"We reached the first summit, after a fatiguing ascent of a mile and a half. It was not the highest, yet we had a very extensive prospect of the country around, except on the east, which was hidden by the higher points of the mountain. At last the greatest altitude was reached, after making our way another mile over rocky ledges, and through gorges filled with shrub-oaks, and other bushes. There a glorious picture filled us with exquisite pleasure. We felt amply I'ewarded for all our toil. The sky was cloudless, and the atmosphere perfectly clear. The scenery, in some features, was similar to, but in all others totally unlike, that of the Adirondack region. Looking northward, the river was seen in its slightly winding course to Crom Elbow, twenty-six miles distant, with

THE HUDSON.

the intermediate villages along its banks. On each side of the river, and sloping back to high ranges of hills (the shores of the ancient lake already alluded to), was spread out one of the most fertile and wealthy regions on the continent.

Our view included portions of seven counties in the State of ^cw York, and of three in Connecticut, "with numerous little inland villages. In the extreme north-west were the Katzbergs, and, in the north-east, the

nORTheex view feom the storm king.

Taghkanick range, with the hills of western Massachusetts and Connecticut. Almost at our feet lay Cornwall, and a little beyond were New Windsor and Canterbury, and the whole country back of Newburgh, made memorable by events of the war for independence. Before us lay the old camp-grounds of the Continental Army, the spot where the patriotism of the officers was tried to the utmost in the spring of 1783, as already explained ; the quarters occupied by Washington at New "Windsor