mural precipices of great extent, and often of sufficient width to be distinguished at twenty miles distance. They appear encircling the mountains like enormous bands, and from their summits, the most grand and enchanting prospects of the great valley of the Hudson, and the distant mountains of Connecticut and Massachusetts, are afforded. Many conical eminences rise above the general range; of these the height near Cairo, and the Round Top, are the most conspicuous; the latter is 3,804 feet high. Several prominent spurs run from the eastern ridge of the Catskill, in a N. W. direction for many miles; these border the elevated ravines and valleys, through which the rivers Kauterskill, Schoharie, and Platterkill flow. The cloven passages of the Kauterskill and Platterkill afford the most sublime and picturesque scenery.

The road, through the Kauterskill clove, ascends gradually near the river, where there appears scarcely space for the road and stream; in many places the traveller looks down from a perpendicular and dizzy height upon foaming waters, that pursue a raging course among the rocks, falling with a deafening noise from precipice to precipice. On the northern side of this river the mountain is lofty and precipitous, exhibiting near its base, stupendous perpendicular walls, of argillaceous red sandstone, and graywacke slate, in strata nearly horizontal; frequently but a small section of the horizon can be seen. Mural precipices rise in succession and tower above the forest; the mountain top which seems to overhang the spectator, is crowned by enormous ledges resembling castles or fortifications in ruins, on which a few scattered pines preserve their bleak station, in defiance of tempests, and wave their dark verdure over the cliffs like nodding plumes. About two miles from the entrance of the clove, the Kauterskill is crossed by a bridge thrown from crag to crag over the brawling stream, here falling in cascades. The mountain seems torn asunder for the passage of the river, bearing high perpendicular walls of rock on its borders; a short distance above, the stream falls in a circular column nearly 100 feet. In the south the mountain rises to a great height; its steep northern side is thickly clothed with trees, and rivulets are seen winding rapidly down the valley or sporting in cataracts.

This mountain region abounds in small streams, which dash down the rocky glens in romantic cascades, sometimes concealed by the forest, and then flashing in the light through the evergreen foliage, leaping from ledge to ledge, till they mingle their waters with the Platterkill. The ascent from the Platterkill to the base of the mountains called Round Top and High Peak, is gradual, through thick groves of maple, beech, cherry and hemlock. The elevated valleys adjacent to these peaks, are covered with forests of lofty spruce and balsam fir, as straight as the white pine, and of a beautiful and unfading verdure; the earth is clothed with a carpet of thick and soft velvet moss, of a delicate light green, ornamented with gay flowers and tufts of white coral-like silvery moss, and mountain sorrel.

From these summits, the traveller at dawn of day, beholds a scene of unrivalled splendor. The sun rises in dazzling brightness over the distant Tagkannuc mountains, but the immense valley of the Hudson is still clad in the shades of night. As the sun advances, objects in the valley are gradually and dimly disclosed. Here and there appear white fogs, resting on the waters: soon these are raised and expanded into clouds by the warmth of the sun, and tinged with gold and purple sail away far below, brushing the mountains with their dewy wings. The eye now wanders over a vast expanse like a world in miniature. The Hudson, many miles distant, appears at the base of the mountain, diminished in appearance to a rivulet. From the Highlands to

* From kloof, Dutch, a cleft.

Albany, every town and village on its banks can be discerned; ships, with all their canvass spread, appear dwindled to boats. The rising sun gleaming over the rivers and on the lakes of mountain and valley, renders them like crimson floods of fire. The mountains of Lake George, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the lofty ranges of Massachusetts and Connecticut are in view, and their blue, cloud-like summits seem mingled with the distant sky. The valley of the Hudson appears an immense plain chequered with groves and corn fields. Sometimes the valley is filled with clouds, resembling a boundless ocean, while the insulated summits are in the sunshine and clear sky. When put in motion by the wind, the clouds of the valley roll like the waves of a tempestuous sea, and storms are often seen sweeping far below, shrouding a part of the landscape in midnight darkness. You hear the thunder roll, and see the lightning play beneath your feet, while the mountain heights around you, are in a calm and cloudless sky.

The Pine Orchard is a spot upon these mountains about 7 miles from the Hudson, where a road winds upward to the height of 2274 feet. At this spot, upon a small plain scattered over with forest trees, stands an elegant hotel,

called the Catskill Mountain House, which is the general resort of visitors in the summer. The prospect from this place embraces some of the grandest views which the mountains exhibit.

