20 FARM ECHOES. 



CHAPTEE III. 

 LITCHFIELD. 



Though New England abounds in charming villages, 

 none are more lovely in aspect or healthy in location, 

 than Litchfield, Connecticut. Nowhere in our country i 

 is there a more intellectual and delightful society than 

 here, though there evidently was a time in the early his- 

 tory of the village when this was not the case, for the 

 wife of one of the first settlers wrote home to her family 

 in England that she "had no society but wolves and 

 Presbyterians." Poor secluded lady ! It is a pity she 

 did not explain which she most dreaded. 



Litchfield has its Episcopal, Congregational, Method- 

 ist, and Catholic Churches, its first National Bank, its 

 "Litchfield Enquirer," its three Hotels, and numerous 

 boarding-houses for the summer boarders, who come here 

 in large and annually increasing numbers. 



Extensive manufactories of various kinds are success- 

 fully worked in surrounding towns, but there are none in 

 this village. Its "aristocracy" is accused of having re- 

 tarded its commercial prosperity. Whether this be the 

 case or not, the refining influences which have so long 

 pervaded the community arc noticeable everywhere. 



The longevity of some of its inhabitants is, certainly, a 

 proof of its healthfulncss. There are several remarkable 

 cases of advanced age in this neighborhood. It was 

 stated by one that the period between the ages of ninety- 

 nine and one hundred was the most critical of human life, 

 so that it is impossible to say who will reach the five score. 



Some years ago a member of the Litchfield Congrega- 



