Having some business up the river, and feeling the need of recreation, we planned with Mr. Downing a day's ride, and give the reader the result, in order that he may know how many beautiful things can be seen in so brief a time. It would be desirable, of course, to take more time, and we would hardly advise an enthusiast to undertake it, unless he has the ability to take in and digest whole acres of beautiful objects at a single glance. The great drawbaok is, an almost irresistible desire to linger by the way, and indulge the sense of enjoyment.. All the places visited were large, embracing from two hundred to seven hundred acres, and stopping to examine individual objects of interest was quite impossible.

We left New York in the Tom Powell on Thursday afternoon, August 1st, and remained in Newburgh over night with Mr, Downing, The sail from the city to Newburgh is full of interest, bringing in review many fine country seats perched on the hillsides, besides some of the grandest scenery.on the Hudson. Newburgb Bay, inclosed as it were in the arms of the majestic Highlands, is unsurpassed for beauty, and one never tires of admiring it. But this en passant, for our journey proper began'on Friday morning, when, with Mr. Downing and Mr. Woodward, we crossed to Fishkill to take the early express train, and were disappointed in not finding on board some friends from New York. We pro-ceeded on our way to Tivoli, our first stopping place. The day was intensely hot, the heat of the cars being almost insufferable. .Our only refreshment was an occasional glimpse at the river, the grand hills, and now and then a pretty village seated under their brows. Tivoli is nearly opposite the Catskill Mountains, and near their summit could be seen the Mountain House, the distance diminishing its size to that of a little cot. On a high table land between the Catskills and the Hudson is the village of Saugerties, with its church spires shooting up against the dark back ground of the mountains.

From its position, we thought it one of the most beautiful villages we had ever seen.

From Tivoli, we went four miles to Annandale, the country seat of Mr. Bard, consisting of some 210 acres. The entrance is through a grand avenue of old Pines. We pass on the left a fine water tower, which supplies the whole place. Mr. Alcutt, whom we found very attentive and polite, presides here. The place is in a state of improvement. Fronting the road, Mr. Bard has built another church, the first having been destroyed; but the steeple has not been elevated yet; for we saw it in a lot about two hundred yards off, with the bell in it, where for the present it performs its duty of calling the villagers to church: more lowly in its notions than many belles we could name. The dwelling is also being altered and repaired. A boundary drive of considerable length is being laid out, and will embrace in its course most of the fine points of the place. The fruit and vegetable garden is new, and well stocked. The Pears are partly grown as espaliers, and were making a good growth, but needed a little pinching. The Tomatoes were grown on a trellis, a plan that we like much. Melons were abundant and ripe: we found them very good and refreshing.

The graperies are well kept, and the fruit such as to do Mr. Alcutt great credit; the Hamburghs and Muscats were beautifully ripened, and in all respects first rate. From the graperies we passed to the lawn. This has recently been enlarged and partly regraded. It is in good condition, has a fine face, is kept nicely cut, and has many fine trees on it. There are several fine vistas here, embracing views of great beauty, taking in the Catskills and surrounding mountains, long stretches of river, a pretty little island, and groups of wood. Fleecy clouds were floating through the air, and their shadows passed over the mountains like phantoms of another world. The scene was impressive, and we left it with regret; but we had no time to linger, and pursued our way over the knolls and through the woods to the water-fall and dell from which the place takes its name. On the way we passed a "happy family," composed of sheep, chickens, and a goose.

Then we came to a pretty waterfall and a little lake of irregular outline, surrounded chiefly with evergreens, the deciduous trees having been mostly cut out. Passing down a narrow, well-wooded foot path, with occasional glimpses of water, we at last reached the foot of the dell, and came in full sight of the cascades, the water leaping joyously over and around the rocks, all foaming with gladness, and each drop seeming a little elfin sprite. If not grand, the scene was very beautiful. The little river is here crossed by a pretty rustic bridge, with a pavilion in the middle, commanding a fine view of the cascades and a reach of the Hudson in the opposite direction. The place was cool and refreshing; tired and sweltering with the heat, we all sat down for a moment's rest and enjoyment We love water, especially water in motion, with an inexpressible fondness; and as we passed on, we paused for a moment at the end of the bridge to take a last look at the cascades, and then went on our way repeating Tennyson's noble line, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever".

Toiling up the hill, we found ourselves, almost without knowing it, on Montgomery Place, the residence of Mrs. Barton. This has been so often described, that it seems almost unnecessary to say a word about it. Its fame is known every where. It is, no doubt, one of the most finished places in the country. It has age; the trees and shrubs have developed all their grand proportions, and impress one with a feeling of reverence. The grouping is well done, and worthy of study. There are many individual specimens of great beauty and interest. The lawn is extensive and well kept. The views are possessed of much grandeur, but might be improved, were it not almost a sacrilege to fell such noble trees. The walks and drives are well made and admirably kept. The Pinetum, though not as large as we could wish, is a very interesting feature. At the conservatory we found Alexander, and locum tenens of the place. Alexander was born and brought up here. He is very polite and attentive, and takes a good deal of pride, as well he may, in pointing out the objects of interest. The conservatory is a ridge and furrow house of large dimensions, and was filled with Fuchsias, Gloxinias, Achimenes, Hanging Baskets, and variegated leafed plants in great variety.