New-York tribune., 1871-08-08
OVERLOOK (CATsKILL) MOUNTAIN.
THE DEVILS KITCHEN, AND TIE VIEW FROM 1T:
TOP-CLOUD PICTUREs-A NEW BRIDLE PATH

THE DEVILS KITCHEN, AND TIE VIEW FROM ITS
TOP-CLOUD PICTUREs-A NEW Birdie PATH
TO BE MADE ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS.
OVER THE DEVILS KITCHEN, CATsKILL MOUN-
TNSs, Aug. 3.-Rather peculiar place from which to
date letter. but the comfort OF those who
TO receiving COMMUNICATIONS from so questionable a
region let me hasten to that long long ago, when
Natures first conyuson brought mountains up from the
"deep places OF the EARTH" its proprietor decided that
the location much too high for his purposes and so
vacated it sans ceremony for a dwelling further down.
Although this removal took place in dead and gone past
ages the place has since been Inhabited and
mains just as Beezebub family left centuries ago.
The whole southern side OF Overlook Mountain is pre-
cptous, consisting not of the gradual, wooded slopes
found on other members OF the Woodstock range but OF
perpendicular. straight mp and down." decyity.
Directly in front OF the hotel, the precpice is
grown with trees which Jut out instead Of up entirely
concealing the soil beneath with complicated
net work of branch and leaf; but few rods eastward
from the house all this changes entirely: the precipice
takes to itself rocky, broken, irregular appearance
even grander and awenspring than the green de-
cvity preceding. From the Overlook Mountain House
to the highest peak of the mountain itses about half
mile. The path winding round its extreme outer edge
T. scarcely than trail" often broken into en-
tirely 10y vast ledges of rockfssures which may
step without effort and dark, wide chasms bridged
over by immense rocks the hardest mountaineers would
hesitate before attempting 10 scale. TheDevs Kitchen
is the largest Of the chasms above described and Is
rooted by block Of granite j. or - feet hgh with cir
cumference capable Of aiordng comfortable aceOmmo-
datons for dozen good sized individuals. In order TO
gain this roOfinaccessble otberwse-one must resort
70 commonplace ladder 1t Is strange how such
sary institutions interfere with ones enjoyment! was
sOrcy tempted throw that unfortunate article the
valley farmers but refraned ont OF consideration for
the rest of the party who had an ambition-whether
laudable or otherwse-to investigate "Beezebubs sky
plror" Their evident satisfaction with their surround
ings nae beguied me 10 their side notwithstanding GER
tain resolutions made at first sight OF the ungainly pine
offender But have been obliged to avail myself of its
Offices, and soquently unable TO abuse futher
FOR justice Is justice Overlook Mountain
What vewlS in the East the Hudson, like tiny
riyuct of silver reveals itself with most bewitching
modesty from ont its dpery OF delicate Summer haze
just beyond tins haze loses ts transparency, and grad
ually deepeus into defined blue with which 1t
and adOrns the horizon In the South spread out the
valley over which men have been known to rave, but
which, TO me- the least inviting feature of the
whole landscape. The different farms, forests, and VII
ages, seem from this distance to embody sort OF
ge0metrca system which takes one with incOnceivable
iapidity from nature to mathematics, and the transition
Is not delightful one. Besides, they are 50 mimi
tessimal! ilitle things not always insignificant.
pnt In this Instance distance lends enchantment, and
we look down with vast superiority on the passive
puppet show beneath. Some parts Of il, however, at
tract us despite ourselves There's little red farm
mousse nesting just IN the shadow OF the
great nils, from which the winds wait 10
us wonderful steres Of peace. lis low-roofed
hny Is an ever present reproach TO our pride OF sta
uon' ana some way our contempt for the tiny panorama
OF "nlch TINS forms part Is displaced by an emotion
more becoming our elevation. Then there Is arena OF
meadow fenced In by forests which with s one solitary
IoA anu ee remind one fTesistbly Of Palestine. Why,
c'niiV eAp"lh' ON Ia the west the giants OF the
Catsklls look down upon us their expression changing
with their surroundings circumstances do make such
difference to ones natural dispo,tion) Just now the
inst mas oated away from the nearest aud they stand