THE HAPPY MOUNTAIN.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.]
Srn,—Having recently discovered an Elysium, I hasten, as a practical altruist, to communicate its whereabouts to my fellow-readers of the Spectator. Early in this year I received from a member of the Society of Friends an invitation to be his guest in a mountain hotel on the Shawangunk range of mountains, facing the Catskills, on the Hudson River, cele- brated by Washington Irving. He wanted me to take part in a Conference on International Arbitration, having invited other believers in that principle from various parts of the Old and New World to share his hospitality on the occasion. At the same time Boston friends wrote to me, saying that in my proposed host, Albert K. Smiley, I should find a delight. fa! specimen of the genus homo, and be well repaid for a journey from my Swiss home to that far-off spot in New York State. They told a true tale ; and it was, indeed, a refresh- ment of the spirit to meet not only the man, but his guests hailing from many parts of the Union.
All my life I have been longing to shake hands with the countrymen of Channing, Emerson, Whittier, Lowell, and Holmes; and at last I could find a good excuse for a holiday, Here at llohonk, for such is the name of my earthly paradise, I found worthy representatives, indeed, of the "Hub of the Universe," pastors of ten or more churches, Judges, jurists, Senators, great teachers, and men of letters. They had all come, animated by a great aim,—the closer union of the British and American peoples, through the creation of a High Court, to which should be committed for all future time, the settlement of any differences and conflicting claims which may arise between them, the two branches of the most distinguished of the families of the earth.
The proposal does not, I fear, seem to you altogether practicable and satisfactory. Nevertheless, you will admit that such a gathering is a notable one, and may have vast consequences for the progress of mankind at large. I would mention that this meeting was a sequel to a long series of conferences, having the same object in view, which have been held in many cities of the Union since the President's Message in December last. About two hundred and fifty persons, men and women, met together on Mohonk Mountain, including both invited guests and other visitors to the hotel,— of whom the latter had not come for the purpose of taking part in the proceedings, but who attended them and evinced strong interest. The deliberations lasted three days, and were presided over successively by two well-known men, whose opinions on public matters carry great weight in the States,—viz., ex-Senator George F. Edmunds (of Vermont) and the Hon. Robert Treat Paine (of Boston), great grand- son of one of the signitaries of the Declaration of In- dependence. The whole of the speeches appeared to me of a very high order, somewhat more oratorical than is now the fashion in England, very grave and earnest, most lucid in thought and in expression, with generally an undercurrent of deep religious feeling.
It is proposed that these meetings should be annual, until the great aim in view is accomplished ; and my purpose in writing this letter is to induce some of my countrymen to attend that of next year. The extraordinary kindness and hearty welcome which I have met with in my visit to the States, not only at Mohonk, but at Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Boston, is an earnest of the manner in which Englishmen coming on errands similar to mine will be received. The strong desire for a permanent and close union of the two peoples thoroughly animates all whom I have met. The feeling should not be less deep on our side of the Atlantic, though Englishmen are more reserved in their manifestation of what they feel. Even if some are not yet convinced that " arbitration " is the greatest of all reforms now before the world, let them enjoy the calm beauty of that lovely Mohonk lake, situated on the top of the mountain, and environed by its beautiful woods. Let them walk or drive through the solemn ravines and over crests commanding vast stretches of plain and mountain. They will find, if I mistake not, that the social, ethical, and spiritual surroundings of my Quaker friend are in perfect harmony with that outward Nature. But they must accept the conditions of life at the hotel,— no tobacco, no alcohol, and attendance at morning prayer.
It is in the interest, not only of the English and American peoples, but of the world at large, that they should know each other better, and so co-operate more thoroughly than they do at present. Although the Atlantic witnesses the constant passage of great human freights passing to and fro, yet the best representatives of the two peoples do not come into close and intimate contact as they should. Each has much to learn from the other in the higher cul- ture of life in social, religious, and political science ; and they would gain by sweet converse in the woods of Mohonk. Such at least has been my experience.
I have been deeply impressed by the unaffected kind-
ness, bright intelligence, and charming humour of these kinsfolk whom I have met on this beautiful mountain. I want the friends of the Spectator to enjoy that experience.
What more can I say to induce them to make the experiment ? Yes; one thing,—that I have seldom seen in the course of a single week so many copies of your journal in the hands of those around me. The fact reflects honour upon you, the teacher, and upon those who are your disciples.—I am, Sir, &c.,
40 Outer Temple, W. C. HODGSON PRATT. P.S.—I am returning to London, and if any persons desire further information, I shall be glad to give it.
Previous page
