The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1861-06-19
Letter from Phil Phenix.--An Excursion
TO Bringing ROcks,''


TO Bringing ROcks.'
DEAR PRESS There is q probabili-
ty that many of your readers have
heard of the Ringing Rocks" who
know but little concerning them and
as these Rocks" are a local institu-
ton of considerable note in this Sec
ton, it may possibly interest the pub
lie in general to know more of their
particular locality, nature, extent, &C.
feasibility, &c. Having recently Wis
tied these Rocks" in company with
a party of young ladies and gentlemen
from this place, (Milford,) l will give
YOU brief description of them, and
our trip.
! Crossing the Delaware from this
place into the keystone State" we
proceeded a short distance up the
! right bank and then turned abruptly
/ TO the left, crossed the raging 'can-
awl," and struck off into the High
lands, which rise precipitately from
its opposite bank. The road winds OBJ
liquely up the side of the mountain,
and the ascent, though toilsome and
fatigning, is greatly relieved by the
varied and interesting scenery along
the route. Scattered at intervals
among the huge rocks, and hardly dis
tinguishable from them, are neat little
cottages, whose inmates live in style
Of primitive simplicity that was quite
refreshing to look upon. In due time,
we arrived at the summit of the hill,
from which retrospective view was
quite enchanting. A mile and half fur.
tner brought US to lane, which we
entered by a flank movement to the
right, and followed for a short dis
lance, then filing off obliquely to the
left through the woods. Then came
the tug of war"-tearing through the
brush and bushes, stepping from rock
to rock, we pushed our way onward
crossed a small stream Just above a
beautiful cascade-climbed up q rocky
slope mounted high boulder and
looked around. Immediately before
US, covering about one superficial
acre, spread out in all their ragged,
jagged, sharp, angular, rough, uneven
and irregular proportions are the veri-
table Rocks" whose sonorous quail
ties have made them so famous. AL
though surrounded by other rocks on
every side, these have a shape and
homogeniousness quite as peculiar to
themselves az their ringing qualities
When struck, their sound is som athing
similar to that of steel. Their spe-
cifc gravity should judge to be much
greater than ordinary rock or stone.
How far they extend into the earth, I
know not but looking down some
eight or ten feet through the assures
and crevices, not the slightest particle
Of earth is descernable. Travelling
over them is rather a delicate opera
ton, and makez one tremble for the
safety Of his shin bones in case of
mis-step. How they came here, scat
tered about ia such confusion, without
any apparent system or strata, is
mystery Tradition, however, says
that "once upon time, his satanic
majes'y was carrying stone to build a
fence; and on this particular spot, his
apron-string broke, and the stones
were precipitated to the ground 1t
seems that he was too lazy to pick
them up, and they yet remain--a sort
Of Mecca, to which parties from the
"Jersies" and elsewhere make an an
nual pilgrimage, more for the purpose
Of amusement than from curiosity.
Hundreds of names are rudely en-
grayed upon the Crooks" in various
places, and in connection, some dates
Of antiquity. They are certainly a
curiosity worth visiting, and will rich
ly repay all lovers of nature and the
curious.
After viewing the "Rocks," our
party retired to shady grove, near by,
to pay their respects to some refresh
ments which the ladies had kindly pre-
pared for the occasion. Between this
sylvan repast mid green leaves, bright
eyes and sweet smiles, and such limo
cent freaks Of nature" as putting
faces ia close proximity, with kind Of
-of-smack the afternoon passed
swiftly and pleasantly away, and our
party returned safely to their homes,
all agreeing, though somewhat weary,
thas the day had been spent in most
agreeable and advantageous manner.
Respectfully Yours,
PHIL PHOENIX.