The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-09-21
From the Centennial City

PHILADELPHIA Sept. 8, 1875,
Editors Register:-To return to our
former home, and meet friends and &C.
quaintsuces, and renew old associations
which tho lapse Of lime and distance has
partially sondered aud to lock d, the
towering mountains. the green hills, The
ragged rocks, the tortuous creek, the
glstening cascade md the murmuring
brooks 10 short, TO survey and view
the general diversified face Of nature. as
she stands enrobed in living green, in.
spires feeling of emotional pleasure, JOY
pleasurable seasons should % often be
marred aud saddenod by the absence of
those We loved snd cherished, caused by
tho inexorable hand Of death, who asks
40 license to desolate u hearthstone, for 10
despoil home We were not welcomed
at the doorway by the sound OF trust
iug daughters footsteps, nor the extend.
ed hand ; neither the CHEEKY laugh, nor
The filial kiss because the silver cord
had been loosenod" but as partial com.
pensatiop, were met BY little pratting
one, bereft Of its natural and maternal
protector, in whom are strongly marked
and partially developed the physical and
mental liueaments Of the departed mother,
wife aud daughter. But why fost private
grief on the public ear even though it
bo % crushing in its nature that words
bend and break, in the attempt to give
utterauce to that. which can only be ex-
pressed by the pa'hos Of sigbs and the
burning, but mute and silent cloquence of
tears But waive the topic. aud invoke
the aid Of ownipotencc
On my return from Bristol to Phila
delphia, | embarked on board the magui.
iicent night steamer Daniel Drew"
Albany at O'Clock in the evening /;
after steamiug down the river few
miles, and after darkness had covered the
earth, the flashing lightning and distant
thunder indicated an approaching storm {;
within short timo angry and threaten.
ing clouds could be discerned rising above
the western horizon during au electric
fash ; the near approach of the storm
was soon evident to all. as the intervals
between the flashes of light and the rat.
tliug thuuder were rapidly diminishing.
Soon Dol. Of whizziug lightning not on.
Iy illuminated the river from shore to
shore. but far inland. and was followed
in the tw inkling of an eye by crashing
peal OF thunder that made the staunch
steamer culver and the waters of the
Hudson shake Many rushed to the rail.
ing Of the boat others feared the steamer
had been sfrnrk ladies for tho ."n"'~..' ,"n-n
intimidsted but before the thunder clap
had ceased to roll its solemn anthem
round" tear was di.armed, by the appear
ance Of "A large Gre near the western
shore of the river, which rapidly iHOreas
ed in volume until it assumed large pro
portions, and although the rain had al
ready commenced to pour in torrents
the fire increased in volume, and iht
flames rose higher aud stili higher, unt
licked up the splashing rain as easily a
If it had been bu, descending dew, or I
passing mist. Many were the speculation
of the passengers, what sort or kind of
building it might be Tie New Yorl
morning papers unraveled the mystery
1t was large barn filed with the pro
duct oftoil attached to a large mansion
Two or three large ou,houses also burned
The location whore the bolt descende
and the fire occurred was 10 the town @
Csstleton, not mspy miles below Albany
As the steamer plowed on and onward
, the fire apparently le.sened and tho pei
turbed passengers retired to rest, to FIN
= themselves the neg morning safely moore
near the foot OF Canal ST, at tho Com
n mercisl Emporium
r At New York | devoted a half day |
v perambulatiDR Central Park, traverse
n its closely shaven and finely shaded wal
spanning its artificial lake. wsndere
- through the intricate paths Of the Ran
ble." passed down through and out II
. . cave ssceuded the observatory, visite
). the deer park, the museum, and Il
Q geological garden or whstever it may
a called these different points aggregate
IS | understood comprised most that was
p interest to be seen 10 the park. A larl
. amount of money has been lavisbcd az
expended on and around the grounds. ar
= its attractiveness has been mostly create
by the works of art, and is beautiful
:. explore and look upon ; but when v
= turn to look at natural scenery, limne
10 by the finger Of the great architect, II
Dr. landscape scenery and natural con6gur
tion of Central Park is dwsrfed in cor
'' parison with the wonderful and picture
que views presented to the eye at nea
al y every step 10 Paramount Park nes
this city In Central Park | found n
!. point that will match the witchery of Il
r dell Of Ormisten no rocky cliffs tn
r. would somparo with the precipitou
20 ramparts Of Rookland no wood,
:; s slopes like those at Lemon Hill Meth
Is great platsau like that of Lapsdowne.
OF found no flower capped height to snsw
to that Of Georges Hill; neither sp
or plsss that would for moment col
a.... .a.s r.4. - ....-. o.