Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-09-11

i
growth. Damp chilling blasts of wind from the sea
moaned through the waving branches and every Of
the path brought to region still barren and
rocky.
"There it isl" shouted Wing in perfect ecstasy.
"Don't look behind you; keep right on There's old
Corcovado at lastl" "Where where !" said l. "Why,
up there among the clouds don't you see p? sob, yes
that sharp rock above Well how in the of
are to get thersr "why, climb up, to be sure 2"
Climb? After climbing for three whole hours and
ming the risk of losing my passage to California by taking
flying trip down these Internal precipices you say
climb I" "Dont grumble, Juf, there's glorious treat
in store for you. Keep my lad" must confess this
way Of getting into the clouds rather exciting but
and at it again went, the sweat binding my eyes and
my clothes dripping wet The bare gray rock reared its
weather-worn front high above US. We struggled on
rolling down the loose stones into the resoundng valleys
and slipping back about step in three. Another tug
slide two back, short respite few tugs more and
we stand on the far-famed peak of Corcovado!
"There now, what do you think o. that 2" cried Wing
in triumphant voice.
"Think of it." said puzzled to tell what thought:
~ don't think at all feel like the ash-man who used
to swear terribly you know the story The boys pulled
the tail out of his and let all his ashes out the
hillside to hear him When he discovered what
they had DONE he turned and looked down. doubled up
his fist, grinned horribly CHASTITY SMILE and said Its
use can't do justice to the subject So it is with
me, Wing can't do justice to the subject" Wing laughed
heartily but reproved for mngng the ridiculous with
the sublime
Clouds aoated in eecy sheets of yapor around u.s. and
crags showed their peaks down hundreds of feet be-
low. The Sugar Loaf seemed mere insignificant
pile Of rocks In every direction were bays and inets
dotted with green isles and nged with beaches of white
sand, mountan-sdes speckled with villas, and trees with
blue and yellow blossoms; while up the bay of Rio lay
almost boundless panorama of undulating valleys,
with patches of woodland gardens and suburban
villages, with here and there chapel ruin of old
monastery Down the foot Of the mountain lay the
city of Rio tho beautiful San Sebastian-so called in
honor of the patron san-wh its casteaed towers and
white cathedras its airyke bays and shores, its mag
ncent harbor and forests Of shipping Away beyond dim
in the blue distance the rugged range Of mountains the
Sierra Ogana upon which stands the romantic city Of Pc
tropos the resort of the Emperor and the Royal
family Around in different directions within sweep
of the eye the mountains of Garva, ST. Chrisorao,
Teuca Perambuco, St Catharines, Santa Martha, and
Padre Bonita and the beautiful villages of BotoFogo,
Praya Grande, and St Christorao.
| Across deep chasm the summit of the peak is
wooden bridge that shakes with every gust of wind The
railing partially gone and the planks decayed
by the weather that it seemed doubtful whether they
would bear weight Others had recently crossed and
we could see reason why should not make the at
tempt must confess felt little ticklish when looked
down the yawnng gap and thought how nicely person
could be dashed pieces should of the old planks
give way. On the opposite side, which we gained with
out difficulty, found pleasant little patch of grass
upon which we sat down to enjoythe view. Here recn
ing at our in the bracng mountain air. looked
down the precpce where hundreds of feet below lay
al
dens But you know the flow of soul be sustained
by the feast of reason l opened my bundle and took
thereom small loaves Of bread and paper white
sugar. which had bought from negro pedler the road
Wing likewise inspired by the cravings of the esh drew
forth bunch Of bananas and with this sumptuous repast
we RECALLED ourselves the top of the Corcovado.
very excellent and paatable repast it too,
you not to be scorned by tourists in search Of
the beautiful. All we wantod a bottle wns or
Of the delicious ale be found every venda on
the way.
The side of this wonderful mountain fronting the bay
is perpendicular for several hundred feet forming fear
full precipce. Its height is altogether 200 feet l
walked to the extreme edge and looked over but it
too dangerous experiment to indulge in long / had
idea Of following the example of young French GIRL
who years since, from disappointed love, under
the influence of unaccountable freak of ambition
committed suicide by jumping imagined how she
have retained her consciousness during her fearful
descent till dashed to atoms the projecting lodges
The better to understand the of falling body from
the point which stood, got Wing to throw
some stones while watched them in their descent You
may form idea Of the immense depth of the prec
pice when tell you that although he threw the stones
far he could with all his strength they appeared
to sweep out rainbowke, and then draw inward till en-
trely hidden under the brow Of the peak
Great rumbling clouds began gather the tops
of the surrounding mountains. The wind moaned dis
may against the sharp rocks and drops Of rain be-
gan to Of an approaching shower.
Our walk back in the cool Of the evening quite en-
chanting By unaccounabe good fortune missed
the rain, and when issued from the Of tangled
woods reaching down to the conduit the sky clear and
bright The whole valley Of Lorenzeras, avorite
haunt of preceding day. bathed in sunbeams the
gded cupolss Of the Villas rising from every hababe
point sparked like diadems Of gold the windows Of the
gorgeous illuminated with radiant glow the
massive gateways Of pure white gsened like scuptured
of snow the bridges and PIERS and mouder-
ing arches and the ruins Of old monasteres gave
tque effect to the view and every nook, and glen and
cottage garden sent up its odorous incense Of flowers
| the evening breeze
Aswe wandered lingering to enjoy each opening view,
met old whose singular appearance attracted
our attention. He broad-leafed sombrero short
green jacket pair OF wide pantaoons, and variegated
slippers with variety Of curious rappngs the object Of
which we could not divine. His face swarthy and
withered and altogether he locked like venerable
wizard Of the mountains. On his shoulder he carried