Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-09-13
GREAT NATURAL CURIOSITY.

LuQuattI tutuiSueS TIE tOuoSlBS iuteI-
.stins account of a remarkable waterfall
lu Tennessee, Of even the existence OF
which few, we presume, have been u.
ware:
The curiosity to which refer is stu
ated OH the top of the Cumberland
East Tennessee, and is there
familiarly knowa by the name of the
Water Fail. had fires
quently heard it spoken Of by travellers
who had visited it; and their descriptions
excited III me very great desire to see
It, as | conceived it to be beautiful
miniature representation OF the falls OF
Niagara. ] have recently had all op-
PoItunity Of gratifying this desire; aud
assure you that my most exa!te1 precon
ceptons were more than realized when
had the pleasure Of viewing the mos, in-
ieresting scene, which is distinguished
alike for is beauty, aud Its wild aud aw.
full grandeur. This fall is within two
hundred yards of the stage road crossing
the Cumberland mountain. The path
way which conducts TO it, passes over a
gently inclined plane, on the lower
margin Of which meanders small
steam. which is here remarkable only
fer its beautifully transparent water.
which flows on smoothly aud gently.
to the very verge Of the precipice over
which it falls. Immediately beyond the
Tivulet, there rises an abruptly steep
mountain, which is clothed with lux.
uriant growth of ivy aud laurel, the
beauty Of winch was greatly heightened
when saw it, by being covered witt.
richly variegated blcom And the no.
BILE yew trees, as ii too proud to associ.
ate with the humble shrubbery beneath
send forth their lofty shafte, which al,
most vie with the clouds in height.
How striking a contrast is there be.
tween this part Of the scenery, and
what IS soon exhibited to the eyes oil
the beholder! Here every object i.
calculated to inspire feelings of calmness
and serenity; and the distant roar 81
the cascade falls like melodious music
GU the ear, to compose and soothe the
mind. But how soon is the bchelder
awakened from this sweet and con,em.
piative Ieverie. when he ends himsel
on the brink Of the awful precipice ovel
which tumbles the beautiful little stream
just described. He is filled with won
der and amazement, when he surveys OIL
the one hand the stupeDdous cliff above
whose towering apex seems 10 scale the
clouds; and on the other, the profound
abyss beneath. into which the water
falls and vanishes from the sight. AT
ter viewing this truly grand scene for
some time, with q pleasure which can
be more easily conceived than described
l tursed away from the spot, and as
supposed. bid fnal adieu to il; being
more foreibly struck than had ever
been before, with the wondrous power
and might Of the great Artificer OF the
Universe. But to my surprise, learned
from the gentleman living very near,
aud who met me whilst retrasing my
steps to ray carriage, that l had as vet
seen but small part of this awfully
grand scenery. DE informed me that
there was way by which we could de-
scend to the base of the precipice, on the
brink of which | had just stood, where
could have much better view Of the
fall OF water. Wishing TO crafty my
excited curiosity 10 the utmost extent, 1
consented to accept him as my guide
he conducted me down very rugged
and PERCEPTIONS declivity Of considerable
extent. amidst crsgs OF almos, mountain
height. At length we reached the foot
OF the precipice, aud stood in iulI view
OF the whole wonderful and amazing
prospect. AT first felt almost over |
whelmed by the contemplation, aud
spent some minutes in viewing the wa
ter merely where it falls into a lovely !.
circular basin Of stone. But language is |
utterly inadequate 10 express my emo,
Mons when l ventured TO raise my eyes |
20 survey the lofty and spacious concave
which was suspended over nv head, and
,he precipitation o! the water from its
ofinR' You can form some faint con
sePtion OF the magnifceDcc and gran
uear OF TINS scenery, when / tell YOU
.hat the great dome above, which looks
IKE tue armament in miniature is not less
IMAM one hundred and fifty feet in diam
eter, and one hundred and seventy6ye
ieet I'D height, from the bottom of The
basin INTO which the water is received.
me excavation extends so far back
from the point at which the water is
projected, that there is space of fully
forty feet between the base of the preci-
pee, and The basin. so that persons can
walk with ease under the arch without
beng made wet By the spray, which is
considerable, and which exhibits the ap.
psarance Of asbower of rain. The wa.
Ter passes from the arch above in a mass,
but descending through the air for near>
y two hundred feet. il becomes divided
IKE large drops OF rain-w hich present
} etrikiogly singular appearance. In