Connecticut western news., 1886-06-23
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1886.
4 DAY IN NORFOLK.

OuI Culcl OUJeCt DeluS d udI LII ulNelSIOu in that village. With high mountains and hills on every hand and with now and then a glimpse of the Blackberry river, ancient and modern farm houses, highly fertihzed tobacco fields, green meadows, eand banks, and rocky cliffs, the scenery was all that lover of nature could desire. We passed Barnum's furnaces, and the Big Fill' of the railroad, said to be 60 feet high, and then around the great OK horn we sped towards our destination. From this point looking northwest glance from the car windows disclosed magnificent view of the Berkshire hills, or more strictly speaking of Mount Washington, with it's great dome of Mount Everett, partially vailed in mist Up the valley to the east lay ''Stony Lonesome" in all its solitude and grandeur, view worthy of a painters brush. And now for the first time we see Haystack mountain, to the summit of which Hon Robbins Battel has caused an excellent road to be constructed. On top of this conical shaped mountain Q temporary tower will be erected, which will be replaced next year by permanent tower of stone. We did not ascend this mountain. It is said the magnificent outlook is the best in town, embracing, the hills towards the Connecticut river, extending fifteen miles east of Hartford to the Bolton range, including Talcott, Ivy and Mo hawk mountains toward the south, sev- eral valleys leading to Canaan and else where, Bear mountain in Salisbury, the highest land in Connecticut, while on the north the view extends through nearly all Berkshire, the northern-most point being the top of Greylock.
 Arriving at Norfolk we were introduc- cd, and received 8 hearty welcome from several citizens who happened to be at the station. The pride of this beautiful village is the park, with its soldiers monument, gravel walks, maple, hem lock and other species of trees, under whose branches seats have been con- structed, at various distances.
 Norfolk which began to be settled in the year 1754 was incorporated in 175S. December A, 176O, the Congregational church was organized. The first pastor was Ammi R. Robbins, a native of Bran ford, who was settled as pastor October 23, 1761, ,and continued in office until his death October 31, 1913, aged "A years. His grandson, Robbins Battell, one oi the chief men of the town, Is Q gentle man of wealth and culture and the pos ssssor of farm, with fine residence around which are flower and vegetable gardens, green and hot houses. Thougl doing business in New York city, MI Batten here maintains pleasant home as a permanent residence. Here he ha: large library with a gallery of choice paintings, chiefly by American artists Carl Stoeckel, in the employ of M Battell, was all attention, and with hearty welcome took us to the gallery explaining the merits of the variou pictures and giving the name of tn artist. He also showed us some Tar books. Among the paintings we no ticed especially new and almost Tiff size portrait of Rev Ammi R. Robbin and wife, recently copied from the orig inal painting which hangs in the hall c MT Battell's house. The great paintin of John Brown kissing a negro chil while descending the steps of the jai while on his way to the gallows, attract the especial attention of all observin visitors.
 The mantle piece in the library is ( exquisite workmanship and on 1t wer rare curiosities among them being
 small bowl once owned by Geore Washington. We were taken to othe and more private rooms where we sa' the fine collection of portraits of th Batten family, some from childhood t mature age.
 From the tower in the garden, at
 heightof 60 feet, charming view of tn country for miles around is obtained Mount Washington in Berkshire; Bea mountain the highest land in Connect cut, on which Mir Batten has a tower be seen from all the surrounding couI : try; the Haystack and other mountain whose names we have forgotten. Wit . team MT Stoeckel took us to tn farm barns, where William Mccormick the old hostler, showed us the celebri ted imported Orloff horse '.SoboP' an several other fine animals. The Ian around the barn was granted to Paste Robbins in 1761 and is the only lev' tract in Norfolk village. On this Ian is situated the Robbins school, whel young people are fitted for colleg' Mr Stoeckel took us through the plea ant village streets to the Hotel Hil hurst, where we were his guests at dil
 ner.
 After dinner MT W. s. Baker, tl
 proprietor, showed us almost all tt rooms in the house, which has recent been repaired, reftted and refurnishe in first class manner. With courS 5 nt dinner and at other meals comprisin the best of cookery and all the delic' cies of the season, with pure water col enough without ice, with pure, bracln hpeaxes from the hills of Berkshire an Iitchheld, and with all the surround fnan cosy and pleasant, the Hotel Hil