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Lºndon, Edinburgh, a New York :
T. Nºison AND sons,


VIEWS ON THE HUDSON.
THE following pages contain a brief but accurate de-
scription of the accompanying Views. More detailed
information respecting the exquisite scenery, and the
many interesting historical associations connected with
this noble river—the American Rhine—will be found
in a larger and more complete Guide-book to the Hud-
son, which will be published shortly. It may be stated
that the accuracy of the Views may be relied on, as
they have nearly all been drawn from photographs
taken expressly for the publishers of this work by
Mr. Holmes, the eminent photographer of Broadway
New York.
Every possible facility for the passage of the Hudson
is afforded the traveller, by steamer or railway, morn-
ing, noon, and night. The pleasure-seeking tourist in
quest of the picturesque will most certainly prefer the
former, and we now accompany him on board one of
these floating palaces, which for size, beauty, comfort,
and luxury are the wonder of all who know them. Once


2 VIEWS ON TELE HUDSON.
fairly aboard, and glancing around, the first object
likely to attract the eye of the tourist is that most
remarkable feature of the Hudson scenery, of which a
beautiful view is here presented, termed
THE PALISADES FROM YONKERS DOCKS.
The striking object named the Palisades is a vast
rocky wall extending for more than 20 miles along
the right or west bank of the river, presenting to
it a naked front of columnar strata, from which it
derives its descriptive name. This singular precipice
lends great beauty to the picture at starting, and forms
a most striking object in all the scenes in which it occurs.
Resembling somewhat the cliffs on the northern
coast of Ireland, adjoining the Giant's Causeway, the
basaltic columns, generally hexagonal in form, rise in
vast masses to an average height of from 300 to 500
feet, their summits crowned by a wildering forest of
noble trees, which, from their position, “high in mid air,”
seem dwindled to petty shrubs; from half way down
the cliff extends a steep bank of rocky fragments, which
atmospheric agencies are continually precipitating in
large masses from above; at its base are many little
sheltered nooks, with here and there an isolated cottage
or patch of cultivation, and here and there may be seen
along the shore some tiny sloop loading with building-
stone from the cliffs above. From the top of these
cliffs the ground gradually descends in a gently undu-
lating slope to the banks of the Hackensack River,
about 5 miles off, and their upper end trends westward

VIEWS ON THE HUDSON. 3
about Piermont, gradually losing itself in the surround-
ing Highlands.
The View here presented of this striking object has
been taken from the opposite or east side of the river,
about 17 miles north-east of New York, in the imme-
diate vicinity of Yonkers, an old settlement on the
Hudson, situate at the mouth of the Nepera or Saw-
mill River, famous as having been the birthplace of
Mary Phillips, a beautiful and accomplished young
lady, of whom Washington became enamoured in 1756,
and for whom his successful rival was Colonel Morris,
a former companion in arms in the defeat of Braddock
in the French and Indian war, July 1755.
WIEW FROM SING SING.
Sing Sing was so named by a Dutch trader from the
Chinese city of Tsing Tsing; it is in Mount Pleasant
township, in the county of West Chester, and is beauti-
fully situate on an acclivity, rising to the height of 200
feet, and crowned with a range of elegant villas, ex-
tending in the rear of the village for nearly its whole
length. The scenery is exceedingly picturesque in every
direction.
Three-quarters of a mile south from the town is the
State Prison of Sing Sing, which is a prominent object
in the picture, standing on the edge of the water, and
has a most imposing appearance,—more like some im-
pregnable fortress than a mere receptacle for felons.
Thanks to Louis Dwight, and the liberal association
that sustained him, an American prison is no longer



