Account of the Kaatskill Mountains. 19 
Elevation of the Kaatskiull Mountains. 
These mountains vary in height from 2500 to 3800 feet, 
as ascertained by Capt. Partridge, who measured them by 
the barometer. Round Top, which is the highest of these 
peaks, can be seen much farther, and to the eye appears 
much higher than Saddle Mountain at Williamstown, which 
has been often measured, and found to be about 4000 feet 
im height. 
View from the Mountains. 
The view from Round Top, which rises south of the 
ravine, is superior to that from any part of this chain, com- 
prising a greater extent, particularly towards the west. f 
have never climbed this peak, but have often ascended that 
immediately north of it, and shall describe the prospect 
from this eminence as it appears in August. Before you, 
the counties of Greene, Columbia, and Dutchess, expand 
towards the east, presenting to your view a variegated car- 
pet, checquered with forests, groves, and orchards, and 
blooming with all the luxuriance of that season. Beyond 
them, the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut are 
spread towards the horizon, till they finally intersect it. 
Beneath are many undulations, where the vallies and hills, 
glowig with cultivation, exhibit all the varieties of green 
and yellow, which an approaching harvest presents to the 
eye. In the middle of this area, the majestic Hudson rolls 
its glittering tide for more than one hundred miles, orna- 
mented with towns, cities, and villas, along its banks, while 
its bosom is covered by many a vessel, spreading her canvass 
to the breeze. At the distance of forty miles, Mount 
Washington “swells from the vale” to the height of 2500 
feet. On the south, the Highlands, at a greater distance, 
lift their peaks to nearly the same elevation above the Hud- 
son, which rolls between them ; while Saddle Mountain, at 
Williamstown, at the distance of sixty miles, looks down in 
proud magnificence upon the vale beneath it. North of 
this, the Green Mountain range extends for fifty miles, 
“ Alps rismg on Alps” till they melt away in the horizon, 
