Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-17
A local Autumnai Scene of Marvellous

A local Autumnai Scene OF Marvellous
| Beauty.
| 1t was on The bright afternoon preceding the
pelting rain Of yesterday before the slaughter OF
the leaves, carpeting with heavenly beauty the
muddy earth-mud and gold meeting and ming
ling, as they often do, in this strange world-that
we strayed to the heights of divers ledge, the best
place in the city (if we except "Main Top') for
looking upon a panorama of unsurpassed and in
describable loneliness. The eye sweeps the val
ley of the Kennebec for distance of twenty-five
or thirty miles; the clear October sky gives unin-
terrupted privilege for observation, save where
the vision is hemmed in by that lacey haze so Pc
culiar to the months of George Aruod's "droning
bees" September and October.
"Tip-top day, mister, to get acornsl" said a ro-
sey checked urchin, with pail in hand. Yes, but
that wasn't our GRAND. If was rather to gaze for
q few moments upon the accumulated splendors
| OF the autumnal glory-the grand bouquet of
beauty that the year had been gathering with busy
fingers, now waiting with the flush of death upon
it, for the winding sheet of winter The eye may
have wide range. The roads the hill siaes,
leading out into the country, have the appear
ance of lines upon map, the foliage of the tree
by the roadside giving bordering of gold. This
bordering is also observable along the line of
division fences, dividing the farms. Fields bearing
the freshness of June, alternate with large areas
Of mellow, plowed ground, turned up by the in
dustrious farmer and ready for early operations in
the spring. The fertile fields slope gently to the
river. and kiss the limpid waters of the Kennebec'
To the northward lies the North Parish and the
old meeting house, which is one of the landmarks
Of the place. Further are discovered the b ills
Of Vassalboro. The forests here and there
perfect blaze Of glory, the colors b lending and
melting in sweet harmony-each forest growth or
clump of trees distinct and separate bouquets of
larger or smaller dimensions, made up of all the
colors in the catalogue. A little further to the
left Cushnoc heights appears as village by itself
constantly growing and expanding and pushi ing
further and further out into the country. The
Kennebec, hidden from your view as it passes
through the city, comes into sight again just be-
fore it reaches Hallowell And that city is mostly
hidden from view, as the river makes bend to
the right atthis point Further south ard, however
are the church spires of Gardiner and some of the
more prominent uildings of the place are in sight
and still further beyond this pretty picture are the
heights Of Richmond and Dresden. That south
ward outlook, melting finally into the haze and
shadows, is the greatest sight of ALL and has called
forth enthusiastic praises from lovers of natural
scenery who have gazed with admiration upon the
wonderful scenes of the Yosemite valley. To the
right is the forest covered hill sweeping grandly
southwark; and If you wish more extended view
glance TO the westward and in the distance are
A. n,
The city of Augusta lies at your feet. True,
the business street is hidden. but dwelling houses
appear peeping out from the golden canopy of
leaves. The few promine Mt features before you
are the Kennebec dam, the waters running over
which are to all appearances stationary, waiting to
be photographed. The factories of the Sprague
Manufacturing Co., the machine shops and mill
at the dam, the iron railroad bridge Lambard's
car works the manufacturing establishments of
Smiley Brothers, and Harvey, the saw mill of
Lambard, Sturgcs Co., Lambsrd's farm, the
United States arsenal, the entire lot being in view
the Insane Hospital, the State House with the
park below, the Augusta House, the eight
churches of the city, the Jail, and the dwelling
houses nature having touched each with almost
heavenly beauty, so profuse in her gift, that the
humble cottage of the poor, is surrounded by the
same beauty that is shed upon the more stately
mans ion of the rich.
just sit down and enjoy this scene for half an
hour, and if your soul is open to the beauties of
an autumnal scene, you will count it among the
happest experiences Of your life Here at our
very doors. the eyes may be surfeited with feast
ing upon this wonderous scene-these rich tints
of gold and amber and scarlet and green of va |
rying shades, changing like the kaleidoscope. a
very heaven of beauty resting upon the shores of
time.