The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-05-26
SUNRISE ON TIE PYRENEES.

TO catch his enthusiasm, and GREATNESS
like himself, struggles to gain the summit
and witness the unaccustomed splendours
which shall there attend the appearance OF
the "glorious day." The striking resem-
blance to the universal deluge, afforded by
one of the attendant circumstances on this
occasion, must have irresistably impressed
him, and is most happily delineated.
.It was then the month of August; the
night had been misty, which ! knew was
rather reason to look for a bright morn
ing. The smooth even path as we went
along, and the deep conversation into which
we entered, beguiled our route; so that
was somewhat surprised on casting my looks
towards the east, as we issued from ravine
about half way up the mountains side, to
find that the dawn was beginning to break.
stopped for a few moments to take breath,
for the ascest had been very rapid. gaz-
ed around me. and was pleased to see the
mists rising gradually upwards, and leaving
the bottom of the valleys clear. distn-
guished the little river which had narrowed
as we mounted towards its source, and the
still smaller streamlets that trlckled down
towards it, like skeins Of silvery tissue hang
ing on the healthy mantle which covered
the mountain. A fresh breeze came from
the eastward heralding the rising sun, and
marked appearing above the horizon those
prelusive beams which he sends out, as want
couriers, to clear his path along the ways OF
heaven. Remembering my disappointment
OF the preceding morning, on the top OF the
Pic tlu Midi, | was resolved to be III time at
the summit of Arbizon, to see the first burst
of the tlay-god as he showed his splendid face
to nv portion of the world. | gave there
fore the hint to my guides, and we pushed
quickly on. My companions, though more
accustomed to the scene than was, seemed
TO participate in my anxiety. We all aoan-
doned for while the subject which had late
lygiven such interest to our conversation; and
paid, iii silence, our homage to the sovereign
whose levee we we're hurrying 10 attend
The vapours kept pace with us at first; they
mounted beside us for while, but soon out
stripped our progress; as they lett all clear
before us, we saw them blending gradually
with the clouds, which had already taken
their high stations close to the mountain
summit. As the light increased a gradual
tone and appearance OF security seemed to
accompany it on the earth. The bowling
of wolves, and the barking of the shepherds
dogs, which had kept concert during the
night, now gave place to the hum of insects.
The eagles, sure Of their way, came two or
three of them floating down through the air,
and seemed to pierce with keen gaze the
deepest recesses of the vale. The wild flow
erS opcned their b0soms and freely shared
their fragrant scents with the breeze, that
kissed them as it passed upwards. All ma
ture began to robe itself for the coming GER
emony. The gray clouds assumed variety
of tinges Of many brilliant colours. The
peaks rising here and there above them
shone in roseate hues; and the snow-heaps
that lav on the granite beds were covered
with a deep blush Of bendid crimson and
purple | hurried breathlessy forward.
for feared should be late | found that
nature vas too quick for me. ! saw the
horizon covered with the yellow streams,
on Whose tops the sun treads so quickly
His dazzling beams were fast piercing up
the sk-s and the west OF heaven was glow
ing in all the splendid mixture Of bright CO.
lours which it catches from reflection.
hasten o. still faster. had taken the lead
of nv companions. | did not look at all be-
fore me. until enveloped by thick msts, and
losing all sight Of the beautiful panorama a
round me, | found that we were actually in
tie clsuds.
"A p4ns Of disappointment was my first
sensation, III did not pause in my career,
I heard Claude and Eoinard call to me that
was mGu.ting too high from the path, but
| replicl in4t would soon reion them.
They p4ussl, and ! rasAed on. horaa
still 10 htd in opening aue { the vapor4 p
catch glimpse Of thc world below INC, bla2-
Ing in all tie splendasl ef tie fully risen III 4
sinary Tie mist gald me that my hopes
were VAN, and that the moment was past
for they were all at once Illuminated with
a sudden rush of brightness, that gave to ev-
cry particle of which they were composed a
silver brilliancy, and seemed to throw a
glow of warmth into the atmosphere. A few
minutes more led me to the confines of this
bright veil. The pointed peaks OF the noun
tain began to appcar-then the blue heaven
above--and in another step or two, had
passed the outward edge of the mist.
looked round, and felt a thrill Of awe shoot
through me, as gaaed on the solemnity OF
the scene. AS far as the eye could penc-
trate the apparently boundless extent, a
thick cloud alone was visible below me, and
the spotess vault Of heaven above. Not the
slightest sign of earth or of man Was within
view. The heavy mass of congresated va
pours. in their millions of iAvnluted folds,
brought at once to my mind the nation OF tlts
universal deluge, when the world OF waters
swept maiesticaily along crushing and bury
ing all trace of animal and vegetable exist
ence. ! imagined the last of living victims
fiying from the coming fiood, and hurrying
his tottering steps tc the summit OF the high
est hill retreatcd involuntarilly upwards
and could have fed in the midst Of alb
straction. had not tire out-husting Of the glo-