The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-08-21
LETTER FROM AN EVANSVILLE
TOURIST.
The White M0untains-M0unt Nash
ington-A Ride UP the Mountains
scenery, DC. a.
PORTLAND, Me-, Aug. Is, '67.

OhA LAM, -'1C', mug. 10 -
Editors Journals Is 8atf
The White Mountains of New
Hampshire are an attraction to the
occupants of low countries, surprising
ordinary description. Leaving the
railway at Gorham, the tourist will
find six horse coaches waiting to carry
him eight miles to the Glenn. at the
base of Mount Washington, where he
will find first class hotel, having
accommodations for four hundred
guests; table unexceptionable, rooms
airy and clean. In the midst of the
mountains, with pure air, surrounded
by peaks towering heavenward, You
may quietly rest, and look upward
upon the grand scenery, and mediate
upon the handiwork of the Creator
Mount Washington, on the east, is
approached from this point. Taking
passage on a six-horse mountain
wagon. carrying eleven passengers
fare, five dollars each-you start up
the mountain by an excellent road
made by a stock company, eight miles
long. Winding around the mountains.
four hours are required in making
the ascent But one house is passed
the entire distance. As you as
cend, mountain peaks loom up
in the distance. You look up
ward and downward, taking In
scenery of exceeding grandeur. Far
away la the distance can be seen the
mountains of Vermont, and the green
valleys of Maine; ascending higher,
\ vegetation becomes more sparse, trees
are reduced to mere scrubs, the air
becomes more bracing. Far down
the mountains we look upon preci-
pices passed of awful depth. Villages
appear less and less visible. Passing
upward, we find overcoats and shawls
In order. for we are now above grow
ing vegetation, and the tops of the
mountains are barren rocks. Reach
ing the summit of Mount Washing
ton, we are upon the highest peaks in
this country east of the Rocky Noun
tains, and 300 feet above the sea.
Above the clouds, you look down the
while around you is damp vapor
through which you can but occasion
ally see. Clear views ofthe earth below
are had at intervals; floating clouds
around and below you, intercepting
the view. Nothing but rocks crown
Mount Washington. The wind. blows
furiously, and storms break suddenly
and unexpectedly Yankee energy
has built upon the highest point the
=" Tip Top House" Rocks and stones
form its walls; its roof is
shingled, and chained down to the
rocks for safety against wind, which
hurls around this mountain-top
furiously. Man may stand upon
these granite foundations, laid by the
Almighty, shivering IN. the wild blasts
as they sweep from peak to peak, and
feel how Insignificant he IS, and may
exclaim. How wonderful are Thy
works, Q God!"
At this great height we meet num-
bers who have made the ascent from
the opposite side. As many as two
hundred have been on the top in
day. IT'S surprising to see tie large
numbers passing over these noun
tains. Troy coaches, drawn by SIX
horses, carrying fifteen passengers
each, pass like railway trains. \.
various places of resort in the noun
taius are good hotels, each seeming
to have its share of patronage. IN
deed, to an occasional observer, it Is
surprising to see such numbers on
the go. The old Granite State is not
without its attractions: its mountains
and valleys, its pure air and cool
waters, induce the lovers of quiet re-
pose and meditation to visit and pass
much of the warm season here.
Portland, from the White Noun
tains, is about one hundred miles.
On arriving here, we see evidences OF
the great FIRE which swept millions of
property in few hours. An illus
tration of American energy is
shown here in the early erection
of substantial stores in the burnt
district" Buildings are going up
rapidly. Modern architecture is an
Improvement on Puritan style; hence,
Portland, rising from desolation, will
be greatly improved, having fne build
1ngs after tastes of this age. Popula-
ton about 80 coo.
Our former excellent citizen, I'll. O.
Wheeler, resides here. Being absent,
I@had not~the- pleasure of meeting
him. DIR. Bray who is visiting his
relatives East, was out of, the c;tx.
seeing his country friends.
Having made our observationsshS
we leave for Rye Beach. thence over
the Green Mountains to Saratoga 3
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