The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-08-02
"oNLY ONE cHAMPLAlN"
Adirondack Murray's Famous Trib
ute to the Historic Lake

Ute 10 tne flStoTlc Lake
The name of one of the greatest "a
mirers of Lake Champlain and its sur
roundings seems to have been entirely
forgotten, even in the Queen City
where he resided for some years. The
late w H. H. Murray. better known
as Adirondack" Murray, was genu.
inely enthusiastic in the praise OF
Lake Champlain and its scores.
Murray endeavored as best he
could to bring its possibilities before
the whole American people. He hop
ed at one time to do for the Cham
plain valley what he had already ac-
complished for the Adirondack reg
ion. He wrote as charmingly of Lake
Champlain as he had formerly done
of the mountains that slope to its ives
tern shore.
In season and out OF season Murray
talked as eloquently OF the beauties
and possibilities of Champlain valley
as he ever did of the Adirondack re-
gions. Influential men at home and
tory and there were none so great or
so busy with their own personal af
fairs that he could not charm with It
They simply listened, however but
did not act, for Murray, as a man nad
through a great morl defect in his
makeup, largely lost the confidence OF
his fellowmen
In 1890 Murray published a book en-
titled Lake Champlain and Its
Shores" The little volume was ded.
icated to the late Hon. ]. Gregory
Smith of st. Adams. In the introduce
tory Murray said:
81 desire to commend this lake to
the favor of the American people, not
only because of its historic connec-
lions but because while it stands at
present comparatively unoccupied ii
nevertheless supplies to them, for the
purpose of recreation, one of the most
desirable pleasure resorts of the coun-
try. Having seen most of the locali-
ties of the continent noted for their
beauty. ! can but declare that | know
no other spot which for loneliness of
appearance. majesty of scenery and
varied resources of entertainment can
compare with Lake Champlain. Nat
ure has signaliZed and history mas
emphasized ii with such charms and
attractions that il challenges the at
tention and invites the presence of
all who love the one or are impressed
with the other. AS among waterfalls
there is but one Niagara in the coun-
try, so among lakes there is but one
Champlain."
The opening chapter of the volume
takes up outdoor life and has all the
charming characteristics of Murray's
Adirondack writings. The book treats
of the traditional and historical period
OF Lake Cnamplain telling the story
briefly but impressively of the discov-
cry of the lake by Champaign, of bat
ties waged upon its waters and shores
historical "reminiscences, etc, all in
that style of diction that made Muir
rays writings so exceedingly popular.
There were also chapters on yachting,
fishing and other sports on Lake
Champlain.
The News is inclined to believe that
the volume republuisned today would
be of distinct value and more success
full than at the time Il was produced.
Lake Champlain has grown in pub
lie interest in the past two decades
and the recent tercentenary celebra-
tion will certainly bring it more near
" into the prominence desired for it
by the noted ex-clergyman and auth
or. The dream of Adirondack" Muir
ray is surely developing into an actu-
ality.
The increased interest in the Cham
plain valley as a summer resort will
also insure to the advantage of other
parts of the state that make an effort
for city visitors Just as the White
Mountains development has brought
attention to other parts of New Hamp-
shire.-Northfleld News.