Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-10-16
From. the Rirginia Literary hsss"n'.
HARPER'S FERRY.

cf ne Blue Ridge in direction nearly north
east, turns suddenly to he eas, and mingles
its waers with hose of the Po,vmsc, at the
point where the latter, after flowing through
deep aud well wooded dell, from north wes'
10 south east. is entering that singular gap ID
the Ridge, through which The waters escape
The ,alliss of both rivers are romantic, AID
that Of the Potomac unites siuguariy with
beauty.
We are accu stoned to find valleys running
paraIlel TO the noun ain chains and separating
ridge; the whole Of the great valley, which
lies between The North Mountain ard the
Blue Ridge, and which is called in this
part of the country "the valley" pa. excellence,
presents an sl,eratioa Of such parsllei low
landss nd Intervening heights, the Shenan-
doah occupying one of the former Bu' the
valley Of the Potomac is not Of this class, II
in,ersects al right angles the great mountain
Ranges and The system OF smaller elc, atons
which are subordina 20 them; and the river
is nus distinguished from the more numerous
class of streams which occupy the bottoms OF
ordinary valleys The Potomac is not,
however, solitary example OF this kind;-
on the contrary, most OF our great 4 Ian.
tic rivers penetrate the mountains by extern
sise lateral valleys, or ale said, with some de-
gee Of pr prie,y, o break through the noun
ia,ns al right angles 20 their direction. These
profound passes are not uncommon in other
parts Of he world, and present several yari'>
ties. a deep ra,ine, in which the rocks pre-
sen,ing unequal reis aDce, have separated une-
qua;ly. and where the stream which rushes
through This accidental outlet, leaps from rock
20 rock, and is alternately seen foamins in the
cataract or los, in the narrow and gloomy gulf
below: in short, where the waters are not 10 be
regarded as flowing over bed, but rather as
penetrating through creyicss, whi'h ca tn
quakes have brok II in he immense wall that
confined them Such is the appearance, which
theory would assign to these transverse valleys
and their streams; but such is not the valley OF
the Potomac As seen from Harper's Ferry.
il presents d he'd Of nearly uniform dechsi,y
and width, corresponding in these respects
wi hat Of the Shenandoah, valley as be-
fore observed, of different class. The cham
nsIs Of both rivers are of rock, much broken,
but presenting on the whole regular decli,i>
ty, and passing in highly inclined strata across
the river. The prevailing rocks of he whole
neighborhoood being coarse granite contains
ing unusually large grains Of quartz, and a spe-
cies of sla' stone
The btead,h of the Potomac is from $50 10
10 800 yards; that Of the Shenandoah, ct the
p in, where il is proposed 10 erect a bridge,
W irh VIII supersede The necessity Of Har-
Bob rivers are shallow; SO shallow tina, the wa
ter leaves innumeraSle necks bare in every part
Of the chann-l, whose sides are worn by ,hou-
sands Of petty rapids, whIct fret and struggle
amor the large blocks On eraui'e
Tue town extends itsei in contempt OF all
order, along both sides Of The hill which divides
the two rivers, and runs up to the jaws OF the
picturesque, but in no way tremendous pass of
the Potomac. Al the point Of this tongue OF
land is he armorv; on the LETT, and nearly even
with the water, the working par OF the arse
nal, on tie right, AID oserhanging the west
ern baak Of the Shenandoah, is Jefferson's
Rock, lift Of little size and only remarkable
for It's name.
On the opposite banks of,he two rivers, The
cliffs are more bold and striking ThaI on he
Maryland side is supposed to resemble the pro.
fle If Washing on-an Illusion very plea>iug
TO shoss who's. minds are not adapted 10 relish
the beauties Of nature. The Two cliffs of which
we haze spoken form nable entrance 10 he
romaatic valley which lies beyond, embosomeG
among woods and mountains, aud winding
among the projsc ions Of the later. until its
exit is again guarded by immerse rocks. where
passags, corresponding 10 hat al Harper's
Ferry, is broken through the Short Hiils-a
cham parallel 10 the Blue Ridge, and connected
with il by spurs witch inoose, on every side,
this dell, tina, contains SO many elements OF the
picturesque. The mountains, OF considerable
height are clothed TO their summit by forests
of osk and pine. from on, the thick shade oil
whiob project immsnse masses OF granite, ihas
We, stand the stern Witnesses Of some .rrmend
Gus convu lsion, the traces Of which not even
Time, that has, for thousands Of years, been
scattering their debris daily below, has been
able 10 obli,erate. The base Of these noun
tains> presents elevated and very rugged cliff,
which, projecting into the valley, break its uni
formuy, and give wilder aspect 10 the river,
that spreads itself between them.
A greater abundance Of water would convert
this valley into q sngularly wild and beautiful
lake. mirror worthy Of the noble objects it
would reject But the character of the Poto-
mar is the same here as before its waters are
united with those of The Shenandoah. A chan