er is of course the most attractive
feature in the landscape. Far to the north and south it stretches, like
a silver, sinuous thread, gradually becoming narrower until it is lost
in the distance. Owing to an optical illusion the river seems to ascend
in both directions, and at the points where it is lost to view, seems on
a level with the eye. It is one of the best examples of this species of
optical illusion to be found in this part of the country.

A half century ago the river between this gorge and a point about a
quarter of a mile north of it made a most magnificent curve, three miles
long; but during the flood in the spring of 1840 a straight channel was
cut across, and the water continuing to flow in the old bed as well as
the new, there existed for some years what may be called an island in
the river.

At least three educational institutions of importance can be seen from
the summit of Holyoke--Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in South Hadley,
Smith College in Northampton, and Amherst College. Of the towns seen
from here Northampton presents the most beautiful aspect. Its fine
public and private edifices and grand old elms show to great advantage.
One cannot tire of looking at the level plain stretching along on either
side of the river, its surface divided into rectangular plats, covered
in summer by the various luxuriant crops. The view to the south
includes, of course, the river, and also the pleasant village of South
Hadley with its Seminary. Springfield is not very plainly visible, but
the spires of Hartford, Connecticut, can be seen on a clear day. To the
south-west, and at one's very feet, is the wide gorge, with Tom rising
directly across, its top being nearly two hundred feet above the
position of the observer. To the north-west Greylock is seen shooting up
its head beyond the Hoosac. To the north-east Monadnock looms up in the
distance, while Wachusett lies low in the eastern horizon. Close to the
observer are Toby and Sugar Loaf, each presenting rather peculiar and
fantastic outlines. The view from Tom is essentially the same as that
from Holyoke, and embracing as it does a radius of at least seventy-five
miles in every direction, over the most fertile and charming region in
New England, is one of rare beauty.

The ridge forming Tom and Holyoke is, as has been said, composed of
greenstone. All the other hills of consequence about the valley of the
Connecticut are sandstone, and this is distinctively a s