By this elevation, the water is thrown back more than six miles, forming a beautiful lake of several hundred acres, containing about 100,000,000 gallons for each foot in depth for the surface. The water is drawn into the acqueduct by means of a tunnel cut into the rock, which constitutes the hill on the south side. At distances of one mile, a circular hollow tower is erected over the acqueduct, for the purpose of ventilation, these being composed of white marble, produce a very ■[)retty effect. Every three miles is an apparatus for drawing off the water in case any internal repairs should be necessar)-, &c.*
The whole quantity of land which the Water Commissioners have been compelled to buy on the forty miles of the works, amount to nine hundred acres, and the average price has been nearly five hundred dollars per acre.
The great bend of the Croton, west of Pine's Bridge, was denominated by the aborigines Keti'eg/tti-gnack. Croton lake, bordered by meadows and high hills, presents a lovely and interesting scene to the eye of the beholder. The following lines, suggested by a visit to the lake, are from the Hudson River Chronicle : --
TO CROTON LAKE.
How mildly beams the moou's pale light,
As o'er tliy breast wc gaily glide ; Her silvery lustre chaniis the night,
As swift we float along the tide. Unruffled calm tli_v bosom lies,
Save where the oars the stillnecs break ; Nor do tlie br0c7.cs dare to rise,
To mar thy beauty, Croton Lake.