Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-08-13

Natural Curiostty--The Yo-hamfte Val.
ley OF California.


The Yo-hamite VaLlev, as it is called. de-
rived its name from the Indians, aud there
is much dispute as to its true ortbography
and pronunciation. 1t is vast rift 10 the
Sierra through which flows the Merced riv-
er, a beautiful crystal stream which rises
high up in the mountains Only about 20
miles of this canon have yet been explored,
but in that distance are congrcgated more
natural wonders than can probably else-
where be found on our continent at least
The Valley itself is an astonishing natur-
al curiosity, aside from the cataracts which
ii contains, of which there are no less than
sir known to exist, each Of which is Of it.
self worth long journey to visit, while al
together they reward one for almost any
length Of travel or degree OF toll involved
in reaching them. As have already said,
the sides of this valley rise to the average
hight of three thousand feet, everywhere
nearly perpendicular, aud in many places
entirely so. The rocks are of light gray
granite, with evergreen trees and shrubs
growing in some places out Of the clefts
and on the ledges and small plateaus which
occur, while in others nothing is seen for
long distances from top to bottom bat the
smooth, unbroken face of the rock
In one place you may stand in the center
Of the canon, and it has the appearance Of
perfect and every way complete amphi-
theater, about three-fourths of mile wide
and two miles long, with no opening for
ingress or egress, the steep aud towering
sides fcrbidding all ascent or descent
Here and there rise numerous peaks, eflen
of fantastical forms and different nights,
to which names are beginning to be attach
ed. Que, on its fat surface, shows round
clock-face, with the hands indcatinga quar-
ter past six. This we called the Clock
Tower. Two other twin-like points are
called The Brothers. Another, and most
remarkable and imposing one, which seems
to stand out as you enter the Valley and
lead the van, has been named Le Captain.
Il is three thousand one hundred feet high
by measurement, of clear unchecked gram
ite, and SO perpendicular that Q marble
dropped from the top, at the length of o
mans arm, would strike the ground With
out touching the face Of It. Think Of stand
ing at the foot of one huge rock quarter
of mile in extent lengthwise, and looking
up to its top three thousand one HUNDRED
feet perpendicularly, or seven times the
hight Of the piuaacle of St Peters at
Rome I Another, and the highest peak,
is shaped precisely like dome, aud rises
with smooth round apex Qf may 50
say) over four th0Gaand E->>.. -. - 20 IS called
| Inc Dome.
Such is the Valley itself, Of many miles
10 extent, varying from quarter Of . mile
to mile in width, the bottom legel and
covered With luxufiant growth Of rege-
tation grass interspersed with beealIlpl
flowers, and the finest of pines and other
evergreen trees and shrubs, aud the pure,
clear, sparkling Merced river winding It's
way ''at its own sweet willS through tho
midst. II reminded me Of the Happy Val.
ley Of DR.. johnson, in which Kas5elas, the
Prince of Abysslaia, was bora, and into
which there was bus Que place Of ingreas
1t is the perfect counterpart ia nature Of
his idea. except, as friend suggested o.
whom spoke of the resemblance, there
could have been no mosquitoes there 70 tol-'
ment the happy inhabitants as they a'e ~
10 the Yo-hamits Il conld not but think.
too, what place this wogld be for = pepei
colony or state e-prison, setting aside -
nance and looking only et u:iIiIaflnn ends
canelndsd o. 4A Poge