A visit to the Catskills - 1822

Editor's note: The following article is from the Commercial Advertiser, November 15, 1822. Thank you to Contributing Scholar George A. Thompson for finding, cataloging and transcribing this article. The language, spelling and grammar of the article reflects the time period when it was written.

A View of the Two Lakes and Mountain House. By Thomas Cole - Google Arts & Culture — EwEdL_BjaJ-KYg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21372607

FOR THE COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER.  The Catskill Mountains.
               
On the 18th of September, 1822, a large party of ladies and gentlemen visited the Pine Orchard, situated on one of the lofty summits of the Catskill mountains, and about twelve miles from the village of Catskill.
               
The road from Catskill to the base of the mountain, is tolerably good; and although it is over some considerable hills, the traveller feels little inconvenience, until he arrives at Lawrence's Tavern, near the foot of one of the cluster of mountains, and about seven miles from Catskill.
               
At this house, a large portion of the party halted, and partook of refreshments, and some proceeded up the mountain.  Immediately on leaving Lawrence's, the ascent becomes considerable, and often times difficult, passing over many rugged cliffs which continued almost without interruption, until we arrived at the Pine Orchard, which is distant about five miles.  As we approached the Pine Orchard, the views from the various openings of the woods near the road, become extremely interesting; occasionally, we ascended a very steep hill, and then winding on a course round some inaccessible cliff of rocks, again descended into a wild and lonely glen. At about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived at the Pine Orchard, so named from a small flat of land, on the summit of one of the mountains, on which grow a number of yellow pine trees.
               
The scene that here was presented to the eye, was uncommonly grand and sublime.  This point of the mountain is an elevation of 2800 feet, and the summit on which we stood is composed principally of granite rock, of an immense perpendicular height.

The sun was shedding his last declining rays over the world beneath us, and already the faint mists of the evening, partially obscured the far distant mountains that seemed to stretch their blue tops to the horizon. From the hasty contemplation of this delightful landscape, the company was early summoned to a cold collation, and soon afterwards to the Ball Room.  The building for the accommodation of the company, corresponded with the situation in which it was erected.  It was a temporary frame house, one story high, built with rough boards, consisting of two rooms for the ladies, a kitchen and supper-room adjoining.  Connected with this building, was another, built in a similar manner -- about sixty feet long and designed for a ball room.  The dining room presented a most singular and beautiful appearance; . . . the wild mountain had afforded every decoration; and the boughs of fir, the hemlock, and the spruce, were tastefully arranged along its walls.

 ***  The company, consisting of about seventy ladies and gentlemen from different parts of the state of New-York, assembled in the ball room; and at an early hour cotillions and country dances commenced, and were continued during the remainder of the night, except for the necessary intermission in partaking of an excellent supper, prepared in a very handsome style, by Mr. Bigelow.  All seemed to enjoy the festivities of the dance -- the music was well selected, and the party in fine spirits.  Indeed it was a most gratifying scene to behold so splendid a collection of youth and beauty . . . on the wild mountain's top, surrounded by the tall ever-green trees, and where, but as yesterday, the wild beasts of the forest roamed undisturbed!
               
At a seasonable hour the company separated and retired to rest; but at the dawn of day the music beat the reveille, and, according to a previous arrangement, the party again collected on the summit of the mountain's brow, to witness sun-rise.  Female beauty, renovated by refreshing sleep, appeared in all its loveliness, and the fresh morning air of the mountain, added lustre to many a fair cheek.  The grey mists of the morning, still rested on the immeasurable valleys below, and the distant mountains were but dimly seen.  ***  As the day-light increased, the vapours of the night gradually began to move, until the sun, proudly rising in his glory, shot his long and genial rays over the boundless landscape before us.  Who could survey such a scene, and not feel his soul regenerated from every selfish feeling!  The winds seemed pillowed in the valley, and as the sun majestically rose and dispelled the morning dews, the view became more and more extensive, until the eye had a boundless range over mountains, and forests, and fields, and towns!  Here and there lay the cultivated farm, and the blue smoke, gradually curling among the green trees of the valley, pointed to view the farm-house, and showed the early preparation of its rural tenant for breakfast.  Yonder rolled the Hudson, whitened by many a sail on its azure bosom. -- At a further distance, in the perspective were seen numerous cities and towns; and the roving eye, still wandering, fixes on objects that "distance scarcely bounds."  *
               
The traveller is richly compensated for his toil and trouble in climbing the Catskill mountain, if he can be there on a cloudless summer morning, at sun-rise.
               
The company, after partaking of an excellent breakfast, prepared by Mrs. Bigelow, descended the mountain, and again met and sociably dined together at Lawrence's.  Then they departed to their respective homes, and will long cherish in memory, the happy moments experienced in a visit to the Pine Orchard.  OCTAVIAN.
               
*  This summit of the mountain has a view extending at least one hundred miles.

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