is an excellent
view. Saddle Mountain can be seen, and portions of the Green Mountains,
while to the west the Catskills, blue and dim in the distance, appear
through a depression in the Taconic range. Near the highest part of the
cliff a pinnacle of quartz has been parted from the main mass, and forms
a tower fifty feet high, called Pulpit Rock. It was standing not long
ago, but the frost may have toppled it over ere this.

Before leaving this portion of Berkshire we must visit the township of
Mount Washington, near Sheffield. It consists wholly of an immense hill,
and the few inhabitants dwell in a valley that is two thousand feet
above tide water. This valley is bounded on the west by the Taconic
range, which a little farther south rises nearly one thousand feet above
the valley, and is there called Alender Mountain, and on the east by an
imposing peak, originally called Ball, or Bald, Mountain, but which
Professor Hitchcock named Mount Everett, in honor of Edward Everett, at
that time Governor of Massachusetts. Mount Washington is not as well
known as it should be. Comparatively few people in the State, outside of
Berkshire, are even aware that such a town exists. But it would be a
delightful place in which to spend a quiet summer. It is cool and
healthy, the air is clear and bracing, and the scenery simply superb.
The view from Mount Everett fully equals, if it does not surpass, that
from Greylock. In whatever direction the spectator looks a most glorious
display greets his eyes. Peak rises above peak on all sides, and the
blue surfaces of lakes and ponds in the vicinity greatly enhance the
beauty of the scene; while the charming valley through which winds the
Hoosatonic River stretches far to the north and south.

One more locality must be visited before leaving this Alpine county of
Berkshire, and that is Hoosac Mountain. Before the tunnel was completed
a stage ran from the east side over the mountain and down into North
Adams; so there is a good road all the way over. The walk is by no means
difficult, and one feels well repaid for his labor. The road runs quite
near the three main shafts that go down to the tunnel beneath. The woody
growth is scanty, and hence the view is unobscured the greater part of
the way. After reaching the summit the prospect towards the east is
especially beautiful. The surface slopes off towards the Connecticut and
is dotted with innumerable hills and ridges, among which winds the
rom