4. VIEWS ON THE HUDSON.
suggestive of painful reflections to a philanthropist; but
is now, as it ought to be, a place of repentance and re-
formation, and not a school of vice and idleness. In
Sing Sing the prisoners are all apprenticed to various
trades; are not allowed to hold intercourse with one
another; and when not at work, are each confined in a
separate cell. -
PEEKSKILL FROM VERPLANKS POINT, LOOKING
NORTH.
Peekskillis situate 2 miles higher up on the eastbank,
and 46 miles from New York. It is builton a slope rising
to the height of 200 feet, and derives its name from one
John Peek, an old Dutch navigator, who mistook the
creek which here enters the riverfor the termination of
the Hudson itself; and deeming his journey at an end,
ran his boat ashore, and commenced that settlement
which now bears his name. In 1777, the division of
the American army under General Putnam was en-
camped on Gallows Hill, in this neighbourhood; a
place which received its name from having been the
scene of the execution of one Nathan Palmer, a British
spy, in spite of the threats of the British governor or
the entreaties of Palmer's Wife.
The point from which this beautiful View is taken
derives its name from Philip Verplank, who married
the only granddaughter and heiress of Stephen Van
Cortlandt, who purchased it from the Indians; previous
to this it had borne the name of Meahagh. The point
rises gradually from the river's brink, and terminates
in a bold bluff of 40 or 50 feet in height. This was the
VIEWS ON THE HUDSON. - 5
spot where Hendrick Hudson first brought his ship, the
Half Moon, to anchor, after leaving the mouth of the
river.
But to return to our onward journey. The next view
presented is that of the
ENTRANCE TO HIGHLANDS, OPPOSITE PEEKSKILL,
on the left of which we observe the first landing-place
at the entrance to the Highlands—viz., the village of
Caldwell's Landing, on the west bank of the river, nest-
ling just under the huge Dunderberg, or Thunder Moun-
tain. It is famous for the serious search made some
years ago by some credulous people for the treasure of
the famous Captain Kidd, which was supposed to have
been secreted at the bottom of the river at this point.
Passing now round the point of the Dunderberg, or
Donderbarrak, we enter a wild and narrow gorge,
forming the southern gate of the Highlands, through
which the current runs with such rapidity, that it
is locally termed the Horse Race. The course of the
river is here due west for the distance of a mile, be-
tween the rocky flanks of the Dunderberg on the
south, and those of Anthony’s Nose on the north. This
far-famed bluff received its name from old Peter
Stuyvesant, in memory of a singular fact, thus amus-
ingly related by Diedrich Knickerbocker: “It must
be known that the nose of Anthony the trumpeter
was of a very lusty size, strutting boldly from his
countenance like a mountain of Golconda; being
Sumptuously bedecked with rubies and other precious



6 VIEWS ON THE HUDSON,
stones—the true regalia of a king of goodfellows,
which jolly Bacchus grants to all who bouse it heartily
at the flagon. Now thus it happened, that bright
and early in the morning, the good Anthony, having
washed his burly visage, was leaning over the quarter
railing of the galley, contemplating it in the glassy
wave below, just at this moment the illustrious sun,
breaking in all his splendour from behind one of the
high bluffs of the Highlands, did dart one of his most
potent beams full upon the refulgent nose of the
sounder of brass,” the reflection of which shot straight-
way down, hissing hot, into the water, and killed a
mighty sturgeon that was sporting beside the vessell
This huge monster being with infinite labour hoisted
on board, furnished a luxurious repast to all the crew;
being accounted of excellent flavour, excepting about
the wound, where it smacked a little of brimstone;
and this, on my veracity, was the first time that ever
sturgeon was eaten in these parts by Christian people.t
When this astonishing miracle came to be made
known to Peter Stuyvesant, and that he tasted of the
unknown fish, he, as may well be supposed, marvelled
exceedingly; and as a monument thereof, he gave the
name of Anthony’s Wose to a stout promontory in the
neighbourhood; and it has continued to be called
Anthony's Nose ever since that time.” This mountain
serves as a landmark to the industrious craft plying
* Antony Van Corlear was trumpeter to Governor Stuyvesant.
# The learned Hans Megapolensis, treating of the country about
Albany in a letter which was written sometime after the settlement
thereof, says, “there is in the river great plenty of sturgeon, which
| we Christians do not make use of; but the Indians eat them greedily."
VIEWS ON THE HUDSON. 7
on the river, and thus fulfils a more useful destiny than
is commonly accorded to spots famous in story. During
the revolution, a strong boom and chain were extended
across the river at this point. On the opposite side of
the river were the two forts, Montgomery and Clinton,
taken by the British in October 1777 : the commander-
in-chief at New York being prompted to this expe-
dition by two objects—first, to destroy a quantity of
military stores, which had been accumulated at this
point; and second, to make a diversion in favour of
General Burgoyne, sorely beset at that time at
Saratoga.
WEST POINT FROM FORT PUTNAM.
On the right or west bank of the river, 52 miles
above New York, is West Point, a name dear to every
lover of his country, consecrated as it is by the sacred
memories of the past—by the bravery and virtues of
Lafayette and Kosciusko ; the never to be forgotten
scene of Arnold's treachery; and of Andre's hapless
fate. It is situate on a rocky point jutting into the
river, which here winds through the midst of moun-
tain scenery of the most striking and picturesque
character: “The different spurs of the mountain
ranges which here abut upon the river in bold pre-
cipices from 500 to 1500 feet above the water, while
from base to summit they are clothed with luxuriant
foliage, and between them winds in gloomy majesty a
mighty stream covered with sailing craft, forming a
river scene unrivalled in the boldness of its beauty in
America, and one of a character unknown elsewhere.”


