The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-09-02

in ridicule of Cleomenes, knew not for fairer
shores never angel coasted on tour of pleasure.
beach of brilliant white sand, and gir with wild
casellated rocks apparently of green marble, varied
at the chasms, occurring every two or three hundred
feet, with grotesque blocks of chalk or gypsum and
feathcred and festooned at the SUBMITS with the
clustering foliage of unknown trees, moved along
the bright wall of our apartment until we were
speechless with admiration. The water, wherever
we obtained view of it, was nearly as blue that
of the deep ocean, and broke in large white blows
upon the strand. The action ofyery high tides was
quite manifest upon the face of the cliffs, for more
than hundred miles yet, diversified as the scene
ry was during this and much greater distance, we
perceived no trace of animal existence, notwith-
standing could command at will perspective
or foreground view Of the whole. MIR. Holmes, in
deed, pronounced some white objects Of a circular
form, which we saw at distance in the interior
of a cavern, to be bona fde specimens of large
nu ammOnis; but to me they appeared merely large
pebbles, which had been chafed and rolled there by
the tides Our chase of animal was not yet to be
rewarded.
Having continued this close inspection nearly two
hours, during which we passed over a wide tract of
country chiefly of rugged and apparently volcanic
character; and having seen few additional varieties
of vegetation, except some species OF llchen, which
grew every where in great abundance, DIR. Herschel
rapid speed to the panorama and search for some
of the principal valleys known to the astronomers
the most likely method to reward our first ght's
observation with the discovery of animated beings
''hc lenses being removed, and the effulgence of
oar unuuulablv glorious -efectors left undimshed
uu found, "a accordaucc with our calculations, that
our field Of view compreheA3ed about twenty five
mics of the lunar surface, with the dslnctness both
of outline and detail which could be procured of Il
to I,h,a tbn of md half
miles an optical phenomenon which you will find
demonstrated in Note 8. This afforded us the best
landscape views we had hitherto obtained, and al
though the accelerated motion rather too great
we enjoyed them with rapture. Several of those
famous valleys which bounded by lofty hills of
perfectly conical form to render hem less like
yorks OF nature than of art passed the canvass be-
fore we had time to check their flight but presen-
tly train of scenery met eye, of features so
entirely novel, that DIR. Hersche signalled for the
lowest convenient eradaon of movement 1t was
a lofty chain of obelsk-shaped, very slender
pyramids, standing in irregular groups, each com.
posed of about ''r'r or FORT, spires, every one of
perfectly square, and as accurately trun-
Gated as the finest specimens of Cornish crystal.
They were of faint black hue, and very resplcn-
dant. | now thought that we had assuredly fallen on
productions of art but DIR. Hersche shrewdly re-
marked that if the Lunarians could build thirty or
ere now have discovered others of less equivocal
character. lie pronounced them quartz formations,
of probably the wine-colred amethyst species, and
promised us, from these and other proofs which we
had obtained of the powerful action of the laws of
crystalzatlon in this planet rich field of minera-
logical study. On introducing lens, his conlec-
ture was fully confirmed they were monstrous
amethyss, of diluted claret color, glowing in the
intensest light of the sun They varied in height
A. Il
of still more incredible altitude. They were OBJ
served in succession of valleys divided by lon
gtudinal lines OF round breasted hills, covered will
verdurc and nobly undulated; but, what is nor,
remarkable, the valleys which contained these stu
pcndous crystals were invariably barren, and COW
cred with stones of a ferrug ginOus hue which wer,
probably iron pyrites We found that these curios-
tiles were situated in district elevated about half
mile above the valley of Mare Fecunditatis, of May
and Riccoli the shores of which soon hove in view
But never was name more inappropraely bes-
lowcd From Dan to Beersheba' all was barren
barrcn,-the sea board entirely composed OF
chalk and flint, and not vestigc ofvcgetation could
he discovered with strongest glasses. The whole
breadth of the northern extremity of this sea- which
was about three hundred miles, having crossed oul
plane, we entered upon a wild mountainous region
abounding with more extensive forests of larger trees
than had before seen-the species of which
have good analogy to describe. In gentle con-
tour they resembled forest oak ; but they wer,
much more superb in foliage, having glossy leaves
like those of the laurel, and tresscs of yellow flow
ers which hung in the open glades, from the branches
to the ground.
These mountains passed, we arrived at regior
which filled us with utter astonishment. 1t was al
oval valley, surrounded, except at narrow opening
towards the south, by hills, red the purest verm
lion, and evidently chrystalized; for wherever pre-
ciptous chasm appeared-and they were very fire.
quent,-thc perpendicular sections presented con
glomerated masses of poygon crystals evenly iteC
to each other, and arranged in deep strata, whcl
grew dark, in color as they descended to the foun
dations of the precipice.-lnnumerabe cascades
bursting from the breasts ofevery one ofthos,
ellis, and some near their SUBMITS, and will
such great l1rc,, MS 90 ionn ches many yards il
diameter lucver was so viyidly romiaded of Byron