Litchfield enquirer., 1871-07-13

SHARON Now AND THEN.-I arrived al Sharon Station, from New York city, in an eastery storm, and procured conveyance to take me to the cottage I had engaged for the summer months in the ancient town of Sharon.
 After an interchange of civilities with a most companionable driver, we descended into the valley where I was most forcibly reminded of those eloquent lines of Bishop Heber-"How sweet the breath beneath the hill of Sharon's dewy rose," and after a short drive oyer hill and dale I located temporarily at the hotel of the town where I was most cordially welcomed by the host and his pleasant family, and with whom remained a number of days. The hotel is clean, the rooms airy, and comfortably fur nished, and the table excellent in quality, and anyone of moderate tastes will find it a quiet agreeable home for the day or season. ..s..~ ...... s. . Sharon, even in a rain storm, looks bright and beautiful. The gardens cover- ed with the choicest plants and flowers, it's broad avenue fanked with budding trees and handsomely laid out sidewalks, its sparkling streams, its temples devoted to the worship of the ever living God, appear like the Sharon of half century ago. But little change has taken place. Many of it's inhabitants have been laid beneath the vel vet green of the village graveyard, and their homesteads are occupied by their sons and daughters, who exhibit towards the stranger and visitor the same kind ness and hospitality of their honored pa. rentage. do not wonder that the people of this town retain an ardent affection for their birth place, and take deep interest in everything affecting its welfare.
 The town has historical associations clinging around it. It has produced men who have been an honor to the State and nation. It was firm and true in the dark hour of our country's history, and it's peo- pie have ever legislated for the public good. The scenery is grand. varied and beautiful to look on, and the air pure and inyigorat- ing-the society pleasing and cultivated, and the reverence of its people for every thing that is legal and virtuous, combine to render it the most attractive and health full of New England villages. The weep. earth, and under whose shade conned the lessons for the day, more than forty years ago seem but little larger, and are as sol emn and majestic in appearance as ever. The surrounding mountain slopes have been cultivated to their very summits, and the furrowed fields bear witness of the hus- bandman's labor. New buildings have been erected, principally upon the sites of old ones-a church and store at the north erly end of the town, but in every other respect Sharon is the samepeaceful. aristo. cratic looking town of other days, The old Academy. then under the charge of the Rev. Reuben Close, has been razed to the ground, and the teachers and scholars scat. tered in every direction. Some have at tained wealth and distinction in the world of letters and in professional life. Some have sought homes in the Western States, aud some are battling with the fates on oul large cities, while others are known only to memory, and ''are sleeping the sleep that knows no waking"
 The old King Mansion, of Revolutionary times, looks as lordly as ever at the head of the avenue. The streets, at this point diverging east and west seem like out stretched arms to protect the little town, and prsent an almost feudal appearance The genial Captain King. now in the eigh. ty-fifth year of his age, occupies the home stead. He still retains his elasticity oi spirits and good humor, and talks intelli gently of by-gone days, and bids fair to reach his hundredth anniversary This is the sincere wish of A VISITOR