Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-12-18

fir were shvered as the transient thing, in the
march of this awful avalanche. Fifteen years
after this memorable occurrence was upon the
spot and trees were then standing at the foot
oftle slide with their roots upward to the height
of forty feet. Massive piles of timber were then
seen thrown together in every conceivable shape
str bped and shivered as by the besom of destrue'
ton, Some of the widest portions of the slide
which by the way widens very gradually TIL 1t
comes to the head of the Valley was thirty rods.
AT my first visit the slide presented one bold
bare, rugged rock--and not the vestige OF
green thing could be seen except a few cherry
trees growing at the border of the woods. In
1850 made my second visit to this magnificent
natural curiosity. But it had much changed
The timber had mostly gone to decny, and but
slight vestiges Of this awful wreck were to be
seen in the valley. A portion of the principal
slide still presents bald and rocky surface ;
and probably some traces of this memorable
event will remain for five centuries. But much
of it is already covered by creeping evergreen ;
and the young balsam and spruce are beginning
to get foothoId again where their ancestors
stood. Our party composed of three ascended
the slide TO its commencement and then few
rods led us to the summit of the mountain. AT
about midway of our journey we found beautl-
ful cold spring gurgling out from rent in the
tal,oz rock, which forms the principal part of
this chain. AS the crystal, sparkling beverage
bubbled to the surface we stopped and abund-
antly quenched our almost insupportable thirst
and bathed our temples with its cooling drops
Having arrived at our place of destination, oul
next business was to strike up fire and roast
some trout which we had caught from the brook
below; which we soon dispatched with rgh
keen gusto. Dinner being over we prospectet
about inspecting plant, shrub, tree, and the
nIneraogcal character of the mountain. W.
obtained from our elevated position an extensive
view oil Lake Champlain and the beautiful towns
along its borders-while the delightful valley 0
Mad River checkered with lis thriving farm
and villages was spread out like panorama .
our feet. The limpid streams which in ever,
direction threaded along in their respective win
diDgs, appeared like splendid belts of silver o
mirrors of glass streaching away till lost behin
some mountain or buried in the forest Far il
the distance at the very verge of the horizon, t.
the east, may be seen the White Mountains
While the faint outlines of some distant hills il
the state of New York terminates the utmos
stretch of vision to the west. Having spent thu
principal part of the day. we reluctantly retrac
ed oul steps, and descended in the slide making
the mountain Businesses ring with our wild hal
los, which echoed among the hills till it tremu
lousy died away IN the distance. As The SUI
sunk behlng the mountain tops and the shade O
twilight began TO mantle the hiiis we turned I,
take our parting gaze upon this wonder of won
ders. And with feelings of the wild and ro
mantle, mlngng and commingling with thos
of grandeur, stupcndous magnifcence, awe an,
sublimity; with a silent farewell we turne
from the grandeur and terror of the scene be
fore us, and left those wild abodes and perhap
forever.
Waitsfeld, Oct. 24th, 1851 G.