Connecticut western news., 1877-08-10
From the Cntskilla.

FRIEND PEAsE.-Finding myself here under the shadow of the Catskill, from | some of it's highest peaks, like Moses of old, we can look over into the promised land of Canaan, Conn. ) thought some of your readers might be interested in a brief account of Green County, as a place of Summer resort, the chief point of interest being the Catskill, a mountain range run nlng west from the Hudson, some 25 miles, called by some, the Switzerland of Amer ica. The Mountain House, which for nearly half century has been the chief place of resort for all tourists, is the largest and leading hotel of this region. The view from this point is unequalled for beauty by any in the world. Standing on the point of rocks in front of the House, the eye takes in one grand view over 10, 900 square miles of the valley of the Hudson,-on the north, in the dim distance, are the Adiron- dacs; on the east. the Green Mountains and Berkshire Hills, and on the south the ''Storm King" of the Highlands, while the Hudson, like broad silver ribbon, Is seen threading its way through the valley for more than sixty miles. At times, the storm gathers above the valley, and the lightning plays. and the thunders roll beneath your feet, while above and around you shine the midday sun. There is more of God in one such view than years manuscripts of ser mons.
 One and a half miles west of the Mountain House is the Laurel House, at head of the Kaaterskill falls, which here breaks oyer the crest of a rock nearly POO feet high, and falls like flakes of snow in the pool below. The scenery here is exceed ingly wild and romantic. In the immense rocky ampitheatre which sweeps like ma- son work in the rear of the first waterfall are paths on which visitors may pass en- tirely around behind the falling water, and as you look out, and the suns rays fall up on the misty cloud, you see all the colors of the rainbow in varied forms. In the ravine below the falls are successive cas- cades.
 The guide books describe other points of interest, which the tourist may reach by well worn foot-paths or circuitous drives along the mountain roads. The Rip Vai Wrinkle House is at the head of Sleepy Hol- low, which you pass on the turnpike about two miles from the foot of the mountain. The chief point of interest here is that it is made the scene of one of Washington lrv- ing's sketches, of the twenty years sleeper. A daily line of stages connect with the boat and cars at Catskill.
 Within few years several large hotels have been built at Catskill village. The Prospect Park hotel stands on the bank of the Hudson river, and the Grant House, one mile west of the village on the Jefferson Heights, overlooking the Catskill Greek, are the two largest and leading boarding houses in this vicinity. The grounds ad- joining each of these embrace some twenty acres, which are tastefully laid out in pleasant walks and drives.
 l The views from both these houses Is very fine. Four miles West, on the turnpike, Durham & Windham,) is the village of Leeds. Here is located A. T. Stewart & Co.'S woolen mills, giving employment tc 800 operatives. The walks are graded and the houses numbered. giving it quite city appearance. The Hilton House, just open cd this year, is pleasantly located in Leeds, near the Catskill creek, which is here crossed by stone arch bridge, which with its picturesque surroundings has fur nished the sketch for some of the best ar lists. Just bt yond, and at the foot of the first hill, stands a stone house, ID good re. pair, built, as the iron figures ln the mason we pass South Cairo, where is one large boarding house and several private residen ces. Two miles west of this we come to Cairo, quite an erterprising inland village Here are two large hotels, one large board ing house, several stores, three churches and about fifty dwelling houses. Just south of the village is the County Poor House, for the accommodation of Winter boarders who travel, mostly, during the Summer months. Round Top mountain is just
 
 ire of small boarding houses. The Grand View House is on the road over the Cats kills, to Windham, on high table land un' der the shadow of High Peak. From this point you can get an extensive view west and north, over the Renseller Hills in Alba ny County, and the valley of the Catskill, with it's broken ridges and extended plains.
 East Durham is five miles west of Calro, on what was formerly called the old Sus- quehanna turnpike. Durham IS still five miles further west on the same road. Both the places arc centres of large boar ding houses, and during the Summer season are connected by two daily stages each way' with Catskiil Village. Mt. Pisgah rises 10 the west of Durham, commanding fine view of the country for miles around.
 If you wish to go back half century, to stage coach travelling, just come out here. I had con ductor of the Housatonic road, (L. B. Stillson) out here two years ago, and he said it was the first time in his life that he had spent week beyond the sound of a locomotive whistle. He was almost home. sick to hear one. It does seem strange that country rich in the products of the soil, grand and beautiful in its scenery, visited yearly by tens of thousands of strangers, and yet with no railroad facilitiesr All of travel and traffic is by the stage coach. They have within a year past, erected a line of telegraph along the turnpike as far west as Durham, and con- nected with other villages north and south. for the accommodation of boarders and business men. might give other pen time and space, will wait another days travel. REPORTER,