The New York herald., 1875-12-03

the beauty of the scenery The eastern shore OF the
lake is dotted by fine houses; large hotel, boarding
houses and few fine country mansions. Mount Kisco
is splendid part OF Westchester county and its sides
watered by the river which bears its and an
other that Is not endowed with any special appelaton
The dwellings are all erected on the lake
shore and the pateaux al different points
above 1t But they are nuisances, because
not tend toward Croton Lake and finally taint it, No
provision for carrying elsewhere the liquid refuse OF
the people can seen Ali must inevitably be brown
the drains and small pipes which bubble down the
hillside and empty themselves into the great reservoir
OF New York and the towns along the line OF the aque
built the lake; but they do stand the
aforesaid rustic sewers Croon Lake itself is pretty
to look at here, but mile further up IL is full OF
islands, composed OF the prevalent weeds. vegetable
matter and sedgc, which act simply bar
riers to check and hold whatever may be
borne down by the Cross River and Croton River,
currents from the small towns and shanties upon
their banks. The peculiar formation OF the lakeis
shores east and west furnishes likewise stagnant
patches and spots that foster and generate maarous
disorders Not far from the mouth of the Mount Ksco
River is one or the worst OF these Here right
the whole face OF Croton Lake stretch half dozen
islands, affordng no oothold for man or beast, sur
rounded by stagnant green water, bordered with
thick coating OF vegetable rottenness and overhung
morning aud evening by vapor suggestive Of fever
and ague The passages between these spots are
and filled with every conceivable species Of country
side refuse. The waters of the lake which below
clear and measure bright are dense and sluggish
here Houses OF abores line the northwestern road
each OF them has its drain or rough sewer leading into
only OF themselves and how they shall get rid OF their
superfuous lth, without thought OF what becomes Of
II after they cast il into the drains running from olr
houses 10 the beach. Pigs, cows chickenS and dogs
wallow, root and browse before the doors Soapsuds
greasy water and Shiny stun are in abundance and
drip downward thero across the road, and women do
their washing on the very bank Of the lake. Any
passing that way, who 10 citizen or New
York and in the habit Of drinking the Cro-
ton water which is drawn from this place, Is
not likely to be Gled with exalted respect for
its chemical purites, despite all that may be said and
written about the good effect long course through tho
great pipes may have upon IT, The shores are dirty
near the houses ow rods a most from the lake, and
the yards pens and fronts Of many OF the houses arc
soggy and ankle deep with vile matter.
on BURRs LAND,
as the country people designate that part OF the base
OF Mount Kisco nearly opposite the cape known as the
,,Nesou Boysu and Lockharts property, tho water Is
more rcpugnant than any before mentioned. " Is TED
by four small streams, tainted in the usual manner,
and wears a dark pestllential aspect Indeed, u
looks like a great marsh rather than lake, and
one would think II more worthy df the former
than the latter title Nose Sutton has house hard by
and the shore looks very uninvtng the lake IS COW
cred here and there With scum similar TO that found
in the coves and creeks numerous along the shores
and il would be difficult to propel boat satisfactorily
over its surface Right opposite, on the Lockhart and
Nelson farms are several small houses One of them
Is occupied BY John Butler and his family. He works
as a laborer for his daily bread and has been In hts
present residence for time The HERALD reporter
met him IN front Of his shanty which stands on the
left hand side Of the road leading TO Woodbridge and
had conversation with him relative TO the character
Of the place and the water directly In front OF his house
He said that he had never made a
greater mistake in his life than when he came
10 reside on the banks q Croton Lake HIS wife and