Books & Reading

VIRTUAL TRIP UP THE HUDSON

by William Wade, Master Engraver, 1846

This little gem of a book is less than six inches tall but the panorama of the Hudson River opens up in accordion fashion to over six feet. The book presents both sides of the river but in order to see the west bank right side up, one must turn the book upside down. In order to facilitate viewing on the web, we have scanned each page of the book twice so each side of the river can be viewed right side up. Whenever the text from Wade's Panorama relates to the engraving, it has been included. (Please note Wade's original spelling has been maintained.)

View Wade's Panorama in Quicktime format
(requires high speed connection)

looking east --- looking west

NEW YORK CITY AND THE PALISADES

Text by William Wade

The view presented on leaving the city of New York, on our voyage up the river to Albany, is grand and extensive; embracing in the direction of the sea, parts of Long Island, and Staten Island, and the Narrows, with the fortifications on the two former, commanding the latter, and the strong fortifications guarding the approach to the city upon Governor's, Bedlows and Ellis islands. The bay of New York spreads to the southward, and is about eight miles long, and from one and a half to five and a half broad. It is one of the finest harbours in the world, generally open for vessels at all seasons of the year, the currents being so strong that the most severe winters rarely obstruct it with ice for more than a few days.

West Bank of the Hudson- traveling from south to north

East Bank of the Hudson-traveling from south to north

THE HUDSON HIGHLANDS

Text from William Wade

The Highlands or Fishkill mountains, which first appear about forty miles above New York, attract notice from their grandeur and sublimity, as well as from their association with some of the most important movements of the Revolution. The chain is about sixteen miles in width, and extends along both sides of the Hudson to the distance of twenty miles. Dr. Mitchell has advanced a theory in regard to these Highlands in connection with the Hudson, which has found an able advocate in the talented Mrs. Phelps of Albany. According to their view, this thick and solid barrier in ancient times impeded the course of the water, and raised a lake which might vie with those on the northern frontier of our country. The waters of this lake, they urge, wrought by constant wearing, or a sudden eruption of nature, have severed the mountain chain, and rushed onward to the bosom of the ocean at New York Bay. The theory is by no means inconsistent with the highest authorities in geology.