Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-09-11
NUMBER 35.
For the oxford Democrat.
WAYSIDE RAMBLES.
GENEVA, n. Y, Sept. /, 1879.

GENEVA, y. Y, Sept. ], 1879.
"Don't you think our Lake is bcautiful?'
is the question the average Geneyan asks
the new conner, with that pardonable prldo
that most people feel in the scenery of their
own locality.
We could answer ahirmativcly the other
morning as we stepped aboard a fine
steamer, with some five hundred other
pleasure seekers, and steamed out Of the
harbor past the town, nesting on the hill
side, on our way 10 Watkins at the head Of
the lake.
Seneca Lake, named from that famous
Indian tribe that once dwelt here, is the
largest Of that silver chain that stretches
across western New York and renders it a
region Of famed beauty. 1t is forty miles
long and from two to four in width, and
resembles a broad, placid river, flowing
through a rich and fertile country. Its
scenery IS simply pleasant, such rs land
and water produce, without any bold or
striking features I'm relief The shores are
almost monotonously regular and not an
island is visible in the whole lake. On
either side the land rises from the shore to
considerable elevation.
Half way up the lake we come to ovid,
where is located the Willard Asylum for
the msanc,-onc Of those grand monu-
ments Of Christian civilization, where
1900 unfortunatcS of humanity find 4 home
that affords the best of comforts and cares
for their needs. The buildings Of the asy-
lum, which are imposing. are charmingly
situated on the east side of the lake on an
elevated site that slopes down 10 the water
and commands a fair prospect The sur
roundings are essentially rural; and nature
here wears a loving smile and holds out
compassionate hand TO the lives 30 sadly
cloudcd rs we halted at the landing a
large number Of the female Inmates were
out stroIling on the lawn, and while tho
band on the steamer played a spirited air,
several of them commenced a weird dance
under the trees.
Ten miles further up the lake We come 20
Hector, noted a. a picnic resort Above
here the shores are more picturesque, and
the slopes beyond them display vast wealth
of orchards and vineyards.
And now we are at Watkins, where We
land. \ tramp of mile through the
dusty streets brings US 10 the famous Wat
kins Glen, which yics in attractivencsS
with the other popular resorts Of the
country and annually wins its thousands
of visitors. The whole of the glen i, made
easily accessible by means Of rallied path
ways and stairs, from which the best views
can be obtained. This is one of natures
summer retreats of perpetual freshness,
where time for ages has wrought marvel
Gus handiwOrk. From the scorchinS heat
of the August sun we pass into a region OF
refreshing coolnesS. where for a mile or
more. we meet q constant succession Of
Silvery falls, daShing cascades, silent pools
and deep cavernS. Now our pathway leads
along the edge Of deep pool, with high
messy crags projecting over Us, from
which the water drips down before our
faces into the cavern below like a summer
shower. We can look far above between
the towering cliffs and catch glimpScs OF
the blue sky among the tall hemlocks, aN II
in another world But description OF
the glen is impossible. We stroll through
it few hours, and then glide back over
the lake TO Geneva under the light OF tic
full moon. G.