American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-06-14

following scarcely descernible track towards sun
down we began to ascend very high and steep
mountain. The path wound along its side some.
times running so close TO the brink oil preciplce
Of more than 100 feet perpendicular height that
we were obliged to pass singly On one side was
lofty mountain iutting out and projecting over our
heads on the other deep ravine. or rather cove
for the hills on both sides were precipitous. as II
they had been severed by some tremendous convul
sion-con6ned our steps The ravine percepubiy
deepened as advanced, and al the bottom stream
Of some magnitude was making its way among
rocks and trunks OF fallen trees, now lashed into
foam by the uncvenness and rapid descent OF its
channel, filling the glen with hoarsely-'epeated
murmurs and now emptying itself into bason.
where its aeitated and undiscovered surface soon
attained the smoothness and brightness Of mirror
The trees in the ravne we're of unusually vigorous
growth, and though gradually descending like the
spectators in an amphitheatre, they seemed to fill
up the vacancy between the hills except where the
stream had cleared space, and gave us an idea of
the height of the precpice on the edge OF which
we were travelling.
Here the mountain oak reared his giant trunk,
and claimed an equality with the rocks, among
which he struggled. as It were, tor existence, in
the qualities of hardness and durability; there the
walnut spread his elastic branches and luxuriant
foliage the sombre pine was scattered in spots
among the trees o. richer verdure; and, above all
the hoary hemlock lifted his blasted head and by
his age and height asserted his right as monarch of
the forest. The woods had not been veXed by the
abours Of civilized and, lar as the eye could
reach, they appeared like one solid mass Of vegeta
bic life, the growth oil ages unchecked, except by
the whirwind and the slower effects oil time. AS
the sun sunk behind the hill, the golden huss which
he had impaired TO the prospect, slowly left the
lower regions, giving place to very dark green
AZ lac fba n or
colours oltwilipht; while the whole heavens were
filled with streams Of light, and the varying hues of
crimson and gold, the rays were retracted by
clouds OF more or less density. gave glorious rich
ness 10 the atmosphere which nvoluntarily attrac.
led the eye and disposed the MIND to alteration. III
seemed type OF that immortality which is promis
ed to man. when his earth shall be wrapped in the
darkness of eternal night. The sober grey ofeven-
ing soon, however, encroached upon the heavens
ard gave to the scene, wild and solitary it was a
still more gloomy appearance. No lowing herds
afforded evidence Of the security Of social life We
had assembled above the dwellings, OF the smaller
birds, and every thing motonless and quiet, ex
cent eagle who was lowering ran isolated cliff
and gradually dropping down in airy circles to his
nest
'The ravine, through which we had assembled,
now assumed the appearance OF a vast cavern pit,
and the mountains, rising On each side. seemed tol
shapes were no longer distineushabe, and the
perpendicular rocks and projecting cliffs, crowned
with trees and bushes, took the forms Of cahedrals
or helmcted giants, according to the Imagination oil
the spectators.
Alter resting a Jew hours, we proceeded on curl
Journey, and Just before sunrise arrived at the spot
selected for the council ground. II was level areal
about 100 yards square, and projecting from the
SIDE or rather forming an angle ofthe mountain
Directly in front, it PERCEPTIONS, and elevated
far above the tallest oaks and hemocks which were
rooted at its base. We thus had clear and unnter
ruped prospect, from eminence of several thou
sand feet 1t was autumnaI morning, and the
mist which at that season covers the earth in the
night lay before like inland sea, or rather
like deluge, which had filled the vaes, and was
fast encroaching upon the mountains. Knowing, as
did, that under this tsick cloud or veil was hidI
a beautiful country teeming with animal or vegeta
BILE life, ] waited with no small impotence for the
sun to dlssipae the vapnurs, and bring out in its
own vivid and living colours this natural picture
My wishes were soon grati6ed The sun, upon itsl
FIRST appearance above the opposite hills. had dis
persed the thin and lighter vapours which fioated in
the higher regions Of the atmosphere, and now res
ted upon the denser volume beneath us. as if tn
comparison be not Irreverent in the beginning
"on the wat'ry calm
His bfooding wings the spirit of God outspread,
And vital virtue infused the vital warmth
Throughout the fluid mass .
THE mist slowly settled in the vaIles and the
higher lands began to rear their heads above the
ocean-like cloud, like islands overwhelmed by 81
spring tide, gradually emerging as the waters re-
cede gentle current Of air from he eastward
soon disturbed this tranquility and aided the sun in
the Development 1.-THE prospect Forced by the
wind, the vapours moved at first in body; then
INSTRUCTED by the inequalities Of the ground for
med vast and dense volumes, which rolled along the
champaign until they came to the foot of the noun
tain on cur right assembled ii, and dwelling for al
moment on its summit, as if to gather strength for
their flight, successfully broke their earthly hold.