The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-01-07
[ From the New York Methodist. |
The Geysers.
BY THE REV. DIR. NEWMAN.

they are not unlike those of Iceland. The
latter are on a grander scale, but in tenn
perature, in mineral deposits, in the num-
r Der and variety of the springs, they are not
superior. The ride to Sonoma is one of the
most delightful in California. The sail
from San Francisco to Vallejo is equal in
beauty to trip up the Hudson to West
Point. The magnificent bay, the noble
river, the lofty mountains, the quiet ham
let's, the Notifications, and elegant steam
boat, combine to enhance the pleasure of
the tour. At the little town of Vallejo,
we took the train for Calistoga, favorite
summer resort for Californians, and the
White Sulphur Springs, which are cele-
brated for their great medicinal qualities
But the excitement of the trip to the gey-
sers begins at Calstoga. The remainder
of the journey is made in the stage coach,
the proprietor of which prides himself on
his rapid and skilful driving. Ten miles
an hour is the minimum rate, over plains,
through valleys, across mountains. AS we
advanced, Mt. St. Helen was in view for
many mile. Although less imposing than
some of the Sierra Nevadas, and in alti-
tude not to be compared to Mount Shasta,
yet it is the most beautiful mountain in
California. Its chaste and graceful out
line is the very ideal of mountain FORM
Like thing of beauty, it seemed to follow
u.s. attracting our gaze from every other
object. On its summit is copper plate,
bearing an inscription, and placed there by
the Russians many years ago.
The scenery beyond was exceedingly
picturesque. The hills sloped gracefully ;
the valleys were deep and narrow, green
with meadows and bright with running
waters. AS we gained the summit, known
as Goodwin's Peak, the landscape was
really grand. The whole valley of the
Russian River lay at our feet, extending
from the southeast and south, where it joins
the Petaluma Valley, and running far away
to the northwest. Beyond was the long
line of the coast range, covered with
dreamy, purple haze, and further on, the
blue waters Of the Pacific, seventy miles
distant. On our return, early the next
morning, these great valleys were filled
with white fog, its tleecy pillows ever in
motion, and from out it's bosom appeared
the hill-tops, like islands in the sea. Above
us were the calm heavens and the bright
sun. What symbol of human life =
Those in the valleys were under cloud
we on the mountain-top, above the clouds,
and ,t,f of Da,1.,
descending into the valley of the geysers,
we had sample of rapid driving. The
narrow mountain-road was full of sharp
curves, around which we turned with fear
full speed. The horses had been trained to
their work. Each had his NAME and was
| guided by the drivers voice rather than by
his hand. With great skill he managed
the brake, which was at once our safety
and our danger-our safety in reaching
curve; our danger if not removed at the
nick of time in turning the curve, and pre-
vent the coach from upsetting. In the
descent of three thousand feet, there was
stretch of three and half miles, with
descent of twenty three hundred feet, which
| We hittNiO III Aoui tCCh
Seventy miles from San Fra ncisco, in
narrow, rugged mountain gorge, the geysers
of Sonoma are located, two thousand feet
above the level of the sea. The region
bears marks of violent volcanic action
AS we drew near the spot, we heard the
roaring sound of the escaping steam. In
the morning, before the sun is up, the
scene is wonderful. From all the springs,
cloud of vapor ascends, yelling hill and
dale, and from out the dense cloud come
terrific sounds, which seem to warn the
traveller to depart. The "Plutonic Sulphur
Creek" runs through the whole extent of
the narrow wales. On the north side is the
Geyser Canyon. There are not less than
two hundred springs in all, the temperature
of which ranges from extreme cold to boil
ing hot. The atmosphere was surcharged
with sulphurous odors. The ground beneath
us was hollow, and rumbling, screeching,
growing sounds greeted us at every step.
The heat was oppressive the stencil was
awful. Everywhere we saw mineral depos-
its of sulphur, magnesia, alum, and iron.
We saw boiling springs of white, red, and
black sulphur; boiling springs of iron,
soda, and alum. Every spring bad its
noise. Some Missed and sputtered, as when
water was poured upon red-hot iron 9TH
ers seethed and roared.
| Seventy-five feet from the hotel, we came
to spring of iron, sulphur and soda with
a temperature of 49, Fair. In ascending
the Geyser Gulch, the first we met was
tepid spring Of alum. Twenty feet beyond
was the "Medicated Geyser Bath with
temperature of $50, containing ammonia,
EPSON salts, magnesia, sulphur, and iron.
Around it lay crystals of EPSON salts two
inches in length. Higher up we came to
spring of boiling alum and sulphur, with
temperature of 1862. Near it was one of
black sulphur. AS we advanced over rocks
and heated ground, enveloped in steam, we
walked on thick deposits of ammonia,
tartaric acid, magnesia, sulphur, salts,
alum, iron, and nitre. A singular feature
of the geysers is the proximity of springs
of different temperatures and of different
qualities. Here is one, clear and cold, and
within few feet is another, scalding hot
An egg, dipped in the latter and taken out,
is boiled. A hen thrown in would be reduced
to broth in two minutes. From one of the
larger springs, jet Of water is thrown up
a height of fifteen feet.
Some of the geysers are very remarkable.
What is known as the Steamboat Gey-
ser y is an opening two feet in diameter,
out of which the steam rushes, sounding
like high pressure seven-boiler boat blow
ing off steam. The old guide had placed
a long iron whistle SO that the steam rushes
through it, and by slight movement it
sounded like a locomotive whistling to clear
the track. The people of California have
fancy to call certain curious things after
his Satanic majesty. Between Ogden and
Sacramento there is the Devils Slide
and the Devils Bridge" hence was not
| SURPRISED to find here tine 60 DEVILS punch