Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1859-02-25
From the Greensboro Times.
The Pilot Mountain.


Grandeur, in degree, perhaps, equal TO,
like area. An English gentleman and
tourist says that, though he had crossed
the Alps in number Of places, yet he
had never seen any mountain scenery
which he thought as beautiful that of
Western North Carolina.
This work Of mature is situated in the
eastern part Of Surry, N c., near the line
which divides that county from Stokes.
It rises ali insulated pile, in the midst OF a
plain no other mountains, nor even any
considerable hills, being within many
miles Of it.
The ascent of the mountain TO s'the
spring." an agreeable post Of refreshment,
more than half the distance to the top, is
SO gradual that the visitor may proceed on
horseback. From this spot the activity
becomes sleeper until you reach the PIN
nacle, which presents an elevation of some
two hundred feet. The only pass to the
summit is on the north side, narrow, steep
and difficult of ascent; yet 1t is consider
ed by no means difficult achievement,
and the visitor is rewarded for his toll by
an enchanting prospect OF the surrounding
country and mountain scenery in the dis
tance. The dense and wide-stretched for
est appears dotted with farms and ham
lets. The Blue Ridge reposes in long
line of mountain heights on the northwest
Eastward, in Stokes county, the Saura
Town Mountains rise to the view, some
Of whose SUBMITS exceed the Pilot in
height. And the Iadllin River. flowing
down from the hills Of Wilkes, and wash
ing the western base Of the mountain,
'.rolls its sivery flood" in a may line of
light thro' the wilderness.
The result Of measurements, taken by
President Caldwell and Prof Andrews, is
as follows:
Height Of Pilot Mountain from
base near Grassy Creek to the
top OF the trees 1861 #.
Elevation of the pinnacle on the
north side, at place Of ascent, 205 g
Elevation of same on south side $50 s.
Highest perpendicular rock on the
south side III &
ssIn the geology of the pinnacle there
issom ething quite remarkable and curious.
Its made I'D chiefly of mica slate and
quartz bnt each exhibits pecnlIar ana IN
teresting characters. Its rocky wall is
full OF rents from topic bottom, and it's al
SO regularly stratitied, the strata dipping
easterly at an angle of only ten degrees.
The most abundant rock is a peculiar kind
OF mica OF GRIT rock, composed OF very fine
granular quartz, with flesh red mica init
rnately disseminated. The texture is ex-
quisitely fine, and the cohesion is so loose
that it may be frequently crumbled be-
tween the fingers into fine white sand
AT point on the road between the Lit
tie 1adkin and Mount Airy, the traveller
may obtain the most singular, and perhaps
the finest view OF the Pilot One end of
the mountain is there presented TO the be-
holder III its most perfect pyramidal form.
It's vast sides are seen sweeping up from
the surrounding forest, gradually APPROACH
ing and becoming sleeper, until they ter
inmate at the perpendicular and altar-like
mass OF rock which forms the summit.
1t here gives an idea of some gigantic
work OF art, so regular and so surprisingly y
similar are the curves Gifts outlines, and
so exactly over the centre does the
towering pinnacle appear to be plac-
ed.
The name is said to be translation of
an Indian appellation, signifying Pilot,
called so by the aborigines because the
mountain served as a beacon to pilot them
in their forest wanderings through great
extent of surrounding country.
1t satisfies the eye, and fills the soul
with calm and solemn delight to gaze
upon the Pilot. Whether touched by the
heecy wings Of the morning clouds, or
piercing the glittering skies Of noon, or re-
posing in the mellow tnts of evening
whether bathed in the pale light of the
moon, or enveloped in the surges Of the
tempest, with the lightning flashing. round
its brow-it stands ever, ever the same
its foundations in the depths of the earth,
and its summit rising in solitary grandeur
to the heavens-the twin of Time and eul-
blem of Eternity-just as it rose under its
Makers hand on the morning of creation,
and just as it shall stand when the last
generation shall gaze upon it for the last
time.
THE REAL PARTIES. showing that
there are but two parties in the country at
this time, its only necessary to look at the
Senate. Next March nineteen new Sena-
tors are te take their seats for six years
OF these thirteen are Democrats, and sau
Black Republicans-no a single Know
Nothing among the nineteen. Two of the
Democrats supersede Know Nothing Sen
ators from Kentucky and Texas. There
are but two parties, the National Democ-
racy and the Black Republicans: Choose
between theml Opposition means giving
aid to Black Republicanism!
EcoAaags.