The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-09-05

cast, in its progress southwark, and the
Mohawk larger than the Hudson itself,
pours in its tributary waters from the
west. A portion of the river is below the
level of the sea allowing the tideto ebb and
flow throughout its entire extent, indicat-
ing continuance of the channel far out
into the Atlantic, gradually deepening in
its progress. The upper portion of its
valley, for more than ninety miles, is
made up of fertile hilly country, popu-
lous with thriving farmers and inter.
spersed with fourishing towns and villag-
es. From the banks of the Hudson, a
few miles into the country may be seen
from different points of view, some of the
most charming scenery in the world.
Every turn in the road, every bend in
stream presents new and attractive pic
lures, remarkable for beauty and DIVERSE
ty in outline, color, and aerial perspective.
On the west side Cattskil Mts. approach
within twelve miles of the river. The
solemn Katzbergs, surnamed by the red
man of the forest, "Onti Ola" or '.Moun-
tains of the Sky" presents q scenery
along its range of hills remarkably wild
and beautiful, sublime in form, mysterious
in their dim, and ever changing aspect,
and appear like cloud rising above the
horizon forming most prominent feature
in the landscape. These chains are par
allel with each other, and are made up
Of succession Of ridges, belonging to the
Appalachian range, which traverses the
eastern portion of the United States, from
the states bordering ON the Gulf of Mex
ico gradually changing from mountains
to hills, which finally sink away among
the low-lands Of the great st. Lawrence
Basin. .
j. They rise abruptly from the plain on
the eastern side, where the road that leads
to the Mountain House enters them,
following the margin of n deep dark glen
through which flows clear, cool noun
tain stream, not often seen, but heard for
nearly mile, as in swift rapids, or in
little cascades it hurries to the plain be-
low. The road is winding, and in its
ascent along the side OF the glen or gorge,
it is enclosed by the towering heights on
one side, and the lofty trees that shoot
up on the other, that little can be seen
beyond few rods except the sky above,
u slimpses OF sumo distant summit, until
the pleasant nook in the mountains is
reached, wherein the Grip Van Winkle"
cabin is nestled. Tis small building Of
but two rooms, and Is so called because
it stands within the Amphitheatre, in.
closed by lofty heights-reputed to be
the place where "ghostly revels' were
heard, Here Poor Rip is said to have
laid down to his long reposc. The very
rock is pointed out, wherein he slumbered
moreover the indenture of the exact
form Of his body is visible. While stand
ing there, viewing these traditional
grounds, with. the Ancient Story" re.
vivified, of Snyder How you vos2
who could but wonder, ON his sudden
awakening to the resurrection of new
life, seeing everything transfgured and
changed---that he should utter in words
Of CALCULATIONS, "Katrine Oh! ma poor
hatrine Vos bin here since Use bin
gone ~ .....
The ascent of the mountain is far from
tiresome, the zigzag course of the road
makes the way less steep and laborious
to the horses and pedestrians, and gives
a changing aspect to the scene, causing il
to resemble n living panorama Much
labor and money has been expended on
this carriage way, till now it mas become
not only accessible to all kinds of vehicles
but admits Of easy access and with little
exertion. The pleasure seeker and the
tourist have only followed in the foot.
steps Of the scientists for the mountains
are indeed vast cabinet Of geological
history, petrifed shells and animals, be-
ing found enclosed in the solid lime, and
state stone; which, layer on layer, is piled
up in its formation. The quantity of red
slate stone, on the surface, is so great
that the roads are as red as blood AT
turn in the road, where the Mountain
House stands suddenly before and above
the traveller, revealed in perfect distinct.
ness, column, capital, window, rock
lpeople--all apparently only rev rods
distant, but tho road instead of leading
directly, diverges away and many weary
step must be taken over crooked road
before one can reach the object of his
Journey. ...... . .-.. .....
The "Mountain House stands upon
a good rock platform, b stories high
with a towering observatory. The front
is supported by noble corinthian columns
The building was erected % years ago
then accommodating $50 persons, but
it has from time to time been enlarged
till now it accommodates from 600 to Csc
persons annually.
b" Portions of four states of the Union
and an area ofabout 10000 square miles
are comprised in the scope of vision, from
ts piazza. From the top of South Mt
height 5000 feet, near 800 feet higher
a greater range Of sight may be obtained
including part of fifth state. Now We
have as picture before us, the lake.
lying in basin with all their grand sur
roundings, the house itself, "South Mt
with "kound Top" or Liberty Top
forming tho middle ground, while in the
dim distance can be seen the winding
| Hudson for over 100 miles with Esopus
Shawangunk, and the Highland ranges
are revealed, borders of rivers dotted
with villas, and towns appearing like
mere white specks on the landscape. TIL,
eye takes in magnificent panorama o
hill and valley, forest and river, hamlet
and village and thousands Of broad acres
where herds Craze and farmers gathel
their crops. This view delights the eye
quickens the pulse, causing one to enjoy
exquisite pleasure. The view as seer
from "Saake Mountain resembles thi
very much, though on much smalle
scale. Sunrise as seen from the summit
is equal to anything of the kind eve
4 n