Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-08-29

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sSnbeam that might fortunately find its way througA
the dark and dense foliage that shaded its lovely
lace. g, s.
The whole surface Of the mountain for four miles
is one unbroken carpet Of moss, from four to eigns
inches in thickness, as soR and plant as the Sky
down upon the CygRets breast The last hall mtie
of our ascent was comparatively easy, slide way
having been opened on the Bnncombe side ct the
mountain for the purpose of transporting the last
remains of the lamented Mitchell to their resting
place upon the highest point of land in the Atantc
States, East Of the Rocky Mountains, upon the
Mort American continent,
Arrived at the apex Of the mountain the tefmin-
alton of our tolls, our first impulse was 10 pay =
tribute of respect to departed worth, ana drop
tear of sorrow upon the grave OF q son OF science
who had sacrificed hislfe in giving eeiiorty % Se
ceoaranhical chart of his adopted State. Whilst
looking down upon the lone resting place OF the
unhonored dead, we could but express our sincere
regret that some more lasting memorial than the
rude frame work of Fir had not been erected over
his remains to point out the spot that will ever be
hallowed by the bones of martyr to his profess
sional pursuits.
Having discharged this melancholy and p;ou. nful
DUTY we proceeded to set Mariners co:nr ass upon
the nearest practical spot for staff to oe adjusted
and taking the meridian as Ease line, found that
the North point to the extent OF our vision cut the
Eastern extremity of the noan Mountain whilst the
Carolina. 40 leg West of South Mount Psgah
doomed up in the distance like an azure cloud whilst
the White Mountains of Virginia appeared in the
Opposite quarter of the grand circular panorama,
that delighted the eye, and intoxicated the fancy
At an angle of about 40 deg E. Of N. the Pilot and
Table Rock and their opposite, the Unaquois, with
the intervening ranges. About deg. w. OF N,
the Cumberland Gap, between Virginia and Ken
lucky, and the whole chain stretching in south
wardly direction plainly in view. Nearly East from
our stand point lies Morganton ana the South
Mountains E. by S., the Broad River and Kings
Mountain. 8 deg. w. Of s., the Nantahala and
Nix the same line, the celebrated peaks of Guiot
Hairy Bear Cat Tail, Deer Mount and Bolin's Pyra-
mid About II deg: W. of N, is the first of the
Black Mountain range, w. of the Base line, called
Yates Knob; S. of W. Big Piny; South, Black
Knob; E. of S. Gibbs; f.. Hanback,, in a line
with Morganton; E., Mitchells; North, our stand
point with the Black Mountains first named At
our stand point the thermometer at o'clock p. NJ,
stood at 62 deg Farenheit at the cave, at daylight
at / deg; the water at the spring at SO deg. at
the base of the mountain at sunrise at GO deg.
We have thus given a succinct though very i'm
perfect, sketch of the hasty visit and still more
hasty observations and incidents Of our trip To the
Black Mountains. You will observe that we have
avoided giving to the highest point of the Black
Mountains any specific name; for a very plain and
obvious reason With men of science the honor
whom the honor is due. In the range Of the
! Black there is Mount Mitchell, known for % years
and is still called by that name, and has long ap-
peared upon our geographical charts with an est-
| mated height of 6,476 feet A gentleman of high
standing and talents claims the honor Of discovering
still higher peak Of the same range the estimated
height of which exceeds the other 235 feet IL this
be the fact it does not diminish the reputation Of
Professor Mitchell in any wise detract from his
merit The truth of history should always be vim
Dictated, no matter who may claim the presidency
| There is at least one fact undisputed that the
point of land upon which rest the remains of an
estimable and scientific gentleman, known as Prof
Mitchell of the University of North Carolina is the
highest point of land East Of the Rocky Mountains
within the limits of the United States and that
no human event can ever disturb the repose Of the
dead.
Let us hope that his friends and admirers will
unite and erect to his memory a monument that
will protect his isolated grave from dissertation and
tell to pilgrim strangers the story Of his death ;
and thus in some measure consecrate his memory to
after ages mournful event to be forever Insepa-
rably connected with the future history Of North
Carolina Ii. II. S.
August 18th, 1860.