6 Geology^ fyc. of the Conneeticitt. 



scape ? Here then will he find many forms of beauty and 

 grandeur impressed upon the works of God and man around 

 him. Immediately before him on the west and north, are 

 extensive meadows, through which the Connecticut winds 

 in silence and majesty ; and as if to pay a tribute of respect 

 to this venerable mountain, it here forms a graceful curve of 

 three miles in extent, while its actual advance towards the 

 ocean, scarcely exceeds fifty rods. These meadows are in a 

 high state of cultivation, and during the summer months, the 

 parallel strips, luxuriant with diiferent vegetables, present a 

 charming variety. Just beyond the Connecticut, on the 

 western margin of the meadows, lies the beautiful village' 

 of Northampton, vicing for situation and elegance with any 

 country town in New-England. So distinct is the view of 

 this place from Holyoke, that wiih the naked eye the in- 

 habitants may be seen as they walk the streets ; while their 

 spacious and elegant house of worship, a fine Court 

 House,* and many seats of private gentlemen rise in a rich 

 and diversified relief. A little to the right, in the same 

 valley, the neat villages of Hadley and Hatfield, and still 

 farther to the east, Amherst, with its meeting house and 

 collegiate edifices on a commanding eminence, form resting 

 points in this great basin, on which the eye reposes with 

 pleasure. To the north of these villages the valley of the 

 Connecticut is gradually narrowed by the encroachments of 

 the highlands, until at the distance of about twenty miles, 

 they close in upon it, and beyond this point, a sea of moun- 

 tains displays ridge above ridge and peak above peak, even 

 to the lofty range of the Hoosack and Green Mountains, at 

 the distance of fifty or sixty miles. Southwest appears 

 Mount Tom, a few miles distant, separated from Holyoke 

 by the deep gulf through which the Connecticut flows ; and 

 fifty miles distant, in the northeast, rises the " cloud-capl''^ 

 Monadnock. 



Turning southerly, the observer will have a full view of 

 the broad valley extending from Holyoke to Middletown ; 

 a distance of more than fifty miles. He will be able to 

 tface the river, in all its windings, as far as Long Meadow, 



^ Recently destroyed by fire. 



