Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-12-10

SpS0hs HI tAAC NhCAAllS VIC RdcoEu kklOukui
TaylorSville. 1t is high, healthful loca-
tion, commandinga fine view of the Brushy
Mountains. Here is located the United
Baptist Institute The building is of con-
siderable size, and destined to 6ll vacuum
In the educational wants of the communi-
ty. BY the way, we came near losing Old
Bunk, who said he much preferred basking!
in the smiles of one of Taylorsyille's fair.
est daughters to camp-fare and fatiguing
walks. At night we camped on Little |
River. Here we drank some fine mineral |
water, and made our first essay at cooking,
and if you could have heardof some of the |
ideas aaFaaesa as how. ia. ought ke !
be" done up you would have been in
danger of losing few buttons.
July 17th. When breakfast was ready
we found that Gil was quite unwell, and
had declared war against his stomach we
put him in the wagon and started for Le-
noir, distance Of twenty three miles. The
road is very we'll laid off for a mountain
country, but as crooked as the ways of the
sinner, but perfect plank road to some of
which we. will speak anon. We had some
rare sport on this part of our journey, be-
ing taken once for company of workmen.
In the evening our spirits began to flag !;
but at length we hove in sight of Lenoir,
and never was home more welcome than
it was. After saluting the village with a
few discharges of firearms, and Quixotte
Invincible having made as much noise with
his horn as was made at the storming Of
Jericho, our friends, the Captain and
Lieutenant made their appearance, and af-
ter many hearty greetings, gave us a cor
dial invitation to make their homes ours,
while we remained, which We accepted
with pleasure. We drove our wagon to
Fairfield, the residence of James Harper,
Esq After " fixing up little (quite a
laborious task we were introduced to his
kind and intelligent family. We were
soon led into the dining room, and found
an excellent supper prepared, to which, il
is due to ourselves to say we dioample JUS
tice. After supper some of the Rangers
went to Mr. w Gathers and were cordi
ally welcomed by himself and his kind anC
amiable lady. We understand the Capt
and Lieut.. had pic mic gotten up express
ly for the amusement Of the Rangers 81
we concluded to while away the time unit
Saturday morning,
On Friday we visited the College build
ing. 1t is beautifully located on a consid
cradle eminence, commanding q fine Vie1
of the town and Of the distant noun
tains. The building, when completed, wi
be large and commodious, and the institu
ton viii DC weff caicufacetis 80 supply th
Inconvenience that Western North Care
lima has had in educating her daughters
Saturday, all were up early and soon pr
pared to visit Hibriten, a mountain fou
miles from Lenoir, the place where the p
mic was given. Soon there could have bee
seen long train of buggies and carriage
filled with bri ghteyed, laughing nader
and joyous youths, vending their waJ L
$ the mountain, and the knig ght of the hol
: astride young colt, blowing an old trur
/ pet as if the salvation of the entire par
y depended upon his efforts After win
e ing our way around the mountain for Sol
e time we reached the summit OF about
o'clock, A. M. Here we unfurled o
o "star-spangled banner" on which was
i scribed the motto; 'Conabimur prealt
sima." Our party when all assembled &C
|, sisted of thirty-two persons exclusive of s.
"a wants.
|" We then repaired to the western side
the mountain and descended a short d
tance to a large shelving rock. Here
magnificent view presented itself; as f
perhaps, though not SO extensive, as a
subsequent view we had. The mounta
a. rafhor isolated 4ho
1e much moro enchanting, Far in the "
I'd are seen the most noted mountains of Ca
IS well, Ashe and Watauga counties sweepi
n along in billowy outline. At one po
er the Table Rock raises It's broad SUNNI
I'D there again is seen the noble " "Grand-fa
er er, like a sleeping monster reclining agai
his couch, the sky, and covered with clou
lis Far beyond these the Black Mountain
on Yancey looms up in bold relief, as if pr'
is, of its superiority. There in the dim
en- tance is seen Morganton, like mere sp
ty amidst sea Of mountains. Just at
feet lies Lenoir, sleeping quietly, surro
'ur ded by her rugged guardians. Away
of the south, scarcely visible is Kings Nc
ny tain, the scene of that severely contes
gh battle so often celebratedin story and Sc
nat After drinking in the poetry of the SC
- for while, we commenced rambling abt
md then began those delicious tete-a-tetes,
in, pleasure of which, all young rea
hen who have been fortunate enough to
YES been placed in similar circumstances,
age imagine better than [ can describe
en- 1t is natural to suppose, that among
lay dents and lovers classical remarks, be;
~ ful sentiments, punning, joking and
Did looks were quite current. After stro
Bile, about for some time and engraving su
the names, we returned to the summit
Join feasted on something more substantial
nee scenery. After partaking of fine Il
ter prepared for US, some of the party Vi
lnce the g Hermit's Cave" on the side Q
ated mountain. We understand the cave
shy considerable size and worth visiting
ing, preferred staying where we were, as
With was something there far more attra
Col than the "Hermit's Cave" Some {
lned Rangers thought the Cave was iaha
We by live Hermit, and were quite an
sew to see what kind Of biped he wa
were quite disappointed in finding tt
: Le- had long since ''gone the way of a
wag- earth" We were then favored ,
walk, concord of sweet sounds from t
! i'm dies, and some fine instrumental musi
haul the gentlemen, and returned at
alem rate to Lenoir.
i r..