Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-09-26

A
abruptly steep mountain, which is clo-
thed vita luxuriant growth ofivy and
iaurei, the beauty ofwhich was great.
ly heightened when saw ii, by being
covered with richly varicgated bloom.
And the noble yew trees, as ftoo proud
to associate with the humble shrubbsry
beneath, send forth their lofty shafts,
which almost vic with the clouds in
height.
How striking contrast is there be-
tween thus part of the scenery, aud
what is soon exhibited to the eyes OF
the behoiderl Here, every objec, is
calculated to inspire feelings Of serem
~ and calmneess; and the distan, roar
OF the cascade falls like melodous mu-
SIC on the ear, to compose and soothe
the mind. But how soon is the behol-
der awakened from his sweet and con ]
templatlve reverie. when he finds him
sell on the brink of an awful precipice
over which tnmbles the beautiful little
stream just described. He is filled with
wonder and amusement, when he sur.
veys on one hand the stupendous cliff
above, whose towering apex seems TO
scale the clouds; and on the other, the
profound abyss beneath, into which the
water falls and vanishes from the sight.
After viewing this truly grand scene
for some time, with pleasure which
can be more easily conceived than des-
cribed, | turned away from the spot,
and, as | supposed, bid final adiou to
II; being more forcibly struck than |
had ever been before, with the won.
drous power and might of the great
Artficer of the universe. But to my
great surprise, | learned from the gen.
tleman living very near, and who met
me whilst returning 10 my carriage,
that had as yet seen but small part
of this awfully grand scenery. He in.
formed me that there was way by
which we could descend to the base OF
the precipice, on the brink of which |
had just stood, where could have "a
much better view Of the fall of water.
Wishing to crafty my excited curiosI-
ty TO the utmost extent. | consented to
accept him as my guide. He conduct
ed me down very rugged, and PIE.
cipitous declivity of considerable ex-
tent, midst crags Of almost rountain
height. AT length we reached the p,e-
cipice, and stood IN full view Of the
whole wanAer eil end amazing prospect.
| At first, felt almost overwhelmed by
the contemplation, and spent some min.
utes in merely viewing the water where
It falls into a lovely circular basin Of
stone. But language is utterly made
quate TO express my emotions, when |
ventured to raise my eyes to survey the
lofty and spacious concave which was
suspended over my head, and the pre-
cipitation of water from its brink. You
can form some faint conception Of the
magnificencc and grandeur of this see.
merry, when | tell you that the great
dome above, which looks like the fir.
| mament in miniature, is not less than
| one hundred and fifty feet in diameter,
and one hundred and seventy. five feet
in height, from the bottom of the basin
into which the water is received. -
The excavation extends so far back
from the point al which the water is
projected, that there is space Of full
forty feet between the base of the pre-
cipice, and the basin, so that persons
can walk with ease under the spray,
which is considerable, and exhibits the
appearance of shower Of rain. The
water passes from the edge OF the arch
above in mass, but descending thro'
the air for nearly two hundred feet, il
becomes divided like large drops OF
rain--which present strikingly sngu-
lar appearance. In the afternoon, the
beauty and interest of the whole scene
are greatly heightened by the numer.
Gus ranbows that are formed by the
refracting influence of the descending
stream and the ascending spray.
When the stream Of water is much
increased by ram, it is projected fully
twenty yards from the base Of the pre-
clpice, and occasions n violent whirl-
pool IN the basin, which has the effect
of wearing the rocks and pieces of tim
Der in it smooth and round.
Below the arched excavation, the
precipice, WITCH consists OF solid rock,
is just like perpendicular wall Of one
hundred and fifty feet in height. With.
IN ten feet ofthe base Of this wall, are
to be seen several large riches, which
conduct into caves Of different sizes
rand extent, which contain great ma
nv bones, some Of which are hnman,
and supposed to have been deposited
there By some Of the Indian tribes.
Whilst contemplating this august
scenery, my guide related to me two
incidents which served to excite in my
mind feelings of very solemn and
melancholy character. The first was