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might be accumulated in front, in order to open it. There were also 

 none of the usual troubles of the door being lifted from its hinges or 

 being slammed or broken by the wind. It is a small affair but accom- 

 plished much convenience ; and is of a piece with every other part 

 of this neat and exact establishment. 



Of the remarkable barn of a circular form, at the Shaker's village 

 at Hancock, I shall speak more particularly in another place. It is 

 three stories in height, and the entrance is upon the second floor. It 

 is ninety-six feet in diameter. The building is of stone, and of the 

 most substantial and careful workmanship, like every other produc- 

 tion of this remarkable community. It is a form of building which 

 involves a considerable loss of room, and too expensive for the adop- 

 tion of common farmers. 



X. SHAKERS' ESTABLISHMENTS. 



In a survey of the Agriculture of Berkshire, it would be inex- 

 'cusable to pass over these establishments. 



1. The Family at Tyringham consists ordinarily of one hun- 

 dred members. The farm is understood to contain more than one 

 thousand acres, principally situated on the side of a high hill, and 

 running- down into the valley, where it is crossed by the small stream 

 called Hop brook, which empties into the Housatonic river at South 

 Lee. The view from this eminence, as the prospect extends towards 

 the northwest, embracing the village of Lenox, "set upon a hill," 

 with the whole intervening valley of a diversified aspect and luxu- 

 riant soil, the little manufacturing bee-hive of South Lee, and the 

 many rich summits every where scattered in the background of the 

 picture, their tops and sides fringed with the chesnut and the 

 rock maple, and the noble pile of Saddle-Mountain lying in the dis- 

 tant perspective like a contemplative giant in his repose, is among 

 the most beautiful of those enchanting views, which are constantly 

 opening upon the traveller, in this picturesque region. 



The principal object of their farming, at Tyringham, is the raising 

 of stock ; neat catde especially. Their dairy is well managed ; and 

 II 



