Morning journal and courier., 1880-10-05
Price Four Cents.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Saratoga in September - Picturesque Farming Lands-The Village of Burnt
 Hills-Sweet Cider and Political A fairs.

l AAAAAS-SV Oos SAucE 1hu H~OAhtIcAA AhnArss l BALLsToN SPA, Sept 29 | To the Editor of the JOURNAL COURIER: At September's arrival, has before been I told you, departures from Saratoga Springs were hastened. Still, many remained, and | even in the waning days of the first autumnal
 month, pleasant number finger to receive i the benefits of the beautiful resort some for l the sake of health, others for all the delights l which can as well, perhaps better, be enjoyed
 than when the hotels, streets and romantic haunts are thronged with life and fashion. l We took our farewell visit to the Springs 1 few days ago, on one of Ssptember's fair | est days, and found Saratoga was enchanting. l In the height of the season observation is es- | pecially attracted to the crowds and gayety, | and to the varied styles, both pleasing and l singular. In the more quiet season, particu- l lar note may more uninterruptedly be taken of the special magnifcence of the inner as- | pect of the hotels which, without additional | elegance of taste and beauty from the throng l of humanity, is of itself grand and wonderful. To appreciate the real costliness of all this splendor it is needful to make close, instead of general, observations as cheapness often tentimes has tinsel glitterings. The parlor or grand sGIon, of the United States Hotel is perhaps the very finest at the Springs. It is said to have cost $2O, 900 to furnish it. The carpet is of Administer or Moquet of light groundwork with delicate blue, and white and pink wreaths of flowers the furniture gilded, and covered with delicate blue satin with buff satin outings. The chandeliers are very beautiful the mantels of pure white marble, of exquisite work and finish, and several large mirrors, in handsome frames over the mantles and in other posi- tions adorn the splendid apartment. The windows of which there are fourteen have beautiful curtains of lace with lambrequins of blue satin, and heavy gilt or gold cornices
 The effect of the whole scene is fairy-like,
 palatial, exquisite; and to be appreciated
 must be beheld. The Grand Union and Clar- endon Hotels are already closed, and the
 Windsor closes about the present date. This has a very fine SGl0n, crimson and blue satin brocatelle furniture, elegant carpet and chan dellers; and large jugs in ceramic art as adornments of the room. From the front piazza lead two three large doors, of old fashioned style of woodwork, and with small panes of glass, in oval, over the tops of the
 doors. In the towers of the hotels the same
 old style windows are seen, giving an an-
 cient appearance. It seems pity that the
 hotels should be desolated for so large DOT
 ton of the year, although they are every
 summer filed with life and brightness. The county of Saratoga is wonderful for it's great beauty and it's productive lands. It can hardly receive exaggerated praise. The farms are well preserved and cultured, and the nature of the soil very much facilitates
 the labor bestowed upon it. The untidy farm
 is an exception. There is scarcely one to be
 found. The folks thrifty and progressive
 Ill JQolr VOcaClOn, ana It IS pleasant to note
 the large number of handsome houses in
 which they have their homes, suggestive of
 comfort, taste and refinement of mind. Farm
 life in this style cannot be very dreary and
 hum drum existence.
 There is a reasonable objection to the names
 of some of the towns hereabout. Those who
 have never seen certain locations very natur-
 ally get ideas of the features of such from
 the names they bear. In regard to some of
 these towns, therefore, unpleasant fancies
 might be indulged. Bloodville so named
 for the late Hon. Isaiah Blood, might moro
 agreeably be called Greenville, from it's yer
 dant wales and shady streets, it's romantic
 hooks and messy streams. But here was
 established the extensive manufactories of
 the aforementioned individual, which, after
 his death fell to the management of his son.
 in-law, one Mir. Knickerbocker. These fac
 tories lie along the valley of the Kayaderas-
 seras, and, we ride along the streets
 above, the noise of machinery and working
 implements blend strangely with the
 softer music of the ripping creek,
 fully twine and climb all kinds of lovely vines and wild flowers, at present ex- quisite1y painted by the artist hand of na- ture. From here we ride on and on into the open country, past numerous farms and fruitful orchards. We reach what is called the Middle Line, road which, as we look be-
 hind and before, seems to have no end Hill
 after hill we ascend and descend, and eyes
 have enough employment to observe sur
 rounding scenes. Two particularly beautiful
 farms are noted. They stand opposite to one
 another, and on a finely sloping hill, with
 lovely valleys below them. At the foot of
 one of them is clear, circular pond, with an
 entire border of willows. Views were on all
 sides the finest, with the mountains in the
 distance.
 The residence of Col. Baker a member of
 the State Legislature, is a very handsome one
 iS fn ha
 very fine singer, and he is also a musician.
 Other beautiful residences are in the same
 vicinity. They are all located on fine road
 leading to Ballston Spa.
 High street is where BalIston Spas most
 elegant residences are found, and there are
 many of them. The Episcopal church. also
 the Presbyterian, on this street. Church
 avenue runs across High street. Milton ave
 nue is another principal street, and part of
 it is occupied by hotels and stores, the other
 part by pleasant dwellings. Malta avenue is
 more retired street, but very beautiful, the
 upper portion being hill which com
 mands much fine scenery Here is where we
 have spent great deal of our time since
 arrival in the town, and we shall experience regrets in a final departure from 1t.
 The highest point of land in Ballston Spa
 is that known as the Sand Hill from which elevation is had view of the whole town
 with it's glistening spires, its charming Had
 erass" valley and multitudinous hills. Then there the everlasting mountains, towering in their grandeur, to be seen every side. Delicious breezes blow across this height, and few residences seen hereon.
 In this whole section it Is said that (the climate being so healthfuD "a man must be shot to start cemetery" There is very lit tie sickness heard of hereabout.
 We had delightful ride over to Burnt Hills village this week, and more beautiful region would be hard to find. We went this time by way of the Middle Line, and had a different view. The towns of Milton and Ballston are divided into sections by four cross roads, called North South and Middle Lines, etc., and all the roads past the finest farming districts We Ballston Lake in the distance, and again, when within ! the Burnt Hills section, we have G near view. We had an early start for our ride, going di- rectly from the breakfast table, the distance being about seventeen miles. School chiI- dren passed us, and we were especially at- l tracted by pair of pretty little sisters, with dinner baskets on their arms, whose faces 1 were bright with healthful life They were not of the ordinary type of farmers chil- dren, either, although freshness and health are of themselves beautiful; but both were wonderfully sweet-featured, with round full faces and complexions of that peculiar nut brown which is not dingy, but 1 lends animation to the countenance. cheeks completed the picture of youth I and childish purity, and prettier picture is
 rarely seen. The next prettiest sight on our l way was the feecy lambs, appearing as fecks among the green grass. It was very peace full scene, and we would not allow ourselves l to mediate upon the probable sacrifice of l many of these pretty creatures, knowing that such ends must be served.
 Court House Hill is notable elevation abounding in fine scenery. Here we were surrounded by mountains. The Delevan 1 farm is a fine one, formerly furnishing produce for the Delevan House at Albany. | We are told that it has now changed hands. We soon after reached Ballston (not the Spa) l Center where on hill stands the Presbyte- rian church. We passed miles of overfowing orchards, apples taking prominence. They ] hung in great clusters, and several large trees
 were literally smashed with superfuous weight Every orchard seemed to vie in 1 quantity and quality with It's neighbor, and all are laid out with great culture and preci- sion. We noticed a fine young orchard, and | it was lovely sight In descriptions of the 1 road our spokesman remarked 'So-and-so l resides there, another here, sehoolhouse is
 there, and the rest is-apples. Beautiful apples