Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-07-26
snow had fallen in every other

summer months, snow had fallen in every other
month in the year.
THE temperature here being always many de-
rrees below what it is in the plains, the vapours
are easily condensed, and therefore the fall
to great depth in winter, and the rains in great
abundance in summer And while ample provi-
sion is made for the collecting Of the waters in
these elevations, equal wisdom and design is mani
fest in their preservation. For the yew being
tree that perspres but little, therefore its growth
extracts but little moisture from the earth, while
it's deep shade protects heavy growth Of moss,
preventing the moisture from being extracted by
the radiation of the sun.
In addition to this, this region abounds with vast
subterranean caverns Of unmeasured extent
There is in this region locality called "The
Sounding Pot" by the striking Of which subter-
ranean echo is returned as from miles distant. A.
gain many of the streams issuing from the noun
tain sides, after sporting for time in sun and
shade, leave the light of day and hide themselves
in vast caverns in the bowels Of the earth.
Here at great elevation are the means for col
lectug the living waters for the refreshing of man
and beast and here are the natural and capacous
reservoirs treasuring them up in unknown quanti-
ties. And were we able to penetrate beneath the
surface Of the earth and follow the avenues leading
from these fountains OF liquid treasure. we should
no doubt find them in the drought of summer ssu-
ing forth in far distant regions where it has
entered into tho Imagination OF the inhabitants of
the source from whence these springs are fed.
The next mountain, and in immediate proximity
with the last, is the main ridge of the Allegheny,
which, by the course of the road is l6 miles from
base to base.
This mountain, if it stood isolated and alone
would present scene of no ordinary grandeur to
the passing traveller, but it is not viewed here
In its own native majesty, but in comparison with
others of superior wildness, rudeness, elevation,
and sublimity, it loses much Of the admiration be-
slowed upon il in other localities.
Here ten mountains are congregated together in
close proximity with each other, the last Of which
is here called the Shenandoah and though it yields
TO some Of its neighbors in extent and savage wild
ness, yet it yields to none in the holiness and ma
jesty with which it presents lis western front to
the astonished traveller, who begins TO feel no
small degree of solictude to learn how he is TO
gain its towering summit. But from distant
point he is able to trace out number of points
in his rising track, the most daring of which he
sees winding around very abrupt and narrow pro-
lection, at or near the very highest point of the
mountains elevation and On reaching this he finds
that his last miles travel has brought him no near
er the end Of his journey in direct line, but he
has in that mile gained elevation of upwards Of
300 feet. And from this height the SUBMITS of
the mountains in Pennsylvania are seen, and the
descent the eastern side brings the traveller into
the great valley of Virginia
Now ifany one has any romance in his compost
tion and wishes to see Nature in her most wild,
majestic and even sublime developments, lot him
take trip from Staunton to Buckhannon, and if
he does not find the string inspiration of poetry
within him, he will seek in vain fST) scenery to
court the muses.. Mr.. Jefferson in bis notes on
Virginia, describing the scenery around Harper's
Ferry, says, that view of this alone would be
sufficient TO compensate for voyage across the At
lantic. But whoever has stood on these dizzy
heights, and has gazed On those and deeply
shaded concaves spread beneath his feet, and cast
ing his eyes far of: and in single glance takes
in the SUBMITS of mountains rising a hundred
miles off in the distance and while he is breathing
this air Of unrivalled purity, youthful ardor is in
fused into his veins and youthful vigor into his
Limbs, and pinions given to his imagination
carrying him into the regions of fancy UNEMPLOYED
before, and being surrounded by scenes Of much
awful grandeur, varied inform, so vast in ex-
tent, and breathing air expanding every power
of body and mind beyond its ordinary dimensions,
the scenes of Harper's Ferry must be tame indeed
But whoever desires to catch the full inspiration
OF this scenery must survey it with his own eyes,
and whoever desires to form idea of its invgora-
ting air must breathe it for himself
JOHN BOWEN.
Staunton, July IL, 1913.