The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-24
WHOLE NUMBER 30
my uncoulh costume and singular MAJ

by my uncouth costume and singular MAJ
ners.
As we reached the base of the last steep
declivity, the land spread away in gentle
undulations. and the forests gave place to
lawns. diversified by irregular groves and
picturesqe detachments Of lordly trees, fit
scenery for a royal park, such as it actually
was. Proceeding EDWARDS, it assumed
more and more the appearance Of artifcially
ornamented grounds, until at length we
came into circuitous walks, which wound
through thickets, where thrushes and mock
ing birds, and others Of notes and plumage
unknown to me, filled the air with melody.
On one side might be seen elegant foun.
tains, emblems Of life, dashing their white
spray above the green foliage, and on
another, inviting walks, bordered with
roses, and leading 10 vine-covered arbors.
Suddenly We emerged from this enchant,
ed scene, and came upon high wall. partly
overgrown with creeping plants. yet not
enough to conceal frem ne eye that il
was of adult yellox sslot. I approached
il, and ascertained that il was built Of
ADDE'S, or sun-dried bricks, and that the
sand or clay Of which they were composed,
was so impregnated with gold as to impart
to them its lustre. But before had time
70 speculate upon this new miracle, our
company paused before great gate Of solid
geld, twice as high as our heads, and
wrought, not in leaf or fanciful work, but
with huge round bars and bands, less for
ornament than strength.
An ancient porter undid the fastenings Of
this gate, and led US into an open lawn,
in the middle Of which, extending from the
gateway, was a broad walk, tagged with
slabs IF pure gold, laid in lOzenges, and
leading, three or four hundred PAGES to the
entrance of a splendid Summer Palace
whose roof blazed like fire in the now de-
clining sunlight. On either side Of this
walk was magnificent fountain playing
into a great golden basin, surrounded by
shrnbberY. Near these basins, observed
extending from the main avenue many mar
rover walks, paved or gravelled also with
the precious metal.
Overwhelmed by this display Of mex
haustible wealth, and yet wishing to save
myself some credit for dscernment, which
my conduct at the spring must, now say,
have called in question, | bethought me Of
an e1pedient. Desiring the company to
halt, made those who had brought part
of the golden pebbles in their hands, lay
them on the walk before me-much to
their qualification. for the weight Of them
was very considerable. Then taking out
those had in my pack, and putting them
with the Others, | proceeded gravely TO
mend spot in one Of the pavements, CON-
posed Of similar pebbles which had got dis
placed.
This caused much meniment among the
company to all except the person in author
ity, or the Prince, for that was the real title,
and one other, whom he called before him,
and addressed in severe tone, while the
other appeared 10 excuse himself for some
fault. The rest seemed to look upon me
as an odd sort of prophet, who had been
sent down from the sky to expose the
neglect Of the superintendent of the gar
dens.
For the samples which the book contains of
the language of the Inhabitants Of the Golden
Valley, for its view of their.pOlitieal and social
Institutions, the hOspitable and friendly manner
in which they treated Mr.. BigIy, his adoption
into the family of the chief magistrate, and the
singular manner in which, without any fault Of
theirs or his, The was eXiled from this happy
community, in which he had hoped always to
remain, We must again refer the reader to his
narrative. 1t is a clever jsE d'sPrit, and its
perusal will furnish an agreeable entertainment
for a winters evening.