The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-29 00:00:00

THE YO SEMITE VALLEY.

This wonderful scene, which some day will be
almost as renowned as Niagara, is thus described
by Mr. Frederic Law Olmsted :
"The main feature of the Yo Semite is best in-
dicated in one word as a chasm. It is a chasm
nearly a mile in average width however, and more
than ten miles in length. The central and broader
part of this chasm is occupied at the bottom by a
series of groves of magnificent trees, and meadows
of the most varied, luxuriant, and exquisite her-
bage, through which meanders a broad stream of
the clearest water, rippling over a pebbly bottom,
and eddying among banks of ferns and rushes;
sometimes narrowed into sparkling rapids; and
sometimes expanding into placid pools, which reflect
the wondrous heights on either side. The walls of
the chasm are generally half a mile, sometimes
nearly a mile in height above these meadows, and
where most lofty are nearly perpendicular, some-
times over jutting. At frequent intervals, however,
they are cleft, broken, terraced, and sloped, and
in these places, as well as everywhere upon the sum-
mit, they are overgrown by thick clusters of trees.
There is nothing strange or exotic in the character
of the vegetation, most of the trees and plants,
especially those of the meadows and water-side, are
closely allied to, and are not readily distinguished
from, those most common in the landscapes of the
Eastern States or the Midland Counties of England.
The stream is such a ono as Shakspeare delighted
in, and brings pleasing reminiscences to the traveller
of the Avon or the upper Thames. Banks of hearts-
ease and beds of cowslips and daisies are frequent,
and thickets of alder, dogwood, and willow often
fringe the shores. At several points streams of water
flow into the chasm, descending at one leap from five
hundred to fourteen hundred feet. One small stream
falls in three closely consecutive pitches, a distance
of two thousand six hundred feet, which is more
than fifteen times the height of the falls of Niagara.
In the spray of these falls superb rainbows are seen.
At certain points the walls of rock are plowed in
polished horizontal furrows, at others moraines of
boulders and pebbles are found ; both evincing the
terrific force with which in past ages of the earth's
history a glacier has moved down the chasm from
among the adjoining peaks of the Sierras. Beyond
the lofty walls still loftier mountains rise, some
crowned by forests, others in simple rounded cones
of light grey granite. The climate of the region
is never dry like that of the lower parts of the
State of California. Even when for several months
not a drop of rain has fallen twenty miles to the
westward, and the country there is parched, and all
vegetation withered, the Yo Se.nite continues
to receive frequent soft showers, and to be
dressed throughout in living green. After
midsummer a light, transparent haze gene-
rally pervades the atmosphere, giving an indescrib-
able softness and exquisite dreamy charm to the
scenery, like that produced by the Indian summer
of the East. Clouds gathering at this season upon
the snowy peaks which rise within forty miles on
each side of the chasm to a height of over twelve
thousan 1 feet, sometimes roll down over the cliffs
in the afternoon, and, under the influence of the
rays of the setting sun, form the most gorgeous and
magnificent thunderheads. *The average elevation
of the ground is greater than that of the highest peak
of the White ALuntaius, or the Allegh Lilies, and
the air is rare and bracing ; yet its temperature is
never uncomfortably coot in summer, nor severe in
winter. Flowering shrut s of sweet fragrance and
balmy herbs abound in the insaclows, and there is
everywhere a delicate odour of the prevailing foliage
in the pines and cedars. The water of the streams
is soft and limpid, as clear as crystal, abounds with
trout, and, except near its source, is, during the
heat of the summer, of an agreeable temperature
for bathing. In the lower part of the valley there
are copious mineral springs, the water of one of
which is regarded by the aboriginal inhabitants as
having remarkable curative properties. A basin still
exists to which weak and sickly persons were
brought for bathing. The water has not been ana-
lyzed, but that it possesses highly tonic as well as
other medecinal qualities can be readily seen. In the
neighbouring mountains there are also springs
strongly charged with carbonic acid gas, and said
to resemble in taste the Empire springs of Sara-
toga. Associated with this valley in the grant of
Congress to California for public purposes are four
sections of laud, about thirty miles distant from
it, on which stand, in the midst of a forest com-
posed of the usual trees and shrubs of the west-
ern slope of the Sierra Nevada, about six hun-
dred mature trees of the giant Sequoia. Among
them is one known through numerous paintings and
photographs as the Grizzly Giant, which probably
is the noblest tree in the world. Besides this, there
are hundreds of such beauty and stateliness that, to
one who moves among them in the reverent mood
to which they su strongly incite the mind, it will
not seem strange that intelligent travellers have de-
clared that they would rather have passed by Nia-
gara itself than have missed visiting this grove. In
the region intermediate between the two districts
the scenery generally is of a grand character, con-
sisting of granite mountains and a forest composed
mainly of coniferous trees of great size, yet often
more perfect, vigorous, and luxurious than trees of
half the size are ever found on the Atlantic side of
the continent. It is not, however, in its grandeur
or in its forest beauty that the attraction of this in-
termediate region consists, so mach as in the
more secluded charms of some of its glens,
formed by mountain torrents fed from the
snow banks of the higher Sierras. These
have worn deep and picturesque channels in
the granite rocks, and in the moist shadows of their
recesses grow tender plants of rare and peculiar
loveliness. The broad and parachute-like leaves of
the peltate saxifrage, delicate ferns, soft mosses,
and the most brilliant lichens abound, and in fol-
lowing up the ravines, cabinet pictures open at
every turn, which, while composed of materials
mainly new to the artist, constantly recall the most
valued sketches of Calame in the Alps and Apennines.
The difference in the elevation of different parts
of the district amounts to considerably more than a
mile. Owing to this difference and the great variety
of exposure and other circumstances there is a larger
ntunber of species of plants within the district than
probably can be found within a similar space any-
where on the continent. Professor Torrey, who
has given the received botanical names to several
hundred plants of California, states that on the space
of a few acres of meadow land he found about three
hundred species, and that within sight of the mail
usually followed by visitors, at least six hundred
may be observed, most of them being small and
delicate flowering plants. By no statement of the
elements of the scenery can any idea of that scenery
be given, any more than a true impression can he
conveyed of a human face by a measured account of
its features. It is conceivable that any one or all of
the cliffs of the Yo Semite might be changed in form
and colour, withoutlessening the enjoyment which is
now obtained from the scenery. Nor is this en-
joyment any more essentially derived from its
meadows, its trees and streams ; least of all can it
be attributed to the cascades. These, indeed, are
scarcely to be named among the elements of the
scenery. They are mere incidents, of far less
consequence any day of the summer than the

