HUDSON RIVER. 33 



masses of pure rock, which strikingly display the economy and 

 beauty of nature the islands, without a particle of soil or 

 blade of grass, being thickly studded with healthy, though 

 small trees, while the perpendicular rocks on the banks, from 

 the water s edge to many hundred feet in height, were adorn 

 ed with blossomed kalmias. 



The margins of the river Hudson, and islands in its course, 

 assume a different character on approaching Albany ; the 

 islands being depositions of mud, susceptible of cultivation, 

 and the banks rich soil, bearing good crops, and adorned with 

 pretty houses. 



The tide flows up the Hudson to Albany, distant from New 

 York 144 miles, admitting vessels of considerable burden, 

 and sloops of small size penetrate much farther up the river. 

 The waters of the Hudson, passing through a rich and popu 

 lous country, forming the outlet of the Erie Canal, present a 

 never-ending scene of pleasing industry. At all times innume 

 rable sailing vessels, with extended cotton canvass, whitened 

 by a bright sun, and pure air, float gracefully to and fro. 

 Steam-boats, crowded with passengers, pass with rapidity, 

 while cock-boats, loaded with fish, poultry, and fruit, rest in 

 quietness. Sloops carrying well-formed hay and straw stacks, 

 glide towards New York, while steam-boats tow canal barges 

 and vessels of every description, up and down the river. The 

 surrounding country is also full of interest, abounding in thri 

 ving villages and towns, each forming a depot to the country 

 in their rear ; besides villas, academies, hotels, prisons, and 

 forts without number, associated with the history, literature, 

 and improvement of the country. To a citizen of the States, 

 the Hudson is the most interesting, beautiful, and important 

 river in America, and no foreigner of taste can be insensible 

 to its charms. 



The scenery of the river Clyde, in my native country, is of 

 a different character. In vegetable decoration, the banks of 

 the Clyde are greatly inferior to those of the Hudson, as well 

 as in soft and picturesque beauty, although some sweet land 

 scapes, such as the bay of Rothesay, are found on the former. 

 But the Hudson is altogether wanting in the rugged blue 

 mountains, so conspicuous from the Clyde, which are the 



