, they might enjoy as much here
for less than one fourth that expense.
Besides this height already mentioned. there
are several others in the vicinity quite as slightly