imperceptible humidity of the atmosphere and
the soil. The chasms remain when they are dry,
and the scenery may be, and often is, more eff,?e-
tive, by reason of some temporary condition of the
air, of clouds, of moonlight, or of sunlight through
mist or smoke, in the season when the cascades
attract the least attention, than when their volume
of water is largest and their roar like constant
thunder. There are falls of water elsewhere finer,
there are more stupendous rocks, more beetling
cliffs, there are deeper and more awful chasms, there
may be as beautiful streams, as lovely meadows,
there are larger trees. It is in no scene or scenes
the charm consists, but in the miles of scenery,
where cliffs of awful height and rocks of vast
magnitude and of varied and exquisite colouring,
and banked and fringed, draped and shadowed by
the tender foliage of noble and lovely trees and
bushes, reflected from the most placid pools, and
associated with the most tranquil meadows, the
most playful streams, and every variety of soft
and peaceful pastoral beauty. This union of the
deepest sublimity with the deepest beauty of nature,
not in one feature or another, not in one part or
one scene or another, not any landscape that can
be framed by itself, but all around and wherever
the visitor goes, constitutes the Yo Semite the
greatest glory of nature. No photograph or series
of photographs or paintings, ever prepare a visitor
so that he i not taken by surprise, for could the
scenes be faithfully represented, the visitor is affected
not only by that upon which his eye is at any
moment fixed, but by all that with which on every
side it is associated, and of which it is seen only as
an inherent part. For the same reason no de-
scription, no measurements, no comparisons, are of
much value. Indeed, the attention called by these
to points in some definite way remarkable, by fixing
the mind on mere matters of wonder or curiosity,
prevent the true and far more extraordinary cha-
racter of the scenery from being appreciated.

LE7TER FROM GEORGE FRAATIS
?RAIN.

(From the Anglo-American Times.)

Dublin, Four Courts, Marshalsea, July 20.
Dear Anglo-American Times,—
It was very kind for you to remember me in my
" summer cottage" in Ireland, so kindly furnished
for me by the greatest nation on the face of the
airth. Britons never will be slaves so long
as, in the midst of life, they are in debt.
Is it time to abolish this relic of the barbarous ages ?
Five years of idleness can be produced by a £lO
bill. These things are recorded in this_debtor's
jail.
DOWN WITH lIIPRISONMENT FOR DEBT.
TIIE SPECIAL OF THE WORLD.

" George Francis Train, having nothing else to do iu the
Marshalsea, has written roams upon reams, and the Ame-
rican papers team with his productions. It astonishes us
that he who writes so much should write so well, and in
such spirits, considering the circumstances ; but he has
one inexhaustible theme of inspiration, and that is —him-
self."—Angle-American Times.

Himself-1V by not ? Humility is cowardice.
Egotism is courage. Don't we all know our
friends ? Does water run up the hill ? Can we get
above our level and hold our own long ? Are there
not natural laws that keep us in our places? If you
can edit a first-class journal, don't you know it ?
'When any man says, " Train, you are clever." I
say, " Yes—much more so than you think I am."
'The party is usually astonished at my catching
him in the act. Put a lot of potatoes in a spring
cart over a rough road the small potatoes must go
to the bottom. Let us introduce a new religion
and tell the truth, even though a congregation may
walk out of the church.
WHAT IS lIIS INFLUENCE AMONG THE IRISH.