8 VIEWS ON THE HUDSON.
During the War of Independence, West Point was con-
sidered—and rightly—one of the most important Ameri-
can fortresses, forming as it did an important obstruc-
tion to the free passage of the Hudson by the enemy's
vessels: it was, in fact, the key to the northern provinces.
Fort Putnam, from which this View is taken, was
during the revolutionary war the chief and most impor-
tant redoubt of this great American Gibraltar. Its
ruins still crown a hill 598 feet in height, forming a
spur of the Highlands stretching to the south-west, and
surrounded on three sides by deep ravines and steep
descents; it commands a view probably equal in
grandeur to any in the Highlands, the very same
natural peculiarities which rendered it so strong as a
fortress contributing to render its scenery second to
none in the country in point of grandeur and majestic
beauty.
KOSCIUSKO'S MONUMENT.
On the extreme edge of the natural platform that
crowns the bluff of West Point, stands a handsome
marble column sacred to military virtue in the person
of Kosciusko, and forming in itself, and by reason of
the ideas it evokes, a striking contrast to the dark halo
of despite and shame that hover round the name of
Arnold, whose military dishonour is inseparably con-
nected with the very name of West Point. Kosciusko
was a distinguished Pole, whose military genius was of
great service to our country during the birth-throes of
its freedom, and for whose interesting history we beg
to refer to the larger work already alluded to.
VIEWS ON THE HUDSON. 9
VIEW FROM WEST POINT, LOOKING NORTH.
One hundred and eighty-eight feet above the river,
back from the bluff overhanging it, extends a plateau of
about a mile square, forming a magnificent natural
parade-ground, on the side of which, next the moun-
tain, stand the college and other buildings connected
with the Military Academy established here in 1802 by
Congress, and wholly supported by the general govern-
ment. From this plateau the tourist has before him,
towards the north, one of the finest river-passes in the
world; right up before him rises the Old Crow Nest;
back from the opposite shore leans the huge cliff of
Breakneck; looking between them and beyond them, as
through some dark cavern, the eye drops on the sunlit
Hudson beyond, an island jewelglistening on its bosom;
while the far-off buildings of Newburgh glitter on the
distant plain, and the blue wavy ridge of the Catskills
bounds the dim horizon.
NORTH ENTRANCE TO THE HIGHLANDS FROM
WEST POINT,
The northern entrance to the Highlands forms from
West Point a most interesting feature in the scenery.
The passage of the river through this gorge yet bears
the old name of the Wey-gat, or Wind-gate; and as a
recent writer says, “one of the prettiest moving
dioramas conceivable, is the working through the gorge
of the myriad sailing-craft of the river. The sloops
which ply on the Hudson are remarkable for their
picturesque beauty, and for the enormous quantity

10 VIEWS ON THE HUDSON.
of sail they carry on in all weathers; and nothing is
more beautiful than the little fleets of from six to a
dozen, all tacking or scudding together, like so many
white sea-birds on the wing. Up they come, with a
dashing breeze, under Anthony’s Nose and the Sugar
Loaf, and giving the rocky toe of West Point a wide
berth, all down helm, and round into the bay; when–
just as the peak of Crow Nest slides its shadow over the
mainsail—slap comes the wind aback, and the whole
fleet is in a flutter. The channel is long and serpentine,
the wind baffling, and small room to beat; but the little
craft are worked merrily and well; and dodging about,
as if to escape some invisible imp in the air, they gain
point after point, till at last they get the Donderbarrak
behind them, and fall once more into the regular current
of the wind.”
VIEW ON THE HUDSON FROM POUGHKEEPSIE.
Seventy-five miles from New York, we arrive at the
town of Poughkeepsie, the largest between New York
and Albany, and containing 15,000 inhabitants. It is
the capital of Dutchess County; and, besides being sur-
rounded by a rich agricultural district, it is the centre
of an active trade. Poughkeepsie was founded by the
Dutch in 1735, and derives its name from the Indian
word apokeepsing—signifying, “safe harbour.” The
surrounding scenery is of a most pleasing character,
there being many charming views in its vicinity.
Looking southwards from the neighbouring high
ground, we obtain one of the most pleasing of these.

