The Winchester appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-03-08

The arch from beneath would seem to
be about two feet in thickness. Some
idea of the distance from the top to
the bottom may be formed from the
fact, that as stood on the bridge and
my companion beneath, neither Of us
could speak with sufficient loudness
to be heard by the other. A man, from
either view, does not appear more
than five inches in height.
As we stood under this beautiful
arch, we saw the place where visitors
have often taken the pains to engrave
their names upon the rock. Here,
Washington climbed up twenty-five
feet, and carved his own name, where
it still remains. Some, wishing to i'm
mortalize theirnamcs, have engraved
them deep and large, while others have
tried to climb up and insert them high
in this book oflame.
A few years since, young man, be-
ing ambitious to place his name above
all others, came very near losing his
life in the attempt. After much ia
! tigue, he climbed up as high as posi-
bic, but found that the person who had
before occupied his place was taller
than himself, and consequently had
placed his name above his reach, but
he was not thus to be discouraged
He opens a large ,iack-Iinile, and, in
the soft limestone, began to cut places
for his hands and feet; With much
patience and difficulty. he worked his
way upwards, and succeeded in cary
ing his name higher than the most
ambitious had done before him. lie
could now triumph, but his triumph
was short, for he was placed in such
a situation that it was impossible to
descend unless he fell upon the rugged
rocks beneath him.
There was no house near, from
whence his companions could get as
sistance. He could not long remain
in that condition, and, what was worse,
his friends were too much frightened
to do anything for his relief. They
looked upon him as already dead, ex-
pectingevery moment to see him dash
ed in pieces. Not so with himself
He determined to ascend. Accord
ingly, he piled himself with his knife,
cutting places for his hands and feet,
and gradually assembled with incredi-
bic labor. lie eXertcd every muscle.
His life was at stake, and all the ter
rors Of death rose before him; lie dar-
ed not look doWnwards, lest his head
should become dizzy; and perhaps on
this circumstance his life depended.---
His companions stood on the top ofthe
rock eXhorting and encouraging him.
His strength was almost exhausted,
but bare possibility OF saving his life
still remained; and hope,the last friend
Of the distressed, had not torsaken
him. His course upwards was rath-
or oblique thanperpendicular. His cri-
teal moment had now arrived. lie
had assembled considerably more than
two hundred feet, and had still further
to rise when he felt himself fast grow
ing weak. He thought of his friends
and all his earthly joys, and could not
leave them. He thought ofthe grave
and dared not meet it. He now made
his last effort and succeeded. He had
cut his way not far from two hundred
and fifty feet from the water, in a
course almost perpendicular; and in
little less than two hours. his anxious
companions reached him a pole from
the top and drew him up. They re-
ceived him with shouts Of joy; but he
himself was completely exhausted
He Immediately tainted away on
reaching the top, and it was some
time before he recovered
1t was interesting to see the path up
these awful rocks, and to follow in i'm
agination this bold youth as he thus
saved his life. His name stands far
above all the rest, a monument of har-
dihood, of rashness, and Of folly.
We staid around this seat of gran
deur four hours; but from my own
feelings should not have supposed it
over half an hour. There is a little
cottage near lately built; here we were
desired to write our names, as visitors
to the bridge, in large book kept for
this purpose. Two large volumes
were nearly filled already. Having
immortalized our names by enrolling
them in this book, we slowly and 81
lently returned to our horses, wonder
ing at this great work of nature. We
could not but be filled with astonish-
ment at the amazing power OF Him
who can clothe himself in wonder and
terror, or throw around his works a
mantle Of sublimity.