Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-02-29

for centuries past, have formed a
broad Plateau, which extends, with
a slight declmation, for twenty miles
towards the sea, so that the approach
to the volcano is over a very gradu-
ally ascending grade--iudeed, in
the immediate vicinity Of the era
ter, there is SCARCELY any ascent at
all and one finds himself upon its
very brink with little or no warm
ing Of its proximity.
We left Honolulu on the evening
of Sept. 4, in the steamer Kalama.
chartered for the excursion, aud
after touching at sundry places on
the Islands of Mani and Hawai-,
we finally arrived and dsembarked
at Hllo-calIed, on some maps, By
ron's Bay-on the 7th, at noon
The appearance of the landscape.
for twenty miles before we came to
Hilo, was very picturesque. The
shore is a bold ledge of rocks more
than a hundred feet in height, over
whose sides came rushing a great
many small streams, forming cas-
cades, some OF which are very beau
tilul. The land slopes gradually
upward from the shore many mil s,
and is covered with trees aud shrubs,
with here and there plantation Of
sugar cane, aud a cluster of grass
houses, presenting altogether, most
luxurious appearance, when viewed
from the deck Of a steamer.
We left Hilo on the morning of
Sept S,-our party consisting of
eleven gentlemen, among whom
were Mr. Gregory, United States
Commissioner, and Rev. 5. G. Da-
mon, and we were attended by fif-
teen servants who carried our pro-
visions, extra clothing, ect, ect.-
Our cavalcade presented most bi-
zarre appearance, dressed as we
were, in red aud blue shirts. instead
of coats, aud leggius, and sombreros,
of all shapes and colors, some
mounted on horses not gentle-some
on doukeys just the reverse, and sur
rounded by about fifty natives, run
ning hither and thither, tightening
a girth, or meuding a strap, and all
jahbering their Kanaka, or shouting
with laughter
Our journey was over a rough and
scraegy road, and al 4 o'clock IN the
afternoon we were glad to come up.
on the so-called halfway house
having accomplished eighteen miles,
and made ourselves and horses quite
tired This house, which is built
OF grass, Is sumply one large room
with a fireplace m the centre the
roof being high and thatched with
straw. the smoke from the fire easi-
ly found egress, aud gave us no
trouble. Being amply provisioned
we had a dinner prepared at 6 o.
clock-we keep fashionable hours
that would have done credit To
your best restaurants.
Our table was a large, new mat,
spread upon the ground, and we ate
reclining in true old Eastern style.
The house was well supplied with
mats, which we used for chairs, Ia
BILE and beds
The next day being Sunday, we
remained at our urencampmeut-(tra trav'
cling on the sabbath is strictly for
hidden here)-aud in the morning
listened to very good discourse
from Rev. 5. G Damon, who i,
Chaplain of the Seameu's Bethel al
Honolulu and It seemed quite home
like when we all joined II singing
, 'Old Hundred In the evening the
servants had a service in their owl
language, aud seemed very devout
Early on Monday morning we were
astir, aud after four hours riding,
found ourselves suddenly upon the
- edge of the old crater, as It is cal
, led, which is fifteen miles in circum
ference. Clamberlng down the side
about a thousand feet we came to Z
vast sea Of black lava which hac
cooled aud hardened in the form O.
waves aud hlllocks and peaks
with here and there a yawuna
tissure, over which we could scarce
.ly leap, aud from which rose ga;
aud smoke, which were almost sti
fling When we had advanced ii
, tins way about three miles, the
I scene became truly appalling, foI
we were surrounded by clouds o
smoke and steam, emitted hy the
seams around and beneath onr feet
and we could scarcely breathe some
I of the time. At length, after toll
, ing a long distance IN this way, W,
came to the part of the volcano now
in state of eruption, and found our
selves standing upon the edge Of ;
burning lake, mile in clrcumter
, ence, and filled with molten lava -
This glowing lake oflIquid fire wai
boiling and rolling, heaylng aud sur
glng, roaring and kissing in never
ceaslng Gommotion-now spoutne
up huge column of lava-now
J belchiug forth clouds of smoke anC
sulphurous gas. Indeed, 1t was q
scene that passes all description, anC
might well terrify the stoutest heart
Surely here is a lake that burneth
with fire and birthstone There Is
Il curious phenomenon noticeable
here, which, if mistake not, oc-
ours at no other volcano. Smal
jets of lava are thrown up with greal
force, and then blown by snong
wind, INTO the finest threads, which