Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-07-30
rFrom a Private Correspondent I

D III, q,
Here am n last, safe and sound. reached this
place about three days ago. and have been since
like DR.. Syntax, in search of the picturesque. The
picturesque however, Is less common than the sub
lime and beautiful, by which | am surrounded
left Washington early one beautiful morning horse
back about three days ago. and took the canal
from Georgetown. paused, for q short time, at the
Great Falls Of the Potomac, TO contemplate thet
tural curiosity, which it 10 really worth days jour-
new 10 See These Falls are about sixteen miles from
Washington, and frequently visited by parties from
the cities of the district. The scenery Is wild and
rugged-a rude and winding path about half mile
in extent conducts you from the Cromln Inn, on the
canal to this grand spectacle OF nature. II is Niasa
ra on small scale. The rocks are piled up irregu.
lary and wildly, and the Potomac breaks over por-
tons of Them and falls depth Of some fifty or sixty
feet with an incessant roar. The rocks are natural,
and not shrub or tree IS to be seen projecting from
the intersces TO vary its ruRgedness. This obstruc-
ton 10 the navigation Of the Potomac was attempt
ed to be, in degree, removed by company formed
many years ago, who constructed some locks on the
Virginia side, and through which the few boats that
descended the river with produce, were enabled to
pass. The canal which passes a ravine leading into
the basin Of the Falls is 20 feet deep, and the specta
tor looks into dreadful chssm or gulph close along
side Of the tow. path as he passes.
From this poiRt you proceed TO Seneca when there
s another Inn, and leave as you proceed some Of
the mos, beautiful scenery the lover of Nature would
desire behold and this scenery continues improving
in beauty and variety I'LL you approach The point Of
rocks about 60 miles from Georgetown when you
begin to enter the mountain regions The canal
which follows the Of The river, takes before
you reach those regions, large sweep or bend and
approaches within few miles of the Sugar loaf noun
tain, which is seen at first at an immense distance
and graduay increases in magnitude as you advance
An acquedsct, built of beautiful white granite, OBJ
tanned from a quarry in this mountain, crosses the
mouth Of the river Minocacy, about four hundred
aad fifty feet wide. IL Is specimen OF unequalled
masonry, and an object of admiration TO every one
-. kos, a. mint md are
very numerous you may Judge from the fact that
the elevation is ITO feet above tide water at the latter
place. You now begin TO enter into the Wild savage
and sublime scenery of Nature. The Point IT Rocks
which is formed by the passage Of the Potomac
through IN part Of the Cotocten mountain, is mag
nceat object The canal close along side of the
mountain which presents solid wall OF granite, n
sing perpendcularly 10 an lmmencc height above
you where the eagle may be seen Just visible perched
upon adding Cliff or on the withered branch o.
blasted oak. On the other side Of the river the
mountain range continues It's course towering INTO
the clouds. Ii is at this point that the two great
works the canal and rail road meet and pursue 'neIr
route together for some distance. The distance be-
tween the Point OF Rocks and Harpcrs Ferry, 10 IL
miles and the canal enters beautiful valley OF some
extent and great fertility between the two ranges oil
mountains, the Blue Ridge and the Cotocten-culu-
waited fields, laden with the products OF agriculture
rvstic cabins peepnR eut from amid the foliage Of
prmeval forests, and picturesque hamlets scattered
here and there along the banks of the rver are ever
and anon presented to the eye as you pass. cou-
pie of hours bring you into the reg on OF the sublime
the magnificent scenery Of Harper's Ferry-what
name for such q seenel How unpoetical and unro
mantic7 how tame and fiat for such spectacle.
Bat before attempt a description Of this place,
must not forget 10 say something Of the great
peake and lOhio Canal along which journeyed, and
winch | had thus an opportunity TO examine with
great care. As far as | am capable OF Judging, u
stands without aIval in this country, az u regards
durability and excellence Of masonry. The width ~