The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1853-12-15

0HrWe commence below the re-pobIica-
ton Of a series Of letters descriptive Of some
ofthe most interesting localities in this vi
ciniiy, which first appeared in the Artist
Journal, published in Cincinnati, anJare
from the pen Of its editor, v. NJ GRIswoLD,
who, we are happy to say, has taken up his
residence among Us, and intends to devote
a portion OF his time in sketching and paint
ing landscapes:
LANCASTER, Oct. 9Th, 1853.
DEAR "LiLLV"-I have Just returned from
a sketching excursion to the kettle Hills"
Now, don't you turn up your nose at this
unpoetic name, for assure you that it 10 ex-
ceedingly appropriate. There is an immense
basin scooped out among the hills in the
form OF a large kettle, having small out
let on the south, aud here in this spot there
is enough ofbeauty and dgrandeur to keep an
artist at work year Beginning al the
northwest side Of the basin and running
round to the southeast, Is an immense cliff
Of rocks. raising to the heighth Of from 30
to 40 feet, presentinga a variety Of promonto-
res, overlooking the valley, from any OF
which fine views may be taken. Through
the outlet looking south and northwest the
view is bounded by beautiful chain of hills,
wooded to their submits. many of them hav-
ingu their sides excellent farms, the fields
upon which add most beautiful feature to
the landscape. AS TO rocks, have never
seen anything equal to the cliff spoken Of a.
bove, except at Niagara, and they did not
impress me more than these; jutting out as
they do, over the tree tops in the valley and
assuming all the ragged and fantastic forms
you can imagine. Beneath the cliff in one
place is grand sight at what is called "co-
raj cliff" from the fact that the rocks are
said to resemble in many places coral reefs.
Here an immense chasm is found under the
rock which projects overhead some 30 feet
perhaps,or more and rises to great height
1t is, should think, four or FIVE rods in
length, the ground below being covered with
immense fragments of rock which have fall.
en- from time to time, from the roof over.
head The front of this iumens, chasm i:
entirely walled in by forest trees, and the
only sky to be seen is a narrow strip lhro
the network Of leaves where the trees ant
rock meet overhead. have never had suct
| feelings Of feverential awe excited at any
other place as here, and have never beer
more strongly impressed with the power o
! the Creator of all things.
All around me nothing but tremendous
cliffs, tangled foliage, and solem stiffness
! like that Of the grave, not sound to b,
| Heard and one sitting here might we'll 10 d
around with shudder, expecting TO see tht
cenii of the place issue from some darl
crevice in the cliff, or rise from behind SOM
broken fragment of rock, to chde him 70
disturbing the silence of their natural TEN
pie. Looking from the cliffs above, in an
direction, there are the most spendit
stretches of foliage that have ever seen
indeed this whole valley contains a create
variety Of scenery from the amply beautiful
to the grand, than can probably be foun
combined in the same space in the country
Returning from the "Kettle Hills, | viste
."Cowden's Hill," and "iount Pleasant,
two large hills rising north -eastof the city
From the former as well as the latter, ther
are beautiful scenes embracing the city an
surrounding country for miles. Mt. Pleas
ant, on the west, rises abruptly from tn
valley several hundred feet, and has its sum
nit crowned with bold and frowning cliff
whose top is again clothed with trees. Til
only approach to the summit is from tn
east side, and here the slope is comparative
ly gradual, permitting carriages to be drive
near.y to the highest point. AS you pas
lp, and within short distance of the sun
nit, you pass between two beautiful cliff
of rock, covered with large forest tree
which overhang the road, giving some
the finest forest views have ever seen.-
Large trees in many places seem to sprin
out of the crevices in the rock, and on
wonders where they ind sufficient hold I
sustain their weight, or sustenance enoug
to preserve life. ..t
Looking down the mountain, the avenu
between these cliffs is exceedingly beaut
full, aud you would almost imagine that
had been formed on purpose to afford 0
easy approach to the heights above. fc
will recOllect how otter we have both
pressed our fondness for "crooked paths
and winding roads, and assure you th
this taste can be folly gratified here. The
: is not a road in this vicinity, over which
have passed, which is not Of this char acte
aud which does not present. at every tut
! most delicious views, sometimes, as whe
: they wind down into the vallies, OF n qu
and simply bea itiful character, and aga
{, from the Iill-tops, partaking of the grar
and sublime. Little vallies, rich in the e.
treme, and highly cultivated, embosomed
l mong hills whose sides are clothed in deus
forests, meet you everywhere, and ca
3 scarcely avoid the conclusion that thet
Hills and vallies have been thrown toseth
by design, not only to satisfy mans nece
sites, but to appeal to and stimulate all
his nature that is refined and good. l fiji
0 myself so pleasantly situated here, surroun
a ed as am by all that is attractive in I'll
r world without, and receiving the kind o0ic,
and hospitaiities Of the friends with whom
am SOLO Irning, that my return home, a
c though it will be greeted by those who a
nearest and dearest, will cause me many =
> > crets, at parting with friends here, and lea
u ing scenes which have aroused all the fres
= ness of my boyish days, and set emotions Al
:. aspirations at work which have been
J danger of stagnation.
As ever, yours, GUY.
: BOARD OF EQUALIZATIoN.- Sta
Board of Equalization have acted TEMPORAL
! ly upon the returns OF several counties,
nong which fairfield stands as follows: