A Visitor's Impressions of Hudson, 1841

This weekend, the city was filled with visitors. As they depart, we hope they will all report on their blogs, their Facebook pages, or in emails to friends how much they enjoyed their stay in Hudson. At the beginning of this long weekend, Ray Clapper sent Gossips the following letter, written by a visitor to Hudson from Nantucket. It appeared in the Nantucket Inquirer on September 29, 1841.

A challenge for Gossips readers: What is the location of the apartment where this letter is being written?

The court house that existed in 1841    Photo courtesy Historic Hudson

The First Presbyterian Church as it was in 1841    Photo courtesy Historic Hudson

400 State Street when it was the Lunatic Asylum, 1830-1850

Hudson House, later to become the Worth Hotel, located at 217 Warren Street

Hudson River Bank as it was in 1841, located at 231 Warren Street    Photo courtesy Historic Hudson

Engraving c. 1841 from Rural Repository

"The great Magician" is a reference to Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States, although the adjective great is a puzzlement. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Van Buren was known as the "Little Magician" to his friends (he was only 5 feet 6 inches tall) and the "Sly Fox" to his enemies "in recognition of his reputed cunning and skill as a politician." Van Buren's term in office ended on March 4, 1841, five months before the letter writer's visit to Hudson.

Lindenwald, "the seat of 'the great Magician'"   Photo courtesy Historic Hudson

COPYRIGHT 2015 CAROLE OSTERINK