Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-10-03
Gibraltar.

Congress, gives brief but interesting sketch Of
this wonderful town and fortress:
The approach of Gibraltar through these Strait,
is of the most imposing sharacer. The Straits
themselves are in the narrowest portion twelve
miles wide, and extend from Cape Spartel to
Gibraltar about thirty six miles. A strong cur
rent never ceases to flow from The Atlantic into
the Mediterranean, and though The Black Sea
and the rivers OF Africa and Asia and Europe
pour their constant tributes into this same great
basin, yet the depth Of its waters remains the
same from age to age. The most reasonable ex-
planation of this phenomenon which have seen
is-tbat an under current discharges the water
into the Atlantic as fast as they are raised. In
proof of this, it is stated that some years since a
vessel which was sunk in the Straits WAS after
wards found some twelve miles toaiie westward,
whither it could have drifted only by the force Of
the under current. The upper current is perfect
ly magnificent, rolling on like the rapids Of Mag
ara in fearful pillows. and bringing you near the
bold shores of Apes Hill and Ceuia and Gibraltar.
The last two names are the ancient "Pillan oi
HercuIes"-and it is perhaps the associations con-
nected with them and with every point in the
vicinity of the Straits, that impart such sublime
and overpowering emotions, as our good ship
ploughs her way between them. Here, three
thousand years ago, came the vessel of the mer-
chant princes of Tyre oa their way to Britain aad
the extreme West for tin and amber. Here We
begn to think of Hanniba and Carthage, and the
Scipos and Rome. Here the Moor and the Chris
tian waged their deadly war for many hundred
years, and here finally was the battle of Trafal-
gar, where the immortal Nelson offered up bis
life amds the shouts of victory, over the combined
fleets of France and Spain. How sublime, too,
is the primitive conception here felt for the first
tine in its perfestion, as looked upon the Ceuta
and Gibraltar, that here Hercules ended his useful
labors by cleaving the rocks asunder and rolling
the waters Of the Mediterranean through ths new
channel into the Atlantic. These Pillars stand
here as an emulating monument of his power and
beniicence. Ii was just in the aDclenis thus to
enthrOne personal deity, on every distinct exh-
bition of power and wisdom and goodness. 1t
was infinitely above the disgusting Pantheism OF
the German theologians of the present day, and
their self complaisant limitations of Parker noto-
riety in Boston and vicinity. But how much
grander and more beautiful is the revealed idea Of
one glorious Father hanging the world upon no.
thing, girding the mountains with his strength,
and gathering the water into seas, when he ''set
up bars and doors, and said, Hitherto shalt thou
come and no further, and here shall thy proud
waves be stayed"
1t has been said that the Rock of Gibraltar
looks like lion reposing ia majesty before the
gate of the Mediterranean, and assure you it does
not require much effort sf the Imagination to see
the resemblance; his head lies resting on his out
stretched paws, while his giant proportions repOse
in conscious strength before you, fit symbol of that
L. -; - L,, koo ID
judgement so beneacently exhibited in behalf Of
the great interests of humanity and religion. This
rock is 400 feet in height. three miles in length,
and seven miles in circumference. X is connect
ed by low sthmus of sand with Spain, and it is
in fact the termination of the Sierra Nevada, the
great southern range of mountains which run
parallel with the Southern coast. The Western
front of the rock is gradual slope, interspersed
with precipices, while the Eastern side, washed
by the Mediterranean, is a perpendicular wall,
and totally inaccessible. The town lies on this
Western slope, its narrow streets extending along
the water more than a mile, and stretching up the
hill considerable distance. As seen from the
deck of our Frigaie. the stone dwellings rising
rapidly one above another, the Moorish Castle
built more than thousand years age and now
crowning with its venerable walls the Northwes-
tern SUMMIT OF tIle lOWH,-Lue Win ltS
rich foliage of palms and fig trees and aloes, and
sprnkled here and there with snug little cottages
embowered in vines,-a gem OF rural beauty in
the midst of barren rocks,-the solid wall sweep
ING entirely around the town, and guarding with
its countless batteries every point of access, and
the "galeries" tunneed out the solid stone and
extending in range above range entirely round the
entire Northwestern summit of the rock, bristling
in every embrasure with engines OF death, and
finally the signal tower, overlooking all, where
floats the British banner in defiance of the world
make up picture Of unique and picturesque
beauty, which once seen can never be forgotten.
Under the impression of such a vision, you may
well imagine the eagerness with which we hur-
ried on shore, and the pleasure which was in re-
serve for us after months confinement aboard
ship. AS we landed on the mole from our boat
and passed along the principal street, we found
ourselves in crowd Of people representing all
the nations bordering on the Mediterranean
Spanish, French, Italian, Moors, Jews and Greeks
mingled with the English, Scotch, Irish and A.
mericans, all in their various costumes and speak
ing their different tongues. 1t really seemed for
the moment as if it were gala day gotten up
for our special amusement. 1t was like a grand
Worlds Fair for the costumes, customs and man.
ners, fall strange lands. The extremely narrow
streets, the lite donkeys with burdens larger
than themselves strapped to their sides, the beard
ed and filthy Jew, in his red cap and long coarse
robe and haggard, sullen look. the stately Moor
with his white turban bare legs and yellow slip
pers and nicely chlseled features, the Spanish Sc
norita with her olive complexion and sparkling
eye and light head dress streaming in graceful
folds down her neck aud shoulders, the English
soldier on guard at every corner and presenting
arms as we passed him, were SINE of the sprom
nent objects that arrested my attention. The
town is one grand fortifcation. The soldiers Of
different reglments meet you at every turn, and
their barracks are scattered every where among
the markets, the stores, the churches, and the
private residences of the citizens. The streets
are laid out in the most singular manner, and
most of them are too narrow for ordinary carrid-
ges 10 pass each other. They are, however, re-
markably clean. The houses are solid plain
structures, TWO and three stories high. and the
public edifces. including the Custom House, the
hotels, the postoffice and the churches, with
out any preentons TO beauty of archiIecture.--
The idea at every point is military strength and
the stranger feels at every turn that he is in a
mighty garrison, and encompassed with batteries
and guns, and all the engines OF war.
A few of US determined to make the most of
our time, so we found guide and ascended TO
the "Galleres" or excavations on the summit.
Through the polite attention of our Consul,
Mr.. Sprague, an order had been issued from head
quarters to give American officers fres access
As we approached the works, our uniform was
our passport, and polite Sergeant was immedi-
atey detailed to conduct US through the most
wonderful parts of the fortress. The strong gates
yielded to his key, and for one hour we followed
him from battery to battery, now climbing up the
heighhs BY stone steps cut out OF solid rock, and
now winding our way through deep gloomy tun.
nels where our only light was that which came
struggling through the portfolios over the muzzle
of the guns, now passing down spiral staircase
leading to hidden chambers of destruction which
ew eyes are ever permitted TO see, and finally