. Holyoke, and she was very familiar with this
masterpiece of nature in western Massachusetts. So she described the
grand landscape to her lover who sat enchanted with the scene before him.

"This alluvial basin," she said, "is twenty miles in length and fifteen
in width, and is enclosed by the Mt. Holyoke and Mt. Tom ranges, and the
abrupt cones of Toby and Sugar Loaf, while the Green Mountains lie to the
north, whence the rich soils have been brought by thousands of vernal
floods. Grove-like masses of elms mark well the townships of Northampton,
Easthampton, Southampton and Westhampton, Hatfield, Williamsburg and
Whately, Hadley, Amherst, Leverett and Sunderland.

"In twelve miles, the Connecticut River turns four times to the east and
three times to the west, forming the famous 'Ox-Bow.'

"This beautiful river receives its life from springs in adjacent forests
and mountains, and, forcing a passage between Mt. Holyoke and Mt.
Nonotuck, flows far south into Long Island Sound. Its banks are fringed
with a tanglewood of willows, shrubs, trees, and clambering vines.
Bordering on the Connecticut River and near thrifty towns are thousands
of acres of rich meadows and arable lands, without fence, which are
interspersed with lofty trees and orchards and covered with exquisite
verdure.

"These countless farms seen from this mountain top resemble garden plots,
distinguishable from each other by vegetation varying in tints from the
dark green of the maize to the brilliant gold of barley, rye, and oats.
Over the billowy grain, cloud shadows chase each other as if in play.
Grazing herds are on every hillside and in all the valleys."

Gertrude's words were music to George's ear. Her voice and the
magnificent landscape charmed him. When released from the spell he said,
"Yes, dear, you have this day hung a never-to-be-forgotten picture in my
memory. I shall always remember the arching elms, white gables, college
towers, and spires pointing heavenward that mark the towns in this
historic and lovely intervale. I seem to hear far off sounds of busy
people, thrifty mills, and successful railways. These reveal the secret
of New England's power at home and abroad. The greatness of this people
springs from their respect for, and practice of, the virtues so long
taught in their schools and churches; viz., honesty, industry, economy,
love of liberty, and belief in God. Here can be found inspirations for
poet, painter, and sculptor."

Ho