WIEWS ON THE HUDSON. 11
- º
Before you lies the Hudson, swollen into a lovely
expanse or bay of 10 miles in length, afterwards nar-
rowing and meandering away to the south, until it
is lost to the eye in the distance—sprinkled through its
whole course with the white sails of the numberless
vessels that float upon its surface. Sloping away from
its banks, rise the fine cultivated lands of the rich old
river counties—the clustered villages—the meat farm-
houses,
“And hamlets low,
With whose thick orchard-blossoms the soft winds play,"
and its elegant villas gleaming through the tufts of
foliage that surround them. The soft green of the
meadows—the deeper tints of the forest masses, scat-
tered here and there through the cultivated lands—the
golden hue of the grain-fields in mid-summer—and the
sparkling lustre of the river—all these, with a thousand
variations in the grouping of the details, produced by
the art of man in a tract of country which yields a
luxuriance of vegetation to correspond with its noble
river and fine hills, form a picture such as we may
suppose greeted the eyes of Moses when he looked
down upon the promised land.
CATSKILL MOUNTAINS FROM HUDSON CHTY.
The city of Hudson derives its name from old Hen-
drick Hudson, whose good ship the Half Moon lay
here for some time, both on his upward and return
voyage. It is the seat of justice of Columbia
County, and is also one of the most important com-

12 VIEWS ON THE HUDSON.
mercial towns on the river. The bank here projects
as a bluff into the stream, forming a beautiful pro-
menade; and behind the city is a loftier elevation,
termed Prospect Hill; from either of these beautiful
views are obtained of the Hudson itself winding
beneath, of the glittering spires of Athens beyond, of
the verdant Mount Merino in the distance; while still
further off, the Mountain House is seen sparkling on
the shoulder of the far-famed Catskill Mountains, which
derive their name from the Catamounts with which
they were formerly infested, and which are a group or
lateral spur of the great Appalachian system, chiefly
situate in Green County, whose highest summits are
Round Top, 3800 feet, and High Peak, about 3720 feet;
but for a fuller detail of their many interesting views
and legends, we must again refer to the larger Guide-
book.
CITY OF ALBANY.,
on the west bank of the Hudson, 145 miles from New
York, is the oldest settlement in the Union, with but
one exception—viz. Jamestown in Virginia, settled by
the English in 1608. On the spot where the city now
stands, the Dutch in 1623 erected a fort called Fort
Orange. This settlement was also subsequently known
by the appellations of Beaverwyek and Williamstadt,
while “all this time,” as the historian says, “it was
also known by the name of ‘The Fuyck.” Its Indian
name, if not more euphonic, was at least more sug-
gestively poetic, “Shanaugh-ta-da” – once the pine
plains. Its present name of Albany was given in


VIEWS ON THE HUDSON. 13
honour of James, Duke of York and Albany, afterwards
James II., on its surrender to the British in 1664. It
was chartered as a city in 1684. Situate near the
head of sloop navigation, it is built just over the pitch
of an extensive plain, lying between the Hudson and
Mohawk Rivers, and has from some points of view a
most imposing appearance. A low alluvial track of
from 15 to 100 rods in width extends between the town
and the river, beyond this the ground rises rapidly—
over 200 feet in a mile. Albany is the capital of New
York State, and its second city in importance. Its
principal street—State Street—rises in a steep grade
from the river right west to the Capitol. At first very
narrow, at Broadway it widens out to 150 feet, which
breadth it maintains till its western termination in one
of the chief squares of the town, in which are situate
most of the public buildings. The west side of this
square is occupied by the Capitol, a handsome building
of two storeys, with a basement one of 10 feet. The walls
are 50 feet high, the whole building 115 feet long, and
about 90 wide; it is faced with brown freestone from
quarries on the Hudson below the Highlands,-the
columns, pilasters, and other decorations are of marble
from Berkshire, Massachusetts. The edifice is crowned
with a gilded dome, on which stands a wooden statue of
Themis—the goddess of Justice—holding the sword in
her right hand and the balance in her left.
Albany is most advantageously situated for commerce
—connected on the one handby the Hudson with the sea,
and on the other by canals with those mighty inland
seas–Lakes Erie, Ontario, and Champlain; while a

