The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-07-06

TwENTy-FIFTH ANNUAL REUNION OF
THE New JERSEY EDIToRIAL ASSOCIATION.
AT 10 A. NJ, Tuesday June rs, found
myself face TO face with many pleasant, un-
familiar countenances, numbering in all 300,
all comfortably quartered on the handsome
doubledeclxed steamer, City Of Catskill, :"
anchored at Pier No.s84, North River, N. Y,
owned by George Harding, who Is also owner
of the famous hotel which we are about to
visit. A few minutes later. our journey COM
mences, aud almost before we are aware Of it
we have passed the wharyes in which lie the
great ocean steamboats,, and have left the
crowded ferry boats, as,well as the ungracefnl
fiat boats with their escorts, Tho noisy little
tugs-far behind. Hardly is the uproar and
the busy hustle Of the city lost in the distance,
than before us our passengers behold from
our magnificent steamer the beauties of our
American Rhine, river of romance ever since
the time when Hendrick Hudson first sailed
along the banks of which are seen numerous
handsome vllas-surely an evidence of great
modern wealth. About II miles up we ap-
proach large and thriving village called
Yonkers, where many wealthy New Workers
have located since the increased railway ia
cilities.
Four miles further up and we are opposite
the most picturesque portion of the Palisades
The highest point is almost opposite Sing
Sing, and rises nearly ZOO feet above tide wa
ter. Sing Sing is built upon slope of hills
about 200 feet above the Hudson and over
looks Tappan Bay, rather sudden widening
of the river, which, IL is said, the early Dutch
settlers called sea. In the upper portion of
Sing Sing there is ravine retaining much Of
the wild and picturesque scenery that must
have been in this section of country before
the advent of civilization. Over it flows the
York with water.
To describe the numerous points of interest
in detail along the Hudson would, fear, re-
quire more time and space than allowable.
The entrance TO the Highlands, Peekskill,
Antbony's Nose, WestfPoint and many other
places were alike remarkable for their natural
beauty. The natural scenery in the vicinity
of Newburg was considered the grandest on
the river. Before the town is the lofty range
of the Fishkil Mountains, Oh which it is said
signal fires were kept burning during the
Revolution. Poughkeepse is here, and is
said TO be one Of the most beautiful and
thriving cities in the State, situated on the
eastern bank of the Hudson River, on a beau
tifnl high, level plateau overlooking the sur-
rounding country along the river from the
Catskills to the Highlands.
Mt this point our merry party was honored
with quite an ovation, consisting of salutes
from a cannon, blowing of whistles and the
waving of handkerchiefs. Adriance & Platt,
manufacturers Of the Buckeye Mowers and
Reapers, had command of the eannonading
at Maiden Landing at P. NJ. Here we were
again greeted with the firing of cannon, good
music by brass band and crowds of the in-
habitants had gathered for the purpose of
seeing and hearing, as well as giving the Jer-
sey Editors hearty welcome. There were
in waiting some go coaches for our transport
atian over and across the mountainous hooks
aud crooks, a distance of fifteen miles. At
every turn the road leading to the mountains
skirts the margin of clear stream that is
heard oftener than it is seen. The mountains
rise up abruptly from the plain, casting their
shadows below. The road is very winding
and in its ascent along the side of magnii
cent gorge, it is so enclosed by the towering
hills on one side and lofty trees that shoot Oh
the other, little can be seen beyond few rods
except the sky above, or glmpses Of some
distant summit until pleasant nook in the
mountain is reached. Through the thick
foliage glimpses Inay'b caughtof the country
below that charmrthe eye, excite the fancy
and the imag nation.
Irying's descriptions and his version of the
legend Of Rip Van Winkle, have made the
Catskills famous. The cabin which is said to
have been occupied by the somnolent "Trip"
is still standing. Over four hours were con-
sumed in reaching the summit. Arriving at
the g Hotel Kaaterskill,n which is, or will be
when completed, the largest mountain house
III America, Mr.. George Harding. the owner
of the hotel, made us welcome, whose COM
pauy We enjoyed frem our starting point, Pier
No. 81. The hotel is situated about 5000 #.
above tide water, but is considerable dis
lance below some of the higher SUBMITS. 1t
is said four states and upwards of 10000
square miles of territory may be seen from its
piazza. Sunrise at this place is grand to be-
hold. The great luminary rising from behind
the peaks of the White Mountains, hundreds
of miles away, is beyond description.
Wednesday our party scattered and travers-
ed in many directions, seeking places of inter-
est and pleasure-The Kaaterskill Falls and
Haines' Falls, the surplus water over which is
held back by artificial dams, in readiness for
a display to visitors. On entering the gate
leading to the cascade, usually fee of % cts.
is charged The water leaps and dashes
through the gorge nearly 500 it,, the distance
being less than one fourth of mile. AT the
main fall broad sheet of water descends $50
#. The Spray Falls has a descent of 100 it,
Passing down short distance we now are in