Morning journal and courier., 1880-08-04
Price Four Cents.

that was the scene of the act that m akes l their name remembered So as we speed l along our eyes and memory are continually
 and pleasureably kept in action, but as the purpose of this letter is to tell of the beau ties of the mountains we must hasten on. 1 We approach the CatskiII landing and find ourselves wondering where on the pier, | which was crowded with welcome friends, l the corners are to find footing but at once | the gang plank being out, the surging mass
 Of happy humanity mingles giving and re- | cely1ng their cheery welcomes and amid
 the shouting of a host of noisy stagemen all
 are divided into groups, and more or less l comfortably packed into mountain coaches 1 which from this point radiate into the noun i talns by a score of routes. Choosing one,
 we are off directly at spanking pace, and 1 with lively team and an ambitious Jehu
 contest with every other coach the right of l leadership At times we speed along neck and 1 neck until the narrowing roadway gives the victory to the team whose driver has the nerve to persist at every cost, for one must give way or be precipitated down some dizzy chasm The opening beauties about us | and we instinctiyely admire the towering hills. The road we have chosen is that which Is most direct to the heart of the mountains
 and being pursued couple of hours
 brings us to Palenville. This viii lage is 8 well known resort made up of half hundred houses, every one of which hangs out a ''shingle announcing board and rooms" and it is certain that at this sea- son the announcements meet with an even more ready response than did the memorable placard that secured the crafty Pickwick as a lodger for the damages seeking widow Mrs Bardell.s Even at this time, which is consid- cred early, hardly room can be had, and well does the place deserve the popularity it enjoys, for here are we right among the va ried beauties of the Catskills. The leading hotel here is the "Pine Grove D while two or thraa oth rINf 4Ia take as excellent houses. Here gather many whose work it is to place on canvas the coun- terrart of the wild ravines and glens that abound. This is, too, excellent starting point for some of the most attractive expedi- tions to the mountain tops, being within easy distance of Kauterskiu Falls, Haines' Falls and the Mountain House. and should ones stay be short all three attractions may be wis., tied in one extended trip, which is often made by party of dozen in a four-horse coach, which starts away with flourish from the indispensable tin horn, and amid a chorus of glad sshouts goes clambering along the zig gag road up the side of South Mountain.
 These coaching parties are a distinctive feature of Catskil life, and their makeup is the very personiication of perfect iolIity. Every day numbers of loads may be seen jolt ing along over the mountain roads, sounding the customary cheery call (a sort of parody on the Indian war whoop), which, whenever heard, produces a response. Thus with glad shouts are the slumbering echoes wakened Then too are songs sung and chorus upon chorus rings out it's joyful cadence; and what a varied repertoire has mountain coach load Every class of musical composition is tackled with vigor which admits of success alone. Whatever be thought of is sung or sung at, from the gems of grand old Norma down to the most boisterous pro- ductions of the cheap concert hall. Thus no sooner is the last lingering strain of ''Sweet Bye and Bye" lost, than the rollicking num- bers of Captain Jinks' call for our best efforts. And as careless humanity bois- terously enjoys itself, the struggling 6sosn horses 1fa tuggng ng.ob along Ra the steep rock, " where the thirst of man and beast is satisfied; then on again, here and there catching delightful view of the side of the opposite mountain over which the shadows chase each other, till we come to the ''Fawn's leap" Here is an abrupt chasm, the sides of which are apart about twenty feet, walled by the solid rock at the upper end, over which obstruction falls, with crystal bright ness, the Kauterskill stream from height of some eighty feet; at the bottom, where for ages the water has come tumbling down, deep pool is worn in the rock An old-time legend is connected with this lovely spot and runs in this wise. A doe made the leap across the chasm over the falls, and, ill its at tempt to follow, her fawn fell down into the deep pool below, where it's dying struggles were by the doe for long time watched and being powerless to save, and all hope dead, she made the fatal plunge and with her loved one died.
 From this point, as continue on way, at every glance new and varied beauties meet the eye. Soon we arrive at Haines' Falls. Leaving the coach we take the shady path leading to the top of the Falls. From the projecting rock the scene is one of wild gran deur. The water is divided into five cas- cades, which in one precipitous fall descend nearly four hundred feet, and from where it strikes the rocks below it goes rushing, bounding, hurrying, skurrying, medly glad ly rushing on, breaking itself into rainbow tinted mist and spray until distance on as far as the eye can search it out it rests itself, as if to gather strength for another reckless plunge over some precipice further down. So great are the attractions at this point that many of the best known painters visit it. Among them may be mentioned Cole, Ken sett, Durand and Cassilear.
 Leaving this delightful place our road leads us in a northerly direction to the Laurel House. Situated high up among the tops of several giant peaks, view of wonderful ex- tent and beauty is had. All about before us the verdure-decked mountain sides slope down 0 thousand feet and the little stream that nipples past our feet may be traced for miles down the valley, appearing like silver ribbon as it seeks it's path in and out down between the mountains. Here is found very eXbenS1Ve glen Wn1cn, Deln8 1OllOWeO, repays one a hundred fold in delights for the toll the trip necessitates. Descending a dozen narrow staircases which cling to the precipit- ous sides of the ravine, we find boulders in or rather under, a most extensive horseshoe shaped inclosure. The towering walls of solid rock suggest it's name, ''Ihe Amphithea- tre" Its grandeur is very striking We could tarry and enjoy many other beauties hereabout, but must be off and on the way to the Mountain House, which reached, view is had which is wonderful in it's K tent Twenty-seven hundred feet above the level of the Hudson we look down into the valley over view cover ing thousands of square miles of country dotted by scores of villages and cit ies, tho whole view sentineled by the distant yet still imposing mountains. It is among such scenes we are taught to love the noun tains with genuine and spontaneous affec- ton known to those to whom awe has become admiration, and admiration companionshir. The mountains are dear friends. Being sad, seeing the soft and tender purple shadows along their green sides, one is unconsciously conlforted. Being happy, in what welcome accord with ones soul is the bright glad sun shine as it bathes the wild rocks and rich woods in glory. Being ambitious, the noun tains encourage and strengthen one. There is healing in the breath of these grand hills :!
 While resting here we observe the clouds around and below us begin to gather, and in Q short time the black and frowning storm cloud shuts out the prospect, the approach ing murmurings of heavens artillery warn us of the coming tempest, the swaying and tossing of myriad trees on the mountain sides bespeak the fury of the storm, which comes apace in all its grandeur.
 Far along from peak to peak
 The rattling crags among,
 Leaps the live thunder,
 Not from one lone peak,
 But every mountain
 Hath found tongue