572 



THE AMERICAN MONTHLY REVIEW OE REVIEWS. 



where in New York, and more song birds in 

 the trees than anywhere else in the State. The 

 waterfalls, with the rapids between them, 

 make a combined descent of 340 feet within 

 the park. The canyon rises in places twenty 

 feet higher than the Palisades opposite New 

 York City, and continues beyond the park in 

 an impressive curve, the walls still high, but 

 the water comparatively still, for a distance 

 of about fourteen miles. 



Soon after taking possession of his early 

 purchases Air. Letch worth began to make 

 improvements, and has continued to do so 

 down to the present time. It is estimated 

 that his entire expenditures would make a 

 total of half a million dollars. Before hi", 

 time the marketable lumber had been cut 

 off, leaving large tracts in a state of melan- 

 choly denudation. A saw mill existed, near 

 one of the cascades, with the usual refuse of 

 such a place lying about it. Air. Letchworth, 

 in so far as was possible, restored the forest 

 to its original condition. He laid out a public 

 highway, parallel with the river, and built 

 many private roads and paths in the neigh- 

 borhood of his home. These improvements 

 involved retaining walls, culverts and gate- 

 due to the constant refreshment which grass ways. Several rustic arbors were also erected, 

 and leaves obtain from the spray rising from Alaples planted by Air. Letchworth have 

 the waterfalls. Botanists find here a greater grown to be as large specimens of that tree 

 variety of plant life than is to be found else- as one ever sees. They are quite the equal in 



PARTIAL VIEW 



MIDDLE FALLS. 



VIEW ACROSS " GLEN IRIS " LAWN. 



