The Henson Journals

[36]

Wednesday, May 19th, 1909.

We repeated the dolorous experience of packing: & then hastened away (leaving a bag behind in our haste, which the excellent Kellner himself brought to the station), & so travelled viâ Hartfort & Poughkeepsie to Lloyd, where a trolly conveyed us to New Paltz. Here we were driven to Lake Mohonk Mountain House. The road lay upwards through a very beautiful district, & at end of the drive the lake & the hotel burst on the view very surprisingly.

Our host, Mr Smilie, received us with kindness. He is an old man, straight & fresh–coloured as befits a Quaker, with a firm set of lips, & the general aspect of an upright & prosperous tradesman. He & his deceased brother have established these hotels at vast cost, & built up a flourishing business.

The discussion after supper was slow, & we were sleepy. Rear–Admiral C. H. Stockton U.S.N. made an useful speech, but there was little beyond the usual windy platitudes in the rest.

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