Last Saturday afternoon we accepted the invitation of a kind neighbor to take a drive over what is known as the Neshanic Mountain. The day was one of the most beautiful that we have ever beheld, even in October. From a cloudless sky the sun was shining with just enough warmth and brightness to render it comfortable, while the stillness that prevailed lent its aid to make it a day of rare beauty.
As we commenced to ascend the mountainside, the trees and shrubs, robed in their beautiful autumnal attire, presented a scene calculated to inspire the mind with the highest and noblest of thoughts. Soon we reached the wooded summit where the solitude was only broken by the singing of birds and the voice of the katydid. What a picture of rare beauty!
In making our descent down the other side of the mountain a scene even more grand
and picturesque was presented to our view. In the distance, with their church spires pointing heavenward, are to be seen towns and villages, back of which a range of mountains, known as the Somerville range, forms a perfect background.
A short drive from this point brought us to a substantial farmhouse, the property of Richard Wyckoff, situated in a cosy nook amid the hills of old Hunterdon. The above named gentleman gave us a hearty welcome, and although our stay was brief, we discovered the fact that he is a model farmer. Among the improvements which he has recently made is an arrangement by which the best and purest of spring water has been brought from a long distance to the door.
Bidding our friend good-bye, we commenced our journey homeward, but our return was not so pleasant. A chilly wind had set in and when we arrived at home by our own fireside, our thoughts reverted to the following lines:
"Home, sweet home,
Be it ever so humble
There is no place like home".
23 July 2007
Sunny Thoughts for a Rainy Day
The following anonymous account appeared in the Hopewell Herald, November 1, 1894.
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Some notes:
ReplyDeleteThe northeastern tip of the Sourland Mountain was called the Neshanic Mountain.
The "drive" the author is talking about certainly wasn't by automobile, but was of course by horse and carriage.
Although suburban sprawl has changed the landscape, you can still get an idea of the vista the author is speaking of; perhaps looking north from up on Starview Drive.