14 VIEWS ON THE HUDSON.
number of most important railways centre in it, con-
necting it with New York, Boston, Buffalo, and a host
of minor places; so that through it there rolls daily a
vast amount of goods and passengers, and so crowded
is the narrow pier on which the north river boats every
evening land from 300 to 700 passengers, and so multi-
farious are the attempts made to persuade each of those
to go by a certain conveyance, or stop at a certain hotel,
that there is no wonder that amid the confusing bustle
most people lose a portmanteau, some even their wives
and families. This scene has been most amusingly
described by Mr. Willis.
GLEN'S FALLS,
On the route from Saratoga to Lake George, and
about 9 miles from the latter, in the midst of a wild
and rugged landscape, we come upon one of the most
picturesque of the Hudson cataracts—Glen's Falls, where
the river, rushing along amid enormous masses of rock,
plunges 70 feet headlong into a vast rocky chasm, leap-
ing from step to step into the dark abyss—the cur-
rent lightened only by the broken foam as it whirls
amid the banks of shelving rock. A most pictur-
esque bridge here crosses the river, and vibrates inces-
santly with its deafening roar; within the sound of its
waters are placed many of the scenes of Cooper's story,
“The Last of the Mohicans,” and cannot fail to recall
pleasing recollections of Uncas and Hawkeye, of David,
Duncan Haywood and his sweet wards, Alice and Cora
Monroe. The water-power here supplied by the river
has been largely made use of; the numerous clusters of


VIEWS ON THE HUDSON. 15
mills forming a not unpleasing feature of the landscape,
while they contribute largely to the comfort not only of
the inhabitants of the neighbouring village, but else-
where, much planking and stone-cutting being done
here, there being a fine quarry of black marble in the
immediate vicinity.
These lovely scenes, thus curtly described, include
scarce a tithe of the many interesting localities which
dot the banks of this most magnificent river, which
combines in itself the romance of the Rhine, the gran-
deur of the Danube, and the soft beauty of the Elbe,
besides much both of loveliness and interest which is
peculiar to itself; for where else in the wide world will
you find the tidal waves of old Ocean sweeping through
scenery of such grandeur, and bearing on their bosom
the navies of the world into the heart of alpine valleys
and through the midst of rocky gorges, whose overhang-
ing cliffs darken e'en the summer's noon! or where will
you find in all the world another stream whose banks
are more redolent of spirit stirring associations—
“What though no cloister grey nor ivied column
Along these cliffs their sombre ruins rear!
What though no frowning tower nor temple solemn
Of tyrants tell, or superstition here!
There's not a verdant glade nor mountain hoary,
But treasures up the memories of Freedom's story;”
and we trust that the little we have here been able to
set before the reader, will but the more strongly induce
him either to make a personal acquaintance with this
most interesting scenery, or at least to peruse those
more ample details which will be found in our larger
Guide-book to the Hudson.

T. NELSON AND SONS AMERICAN VIEWS,
Price 25 Cents per Packet.
IAGARA AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. Containing views of the
Horse Shoe Fall–American Fall–Horse Shoe Fall from Goat
Island–Table Rock—Whirlpool near Niagara–Suspension Bridge and
Rapids above the Falls, &c. &c.
CENERY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE. Containing Views of Toronto—
Kingston–Thousand Isles—Long Sault Rapids—La Chine Rapids–
Montreal—Victoria Bridge, Montreal–Quebec—Falls of Montmorency,
&c.
CENERY OF THE HUDSON. Containing Views of The Palisades
|O –View from sing Sing–Entrance to the Highlands–Peekskill
from Verplank's Point—View from Poughkeepsie–Catskill Mountains
from Hudson City–City of Albany--Glen's Falls, &c.
AKE GEORGE AND LAKE CHAMPLAIN. Containing Views of
Caldwell–Head Waters of Lake George—Islands of Lake George–
Entrance to the Narrows–Sabbath-day Point—Roger's Slide–South
End of Lake Champlain and Ruins of Fort Ticonderoga—Split Rock–
Lake Champlain–Burlington–Plattsburg.
HE CITY OF NEW YORK AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. Contain-
ing Views of Sandyhook from the Highlands—The Narrows from
Staten Island–Astor House and St. Paul's Church from Park Row–City
Hall–Broadway and St. Nicholas Hotel—Washington Parade Ground–
Fifth Avenue—Union Square—Monuments in Greenwood Cemetery—
Panoramic View of New York, Brooklyn, Jersey City, and Quarantine
Station on Staten Island. With Plan of the City.
THE CITY OF WASHINGTON AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. Con-
taining Views of the Capitol—Greenough's Statue of Washington
–Pennsylvania Avenue--City Hall–Post-Office—Smithsonian Institution
—President's House—Treasury, &c. -
UR SUMMER RETREATS. Containing Views of Catskill Mountain
House—Catskill Falls—Trenton Falls–Saratoga–Congress Spring,
Saratoga—Saratoga Lake–Pulpit Rock, White Mountains—Silver Cas-
cade, White Mountains, &c.


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