Western Skies; A Narrative of American Travel in 1868

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1870. Excerpt: ... THE ADIEONDACS. All friends round the Wrekin. COHERE is no finer scenery in America than in the DEGREES wild regions of the Adirondacs. Here the Saranac lakes twist and twine into each other like an intricate sampler of lacework, embroidering the forest-covered plain with a chasing of silver waters. Here the Raqnette gathers up the tiny springs, which it afterwards pours down in floods to the St. Lawrence, and here too is the birth-place of the lordly Hudson. This forest-land, these wild glens and lakes were once the hunting-grounds of Mohawks and Iroqnois, of whom now scarcely a trace remains, and hardly a dim tradition is preserved. He who would see these wilds, must gird up his loins for wilderness travel, and even in these days he will have to resign all luxuries for awhile. It was at Plattsburg that I first looked upon the noble lake to which the old French governor M. de Champlain gave his name. In 1814, at this point, a battle was fought between Americans and English, in which the latter were defeated. This very year, in opening up ground for a n-w line of rail, there was brought to light that, which is the saddest memoir of warfare, the graves of brave slain soldiers. The United States' soldiers from the fort, down, and to the strains of solemn music, with military honours, the bodies were re-interred, friend and foe in a common grave together. Embarking on the lake, we find a strong wind blowing, which causes the pale green waters to frisk and rage in snowy crests of foam. Then the wind dies away, --the sun shines out brightly, -- and it is so hot that we are glad to take shelter under the deck-awnings. Champlain is beautiful beyond any description that words of mine can give. Along the Vermont side, stretch the knolls and slopes of the Green Mountains. Along the New York side.