The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-02
LETTER FROM A TOURIST.

August 3Oth, 1860. J
Special Correspondence Of the Norfolk Post ..., F.
From this airy perch, on the summit
of the highest of that magnificent range
the White Mountain, indite my epistl'
to you. The thermometer is at this mo
ment standing at 80 degrees above zero
and ice is crusting rocks and trees, for ,
mile from the mountain top.
We left Montreal by the Grand Trunk
Road, which passes through the Victoria
Bridge. This massive structure consists
of an iron tubular bridge, of immense
strength, supported by piers and abut-
ments of stone. 1t is built over the ST.
Lawrence, at its junction with the
Ottawa, and is two milesan n half long.
Its piers are built expressly to resist the
force of the great masses of ice that come
sweeping down, when Spring unbind
the waters from their wintry chains.
They are strong.enough to resist the
pressure of 10000 tons of ice. The bridge
was erected under the personal supervi-
sion of Robert Stephenson, the railway
engineer, and is said to have cost
Sc, 100000.
We left Montreal far behind us. as
with lightning speed, we hurried past
farms, and forests and villages. About
10 p. NJ, we reached Rouse's Point, the
Canada Line, and here the CUSTOM
house officials examined our baggage,
before allowing us to proceed. At mid.
might've reached our terminus, Gorham,
New Hampshire. The Alpine House,
with doors open, and lights streaming
from the windows, presented an invi-
ting and hospitable appearance, as tired
and dusty, we stepped out of the cars.
Next morning splendid panorama
burst upon our eyes. On one side, the
Carter and Imp Mountains lowered SUI
perbly, on the other the majestic sum-
mits Of Adams and Clay were plainly
seen, while Mount Washington hid its
hoary head in the clouds.
The proprietors of the hotels here
Keep large numbers of tough and we'll
trained horses, used to the mountain
roads, and parties can at any time be ac-
oommodated with cOnveyances to the
various points of interest. We started
"A, M on our journey to the Tip-top,
wnich Is sixteen miles from Gorham.
a., ueriy the only means of getting over
bride na.s was by very narrow
prlule path leading over precipitous and
10y 'iii's' and through almost impen-
o.iaoie wooos' A carriage road is now
open 1.-THE way, and one travels thereon
win no more physical discom fort t,,o,,
Is inseperable from the cold windo ,hat
penetrate through the thickest 80
pings, as the road turns arom, siap
bleak corners of the mountain. '"0
But the journey repays for the t,o,,,
were it ten times as great. Fancy slono
after slope, covered with gnarled traa.
Of unknown age, fields gay with flow.
srs, beds of moss, and waterfalls dash.
ng musically over rocky lodges at your
very feet, while far as the eye can reach
{ rests on mountain peaks so grand and
ofty that they impress you with sense
# your own insignificance as the sea
loes. Down fall the clouds, and yon-
Ter summit is hidden from view in a
vail of mist. Anon they lift again, and
IS the SUMS rays dart through them the
brow is seen through halo
II glory. There are nine mountains in
he range Washington, Adams, Jefier-
Oh, Madison, Clay, Monroe, Franklin,