HISTORICAL NOTICES. 509 



plane, starting from an elevated plateau, on which is 

 the village of Orange, and ascending westerly, at a 

 moderate grade, for about a mile, until surmounted by 

 a rocky cliff of " Trap," which forms the crest of the 

 mountain. The location gives accessibility to New York, 

 by railroad, and to the pleasant village at the base of 

 the mountain. The view from the grounds comprehends 

 the entire area, extending to the city of New York^ 

 with a peep of the ocean through the Narrows, on the 

 east ; the Highlands of the Hudson on the north ; and 

 the receding blue of the New Jersey plains in the 

 south ; with the intervening cities, villages, forests, and 

 farms. The tract of land procured for the enterprise, 

 consisted of some 350 acres, mostly of half-cultivated 

 or deserted farms partly forests of oak, hickory, 

 chestnuts, cedar, and pines. 



It will usually be found, as in this case, that the most 

 suitable land for such a project is from the desirable 

 irregularities of surface, the profusion of rocks and ra- 

 vines, and its elevated position the least useful for the 

 agriculturist. That portion of the grounds selected for 

 the Park proper is centrally situated, as regards the 

 whole tract, and in form it is irregular, following the 

 natural indications of the surface being traversed by 

 a finely wooded ravine, through which flows a brook, 

 affording material for ornamental water and cascades, 

 which have been tastefully made throughout its course. 

 It comprises nearly sixty acres its greatest length mea- 

 suring one mile the entire tract being encompassed by 

 a road which gives access to the surrounding residences ; 

 and the other drives made for the convenience of those 

 sites not immediately contiguous to the Park, increase the 

 extent of carriage roads to an aggregate of five miles. 

 The walks, measuring about the same length, lead from 

 the entrance, to the summit of the cliff, and to other 

 interesting parts of the grounds ; while at suitable points 

 are kiosks, seats, and bridges, constructed in rustic- 



