Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-08-03
The New Country.


hundred times with no dimnution of the in
terest with which l regard them. The first
view | had from the Bald Knob was bril-
liant one, though slight haze hung over the
remotest mountains, which, | was informed,
could be at times seen with admirable dig
tinctness. These are the CliDch mouDtains
Of Tennessee, the Cumberland mountains OF
Kentucky, AID the Pilot mountain Of North
Carolina. Ia Virginia we have a most ex-
tensive view. The Peaks Of Otter bound the
Eastern view, while in the Northeast 1t eX-
tends some distance beyond Lexington. The
beautiful farms OF Montgomery, Pulaski,
Wythe, and Giles, are distinctly seen, and
nestled among the bills and mountains as
they are, and presenting such signs OF fer
tility and thrift, as they do We cannot but
regard their owners as fortunate people.
If there is peace and happiness to be found
in this world here would seem 70 be their
chosen abode.
The top of the mountain itself is deeply
interesting. Here we find dwarf OAKS, two
feet high, and many years cid, having the
appearance Of maturity, bearing their full
crop Of acorns; and vegetation generally has
a eculiarity which is derived from the local
ity. Here the snow bird is said to breed.
Here we stand on the edge of the rocks that
mark the great CONFUSION which perhaps
occurred at the time the mountain was form
ed. The cut cropping strata belonging to the
side which fell most gradually after the up.
heaya was caught high above the other, and
hence those immense fragments that have
broken off and tumblcd down and are piled
4 ATnn
times present com binatlons almost bearing
the appearance of design but generally they
are chaotic accumulation which startle the
bchoider by their ponderOusness and their
widness. From this point we have beau
tifu view of the Lake, which Is five hundred
feet below, nestled in the bosom OF the
Standing upon this elevated spot, the high,
est in Virginia, aud looking over the broad
expanse spread out before Us, We cannot re-
sist the sense OF our own inslgnifl;ance, aud
the mightiness OF the Creative Power The
man who visits the scene without teellng OF
his own drunkenness, in presence, as 1t were,
of the Deity. fails to derive from it one Of
the most eifying less ms it can lmpart, les
500 which must make him, at least for the
time, q wiser and better man. 1t IS hap
by conclusion 10 this expedition that we come
down ID the calm sweet vicinity of the Lake,
where the mind is soUthed and the grand pc
ture We have seen is sOitened, while the more
indeliGly impressed upon our memory
Never shall forget thee and thy gentle intiu-
ence-thou beautiful Lake-th0u bright mir
ror Of the mountain, refecling the lace OF
Heaven
From the Lake, on each Of my visits,
went to the mountain residence of Mr.. Booth,
of whom | have before spoken, and enjoyed
his real Old Virginia hospitality. His house
is situated in the midst Of a clearing, not
long stree made in the forest, and III the heart
of the very rich land described n my last.
Behind it, ard near by, flows the Little Stony
Creek, which abounds In trout, ana from
whose waters on beth these delightful eXGuT-
slops | had the satisfaction to catch very
large number. Though | captured in few
minutes before dusk mess for breakfast
near his house, the most beautiful! fishing
waters were below bis mill, two miles distant,
where the creek presents the most picturesque
and wild scenery imaginable. We have tall
after fall, with beautiful basins below each,
and every conceivable combination OF foliage,
rocks, and cliffs, to give wildness and beauty
to the successive scrues. We follow the
stream in lis course until We arrive at last at
the beautiful fall, which is the greatest OF
them all, where the bright waters OF the
stream are prCcipitated over ledge Of rocks
down into a lovely basin below. The height
of this fall has not been measured but 1t
must exceed considerably hundred feet.
10 the lovely pools and light rapid waters
of this wild stream, trailed my fly, and had
the infinite delight, not only to see the trout
leap at it, but to catch them . Nest OF all,
however. did | luxuriate in pulling up the
beautiful fish from the basin below the bIg
falls. A more romantic and lovely spot
never bebeld. Great as Is the delight OF every
true fisherman in catching the l0ycIl'st fish
that ever bit at hook, the sport il infinitely
enhanced by such scenes as those speak OF.
but can only family portray. iow some OF
the old fishermen in Richmond, who SO per
sistently and devotedly essay T. cxtort sport
from Mac0u'g, aud Btli's, and PCiiird's, and
Carriers ponds, will envy me. More than
one Of them, think, would be willing TO die
if they could but have one day OF such sport
as have had in the mountains.
Mir Booth has disposed of several sections
Of his land to Eastern Nirginiaps, some OF
whom arc establishing grazing farms, while
others intend to hold their lauGs as an IN
yestment-some building cheap cottages tor
summer retreats. lie has more for sale, and
it is said to he very rich. His partner, Mr..
Savage, OF Philadelphia, Formerly OF North
ampton, Va, has beautiful estate on the
very top Of the mountain. said to be wonder
fully level and fertile. lie is about to adOrn
it with beautiful cottage fer q summer
resort.
How wonderful are the resources Of Nir-
GINA There is no part OF the hat!tab'o
globe that presents such combination OF
beauty, fertility, and mineral wealth. Cen
erally, where minerals abound, the land is
poor; but here, we have coal, iron, and lead,
undertaking the richest lands. And yet Nir-
ginians emigra.e, and vet they AID Southern
ers 60 Northward for pleasure. Here are
riches unbounded - here are scenes and mine
raj waters unparalleled on the globe tor
beauty aud efficacy. No Swiss mountains,
no Italian skies present more captivating
beauties, grauder views, or loveller hues than
our mountains an our skies. When VIII cur
own people know and appreciate what
benifaent Providence has bestowed upon
them! \. b. y.
August Elections.
In addition to the election held in Kansas
Yesterday, there were elections 10 Arkansas,
Missouri, Alabama, Kentucky, ard Texas,
and on the first Thursday, the 9TH, IN Tennes-