The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-03

Cornhill Magazine gives account of his ira veIa
through The province of Hsrdanger, in Norway.
Among other things he writes Of . famous water
We cannot conclude q sketch of this district
without saying few words about the famous wa.
terfaii, which is approached by one of the dark
1ssihes a. ihs head Vt the lake before described.
mere are o,her falls of great height and beauty
IN ihe neiPhoorine gorge, and more than one full
stream shoots over "the perpendicular escsrp-
ments Of simedsl;" there is slso within a long
Gays journey tne gigantic cataract Of Skiegge-
dal, above the sorfjord, which an accom- plish ID
traveller has very recently described bot the vo.
ring floss remains the wonder of all the countrv
side. The road winds up to II for several miles be.
tween steep cliffs, and by the side Of a foaming
river until il is blocked BY another cliff or rather
pile of enormous rocks; ziesag path leads up
through ferns and dropping streams. and from the
plain above we look down to the lake surrounded
with enowribbed mountains through the black
cleft by which we have ascended. On each side
is precipce over which two brothers, racing on
snow shoes, were dashed one winter into the val
ley; behind us fat expanse of moor ana marsh,
covered with flowers aud clouk- berries, divides
US from the Jukul and its rocky companions.
At some distance cloud of white smoke rises
from the ground. and this ia the reek of the Vor-
ing floss; on approaching IL and looking down we
see good.sized river falling into q deep chasm
or csuldron with mighty roar and vapor. All
manner OF fine descriptions have been written Of
II. and one traveller who was here in winter has left
striking account of its beauty when falling
through cave Of ice. glittering with huge crys.
tails and enormous icices. A visitor OF more pre-
tentious lyle has been quoted by Lieut. Breton
"All nature stands sghast, the very mountains
seem petrifed at the sight, and the animals had
fed from wild which may almost be said to ter.
rify the vegetable creation" We will not at
tempt to rival this magnificent rhapsody, and will
only ssyth most striking view is to be Obtained
from the overhangng cliff on the south side of the
fsll-wbich cannot, however. be reached without
weaiisome journey through quaking bogs aud
across muddy streams. The height of the fall
has been much exaggerated. The books all agree
in estimating the descent at least at 900 feet and
II ia not unusual for travellers to maintain that the
leap is q thousand feet high. Others have doubt.
ed the accuracy of the calculation made by its
discoverer. Prof. Haustein. and have observed
that the visitors position must cause the proper
tons of the waterfall to be foreshortened in very
unusual degree, if the common opinion ia to be
accepted. At the time of one of our visits par
y OF Norwegian engineers were employed upon
government survey, and they decided the ques-
ton for us by stating that the depth of the chssm
was under 500 feet. There can, however, be no
doubt that the sheer fall of so large body of
water in long columns and wreaths of foam is one
of the most magnificent sights in Europe. slla9
After gathering from the edge of the cliff over
hanging the Foss fine plant Of the king of the
mountains" which attsins great perfection in the
black and oozy soil. we followed the course of
the river inland, instead of returning the shore
oozen miles below. AS SO few travellers 90
close this description of the Hardanger region
with few words about the upper country. The
marsh land lying between the mountain tops
here forms what Is called a "fjeld-dale,v or
mountain valley, closed at the end of a few miles
by a sudden rise in the ground aud stretching
again inland on higher elevation, until step BY
step the limit of vegetation is reached, and no.
thing but stony peaks and muddy hills remain.
We were well entertained at little farm lying in
the lower portion of the "fjeld-d - and sur
rounded W
see the earth for flowers" and where the wild
strawberries and juicy clond-berries grew al
about in wonderful profusion After coffee aud
trout, with bowls of fruit and cream, we were
shown to the rooms hung with sweet herbs, and
stored with heaps of peas. msllows and other
country treasures. where cur beds of sweet hay
had been prepared. On the loft outside lay
stack of what looked Ike paste bosrd. but which
was in truth the household store Of :" fad.bro
or thin grddle-cakes of oatmeal. We continued
next day our course beside the river, through
meadows as luxuriant as ever; the forgetme nots
spread in masses on every side, the slender rsnun-
Gull or :" reindeer flowers choose the drier sides
of the knobs and hillocks. /" and the wild marsh
marigold flames like fire through swamps and
holloss gray" Passing some fine cascades
at Skurvestol, we entered well wooded plain.
from which green hill rises surmounted by
little 'arm, the highest in situation of all upon this
range Of N CURTAINS.
We turned away with regret from the wonderful
view down the valley toward tine sea, and round
the mountains which encircle the moorlsnd of yes
terdsy's journey, where the broad river DIVORCES
into two branches We had to climb down the
curved rocks, polished apparently by glacial ac-
tioD, and even the ponies got without stumble
down this formidable /" Katzeustiegn the men
holding on their tails and permitting them to move
only inch by inch. Soon after this cloud OF spray
" ss seen issuing from the ground, and swaying TO
end fro In the wind. This was waterfall named
of which we had never seen any des.
cription. IL falls from considerable height into
a deep chssm. like the yoring itself by climbing
down rock which jutted out In front of the fall,
a very good view was attained by one of the
party but ss he assembled, the loose stones Of the
clIff-side began TO move and carry him down, 90
hat II wss not without some trouble and anxiety
that at last he was extricated from his dangerous
imprisonment. Before evening we reached the
higher fels. crossing snow at intervals here all
ceased, except the lchens, and dwarf
I'd willow that grows beside the snow. This re-
gion is inhabited only by the sknlkng grey foxes.
The wild rendered. which, to our great pleasure.
we passed numerous herd-and by the golden
plovers, which parch upon the scattered rocks
md raise their wailiug cry the traveller passes
,loDg the moor. Turning downward At last, we
arrived at the broad pastures of Bjor-dal, where
he last butts are built upon the verge Of desert
ract which stretches away to the distant Hang-
lal. The shallow river sparkled. and the distant
now we're illumiDed In the crimson sunset. as we
TODD by the low door way to see the cattle return
o The sound OF the Alpine horn; aud here on the
boundary of another province, and out OF sight Of
he waters OF the ford, we shall close the account
u our summer ramble In the pleasant valley Of
dardaDger.