Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-09-29

are SO eager to visit foreign chimes And
why is it, too, that more interest is not
taken and pride felt to render this grand
old peak more accessible to strangers !?
With but little expense good road might
be built to the very summit.
Just before we reached the top most
curious phenomenon occurred, which we
will mention here. One of our number
called to us to hasten our steps or we
should lose the sunset, but when we
reached the top we found that the sun
was behind cloud and still some distance
above the horizon. just below it was a
globe of light, exceedingly brilliant and
beautiful. It was too high to be the re-
Election of water, and the only explana-
tion that suggested itself to us was, that
it was sort of mirage, sun reflected
upon the clouds. 1t soon disappeared and
we had the real sunset, and very fine
one, not entirely clear, but with just
smoke enough to soften without obscuring
the sun and other objects. Just as the
sun was about to set, two small belts OF
cloud passed slowly over its disc, making
it appear as if partially eclipsed. This
splendid sight alone would have amply
repaid us for all our labor, but still great
err things were in store for US. Soon after
the sun had appeared to drop behind the
hills, SO suddenly did it disappear, a bright
light, larger and more brilliant than any
planet, suddenly appeared in the sky,
shining out from the rose-tinted clouds in
the southwest with clear, steady, silvery
light For nearly half an hour its soft
radiance shone upon us, but what caused
it we could not imagine. In few mo-
ments more EXPLANATIONS of, "Oh how
beautiful, how lovely " caused all to turn
once more toward the west.
The bright clouds still fingered there
as if anxious to prolong our pleasure, and
high above and beyond Bird Mountain
shone out, three beautiful stars, apparent
ly, forming triangle. More brilliant
than diamonds, they looked like celestial
lamps hung out to guide the weary travel
er heavenward. But words fail me to de-
scribe all the wonders of that beautiful
scene. This last marvel was supposed to
have been caused by the reflection from
the waters Of Lake Bomoseen in Castleton.
Night soon descended, and had it not
been for bright Luna, Queen of the night,
81 L., =.
that solemn stiffness, Not bird or ami
NAL could be heard or seen, while the dim
outlines of mountains and valleys
stretched far away below us. On thH solid
mass OF Primeval granite which forms The
summit of the mountain, we built our fire
and gathered around il. Now we gazed
into the ky, watching the full moon as it
sailed gracefully through the ether, and
the countless stars that gittered in the
blue expause, and anon casting almost
fearful gl4nces into the half-revealed
abyssce below u, where thousands of feet
away we could just see mountain ranges
and deep rayincs, rivers and boundless
forests.
By nine o'clock our tent was pitched,
and many of the party retired for the
night; but the novelty Of the scene was
too great for us-of the great city-to feel
the Influences of the sleepy god, and we
remained upon the top, to witness the set
ting of the moon, which WIS thought by
many to De AS fine as that of the sun
Clouds behind it looked like mount AIMS
looming high above If, while the moon
light itself appeared to drop into vast
cavity prepared purpose for it.
A few hours of ropose, as wrapped in
buHaloes or blankets we lay upon The
ground, under the tent, and then we all
gathered around the fire aud waited with
Impotence the dawn Of another day. a
feeling Of awe struck to the very soul, it
was a solemn thing standing in the per-
feet stiffness of that solitary place, high
above all animate creation. The thought
would intrude itself, how dread ul it
would be if we were not perfectly eura
that the sun would risa again. How diff
ferent would ones feelings have been last
night when we saw him disappear s. sud
denly, had we not rejoiced in the full
belief that at the appointed time he would
again appear. So is it, we thought, with
the loved and lost, who have passed from
our earthly homes. Somewhere, they
will live, as lovely as ever, aud will one
day be restored to US, to gladden. our
hearts with their presence.
When we first looked off in the dim
morning light, upon the deep profound,
which surrounded us on every side, it
was utterly impossible to realize any other
impression than that we were looking off
upon waste of waters, while here and
there, some mountain peaks rising out of
the waves of mist which filed every valley
appeared like islands. Some assured us
they could see the currents foaming
around the edges of the islands. Others
saw mighty rivers rushing to the ocean,
with waters foaming as if ploughed by
some great steamer, and cataracts more
mighty than Niagara falling into deep
ravines. But now, apparently far below
Us, we saw globe of fire, slowly rising,
and shining through thin cloud which
tempered its rays without obscuring
them. Tuppers beautiful lines never APP
peared so appropriate as now;
Cup with the sun,
His gal ant journey has just begun,
Over the hills he cometh sublime,
Bridegroom of earth and brother of time,
Over the hills his Chariot is rolled,
Bannered with glory, and FURNISHED with gold"
Higher and still higher he rose males.
tically until we could truly say in the
words of the same sweet poet,
$40, the wondering world awakes,
With its rosy-:ipped mountains and cleaning
lakes.
Calm old cliffs, and sounding seas,
FIELDS and cities, deserts and trees
In all their gratitude praising Him,
Who dwelleth between the Cherubim."
AS If by some IRRESISTIBLE iuopu1ca ope