The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-11-18
SO lomOn FoOt-Whiting, itsr Surround
ings-AddisOn County Bar.
EDITOR REGISTER;

EDITOR REGISTER;
-Solomon Foot, once informed the
writer that he fitted for college in
Whiting, studied with DR.. Cyrus Car
penter, and labored alternately OH the
farm for Captain John Branch. Being
under the tuition of such an educator
as DIR. Carpenter, and in the compau-
ionship of Captain Branch, whose in
telligence, strong practical common
sense, sterling integrity and social
qualities rendered his conversation
stimulating, interesting and instruc-
tive, may have been the means of in
culcating in the mind of young Foot,
those qualities which in after life rem
dered him so conspicuous in the coun-
ellis of our nation.
At that time Solomon was fourteen
years of age, large, muscular and cou-
rageous. One morning he took his
stint to NOV an acre of grass in the
forenoon, and he accomplished it.
About that period he took his start,
made up his mind to make his mark in
the world, and he dill it. lie cultivated
the soil and his intellect at the same
time, and set an example for the rising
generation.
On the Branch farm there is one Of
the finest woodlands in the. county.
Some of the sugar naples are nine or
ten feet III circumference, towering
aloft like an oak of thousand years,
overshadowing the lesser trees of the
forest that cluster around them. It
was once the scene of many of the pas
times of Solomon and Dranch's
sons, John, Jr., and Nelson. Whenever
they took an hour for recreation they
rambled, talked and laughed, just as
they studied and worked, with all their
might.
Near the commodious dwelling is a
fine shade tree under whose branches
young Foot and the young Branches
spent many nooningL and pcrused
page after,page in the great book of
nature constantly open before them.
Each was noted for originality Of
thought and expression. Their play
full humor, racy and brilliant wit, elias
ticity of spirits and jovial hits served to
cultivate their social qualities and to
expand their intellectual faculties.
One of these became q distinguished
statesman, another q celebrated sur
geon, the other farmer.
That standpoint commands a sweep
ing view of an extensive landscape,
and the eye wandcrs with untiring de-
light over the richest scenery imagina-
BILE in the valley of Otter Greek. 1t is
dotted with villages, villas, cottages,
farm buildings, orchards, vineyards,
extensive and highly cultivated fields
waving with rich harvest and Under
laid with the finest of marble.
Our railroads, telegraphs and tcle-
phones arc an indication that we live
in an age progression, in an advanc-
ed age OF the nineteenth century, when
the march of mind is onward and up
ward, seeming to verge towards crea-
tive power. Who would have bcicv-
| ed few years since that in go short a
period of time the old iron horse,
The steam engine, would have been
prancing, rafting, hooting and snort
ing through Whiting, Shoreham and
Orwell from Leicester Junction to
Lake Champlain?
1t is a novel, lifc-like scene TO trace
a long train OF cars on the Rutland and
Burlington railroad from Middlebury
to Brandon, occasionally obscured by a
dense forest of evergreen. Viewed at
q distance it resembles some huge
monster of the deep, spouting vollcy
after volley of fire, steam and smoke
ascending to the clouds as it crosses
and recrosses the smooth, tranquil OF
ter Creek, which annually and semi-an-
nually overflows its banks, spreading
far and wide, fertiizing the vast eX-
pansc of alluvial meadows; during sew
eral weeks in the spring forming q
beautiful lake from one-half mile TO
four miles wide and twenty-five miles
long, dotted with islands and over
sh allowed by the lofty pines, majestic
cedars and waving hemlocKs.
Whiting is situated in the midst of
ono of the best farming districts in
Vermont, and is surrounded by OBJ
jects of interest on every side. TO the
west is Lemon Fair, Lake Champlain,
Lake George, Adirondack Mountains,
Mount Independence and Mount Def
ance, that overlooks the fortress at Ii
conderoga and the valley of Lake
Champiain. South are pleasant
groves, terraces of hills and wood
lands, Hutton Pond, Burr Pond, Lake
Bombazine and Hubbarton monument,
where the Green Mountain Boys met
the invading foe and sealed their patri-
otism with their blood. East at dis
tance of ten or twelve miles there is a
noble view of the wild and romantic
scenery clustering around Lake Dun
more, Silver Lake, Ethan Aliens Cave,
and the extensive range of the Green
Mountains whose lofty peaks rise
grand and green to Heaven. North is
Middlebury village, which has many
objects of attraction. The spires of the
various churches glistening in the sun
beams, the college and classic grounds,
tho graded school house and the foam
ing cascade, the Addison House and
public parks, the nice dwellings and
the fine stu i.ion of Governor Stew
art, Chapman Hill and its surround
| ings, are nearly all visible to the eve !:
also the court house at whose bar there
has been concentrated such remarka-
BILE array of legal ability during the
last half century. Where now are the
majority of those distinguished attor-
neys who rendered the Addison county
bar SO renowned2 Those orators,
iurists, public speakers, statesmen and
patriots, who were equally at home, at
the bar, OH the bench, brilliant public
speakers; on the stand or in their
studies welding their pens in moral,
literary, political and in patriotic
point of view. That small implement,
the pen, guided and directed by O
proper and full volume of brains, is q
greater safeguard to our free institu.
tions, more powerful implement in