The Newtown bee., 1880-08-04

runs lovely streamlet, winding, now
 falling over the steep stone walls of the dtm, and soon after recovering from the
 foam and eddy and whirl spreading ont
 into it's former glassy stnoothness, and
 then passing under a suspension bridge and down wild rocky, ,precipitous gorge, rambling and roaring and passing of out of sight, a foamy, leaving current, into a wild copse far below. Down at the foot of this second cataract rises the steep, bold, overhauging mass of solid rock, at the base of which close by the boiling,
 rocky -bedded current of the streamlet,
 lies a large, oblong, flat surface of rock, which is ParIer Rock, and a more roman tie, picturesque, cool and lovely sylvan rel reat it woull be difficult to name in Connecticut. This is but a fraction of the attractions. The grove Hanks the stream and cascades, and is a ahady bow CT of tllickly studded hemIocks, shady and picturesque--a spot which our NewHaNen
 
 tist. Mir. Sherman. of this city, employed his pencil yesterday in making a sketch of one of the various scenes ill the grove. Here in the grove are crOqnet grounds, swings, etc. Wonder, on the messy brink of the stream lie fancy boats awaiting the pleasure of whoever would row about, a means of access to mauy a rural retreat ana pretty bower. No accessory for pie nic pleasure is lacking. Mr. George Ii. Beck, a Bridgeport man, in the refresh meat pavilion, by arrangement with the railroad company, furnishes crockery, knives, forks, spoons, etc., and ice for the
 fine spring water free to all picnic par ties, with no restrictions or tax upon par ties private supplies. Nothing that will intoXicate is sold on the grounds.
 Wander where you will, nature has many charming secrets and romantic sit nations to disclose. Huge boullers, ven rrablc, lichen covered and gray, stand like aged guardians, grim and massive, at many a point along the paLhs If you choose you can spread the tables under the main pavilion, or if 1t is family par ty, scclusion is found at small tables so happily placed as to tempt the eye and invite occupation. Ill many a charming spot you can lie off and enjoy the refresh ingly cool and vitalizing air. making use of seats placed between venerable hem locks or other shade trees or upon rocky seats as good as easy chairs. It was three years ago that the Houoatonic Rail road Company purchased this pretty plot and converted it to it's present use, since which time it has been constantly improv- ed, and many thousands of people of Fair field and LitchGeld counties have spent some day there fraught with pleasure and enjoyment. From TOGO to 10000 people have picni 3ked there this season. Fully ?, 800 in one party spent the Fourth of July there, and Superintendent Stillsor of the HOusatonic railroad informs us that he has many engagements more for this season. The whole extent of the Parlor Rock territory is six or seven acres. Two or three acres are devoted specially to the picnic grounds. Its prOX- mity to New Haven, being only twenty | six miles distant by rail, makes it q point which will doubtless be the scene Of many | ,icnics from this section. Not a few of )ur citizens are aware of the charming di- 'ersity of scene which prevails on the railroad, especially and more along the upper portion. The Berkshire region in the old Bay tate, which it penetrates, well deserves he name it has been given of '"The Swift erland of America" The landscapes re exceedingly beautiful, and the eye is surprised aud delighted with yer varying romantic and picturesque luse of Bryant ana inspired the p sn of lany writer. The Housatonic is also
 route to Saratoga which Is yearly in re;.sing in popularity. Every 10.10 am. 'ain out of Bridgeport is bearing it's trough passengers to that great water lg place, and under it's able manage lent the profits of the road for the last { inc months have exceeded by s100, 600 le returns of last year. We need only efer to the handsome office accommoda- ons of the company in Bridgeport, men, on of which at scme length was given hen they were occupied. Suffice it to ly that everything is tirst-class. The advantages of ParlorRock were ap- reciated by @ New Haven party yester- ay. The Church of the Messiah, Rev. nd do | isited this lovely spot. A pioneer spied ut the land in advance, Mir. Frederick l.. { onverse, and if he did not bring back ne favorable report that the land flowed 'ith milk and honey like certain persons f old his report of the spot and his in { erview with Superintendent Stillson was Q favorable that 1t was immediately vot- d to visit it. The result verified every and goodly company went, Though the skies persisted in looking lere was no scattering to the pavilion, 'hile the clouds at times seemed half a lind to disperse and let the sun god pour )rth his beams, The half hour ride on l le o'clock express brought the compa- y to the Bridgeport depot, where the ble superintendent of the Housatonic { pad, MT. L. E. Stillson, met them, and 'ithout change of cars they went through } the beautiful grove, arriving at about oon. In the most joyous manner the ay was spent, and surfeited with enjoy lent the party returned to the Elm City, rriying about half-past o'clock. The excursion, it was the verdict of the ntire party, as specially expressed by lev. Mr. Houghton, Mr. Foster, the cor ct manufacturer, MT. Lamb of the Chap l street store, MT. Converse and others, raS one not only of great satisfaction buf