RECOLLECTIONS OF MEN AND HORSES 



and lunched under canvas. The dishes were pre- 

 pared by Delmonico, and the wines were of the 

 choicest vintage. The entertainment was as novel 

 as unexpected, and the reputation of Allen Farm 

 for elegant hospitality was thoroughly established. 

 At that time the laurels gained by Kremlin in his 

 battle with Stamboul for the stallion crown were 

 fresh, and the horse was driven an eighth on the 

 private track in 14! seconds, a wonderful flight of 

 speed for so early in the season. Every visitor held 

 his watch, and was enthusiastic over the performance. 

 Among modest breeders at Great Harrington were 

 Parley A. Russell and Wm. L. Brown. Although 

 the winters are cold in the Berkshires, the weather 

 does not violently fluctuate, and the sweet grass of 

 summer, with the climb from valley to crest of hill, 

 is conducive to muscular growth. The horses reared 

 in the pure and invigorating atmosphere have con- 

 stitution, and are up to the requirements of severe 

 speed tests. The homes of luxury and fashion adorn 

 the hills around Great Barrington, Lee, Stockbridge, 

 Lenox, and Pittsfield, and the current of refined life 

 flows vigorously from season to season. It was not 

 always thus. A third of a century ago an intel- 

 lectual and scholarly gentleman of leisure, Charles 

 Astor Bristed, of fragrant memory, sent me a series 

 of letters descriptive of the glories of the Berkshires, 

 and after their publication the golden tide began to 

 rise at Lenox. 



290 



