154 



A VISIT TO MONTGOMERY PLACE. 



the grand feature in all these varied land- 

 scapes — the Hudson always so full of life in 

 its numberless bright sails and steamers — 

 one might fancy himself a thousand miles 

 from all crowded and busy haunts of men. 

 Around Montgomeky Place, indeed, this 

 air of quiet and seclusion lurks more be- 

 witchingly than in any other seat whose 

 hospitality we have enjoyed. Whether 

 the charm lies in the deep and mysterious 

 wood, full of the echo of water spirits, that 

 forms the northern boundary, or whether 

 it grows out of a profound feeling of com- 

 pleteness and perfection in foregrounds of 

 old trees, and distances of calm serene moun- 

 tains, we have not been able to divine ; but 

 certain it is that there is a spell in the very 

 air, which is fatal to the energies of a great 

 speculation. It is not, we are sure, the 

 spot for a man to plan campaigns of con- 

 quest, and we doubt even whether the scho- 

 lar, whose ambition it is 



" To scorn delights, 

 And live laborious days," 



would not find something in the air of this 

 demesne, so soothing as to dampen the fire 

 of his great purposes, and dispose him to 

 believe that there is more dignity in repose, 

 than merit in action- 

 There is not wanting something of the 

 charm of historical association here. The 

 estate derives its name from Gen. Montgo- 

 meky, the hero and martyr of Quebec, 

 (whose portrait, among other fine family 

 pictures, adorns the walls of the mansion.) 

 Mrs. Montgomery, after his lamented death 

 on the heights of Abraham, resided here 

 during the remainder of her life. At her 

 death, she bequeathed it to her brother, the 

 Hon. Edward Livingston, our late minis- 

 ter to France. Here this distinguished di- 

 plomatist and jurist passed, in elegant re- 

 tirement, the leisure intervals of a life 

 largely devoted to the service of the state, 



and here still reside his family, whose 

 greatest pleasure seems to be to add, if pos- 

 sible, every year, some admirable improve- 

 ment, or elicit some new charm of its ex- 

 traordinary natural beauty. 



The age of Montgomery Place heigh- 

 tens its interest in no ordinary degree. Its 

 richness of foliage, both in natural wood 

 and planted trees, is one of its marked fea- 

 tures. Indeed, so great is the variety and 

 intricacy of scenery, caused by the leafy 

 woods, thickets and bosquets, that one may 

 pass days and even weeks here, and not 

 thoroughly explore all its fine points — 



" Milles arbres, de ces lieux ondoyante parure 

 Charme de I'odorat, de gout et des regards, 

 Elegamment groupes, negligemment epars, 

 Se fuyaient, s'approchaient, quelquefois a la vue 

 Ouvraient dans la lointain un sc^ne iraprevue ; 

 Ou, tombant jusqu'a terre,et recourbant leurs bras 

 Venaient d'un doux obstacle embarrasser leurs 



pas ; 

 Ou pendaient sur leur tSte en festons de verdure, 

 Et de fleurs, en passant, semaientleur chevelure. 

 Dirai-je ces forets d'arbustes, d'arbrisseaux, 

 Entrela^ant en voute, en alcove, en berceaux, 

 Leurs bras voluptueux, et leurs tiges fleuries?" 

 About four hundred acres comprise the 

 estate called Montgomery Place, a very 

 large part of which is devoted to pleasure 

 grounds and ornamental purposes. The 

 ever varied surface affords the finest scope 

 for the numerous roads, drives, and walks, 

 with which it abounds. Even its natural 

 boundaries are admirable. On the west is 

 the Hudson, broken by islands into an out- 

 line unusually varied and picturesque. On 

 the north, it is separated from Blitiiewood, 

 the adjoining seat, by a wooded valley, in 

 the depths of which runs a broad stream, 

 rich in waterfalls. On the south is a rich 

 oak wood, in the centre of which is a private 

 drive. On the east it touches the post road. 

 Here is the entrance gate, and from it leads 

 a long and stately avenue of trees, like the 

 approach to an old French chateau. Half- 



