"OUR HILLS AT HAME."To the Editor of the Herald : SIR, ----Socially speaking, "familiarity breeds contempt," and concerning home surroundingscenery it is equally true. "Far-off birds have feathers fair," and it is not until our Cape Bretonershave visited the busy cities, the grassy plains, and the snow-capped mountains of other lands thatthey learn to appreciate and admire the boundless and varied charms of their "hills at home." Asense of this and the frequent reading of those graphic descriptions which our picturesque islanddraws from those lettered tourists that visit our shores excited, in a few years, a curiosity tosurvey the most flattered parts of our island, and to learn to "see ourselves as others see us."We only had a single day at our disposal and it is doubtful if our arbitrators were more serious onthe Bering sea question than we were on "how to make the most of it." Two things were essentialto the success of the day - team and route. The first was supplied to our hearts' content by D. Mr.McLean, of Trout River hotel, and the second was well chosen in the selection of a circular routebeginning and ending at Trout River. In this circle Mabou village would figure as an antipodes,and Centreville, Hillsboro, Brook Village, Starthlorne, and Scottsville tangents of pleasingaspects. "Ready for action!"The sun rose brightly, the sparkling lake set off to advantage it's neighboring hills, the artisanhand of nature showed it's autumn shadings to the sun, the birds sweetly chanted."On morning wing how active springs the mindThat leaves the load of yesterday behind."Thus exempted from care, seated in comfort and wrapped in deep admiration of the splendor ofthe surrounding scenery, we set off on our journey. Getting through the glens of Ainslie and Skyat an early hour, we left Bacac and Lody's gorgeous mountains far behind e'er we trimmed ourobservations or thought our journey had scarce begun. We were now passing the rich farms ofCentreville and Hillsboro. The scenery here is most delightful. The extensive inclined plains arebeautifully decorated with woody groves and newly planted orchards weeping with load. In thedeep ravine below gently glides the stream that marks the boundary line of farms, and passes onto Mabou bridge to give that village harbor. Watch its clear winding rills as they multiply itsvolume on its course to the main, and be ever so poetically dead you cannot help leaving whatinspirations Bobby Burns borrowed from "Afton Waters" and "Bonny Doon." Indeed, students inliterature will find that the easiest and best method of studying authors is to read them under thesame or similar natural laws and surroundings as they have written. Read the Scottish poets.Cruise western Cape Breton and many surroundings will suggest you a collection of Scotland's very best literature. However, this is making leeway and courting thecensure of critics to whom my imagination must appear rather elastic in turning Mabou inScotland; but, begging pardon, I resume my thread. Through this beautiful valley, is located thecoming railway. Here we met one of the engineers, accompanied by THE HERALD in person.So confident did people there talk the actual fulfillment in the near future of the predictions ofthat paper on of the building of the line that one could almost be heard "Daniel" and Samuel, thefalse prophets of Port Hood, groaning under the agonies of despair as they held the eel of politicsby the tail and muttered–"Now, shameful flight alone can save the host.Our blood, our treason and our glory's lost."But it must be consoling to the country to know that thus is exemplified the English maxim:"What was John's loss was England's gain". However, we will let them alone. They havecensured themselves to save us the trouble ; their actions have made them immortal in their owndespite." I might here say that, while the mineral resources of the country are looked upon as thechief incentives in the building of the road, the scenery of the country will surprisingly aid inmaking the line an exceedingly popular one.. But on we go. Intermingling beauties increased indisplay and heightened imagination till the climax was capped by the picturesque vale ofGlendyer. Here scenery begets variety from the spirit of enterprise . Nature and art unite tomake 9t pleasant to the tourist. The McDonald mills are there and everything about theestablishment is enticing and praiseworthy. While the machinery calls attention to the inventivegenius of man, its productions are loud and emphatic in praise of the national policy and in theencouragement of the home industries. From here we made our way to Mabou bridge, where we arrested our westward course and boxedour compass N N E for Strathlorne. Conspicuous in the village of Mabou is the convent and theexhibition buildings - especially so in virtue of their commanding positions. The latter wasmore familiar to us as being associated with the losing of slippers than the winning of prizes.Mabou farms show their occupants industrious, and their dwellings, while models in style,display a refinement of taste in their simplicity. The route to Strathlorne is brimful of interest tothe tourist. Green fields and sweet scented valleys, sky-towering mountains and "craigs that arewild and majestic" feast the eye with beauty and the mind with grand and sublime conceptions ofthe handiwork of nature. Emerging from the behind those lofty peaks you have at once a full andcommanding view of the beautiful nook and rich verdant hills of Lake Ainslie, which, withoutrobbing any other place of due respect, I can safely say outstrips in scenery any other spot on theisland. We close the circle after a pleasant drive of about fifty miles, and studded with pleasureslong to be remembered by those who enjoyed it. And this we learned, that admirers of natureneed not wing their to "ape or monkey climb" for in our own more congenial clime the will findample scope for observations in the fascinating charms of "Our hills at Hame." Lake Ainslie, Oct.20, 1893