, 1876-12-15

size. and so perfect and definite are its
outlines, that there is no difficulty IN
recognizing it at the distance Of a hun
dred miles. The snow fills an upright
| fissure fifty feet in breadth, and l 800
/ feet in length; the horizontal arm of
| the cross is of the same breadth, and in
midsummer is about 700 feet in length.
| 1t is estimated that the snow in these
/ two immense assures is from fifty to 100
feet in depth; so that the season
through, there stands that majestic
cross, l 500 by 700 feet. There are eyes
that fill with tears while looking upon
if. Some tourists shout out their won
der. while others are thrilled with silent
admiration. Your correspondent is
Catholic enough to cross forehead and
breast at this sight, so suggestive and
magnificent.
Passing the southern boundary of
Middle Park, the eye will trace the out
lines of South Park, which is thought
by some, by its delightful climate and
magnificent scenery, to exceed IN at
tractiveness all others. 1t is sixty by
thirty miles in area, and, like Middle
Park, is bounded on all sides by gigan-
tic mountains, whose peaks stand far
above the line of the eternal frost and
snow. Pixies Peak, IA, ,213 feet high,
and eighty miles distant, is visible.
| Alsothe Continental Divide, the Sawatch
extending west of it still further south,
$50 miles distant, the beautiful Spanish
Peaks, upwards of II 900 feet in hight,
are clear to the eye. Ex-Governor Ev-
ans assured US that this southern out
look commanded peaks at distance OF
upwards of 200 miles.
Such is the view from Gray's Peak in
that direction. Now look west for
moment. Just beyond the peak already
described is the inviting snow range.
Still beyond can be seen the Uintah and
Wasatch Mountains of Utah, and at
few points the far distant'Sierra Nevada
range. Here again view Of upwards
of $50 miles of mountain ranges west
ward will reward the effort expended in
reaching Gray's Peak. Northward, the
extent of mountain ranges is about the
same. The divide between North and
Middle Parks are the first mountains
seen. Longs Peak, standing at an angle
of the east and south walls of North
Park, is prominent. In this last men
toned park, fish and game are far more
abundant than either Middle or South
Park. 1t is the place for adventure. 1t
has never yet been fully explored.
There is no difficulty in finding within
its boundaries plenty of wolves and an
telopes.
Away in the distance stretches the
Rocky Mountain range, which forms
the western boundary of this park, and
the Medicine Bow range, which forms
an extension of its easterly boundary.
Not far from $50 miles, therefore, the
eye ranges northward; and eastward,
Just beyond Denver, the vast plains rise
up until they reach the level of the eye.
Now, when we take'into our estimate
the number of lofty peaks in this inn
mediate neighborhood, also the variety
of the scenery; lakes green as those Of
Geneva-blue as that of Lucerne; and
others which are perpetually frozen:
parks which the world elsewhere can
scarcely approach; forests never yet ex-
plored by the white man; the magni6-
cent extent and vast sweep Of views in
every direction-lonely, lovely, terrible,
and full of indescribable majesty-we
feel like asking to be forgiven for visit
ing Europe, and going into raptures
over its scenery, before standing upon
your summit, D, dome of the grandest
continent God has madel-Boston Post