Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1845-09-18

cause every thing around 10 quake and ifenbIe
Just below this TALL. ! noticed gfea, whirlpool
which, from is sitnation, seemed 10 lhrestsl
with destruction ever. thing which should pas
over the fall. A short distance farther down
and 90 the same aide Of the river that stood;
observed . most beauiifnl City, the streets o
which shcns Ike gold. and the transparency o.
4 the buildings ds6sd bgmsa description. Tbi,
City was surrounded BY transparent wall Of
the most bsautiful gems Between the City
and the fall. observed stately light house o.
beacon, which seemed to overtoP the cataract
/ itself.
/ whilst ] was contemplating the scenery with
extraordinary curiosity. Esvss saddeais star
tied By the sight Of no innumefSbIs multitude
Of people uPo0 the river, each Individual va.
provided with small boat, which ks$ could
manage b. way Of rudder. Upon minute
examination, perceived thai lbe persons com.
posing this immense moving multitude, were
engaged in variety Of empIoymenis:. From
the survey I had taken OF the river. thought
thatit certainly behoOved every one 10 observe
The greatest care and attention in The man age.
nent Of hisiyesseI; but was very much dis
appointed, when I beheld that scarcely one in
hundred paid any regard whsteyer 10 The right
management Of his boat. They were scarcely
ever seen TO lay their hands 70 The helm.
few Ibid observe, Who were very attentive 10
their vessels, never for moment neglecting
their helms, For taking their eyes OF The bea.
con. Some Of the multitude | saw had abau.
doned their helms altogether, and had subsis-
tuied oars instead thereof, and were rowing
down the stream with amszing telocity OBJ
served others again, who loAted leisureiy down
the stream, aud who mere, meanwhile, busted
in bedecking their boats with super flous orna
Dents Others agaiD, were very caIefufip the
.oesu,ifying Other rudders, which ihey made
no use Of wh.tever, yet observed others,
who paid the grestest attention to the orna-
mentipg Of. their persons Upon q Jet more
particular survey Of The river before me, OBJ.
served thai the dtift Of the carfent was con.
tipually carrying the boats from the shore on
which the City stood, and it required constant
watchfalness and attention to keep their vesse is
from being drawn out Of the right course.
perceived that the attentive part or the mul.
iitude, by constant exerton and care, kept their
boats from being dawn away BY the force Of the
waters. BY This time, the careless part Of the
multitude had been carried within hearing Of the
roaring of the cataract; they now became very
much alarmed, and applied themselves fran,ical.
ly to their helms; bat, alas their il.tmed efforts
were unsvailing. Rapidly did they approach
the verge Of the awful precipice and, as il to
add horror 10 the scene, mighty storm gather.
cd over.iheif heads; the vivid CLEANS of the
Igntsing seemed 10 display % tnsIf nan-i
lie vision The awful cataract and the mighty
voriex below; whilst The deep toned thunder
broke in astounding peals upon their ears. In
another moment, all was over! They were car
RED down the dreadful cataraci, and were drawn
into the diIsful whirlpool!
now turned my attention 10 The consdera:e
portion Of The multitude, who were so careful in
the management Of their vessels. They hoaled
gently along aplacid calmness rested on their
brows, although The roaring Of The cataract could
newbe distinctly heard. Onward they were
carried their eyes, meanwhile, were 6xed on the
beacon while their hands frmly grasped The rud-
der. Their vessels seemed now to be kept 10
the course much easier, They soon fsached The
brink Of the oalsrac', and seemed to syiew their
pending fan with the greatest composure To-
another instan, they had disappeared. | cast
lock down into the awful abyss, and perceived
them 10 my insIpre.sfbie delight, get safely on
shore BY the assistanceN OF some kind friends,
Who escorted them To- The City, inIo which they
a
X Inow awoke from my slumber, and made my
way homeward, meditating on my visionary e.
cutsion. HOMO vAGUS.5