Connecticut western news., 1882-09-13
Saratoga Letter.

to write preface to thelr puDncatonS, acknowledging their errors and asking sympathy etc. ,and the reader will please accept the above in the same light.
 It would be well to digress from the subject of this letter to mention the ad- vantages of the several routes by which residents of Litchfeld County can reach this famed resort.
 The Housatonic route is preferred by many, as it possesses the advantage of 8 superor road bed, both in its own and connecting roads, making travelling comparatively pleasure; the beauties of the Berkshire Hills," the ''Switzer- land of America" through which the road winds it's way, are also an induce ment for many to take this route. Both this and the Boston and Albany railroads pass through rich and well titled farm ing lands.
 The other route to which have refer ence is via the Hartford X Connecticut Western and the Rhinebeck railroads,
 
 route although not possessing as solid and compact road bed, passes through rich farming country, although thinly populated, and the scenery is as delight full as can be desired.
 The ride up the Hudson river is prob ably familiar to all, it certainly is very pleasant. New scenes are continually brought to the eyes and journey of few hours, which seems scarcely an instant, brings us to our destination.
 Saratoga has long been famous for it's medicinal springs. AS early as 1767 it was visited by white men, although at that time, the only spring known was the High Rock. It was twenty years later before the first log cabin was built, since then it has gradually grown to the proportion of city, and to-day is the most fashionable summer resort known.
 Probably the springs-most patronized by the majority of visitors are the Con- gress and Columbian. They are central | able, not possessing the intense alkaline qualities of the Geyser, nor the sulphur, ous taste of the White Sulphur. Speak ing of the Geyser, it is well worth visit. ing, simply as acuriosity if nothing else. The name is description of it's self, the force of the gas generated in the spring being sufficient to throw the water some thirty feet high. This spring is not 6 natural formation, but was found by drilling several hundred feet in the earth and partly through solid rock.
 The White Sulphur spring spoken ot is situated ten miles from the village, al the southern extremity of Saratoga Lake. The fact that it is the landing place oi the steamer 'cLady of the Lake, " which runs in connection with the Saratogs Lake Railway, causes large number o1 visitors daily. It is intensely sulphurous both in taste and odor, and is advertised to possess considerable qualities as a blood purifier.
 The High Rock is the oldest known medicinal spring on the continent. Long before civilization had made it's way into this country, it was known to the Indi- ans in this vicinity for it's healing prop, critics. The water bubbles forth from 8 conical shaped rock about feet high, from which 1t takes it's name This rock is supposed to have been gradually formed by the mineral substances as tuey pass off in the water from the over- flowing spring
 The Vichy spring is well patronized. Its waters bear slight resemblance to the famous Vichy springs of Germany, hence it's name.
 Besides those named, there are nu- merous other springs which have more or less patronage, according to the whims of the visitors which let me in from you are by no means uniform.
 The pleasure attractions of this resort are numerous and varied. Music seems to form principle portion of the daily entertainments. All the leading hotels have orchestras, numbering from five to twenty pieces, who play daily at stated hours, besides furnishing music for Ger mains, Garden Parties, etc.
 i Some of the best orchestra directors in the country are to be found here. Bernstein of New York at Congress hall; Stub of Boston at the United States; Franko of New York at the Clarendon, and others.
 Doring's Military Band of Troy has given concerts daily during the season at Congress Park, and has been source of much enjoyment to lovers of music. This park is probably not excelled in beauty by any of its size in the United States. Beautiful statuary, delightful walks, fountains, and the arts of the landscape gardener, all combined to form it's attractions. Besides the above features, it contains trout pond and deer lodge. The admission is ten cents and it is daily the resort of those desir- ing to spend cool quiet hour. In the evening the park is lighted by electricity.
 The parks attached to the hotels, nota- bly, the Grand Union and United States, although much smaller are very attrac- tive, but are not open to the public at large.
 I noticed the other evening, the most beautiful effect immaginable, produced by throwing an electric light by 8 pow erful reflector through colored glasses