, 1861-10-08
OUR PIXIES PEAK LETTER.



No portion of our country opens more
extensive field to the lover Of the bta1tiful
a1d sublime, to the student Of the natural sci
ecces or the seareher after mineral wealth,
ttan that vast region comprising the chain Of
mountains fur to the west ward which stretches
lis rocky ma.sea in long, rugged detle away
from the extreme south, and winds it's seried
cplums far up into the British realm. - .
Its ever changing f1a.ures Of storm aad sun
shine, its magnificent parks, its beautiful
lakes get like mirrors in the jagged rocks, the
thousand varying tints of autumn, the solemn
glandeur ara terrible Eublimity Of its winter;
all 1o1m the noblest school for the student OF
art, and give unbounded scope to the most ar
dent and enthusiastic adyenturar.
It was with these ideas firmly. Impressed
Dpor my mind that I made my arrangements
fer second and more nbera! survey Of the
mountains, particularly in and about the
the morning OF one Of the most brilliant days
in the latter part Of May We prepared to take
up our Tine Of march. The Sun W2s coinlng
flakes Of gold and finging- them down il
sparkling showers upon the roof Of cabin aHd
over the hills which lay in graceful undu1a
tons between us and the tar famed city Of
Denver; aud now the last eminence gained.
we cast liz rge1fng look at cur valley homo,
and bid Silent farewell to the gay and festive
city Of the plains. The mountains towering
before US in silent majeety, with all theif
wealth Of beauty and treasure, are to be the
hcMe Of our choice, and eeem to welcome us
on like stern old knights If the ancieut times.
to tournament with storm and tempest.
Far away to the south rises in serene m7ias.
ty the regal summit Of " the Peak )" bathed in
glorious sunlight; the distance softenilg
down and tnelowing each harsh and sudden
effect till all seem blent in delightful harmony,
aDd the rugged old uountain, like a massive
summer cloud, hangs in droWsy beauty over
the plain that sWeeps with graceful curve
along its base. To the north, Longs Peak
looms up, the highest Of the range, aud form
ing with Pixies Peak the extreme limit Of our
future 6ald Of observation.
But as VIC have been musing over the scene
Of cur labors ne have reached the base Of the
mountains, md before us, peepIug over the
intervening hin, ne see the chim4eys and
roofs OF the quiet village of g. Mt. Vernon, !"
ole OF the prettiest farnlets We shall meet On
our travels; it nestles down amoag the 1uxu-
119nt foliage which encirc1es it, and offars to
tie weary pilgrim tempting Inducements
to 1oiter awhile before he plHnges into the
rocky Wi1ds. Having halted for short time
here, and made sketches Of the VARIOUS points
OF Interest, We buekled On our packs more
firmly and started On our way up the moua-
tsin. The road on either side was decked with
the mest dazzling array Of floral beauty; the
nodeat little blae-bell peerfng ont from among
tie thick masses Of Wild cherry, and the gau-
dy 6uDhoReF noddiug its Stately head In rec
ognitiop, a. We STUN oled along over the stony
road. On reaching the summit, the view was
nsgEifcent,g giving us grand panor annie scene
q beauty and interest. The p1asus lay in dreamy
e5pa1se from below, and as the sun, nearsn;5,
bis home In the West, thoot bis aTrows q
light across the Landscape, the long shadows
tl;1ew their bold Inca from little Islands Of
timber and gently swelling hills, giving with
these parallels Of light and shade depth of
perspective, and breadth Of distance truly sur
prsirg. Denver, some Is miles awny, was
disceEnable through the blue, hazy m!sts, EN-
powered amidst tie stately costoawoods
above the level Of the grassy plain The bold
rocky foreground, and immense pines which
formed the base and sides Of the.picture, served
to heighten the effect and render the view
truly enchanting. =
ne had yet some six miles TO jog along, befors
reaching our camp, wa pressed forward,
md BY sunset arrived at "QniDcy -Ranche,' u
Is miles from Denver. After pa1taking Of o1r
luxurious supper, OF cora breada1d bacon,
We indu1ged in quiet smoke befofe blazing
! camp fire of mountain pine, the flames leapiu2
into the darkness, and makiog the shadows q
the gloomy forest dance around us In wild and
fantastic shapes, exciting the imagination, and
waking In the mind the fairy tales OF on,
childhood, which like the shadows grow Iess
vivid as the blazs Of youthful fancy Is dimmed
| by the chilling damps Of later years.
| had just learned from to-day g paper, hand
ed me BY passing traveller, Of the assassina.
ton Of Col Ellsworth, AID as the recoliectfons
Of the past fitted before me, my early associ
ations with him st period in his brief caree1
when days were dark, md friends were few,
could not reconcile IN my mind the brillian1
J 7JuaE Fax axHN 3,+
reIing, and the untime1y- eacrife so suddei
ard unlocked for, but the ,0mnipotent Rule
o. The armies OF earth moves mysterinusly 4
enecI h1s purposes, and.We must submit Wit
out murmur to his decree
The flashea sf laInbent flame as they grew
less and 1ess brilliant, and the chilling vet al
IS the night advanced, ,fWarned Jus to abandon
our reVenes, and turn I'M for the share O
that eleep which each Of eur psrty felt some
what In need Of, and ere long from sundr,
masses Of buffalo robe and blanket protsactes
that s'wearineas can snore upon: the tint
while restive sloth finds the downy psiluV
hard" By the first light Of morning, "
sp1ang from our nests, and taking e hast,
breakfast proceeded on our Tay,2the Iea'
pines, oIer stony mountain summtts, fl dowi
into green and sunny valleys; By tho los
mud matched cabin Of the toiling miner, ami
the convenient stranche" Of the :a:thl
! 4e10stAal1 whose 1encta Of newly 1f#u tln
" per Cleaned in the sunlight away beyond %
Descending then into the valley Of the Platte
qnEolling itself Ike a si,ye1y ribbon, nos
M9l9g W1th gentle mu1mur under th
thick Willows, then dashing cut With PIP
ping, merry laugh across the rosd, as Il. !.
puzzle and perple1 lie With it's tortuous mean
oe1Mgs, We Journeyed on; crossing by tn
rude pole bridges, sid fordhg the mad Httl
atresm some fifteen times ere We LETT 1t, AMI
tod once more the firm mountain road Wh1cl
conducted us towards Hamilton. With sang
snd jokes we enlfyened our way, making tn
ciags fesound with old familiar t1nee We has
often sung together when In Chicago.
| Mnste has chal1ns indeed amid the scenes 9
home Whsre kindred voicsa& unite blending
sweet harmony, but in these, wilds, separate'
% rugged mountains aud long tedleus spae
IRON these We love, the melodies Of HON
awaken thrill Of melancholy pleasure Whlcl
ferent. :.:.::
4 sudden turn In the road, and ssmu1tans
oQsiy ffon every lip burst expressions Of SUI
prize and wonder. Wo were standing on Ia
verge OF the mountains forming fhe.Vasf ~
Phitheafre which encircle, and 0yerlooks th
"south Park" No words can describe th
unequA1led beauty Of the scene Each Of on
party. with head uncovered. iuTol3ptAIHy p7t