The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-08-17

| pies Jhder the roof are rooms lust little
larger than bed From so to 100 people,
according to circumstances, can find beds
here, aud substantial food for six dollars a
day. At this season some 200 or more dine
here each day, and perhaps 20, or more, stay
at night.
After dinner We sailed out for more and
minuter views The day was very clear
| Portland harbor, strips Of the ocean aad its
Islands, the Green Mountain range, the
peaks of Mansfield and Camels Hump, rs
well as the intervening landscape could be
seen. The grandeur and beauty of the scene
your space will not permit me to describe in
detail. We had a gorgeous sunset--and
then late and very pleasant evening occu.
pied by the ladies and gentlemen present
with games, plays fun, frolic and story We
hoped tor q pleasant sunrise. was up at
J o clock, but we saw no sun that morning.
The massive impenetrable black clouds
hung over as till nearly noon, rendering it
impossible to even distinguish the house
if you ventured three rods from it, And the
winding h, it was fearful. About noon it
began to grow lighter and by p. NJ. we
had some most exquisite shadow views BY
the light of the sun reflected through the
clouds upon the mountains below US. These
lasted only an hour or two, when rain came
on and continued till late in the night. All
who could left the mountain for the hotels
below. Determined to see the beauties Of
sunrise here, | remained and this (Thurs
day morning, at 4 o'clock, had some glo
rious night views, and aroused the sleepers
foe la hoap ptu 80 . tbo
saw in all its glory and magnifcence. The
sky was clear Of clouds and the wind pierre
ing, powerful and cold. The mercury was
at ~ but the wind made it seem at zero. 1t
was impossible TO remain long outside the
house. The mercury is usually at 40 to 80
here, in summer, but the weather seems
much colder on account of the terrible
winds. Many lives have been lost here,
from oold and exposure, since this be
came II place of resort People not phys.
cally strong and thinly clad have lost their
way, in storms, and laid down and died.
Many rude piles of rock near here mark the
places where they died.
The changing scenes and reflections con-
nected with every sunset, moonrise sad sun.
rise and sunny day, enjoyed from
this elevation, | should like to dwell upon
more in detail They are very beautiful and
remarkable. Here the sunlight plays upon
the bald rocks, while black storms, armed
with wild thunder, move like the shadows
of destroying giants in the habitable regions
below. 1t is q grand sight to behold black
cloud passing along, almost beneath your
feet, the lightning playing through it, and
the thunder rolling and reverberating among
the neghboring mountains, while, at the
same time, the sun is shining brightly up.
on the tops o' the mountains around you.
The moon, too, with its starry host, sends
down its solemn light upon the gray crsgs,
kiudling into fiery glow a hundred lakes,
ponds, rivers, and dashng mountain streams,
and strangely enlivening every shady glen
with fitting lights and shades of the sombre
world below. The experience of n clear
sunset, a moonrise, and a sunrise on Mt.
Washington is well worth the attempt
to gain. And we better appreciate the IL
limitable space around us when looking
from this height up to the mighty dome Of
stars and off to the sleeping and quiet world
below US. And during wild and stormy
night, such as last night the feeling one
BhlnS mere Ol tu6 tIeIueuuOuH lOICeS hiuiu
which we are placed on the globe, will more
than atone for any uneasiness or discomfort.
The sunset, too, in the gradually softened
Light of afternoon affords most exquisite
views of the surrounding country. The fig.
ures Of the mountains enlarge as the shadow
of the sun travels along the eastern land
scape, gradually darkening green fields,
pleasant lakes, winding rivers, and snug
halnlets that line their shores, till, reaching
the horizon it seems to lift itself into the
haze. The western mountains are now
glowing with golden light and the sun leaves
US in blaze of glory. Then the shadows
deepen, the mists begin to collect on the
surface of every lake, pond and brook, till
seems as if each little bit Of water was
blanketsd and tucked in beneath ita own
coverlet of cloud, to spend the night in un.
disturbed repose. And now, after witness.
ing storm and sunshine, heat and cold sun
rise and sunset, can go down INTO the
plane below, better and wiser for this visit
among the clouds.
or the afternoon and my trip homewnrd
| will tell you in my next.
I b. D. JR