3. VALLEYS. The valley of the Hudson is extremely irregular, being in some places 40 miles in breadth, and in others, contracted to the immediate neighborhood of the stream. Along the shores of this river, the land is generally high with few level tracts. The valley of the Mohawk is seldom more than a

mile and a half in breadth, and generally not more than a mile. It is bordered by two long ranges of hills, presenting little variety of aspect. In the first part of of its course, it flows through extensive flats.

4. RIVERS. The Hudson rises in the mountainous region on the W. side of Lake Champlain in several small branches; and pursues a southerly course in general, to the sea at New York. Its whole length is 324 miles; from its mouth to Hudson, 130 miles, it is navigable for the largest ships; and to Troy 166 miles, for sloops. For 25 miles above New York it is a mile wide. Where it breaks through the Highlands, its navigation suffers no impediment except the narrowing of the channel, and here its waters are deeper. The precipitous and broken cliffs which project toward the river, render the scenery extremely grand and romantic. The combined action of the tides, at the mouth of the Hudson, from its two outlets to the sea, carries the swell up the stream, at the rate of 15 or 25 miles an hour. Sturgeon, shad and herring ascend this river in the spring, and are taken in great abundance.

The Mohawk rises near Oneida Lake, and runs southeasterly, 135 miles, and then joins the Hudson, a few miles above Albany. It is about 60 rods in breadth at Schenectady, gradually lessening to 12 or 16 at Utica. Its waters are clear, and the course of the river is diversified with beautiful islands. The intervals on both banks are rich and handsome.

This stream is very unequal, and has many falls and rapids; the whole descent from its source to the Hudson, is estimated at 367 feet. A canal, a mile and a half in length, connects the Mohawk with Wood Creek, running into Oneida Lake, and thence communicating with Lake Ontario.

The Genesee rises in Pennsylvania, and runs N. across the W. part of New York into Lake Ontario; its whole course in this state is about 125 miles. Five miles from its mouth at Rochester, are falls of 96 and 75 feet in descent; above these the stream is navigable for boats nearly 70 miles, when two other falls occur, of 60 and 90 feet, one of which is formed by the slope of land which extends from Lewistown on Niagara river. The harbor on the lake at the mouth of this river is called Port Genesce. Black River, receives its s name from the color of its waters. It rises in the Highlands, N. of

the Mohawk, and its branches interlock with those of the Hudson; it pursues a northerly course of 120 miles, and falls into Lake Ontario, near its outlet. It is a deep but sluggish stream, and the navigation is interrupted by falls; a series of which, called the Long Falls, extend 14 miles. The land upon this stream is generally a rich, dark-colored mould. to atte

The St Lawrence washes a portion of the northern limit of the state. It is wide, and has a swift current, but the navigation is obstructed by rapids.

The Oswegatchie consists of two branches, which unite four miles above their entrance into the St Lawrence. The E. branch is about 120 miles long and the W. nearly 100; they are very crooked streams. The Oswego issues from Oneida Lake, and runs northwesterly into Lake Ontario; it is about 40 miles long and is a rapid stream; its navigation is assisted by locks and canals. The Saranac rises in several large ponds and flows northeasterly 65 miles into Lake Champlain at Plattsburgh; it is not navigable, but is a good mill stream. The Susquehanna rises in this state in a great number of branches that spread from E. to W. over a tract of 160 miles. These numerous streams are collected by two large branches, the Tioga, and the E. Branch, or Susquehanna, which unite shortly after passing out of this state. The E. branch has a course of 140 miles in New York, and affords navigation for many rafts of timber.

5. LAKES. Lakes Ontario and Champlain lie on the borders of this state, but a description of these will be found elsewhere. Lake George, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, lies in the eastern part of this state between Lake Champlain and the Hudson. It is 33 miles long and two broad. Its greatest depth is 60 fathoms. It abounds with fish, such as trout, bass, and perch. The clearness of its waters, and the beautiful scenery around it, have rendered this lake the admiration of every traveller. The following description is from the pen of Dr Dwight.