(From the Anglo .American Times.)

" George Francis gives a touching picture of his child-
hood in New Orleans, written with a power that shows,
when ho chooses to be rational, how great the talent is he
does in truth possess. If all his loose joints were well
screwed together, and ceased to rattle in that plaguey,
ridiculous way when he got into motion, ho would have
taken a very different position in his country. Without a
particle of real sympathy by blood, or any other bond, he de-
sires to walk on the shoulders of the Irish into the Pre-
sidential Chair, and he pursues this infatuated idea with
a waste of toil, talent, and energy, which, well directed,
would make any other person's fortune. After abusing
England to his heart's content, he expects to be received
by Englishmen with outstretched hand. Otherwise,
what could have induced him to bravo the lion in his
den on the Liverpool Stock Exchange? There are only two
ways in which he can be received in England, either with
indignation, or with curiosity. He has too much talent
and energy, however misdirected, to be treated with con-
tempt. We aro sorry he was not permitted to leave, as ho
desired, by the Scotia, for we are curious to see what his
influence among the Irish in America really is. But the
Republicans need not hug themselves on the prospect of
seeing the Irish vote split in favour of George Francis
'l`rain."

Our Convention meets on the sth of August in
Chicago, and will adjourn to the Academy of
Music, New York, to the 20th of September, to be
adjo'irned again to Cincinnati, to meet on the
anniversary of Lord Cornwallis' surrender on the
19th of October. Two weeks of telegrams will call
our organization to the ballot-box. Our Labour
Societies, our Reform Leagues, and the Fenian
Brotherhood are completely organized. I hold the
balance of power.

THE IGNORANCE OF THE " TIMES" ON AMERICAN

NEWS.

The ignorance of the London Press on American
affairs is proverbial. You well describe it in your
Leader. Hit them again ; they have no friends
among my Irish boys. Only last week Punch makes
Horace Greeley proprietor of the Philadelphia Led-
ger ; and the Times, during the war, anr.;hored
Burnside's naval expedition in the mountains
of Western Virginia— while the Standard landed
the pilgrim fathers at New Orleans on the
banks of the Ohio. The people know no-
thing of America. The penny papers sel-
dom discuss American affairs. The Lord Mayor
of London, it will be remembered, introduced
" Daniel Webster as a member of the Upper Senate
of New York." Reuter sends about twenty lines a
week by the cable, and the mails only bring a para-
graph or two. What is the remedy for this lack of
enterprise and lack of disposition to discuss Ameri-
can affairs ? It is this—An Ocean Penny Postage.
Randall did right in snubbing Trollop. Open the
gates of the Atlantic, and give us free trade in let-
ters. We must have another Collins' line of
steamers.

JUDGE KEOGH 'IND GEORGE FRANCIS TRAIN.

MR. TRAIN MAKES ANOTHER STRUGGLE FOR LIBERTY

AND FAILS.

Since you published my last trial I have made
another attempt without success. Lord Jeffries
says I am in his custody—Lord Norbury says I am
in his ; and my corpus seems to belong to anybody
who is disposed to habeas it. Ask your legal readers
if a man can be arrested under fiat and afterwards
detained under ca sa—in other words, for twice the
sum ? Again, can individuals arrest under fiat,
and the firm detain in ca sa ? Would not either of
these legal informalities release a British subject?
Is there a different law for an American ? Here
are the facts of the case for your column of co-
nundrums. G-EO. FRANCIS TRAIN.

[We have read the Irish limes' report of the pro-
ceedings, and although we would be sorry to hazard
an opinion against that of Mr. Justice Keogh, we
cannot help thinking that there is neither law nor
justice in the decision of which Mr. Train com-
plains. We regret that the report is too long to
publish, and we cannot doubt that Mr. Train will
soon be at liberty, for a creditor imprisoning a
debtor, except as a punishment for an intent to
defraud, is a foolish proceeding, and if the report
we elsewhere give regarding Mr. Train's property at
Omaha be correct, he must be, or soon will be, able
to pay any thing he considers justly due.--ED.
A.A.T.]

I ADVERTISEMENT. I—Holloway's1—Holloway's Pills.— In bilious dis-
orders, sick-heache, indigestion, and affections of the
nerves these famous Pills, so highly appreciated in all
quarters of the world, are regarded as a perfect remedy.
They purify the blood, regulate the secretions, give tone
to the stomach, restore the appetite, and renovate the
whole system; After a course of these Pills the once
emaciated and feeble patient is so changed that his friends
are both wonder struck and delighted. These cheap pre-
servatives of life and health are a blessing to mankind. It
would be hardly possible to overstate the good that they
-have effected in diseases which through maltreatment or
neglezt had gained such a mastery over the system that
their eradication seemed perfectly hopeless.