The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1822-03-27
40isreitanp.
From ske AeW York Chusaan Herald
A SCENE VIRGINIA..


red onward by impatience, l beheld the sun
rising in splcndor and cbsnging he blue
.inls on the tops ofthe lofty Allegheny noun
tains into stresks Of the purcst golt, and na-
iure scented 10 smile in the freshness OF
beauty. A ride OF about Fifteen miles, and q
pleasant woodland ramble OF abvot two,
broagh, myself and companion to the great
Nanlrdi Bridge.
Although l had been anxiously DOCKING
forward to this ume, and my mind had been
considerably excied by expectation, yet 1
was not altogether prepared ior tbs visit
This great work Of nature is eonside, cd by
many as the second great curiosity in our
country, NIagara falls being tho hrst. do
not expect 20 convey very correct idea OF
this bridge, for no description can do this.
The natural Bridge is entirely tho work Of
God. Ii is Of solid limestones, and con-
Dects two huge mountains together by most
beautiful arch, over which there is a great
Wagon road. Its length from one monn-
lain to the other is nearly 90 feet, its width
about IS, its thickness about IS, and its per-
pendic0lar height over the water is not far
from 22o feet. "A few bushes grow on its
top, by which tho traveller may hold himself
ss he looks over. On each side of tho
stream, and near the bridge, are rocks pro-
jecting ten o. fifteen fsct over the water, spd
from 200 TO 500 fee, from its surface, oil OF
limestone. The visitcr csnno, give SO good
a description of this bridge as he can oi his
feelings at the time. He soi, ly crceps out
on a shsggy projecting rock and looking
down o chssm OF from 10 TO so fee, wide, he
sees, nearly 800 feet below, q wild sresm
foaming and dashing against the rocks be-
meath, as If terrified at the rocks above This
stream is called Cedar Creek. The visiter
here sees trees under the arch, whose heigbr.
is 70 feet and yet TO look down upon ,h.m,,
they appear like small bushes Of pethsrs ~
or three feet in height. / saw several birds
fly under the arch, and they looked nike in
sects. threw down stone, and Ccvniel IS
before il reached the water. AZ hear of
heights and Of depth., but they herc see what
Is bigb, and they uembie, and Jeel 1t 10 bo
deep. The awful rocks present their ever
lasting bu,ments, the water murmurs and
.Fosms Fac below, and tho ,wo motntains car
their proud heads on each aide, separated by
. channel Of subimity Those who view tho
sur, the moon, and the stsss, end allow that
none but God could make them, Will hero bs
imp'ess that none but an dimighry God
could build q bridge like this.
The view of the bridse from below, is as
pleasing as the top is awful. Inc afoh from
beneath would seem 10 DO ebou' ,wo feet IN
thickness. Some idea Of the dis,,nce fro,
the top 10 the bottom IDsS be 10 med, from
the isci, that a. stood on The bridge end n~
companion beneath, neither OF Us could speak
with sufficient loudness 10 bs heard ty the
other. A man ftom either view does not ap.
pear more than four or five inches in height.
A, we stood under this be sutiful orch, wo
saw The place where visitcrs have often taken
the pains TO engroyo their names upon Tho
rock. Hero Washington climbed up IS feoe
end carved his own name, where il still re-
mains. Some wishing TO immortslize their
names, Eave engraven them deep and large,
while others have tried TO climb up and IN
ser, them high in this book Of fame.
A few years since, young man, being ON
bilious TO place hts name above oil Others,
came very near losing his life in the attempt.
After much fatigue he climbed up as high az
possible, but found that the persou woo had
before occupied his place was talsr than
himself. end consequently had placed his
name above his reach. But he was Dot thus
to be discouraged. He opens q large jack
knife, and in the soft lime stone, began to cus
piuCoS IOF DIS HaDus tnu Iect w W. Wuch
patience and industry he worked his way up.
wards, and succeeded in carving his name
higher than the most enbitious had done be-
fore him. He could now triumph, bv, his
triumph was short, for he was placed IN such
q situation that !, was Impossible to descend,
unless he fell upon tho ragged rocks beneath
him. There was no house neat, tom whence
his companiohs could &c, sssis 'sote. He
could not long remain in the, eoodiion, sndr
whs, was worse, his friends we're TOO much
frightened 10 do any thing for his relief.
They looked upon him q. already dead, sx-
peciing every rabmept to zee him precipita-
ted upon the rocks below and coshed TO plec-
es. Not so with himself. lie de,e' mined
tn ascend. Accordingly he plies himself
with his. knife, cutting places for his hands
and e,el, and gradually sscended win ineret.
ible Tabor. lie excns every muscle. His
lie was at stake, and all the terrors OF death
rose before him. He dared no, 10 look down
!, wards, lest his head should become d'zsy
and perhaps on this circumstsnce his lite de
Y h. ssvvxn n