Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-09-17
OUR MONTPELIER LETTER.
Special correspondence of the HERALD.

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A ride OF about two hours on the
Eontpelie- and Wells River Railroad,
through as wild part Of Vermont as
the railroad passes, bFiags one from
Wells River to Montpelier. During
the latter part of the ride, occasional
glimpses of the Winooski are gained
at first, the river is far below the rail-
road, but gradually the road comes
down side by side with the river.
The first station in Montpelier is
small one, but, in few minutes, the
train crosses to the Central Vermont
station. Into this station come the
trains from Burlington, and also from
the southern part of the State. A
branch road runs to Barre, only few
miles away. The Central Vermont
station is large, new building, nearly
completed, and is within few min
utes' walk OF the State House, the bust
ness portion of the town, the Pavilion,
and other hotels.
A drive or walk through the streets
shows pleasant residences with we'll
kept lawns and gardens but gener-
al idea Of the town is better gained
from the observatory on Capitol Hill,
which rises abruptly behind the State
House. A climb~yp the hill, a winding
flight of seventy-two stairs to the top
of the observatory, which is about six =
ty feet high, and Montpelier lies at
your feet. Here, as in other public
places, persons have shown neglect
in their early training by scribbling or
cutting their names on the walls and
ratings but the view outward is more
attractive than these autographs. Be-
low lie the Village, the houses in part
obscured by the many trees, while on
all sides the hills roll, one above
another, to the mountains in the dis
lance. The hills in the immediate wi
entity are cleared and divided into
farms, while numerous roads lead to
the surrounding towns. Near the foot
of the hill are clustered the State House
residences, and churches; the last
named are quite nunerous,-Episco.
pal, Roman Catholic, Unitarian, Con,
gregationalist, Methodist and Baptist
farther on is the river, winding in and
out, and the railroad following its val.
ley. OF to the southeast is Seminary
Hill, so named from the Seminary,
u large, threa-storie /, brick building
that crowns it. Near the Seminary ID
the boarding house for the students,
and on each side of this building is O
smaller house for self-boarders. The
teachers board in the boarding house
and mingle freely with the scholars.
This fall, the school mum oers about
one hundred twenty-five. The stu
dents live, in degree, apart from the
rest of the town; they attend church
service in the village, but Sunday
School, prayer-meetings, literary socie'
ties, political meetings, receptions, and
lyceums are held in the Seminary, and
conducted by teachers or scholars
The political interest is so great just
now that the ladies, as we'll as the gen
tlemen, hold meetings, hoping thereby
to gain better kno Wedge of the Of
fairs of thu country
Cancels Hump is plainly outlined in
the west u small party lately made
the ascent, and reported hard cHmt
up the courses of spring torrents, but
magnificent view; mountains far tc
the north and south covered with tim
Der, Rutland in the southwest, and
Lake Champlain and the Adirondack
in the west.
The Republicans are rejoicing in the
success of Vermont in gaining so large
majority for days before the cleo
ton, speeches and torchlight process
sions were the ord er, and, for few
days following, the RETURNS were the
chief subject of conversation. All arr
looking forward with interest to No
vember, each party hoping for success
8. NJ. II.
Montpelier, VT, Sept. 10, 1880.
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