'Lake George is universally considered as being in itself, and in its environs, the most beautiful object of the same nature in the United States. Several European travellers who have visited it, and who had seen the celebrated waters of Switzerland, have given it the preference. The access from the S. is eminently noble, being formed by two ranges of mountains, which commencing their career several miles S. of Fort George, extend beyond Plattsburgh, and terminate near the N. lines of the state, occupying a distance of about 100 miles. Those on the E. are high, bold, and in various places, naked and hoary. Those on the W. are somewhat inferior, and generally covered with a thick forest to their summits. The road for the three or four last miles passes through a forest, and conceals the lake from the view of the traveller until he arrives at the eminence upon which Fort George was built. Here is opened at once a prospect, the splendor of which is rarely exceeded.

"The whole scenery of the lake is greatly enhanced in beauty and splendor, by the progressive change which the traveller sailing on its bosom perpetu ally finds in his position, and by the unceasing variegations of light and shade which attend his progress; the gradual and the sudden opening of scoops and basins, of islands and points, of promontories and summits; the continual change of their forms, and their equally gradual or sudden disappearance, impart to every object a brilliancy, life and motion scarcely inferior to that which is seen in the images formed by the camera obscura, and in strength and distinctness greatly superior. Light and shade are here not only far more diversified, but are much more obvious, intense and glowing, than in smooth, open countries. Everything whether on the land or water, is here affected by the changes of the day, and the eye, without forecast, finds itself, however disposed on ordinary occasions to inattention, instinctively

engaged and fastened, with emotions approaching to rapture. The shadows of the mountains, particularly on the W. floating slowly over the bosom of the lake, and softly ascending that of the mountains on the E., presented to us in a wide expanse the uncommon and most pleasing image of one vast range of mountains, slowly moving up the ascent of another.

The water is probably not surpassed in beauty by any in the world; pure, sweet, pellucid, of an elegant hue when immediately under the eye, and at very small, as well as at greater distances, presenting a gay, luminous azure, and appearing as if a soft lustre undulated everywhere on its surface, with a continual and brilliant emanation. This fine object however is visible only at certain times and perhaps in particular positions. While employed on its shores, or in sailing upon its bosom, the traveller is insensibly led into one habitual and irresistible consciousness of singular salubrity, sweetness and elegance. During the mild season, he finds an additional pleasure. The warmth of the water on the surface diffuses a soft and pleasing temperature, cooler in the day, and warmer in the evening, than that of the shore, and securing the traveller alike from inconvenience and disease. The islands are interesting, on account of their number, location, size and figure; their number is very great, fancifully computed at 365. Few pieces of water, and none within my knowledge, are so amply furnished. Their location is exquisite; they are solitary, in pairs, and in groups, containing from three to perhaps 30, arranged with respect to each other, and the neighboring shores, with unceasing variety, and with the happiest conceivable relations.

'Both the size and the figure of these islands are varied in the same delightful manner. The size changes from a few feet, to a mile and a half in length: the figure of most of them is oblong: a small number are round; but the variety of their appearance is peculiarly derived from their surface; a small number of them are naked rocks, and by the power of contrast, are very interesting features in the aspect of the group. Some are partially, and most are completely covered with vegetation; some are bushy, others are ornamented with a single tree, with two, three, or many trees, and those with or without the bushy attendants: others, forming the greater number, exhibit an entire forest. Some of them, of a long and narrow structure, present through various openings in their umbrage, the sky, the mountains, the points, and other distant beautiful objects, clinging to the eye as the traveller approaches and passes them. On some stand coppices impenetrably interwoven; on a great multitude, the lofty pine with its separate boughs lifts its head above every other tree, waving majestically in the sky; on others the beech, maple and oak, with their clustering branches and lively verdure, present the strongest example of thrifty vegetation; at the same time, on a number not small, decayed, bare and falling trees are finely contrasted with this vivid appear

ance.

"The shores of the lake exhibit a similar and scarcely less striking aspect. On one part of the lake you are presented with a beach of light colored sand, forming a long extended border, and showing the purity of its waters in the strongest light on another you see a thick, dark forest, rising immediately from the rocky shore, overhanging and obscuring the water with its gloomy umbrage; here the shore is scooped by a circular sweep; the next bend is perhaps elliptical, and the third a mere indent: the points, also, are alternately circular, obtuse, and acute angles; not a small number of them are long narrow slips, resembling many of the islands, shooting either horizontally, or with an easy declension far into the lake, and covered, as arc all the others, with a fine variety of forest. In many places, a smooth, sloping margin, for the distance of one, two, or three miles, presents a cheerful border, as the seat of present or future cultivation in many others, mountain