The Lakes Country
The Lakes Country by ARCH MERRILL Reprinted from THE DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE ROCHESTER, NEW YORK COPYRIGHTED, GANNETT COMPANY All Rights Reserved CHAPTER ILLUSTRATIONS BY GERALD MALONEY PRINTED 1944 BY LOUIS HEINDL & SON ROCHESTER, N.Y. FOREWORD One remembers the English lake country for charm of beauty, restorative power for tired bodies, jaded nerves, and restless minds. Beyond all this he cherishes its contribution to English letters. Men lived and wrote beside these moun- tain-encircled waters. Just so the Finger Lakes, Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, Honeoye, Canandaigua, Seneca, Keuka "old Indian lakes, with names like liquid music," hold our aff ection. Fascinating for geological study, satisfying in beauty, recreative in quiet serenity, the lakes have special significance because men here on their bordering hillsides have entered richly into the abundant experiment of making a life. And we are indeed fortunate that one who understands men, trusts them, and truly likes them has gone to meet the lakes and the people. And because they had for him a like goodwill for that he always carries in his heart they told him gladly their well treasured lore. Discriminating and honest collector, keen observer, inci- sive reporter, word artist, fascinating teller of tales, Arch Merrill makes live again in this t'olume, the days of yes- terday. Here you shall hear "the voice of the lake,"' and stalk a "mystic countryside," come upon a "chosen place," sense stimulation through learning, stand beside the "cradle of aviation" meet a "lovely vixen" and a "vineyard Queen." So shall you also find a good companion through The Lakes Country.
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