Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-09-17
FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
From our Regular Correspondents
WASHINGTON LFTTE p

Washington, d. c., Sept. 10, 81
From Watkins Glen, described in
my letter of last week, your correspond
eut took the famous Lehigh Valley |
route to Nv York, and it is certainly |
one of the most picturesque and at
tractiye railway journeys to be enjoyed
in this country. Soon after leaving
Elmi.a the beautiful Susquehanna
River is reached, and for consldera-
Bile distance the route is along its banks
through as fine country as the sun
shines upon. But it is after passing
Pittston and Wilkesbarrc, and climb
Ing the mountain beyond that the real
exciting interest of the route COM
mences. The view of Wyoming Val
lev from the summit Of Wilkcsbarre
mountain is equallcd by few landscapes
to be seen anywhere. Near this. point
a new summer hotel has been erected,
making it very attractive resort for
families from New York and phlIadel-
phia as well as from the towns nearer
by. 1t is called the Glen Summit
House. aud has accommodations for
about five hundred guests.
From this point we go down the
other side of the mountain into the Le-
high Valley, more truly picturesque
than any other | know Of and more
nearly resembling a ride through the
canons of the Rocky Mountains. Be-
fore reaching the New Jersey line the
route passes through the thriving towns
of Mauch Chunk, Bethlehem, Easton,
Phillipsburg, Allentown and Others
TO see Mauch Chunk and the famous
switch back railroad was one Of the i'll
ducements to me take this trip, and my
eager curiosity was in no wise dlsap-
pointed. Mauch Chunk is prosper
Gus town of about 5000 inhabitants,
and is probably as much visited during
the summer season as any other resort
Niagara Falls and Watkins not except
ed. 1t is most peculiarly situated, and
appears to have slid down from some
place above until it couldn't slide any
farther and then stopped to take rest
on the right bank of the Lehigh River,
The place is termed the 'Switzerland
of America" not without good reason.
Appleton's picturesque America
SAYS Mauch Chunk is doubtless the
most truly picturesque town IN the
Union. but | think it is about tie be-
tween it and Central City, Colorado
though the surroundings Of the latter
present more barren aspect.
The great attraction at Maucl
Chunk is the wonderful switch bacl
railroad. 1t is doubtful if such an cX
citing ride can be enjoyed anywhere
else in the world. The cars used ar
the ordinary open observation cars
and the motive power is for the mos
part gravity. AT the start when tn
word $50 ahead" is given the brake
are let off and the car runs a few hun
dred yards down grade to the foot
Mount Pisgah. Here the cable is at
tached and the car with its load of hu
man freight is pulled quickly up an il
cined plane at an angle of about forty
five degrees. Were the machinery t
break, one feels that his life woul
hardly be worth looking after, and i
this way the ride is mighty ''exhilerat
ing" But great as the danger of TIL
part of it at first appears, it is nothin
compared to the greater danger of til
ride which follows down steep grad
and around sharp curves over roug
track and at speed which makes one
hair stand on end. There is no engin
and no power of any kind attached
nothing but the brakes, and these wer
apparently, not made to use, for IL
car is allowed to run mad, increasir
its velocity every rod. After a run
eight miles, in which the breath h;
been taken from every passenger
board, there is another ascent of an i
clined plane to the summit 81 Mou
Jefferson by means of the stationel
engine and cable, as before. Then a
ter a halt of twenty-five minutes at Il
"Summit Hill" station, the return
made down around the side Of Il
mountain nine miles to the place
starting. After one has passed safe
over this road he can better enjoy
excitement in retrospect, but while
transit the excitement is almost too /
tense for most people. And after
it is a question whether it is not hyil
in the face of danger topay 81 for SUI
ride.