Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-06-03
A ROAD OVER MOUNT GEMS.

As this road will soon become famous as
the route of the French army into Italy, the
following description given by correspon-
dent of the n. y. Times, who recently passed
over it, viii be read with interest;
The road over Mount Cents is macadam-
lied throughout its whole extent, and is
wide and in perfect order. consisting of easy
grades. On the top Of the mountain there
was much snow, but most of il was removed
from the road a work of great labor, as the
cuts in some places were ten feet deep, and
the snow was so compact that It's sides were
perpendicular. The diligence was several
hours in passing through this region of snow,
and it was showing at the time and extremely
cold. On Monday and Tuesday of this
week it rained hard on the west side Of the
mountain, and it was feared that the passage
of troops was impeded by fresh SHOWS. The
journey over the pass is no pleasant affair
even TO those who occupied the protected
seats of comfortable diligence-such was
my fortunate position. What must it be to
soldiers on foot, wet with severe rains, and
encountered with knapsacks and arms
" The pass is 6,S25 feet high-nearly 800
feet higher than the famous Simplon pass
That Of the great st. Bernard, over which
Napoleon conducted his army before any road
had been formed is $500 feet. The easy
grades of the Mount Gents road, and the pro-
lection furnished by granite posts on its ex-
terror, within seven or eight feet Of each 9TH
or, firmly planted in the earth, and about
4 feet high, indicate that principal object in
thus forming it was the easy and safe hauling
of cannon and baggage over the line. l walk
ed for miles over the road in the ascent from
the Sandman side, and carefully observed its
construction. The engineering difficulties
were immense, but they have been overcome
with such skill that the ascent is uniform and
easy in every part. Occasionally a level
place is left to afford relief to horses from the
wearisomeness of steady pull | noticed
that the marks of the drill used in blasting
were nearly obliterated, the effect of long
continued exposure to severe storms and the
character of the rock, which is soft limestone.
1t may be, if the history of the road shall ever
be lost, that future antiquarians may contend,
from the obliteration of all signs of blasting,
that at least no great difficulties were en-
countered in its construction, even If they do
not insist that it was formed on natural bed.
One is struck with wonder that such great
work, over high mountains, should have been
formed and finished on line exceeding fifty
miles, so completely that it exceeds in excel
lence any road know of in the United States,
whether public or private and long or short.
1t is kept in good order, and is descended on
a brisk trot with entire safety.
at seemed most appropriate, as this great
road was the work of the elder Napoleon,
that the representative of his name should
distinguish himself by using it for the march
,f afv Of fba
which Napoleon successfully encountered
soon after crossing the Swiss Alps"
CURIOSITY GRArFIED AND Satisfied
Some newspapers are renowned for their
prying curiosity. Their popularity is point
edly bit by the following, which says the
Newport Daily Netos, is aimed at some
body"
Duncan Pell, Esq, has just commenced
the erection of new fence in front Of his
mansion, on Mary street, in this city. On
one of the posts is the following manuscript
- Tho proposed fence is to be sixty feet
long, l-2 feet rails over coping to be fin
ished this week Mr., Eaton is the carpenter,
and Mr. Fludder the mason The work is to
be done by the day DUNcAN PEIL.
Terms cash
nope thls VIII DC satisfactory 10 the
public.
"'April 25, 1859
Conclusion Of the above thrilling legend
1t was on the first night of the to be dry
month of May, 50--the month of flowers and
balmy zephyrs, passional attraction, green
peas and other affnitos, that Duncan Pell
lay buried in the arms Of slumber.
a loud and terrible rappng reused him.
1t YVES continued Rap-rap rap Start
ing from sleep, Duncan looked forth into the
moonlight. A dark form was pounding away
at the door. As Pell looked from the window
the form cried out;
Mister Pell--bo yeow agoin
to have this ere fence white or yaller wash
edH'
FfRr.-The dwelling house of AbUah
Howard of Thetford, was consumed by fire
on Monday night of last week Ii took in I