Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-01-14

rugged site than this canal was forcedit ito occupy.
Above Georgetown, the Potomac is hemmed in
by ridge of hills, in many places precipitous,
and rising in crags and lodges of rock almost per-
pendicular from the river to the height of two
hundred feet Through these, midway from the
river to the summit, it was necessary to open a
passage to the Canal. This has been effected by
the drill and by gunpowder. In several places,
the Canal seems suspended over the river, and
is, in fact, sustained by massive walls, rising
out of the river to the perpendicular height of
| fifty-ive feet, and of many rods in extent. The
Space is thus obtained for the passage of the Ca
nal. These are stupendOus works, and must have
cost incredible labor. But the greatest difficult
ties are surmounted. and the next thirty miles is
through comparatively champaign country, and
requires only three locks, beyond Seneca Greek
TO the Point of Rocks. At one place the Canal
occupies deep ravine, formed by mountain on
the north side, and ridge of rock called "Bear
Ekaad," separating it from the river, on the
other. There the water is from forty to sixty
feet deep, and several rods wide, forminga small
lake, out of which rises the roof of an old tobac-
co house. the body Of which is submerged. The
Canal, it seems, has inundated small tobacco
plantation. Here the excavation was necessary,
nor any other expense but the construction of
perpendicular wall for the formation of the tow
path.
The Great Falls of the Potomac are truly a
wild and magnificent exhibition of nature, in
her most rugged form. The river is imprisoned
within walls of rock, and has worn itself deep
and narrow channels, through which it foams
aud RACES and rushes forward, with power and
majesty which astonish and overwhelm the spec
tator. We were cut off from the Falls themselves
by the unusual fitness of the river, which con-
verified the intervening crags and lodges Into ac-
cessbe islands, and could therefore see the RI
yer only after its descent, where it appeared as
if gushing froi: the base of rocky mountain
This and the intermediate scenery, independent
of the Canal, are, of themselves, well worth the
excursion, but they are certainly set off to great
advantage by the substantial and solid works of
art with which they are cOntrasted.
The quiet surface of the canal, and the SYM
metry and order of the Locks seem an unlicens-
ed invasion of Disorders wild dominion by the
insidious and irresistible power If Art She has
entrenched and fortified herself with great labor
and perseverance, and will no doubt lone main
tain her usurpations. Wit and fancy delight in
the association of extremes and contradictions.
In the exercise of their fayurite vocation, they
have constructed .sCuP,p's Bower" on =" fear
Elaad," over which the blind god and his ursur-
line majesty hold joint dominion, and revei and
sport in loving concord among the rocks and ca
ycrns of the island. Members Of Congress and
other strangers who visit Washington, would, no
doubt be sratied with a view of the local ha-
bitation' and terrestrial abode of the youthful
deity.
The excursion is performed with great facility
and comfort upon the Canal. in an elegant and
we'll furnished packet boat, which has been built
and fitted up for the purpose More or greater
Inducements were seldom combined TO persuade
to a short tour from the city into the country.
must not omit to mention some OF the evIden-
ces which witnessed of the great practical uili-
tv of this Canal. We passed not less than fifty
boats. Durham, and gondolas, laden with flour
isome containing $50 barrels) descending the Ca.
nal. Many of these boats were from the country
of the Shenandoah, and had travelled Journey of
near two hundred miles on that river and the
Potomac. Let the canal penetrate to that fine
wheat region, and reach the coal mines OF the
Cumberland. and perforatng the Allegany, de-
scend into the valley of the Ohio, and its waters
will float continuous line of boats. passing and
repassins, exchanging the superfuous products
of the West for the manufactures and luxuries
of the East, and the busy and animatlng scene
now enacting on the Erie and Champaign Canal,
and the waters Of the Hudson shall be realized
upon the the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and
the broad bosom of the Potomac, and justify to
the American people, and to the world, the prac-
teal wisdom of the
"AMERICAN SYSTEM.'