National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-28
SUMNER TRAVEL.
1ErrER PROM wATKINs GLEN.


The last place Of any note that We got thIougn
before reaching our journeys end from nashlhg-
ton to this point was ElmiraI which 10 quite
spacious and beautiful city, containing several
large and handsome churches. Here may be seen
streets paved with wood and a perfect gem Of
public park, and after passing through rather
picturesque stretch Of country We arrived at our
destination, the beautiful little village Of Wat
kins, where we took up our abode at the Glen
Park hotel. We much enjoyed the mineral water
bath, for there Is mineral spring within stones
throw Of this hotel, and the water s furnished to
the guests Of the hotel should they desire Il. It
is magnetic, and DR.. Rsno, o resident physician,
gives shocks, baths, so. saw persons at this
hotel who came solely to Watkins to- avail them-
selves Of the advantages offered BY the use Of this
water. 1 met many pleasant people here, but no
Washlngtonians, IS the season is not considered
far enough advanced BY the fAshiOEabls tray
slers. y. r ... WILD ..-r
Immediately after partaking Of breakfast next
morning took q stout umbrella, and rolling up.
my breeches started of to explore the rsceSses
Of the far-famed Glen. Before coming 10 the
.4..... ENTRANCE CASCADE r ..
the visitor passes through large open space,
through which the stream which trsyerses the
Glen finds Its way 10 Seneca lake. On all sides
high perpendicular cliffs tower toward the
heavens, and / was struck with the wonderful
rocky formation existing here. 1t looks as II the
ingenuity Of man had chiseled out layers Of
stone about one half inch thick, and had placed
them one above another as the mason places his
brick, thus building solid wall This formation
Of rock exist throughout the Glen, and the cllffs
rise from one to three hundred feet in height.
Ferns, beautiful fresh MOSES, wild flowers and
green plants and shrubs here and there grow out
from the cliffs, having obtained foothold in the
earth deposited between the layers Of the rock by
the action Of the receding waters, which OF GER
tain seasons rise very hgh according to the length
and quantity Of the rain. 1t has been known in
the annals Of this Glen that the waters have
risen so high as to wash away bridges and cover
pathways 20 as to render the exploration Of the
Glen impossible by travellers. All through this
beautiful spot We see wonderful traces Of the &C
ton of the water upon the rocks. In some places
can be seen large pools worn 80 smooth and
formed In q circular shape by the water ss to
make one think that the Eculptor's hand had
been engaged.
The visitor traversing this Glen from end to
end, distance Of about two miles, seems almost
lost in wonder as waterfall and rapids burst, one
after another, upon the landscape. At the en-
trance is Q beautiful cascade that falls maiestt
eally into deep, clear and Transparent pool be
meath. This fall is protected from the outside
world by rocks, which make US imagine that We
stand within large barrel when we are fairly
within, so round and symmetrical are their pro
portions. ..'
THE MINNEHAHA PALS
next claim our attention. They are very beauti.
full, and We can imagine that the sparkling water
laughs in gIee as silently and joyfully It passes
over the rocks. These falls are not very high,
but are quite attractive.
Cavern cascade soon bursts upon the vision, and
the water, which here ponrs oyer the rock and
forms the falls, enters through small assure in
the rock, about two feet wide. This fan also
pours its waters into q large pond, and as one
stands on the staircase and looks forward, It ap-
pears In most attractive form. This fall Is about
seVenty-fve feet high.
THE UPPER GLEN.
This portion Of the Glen is called the lower,
and We now enter the upper Glen, which is
greater IN extent. At the entrance is large
bazaar, where curIosities are sold and rubbers
are borrowed. On the other side IL the Glen
Mountain house, q very good hotel, and one Of
the best in the place. 1t is reached By 0 suspeA-
sion bridge, from which we can look down hun
crods of feet into large gorge below. These
buildings are all very picturesque, and lend
novelty to the surroundings. An art gallery Is
also located here, and is q rustic building.
Around 1t are rustic seats, fences and walks.
After walking o short distance the visitor en-
tiers chain Of georges, among them the
MYSTIC" AND SYLVAN"
Nothing In particular IS noticeable hero, except
succession Of beautiful little falls, rapids and
clear, sparkling pools. The Sylvan rapids are
truly grand. There are three, each following the
other in rapid succession, and as the sun sparkles
upon the water we can picture to our minds eye
that before US is beautiful sheet Of frosted and
pure silver.
From q distance the traveller notices many
queer formations and shapes. One IS . large oval
bath-tub, into which the stream pours its shining
waters; it is several feet deep, and wished 50
much for bath therein. Further up is another
pool which is shaped like heart, ana It Is called
athe pool OF the nymphS" About quarter OF .
mile above several pools, which are ns round an
apple, delight the eye, and they are called 'the
wells" expect If they were surveyed, It would
be found that they perfectly CIRCULAR in fact
they look so-they were thus formed By the action
of the waters. 1t is generally supposed that some
volcanic action took place in this section Of the
country, which caused the separation Of large
mass OF rock, through which the stream after
wards took its course and gradually wore away
the rocks down to their present proportions. .
CATHEDRAL GLEN.
Now the grandest sight, In my opinion, which
the Glen affords, upon turning q rocky point,
bursts upon my astopished vision; 1t is what Is
appropriately named Cathedral Glen" Here is
an area Of about one quarter Of q mile In extent
the cliffs rise to height Of 800 feet the ground Is
covered by 9 floor Of solid smooth rock, over
which the water spreads itself, forming Q carpet
OF silver; the bridge upon which We stand forms
the pulpit, while the beautiful sparkling and
roaring musical rapids ct the other end form
q never-ending choir. The blue Vauled heavens
above cover the whole like an arched roof My
feelings here were profound. was filled with
awe, and feeling Of reverence crept over me.
THE CENTRAL CASCADE.
Tearing myself away from the beauties Of the
Cathedral the next sight which unfoldsitselfist the
Central Cascade, which is the most beautiful and
attractive fall in the Glen; 1t is about 90 feet
high and is much noted for its regularity. Over
It is o balcony, about rs feet from the ground,
provided with seats, where the visitor can llnger
and gaze upon the beauties Of this gem Of natures
handiWork.
The beautiful Rainbow falls are now passed; the
water trickles slowly and gracefully down from
the tops OF the cliffs. We go behind the falling
water and see the effect ofths sun, which changes
the water to shining drops, forming complete
and radiant rainbow. ...I
TIE ARTISTS DREAM.
The next sight, and the last Of any note which
we behold, is the Artists Dream. Deception here
fails. At the entrances the bare trunk Of pine
tree points downward TO Q Weird-looking stump,
which has lodged In the gorge. Looking up We
see beautiful ferns pools, rapids, cascades and
fantastic and weird forms Of rocks, and occasion
ally the sun shows his face and then disappears
This Is truly grand SIght. TravsrsIng GgGIn the
same ground, ard hurriedly gazing at each beau
tlful sight once more, passed out and Wended
my way to the rural and beautiful cemetery on
top Of the cliffs, and gaEed with delight upon the
landscape unfoldsd before me, and, stretching
away as far as the eye can reach is the calm, pla
cid Seneca Lake.
Ipredict that Watkins Glen in course Of time
will be better appreciated by our psople. Thirty
thousand people visit II annually Low, and ven.
ture to say that were this "thing Of beauty and
joy forever located In the Alps tens Of thousand:
would visit It, and the poets fancy would wrsathC
its beauties into immortal poetry.
| SoCTHERNER.
POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
The Board of Police Commissioners At thsil