Catoctin clarion., 1917-08-30

that stretches from Vermont
across Massachusetts into Connecticut,
long famous for their historical and
literary associations what a wealth of
pleasurable emotions Is called up by
the very name.
The Berkshires! The name stands
for scenic beauties to be found no
where else; life-giving breezes; strolls
to the homes of famous authors and
other historical figures; vast estates Of
multimllliOnaireS; scenes Of battle
with Indians; and, withal, glimpses
of many vast industrial plants, says
the Boston Herald.
1t means, too, that the person who
is familiar with books may conjure
up Longfellow's "The Old Clock on
the Stairs" or Beechers "Star Pa
pers," or Holmes elsie Venner," or
the kindly faces of James Russell Low
ell Doctor Claiming, Herman Mel
vile, and many other literary men,
who spent their summers among these
hills and wrote many Of their most
famous books In this enchanted re.
gion.
Berkshire is the most western coun-
ty in Massachusetts. 1t touches three
states; Vermont on the north, New
York on the west and Connecticut on
the south. 1t is SO miles long and con-
tains an area of about $50 square
miles. The scenic delights of the
Berkshires, however, do not stop at
the state boundary lines. They extend
to the Hudson river valley in the EN-
pire state, to the Green mountains of
Vermont and the charming rolling
country of western Connecticut.
In the early days this entire re-
gion was the scene of struggles with
the Indians; it did its full part in the
war of the American revolution, and
1t Is today country of beautiful
homes, and noted for its remarkable
manufacturing development.
Perfect Motor Roads.
1t Is covered with network OF
perfect automobiling roads, so built
that their grades are not difficult In
traversing the most mountainous sec
tions. Jacobs ladder and the we'll
known Mohawk trail are the scenic
route for the tourist by motor; there
are trolley lines throughout the en-
tire region, and by-paths and trails
for the pedestrian or the horseman
all of which offer q great variety OF
pleasures.
Pittsfield and North Adams are cen
ters from which to start if it Is the In
tcntion to make II tour of the Berk
shlres, although one may leave from
almost any point and find no difficulty
in reaching destination. There IL
one trolley line, beginning at Canaan
Conn.,, that traverses the entire region
passing through twenty cities and
towns in four different states.
The tour from Pittstield to Great
harrington, or further on to Canaan
IL delightful. In Pittsheld one may
see the site of the meeting house ovel
which "Fighting Parson Allen" pre-
sided when he led the men of Berk
shire to the battle Of Bennington. II
was In Pittsfield that the first agricul
tural fair in America was held; anC
here General Lafayette was royalty
entertained on his farewell visit tt
America. In Pittsfield, too, Is the
house known to every reader Of Long
fellow, that of his father-in-law, II
which stood "The old clock on the
stairs"
On the road to Lenox Is the house
occupied by Oliver Wendell Holmes
with its famous Holmes pine" un
der which the poet often wrote. A
little further on Is "Arrowhead,' the
home of the late Herman Melville
where the Indians used to rendezvous
Near here are the Canoe meadows Oh
the Housatonic, where the Indians
moored their canoes when visiting the
burial places of their ancestors.
On every hand are the beautiful
summer estates of those who have
inherited or acquired great riches.
Up and Over Jacobs Ladder.
Lee presents many points of inter
est. Here Is the mill in which was
made the first wood pulp paper evel
used in America; here Is the marble
quarry, now abandoned, from which
was taken the stone used In the erec
! ton of the two wings of the nationa
capitol at Washington. From othel
quarrles here were taken 25O,O0O head
stones purchased by the government
to mark the graves of its soldier dead
Lee was the scene of one Of the mum
erous skirmishes of Shay's rebellion
and is very attractive village.
From Lee the motorist may entel
the popular Jacobs Ladder route tt
Springfield and the East, route tha
---s.-- as------