The Evening critic., 1882-08-09
Letter From watkins, Glen.
GLEN MOUNTAIN House,
WATKINs' GLEN. Aup. z.

WATKINS GLEN, Aug. z.
Special Correspondence OF TIE EVENING Critic
Before leaving Washington week ago to-
day promised would write about our trip;
but, good gracious, whore shall begin or how
shall give an idea Of all we have seon and on
Joyed2 am sure / shall lamontably fail In
this, my first attempt, at letter-writing; but
anything rather than dlsplease tho big mon In
the oflco who are so good natured when in good
humor. only lust think of us rising before
day last Monday-before the chickens for once
guess-and after getting through with our
got to tho baltimore ( Potomac depot a little
after six, and started soon after to Baltimore,
After We, got through that long and smoky
tunnel there, we turned north ut Union Do
pot there soon after o'clock.
What beautiful and splendid trip we had
all the way on the Northern Central Railway
for nearly threo hundred miles. But we felt
so dusty and tired after some time that 1t was
strain on our system TO keep our eyes awake.
And perhaps we could not have done 30 very
we'll but for tho cutting up of the party, for we
are all young and lively, and then tho scenery
got so enchanting, too. Our car, too, was quite
crowded with young. ladies and gentlemen
and few pious preachers that got OFF tho cars
at place called Summit Grove, where n camp.
meeting was going on. These godly men had
been spending Sunday with their flocks In
Baltimore and returned on our train. We had
n Jolly time after they left and before 1t also,
for they felt as full OF fun as any others. Tho
crowd that stared Mt us at that place quite
u1nubcu us, anu WO looked us DlOus us many OF
them did. Our train ran rapidly till we got to
Harrisburg, on tho opposite side OF the Sus.
quehannn. A long, old wooden bridge, possi-
bly, OF Colonial days, crossed 1t, and wo landed
In the capital OF the great Keystone State, but
the city Itself ID not great, nor is II half as
large as Philadelphia. But what It lacked in
interest to us was moro than made up by the
grandest scenery We had met with yet. Noun.
tains rose high, and tho scenery north was
real nice and grand.
Our denr iron horse kept to Its task till wo
got 10 Williamsport, city that lives, we were
told, on tho fruits Of the forestand is the great
est place for lumber In Pennsylvania. There
We had late and hurried dinner which We
could not enjoy owing TO the crowd, and the
fear that tho cars might leave us behind.
Just think Of the idea OF travelling over 200
miles since we went through the form of eat
Ing breakfast, with dear mamma pressing on
brother and myself to eat more rs the journey
was long,and to carry more lunch. After leaving
Wflllamsport We passed through tho widest
and most picturesque scenery have ever wit
messed. What high mountains with tall trees
growing on theml What wild and wonderful
lovely
Just before sunset we got to Elmira, flne
city, We were told, but we passed through the
worst part OF II, and In little over an hour,
after running side by side with the romans OF
an old canal with about thirty locks (tho locks
being open now, and going down steep grade,
we reached the bank OF Seneca Lake, and saw q
steamer land with crowd from Geneva-
forty miles on. This Is the City OF Watkins,
and the Glen is mile from the depot. Brother
place. We gave him the distinguished title OF
Ferguson, for some OF us had been reading
"Nark Twains Travels in Europe" only
for Sam we would have been carried or, l
guess, as there was such a number OF mon
crying out places to stay in.
Won'tyou pity four OF us foolish giddy girls,
when tell you how tired and dusty and hun.
cry We were, as we reached our hotel. The
trimming OF our toilet was practically dispen.
sed with till after supper, for 1t was inter s
and guests 80 cultured and select, and music
aud mirth SO fine, and our host so remarkably
genial and entertaining, yet we were not
In the mood OF mirth-wo exhausted all that
on the way-and having slept so little the night
before, We soon sought for natures kind re-
storer.
We have since recovered, but have often got
tired again, In the most wild adventures OF
our life. oh, what can say Of Watkins Gleni
Why, 1t is perfectly charming; 1t is awfully
grand. Just think Of most awful gorge or
gulf, distance OF threo miles, with path
way along tho bottom Of 1t, and there you
seem shut up from the world as you cross
tho most awful gorges. with the music OF the
running brook oil the time. Every spot OF
this wild and most bewitehing peak OF nature
shows diversity. No two places look alike.
There Is n grandeur and sublimity that I'm.
presses one after two hours pilgrimage of won.
derful explorations that only gives desire to
travel 1t again. And then what beautiful
names the places are called by. Brother Sam
gays he must have been Greek and Latin
scholar who invented such euphonious titles.
here who may see this letter, fear they might
charge mewith plagiarism should Iquote these
names from my guide-book. ., what males
tic sight Is Entrance Cascade, and then the
Glen OF tho Pools and Cavern Cascade and the
| Grotto; but the grandest of all sights is Rain
bow Falls. Why, It is lovely, and one mover
tires looking at 1t, or the great painting OF II
in Captain Hopes art gallery. The Captain is
very popular; he Is from New York city and an
| elder in DR.. Waldos church, whore we at
| tended service yesterday. Tho largest and
| finest painting ever saw is here; 1t repre-
| sents the Army of the Potomac landing AT
| Pamunkey, near West Point, at Cumberland
Landing. The Cathedral is another lofty
| sight In tho glen, and the organ 10 in good
tune.
But am tired, and we are preparing to go &c
| Geneva, on the Seneca Lake, tomorrow, and,
what Is worse, tho boat leaves carly. o dc
| hate those early boats and trains; one feels SC
tired and sleepy tho rest of the day. We are
going from Geneva to Clifton Springs, grea
sanitarium, where fashionable sick people
stay for pleasure. Whether sick or WELL
| hear we Will have to pay 80 per day there
and live on sick peoples food. The manager
| OF Watkins Glen, nay he owns II and the
Grand Hotel we are staying at is Mr.
| Amos j. Kitchener. He is most refined
| and genial man, and meets us always with a
| smile and graceful manner. We think he II
| Just splcndid-but he Is married. Tho hote
| is in most lovely and bewitching spot, SOC
| feet above the city OF Watkins, and Is tho only
| hotel connected with the Glen. While Its forms
are reasonable 1t is one OF the best we coutd
desire, and besides, here we have specia
| privileges, and only the best classes stay here
| 1t is one Of tho best kept hotels ever was at
| Brother Sam says II is equal to Riggs, and ht
| knows for he has been here once before and 81
| has Miss Jennie. l will write again.