Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-08-22
Etna-.-A Thrilling Tale.


Etna-.-A Thrilling Tale.
Among the wondrous sights on the earth,
the volcano of Etna will always hold just
pre-eminence. Renowned by past and pres
ent history, sublime by its elevation, its
form, and the awful secrecy of unknown
terrors which lie concealed within its bosom,
the Sicilan volcano will always be viewed
with the deepest, the most solemn awe.
II was with such feelings and with such
thoughts as these, that began TO ascend
the volcano on the morning of the fifth of
NAV, lSi9 had left Catana on the day
before, in order to visit this wonderful spot.
did not wish to glance carelessly upon it
no for TO me there was always something
almost divine, in connection with this great
mass of upheaved lava, which led me to look
earnestly at its rugged sides. wished to
ascend, to view from its summit the fairest
regions on earth to glance down, down into
those unfathomabe depths where fire, fire
in all its terror, forever dwells, forever
struggles
1t was with slow steps that assembled the
cone after the patient and hardy ponies had
been dismissed. had been an invalid and
Jhe laVlgue vi cliiioinS up ,'0 'V0P ""'
rocky declivity might well have daunted
me. But after many restings and many
haltlngs, was able TO attain the summit
The summit Good heavens can ever
forget the deirium, the transport OF Joy
which the boundless prospect there awak-
ened within me /? Can ever forget the
glimpse which first caught oil all the glo,
ries and all the horrors OF nature mingled
together in such fearful unison
Far away on one side spread the fer
tile plains, the green meadows, aud the gen
tie valleys of Sicily. There were streams
glancing and flashing in the sun as they
wandered to the sea, with ten thousand
labyrinthlan turnings; lakes whose CLASSY
surface showed not ruffie, not ripple
there were terraces upon the sides OF a hun
dred hills, where vineyards were planted,
and where the trellised vines passed along.
all green, all blooming; there were groves OF
orange-trees, amid the dark-green foliage OF
which the golden oranges peeped forth like
the flashes of phosphorescent light in mid
night sea there were long avenues oil cy-
presses, of acacias, OF noble trees OF many
kinds, amid which kingy sssemblage at
times could be seen the noble summit OF
some stately palm, as 1t lowered on high
above the others.
And the sea-the wide, the boundless, the
deep.blue Mediterranean--ther it spread
away, on the other side, as far as eye could
reach, spreading away as far as thoughts
could run-glorious as
"The dashing,
silver-fashing
Surges of san-Salvador'
But turn aside-and there, beneath, fal
beneath, lies an abyss like that of which
Milton has sung in sublimest mortal strains
paused upon the brink, and, shuddering
gazed DOWNTOWN The thick and fune
real volume of misunderstanding smok'
came seething upward as from cauidroh
1t escaped from myriad of crevices in th'
rocky, precipitous sides; it poured fortl
from behind projections, and united witt
the vast mass which came sublimely upwar
from the unfathomable depths.
| Here, upon the sandy, rocky edge, wher
sulphur, and crumbed lava, and pumict
stone, were all mingled together to form
horrid soil, here | sat, and looked dowr
From the scene beyond, from that glimps
of earth, which made it seem like heaven
from that vision of all that was most loyel
and all that was most overpowering to tur
and gaze into volcanoes awful depths
| what a change
Involved in a thousand thoughts | 81
there. thinking myself alone, when SUE
den grating struck my ear. was startle
exceedingly, and turned around. The plaC
where | had been sitting was a peninsula
protection of the cliff which formed part {
This Internal chasm. Upon the narrow stri
of land which Joined it to the other cliffs
upon the isthmus-I saw mild-lookin
middle.aged gentleman approach me.
He was dressed in plain, black clothes, an
in his hand he held a light stick.
~ beg your pardon, Signor,' said he,
"A polite manner, and with great sottness
tone g beg your pardon for intruding m
self upon YOUR company. But it is not oftt
that | see any visitor so far up"
"My dear sir beg you will make no e
: cuses," | replied " | was just admiring tn
scene below"
"Ah yes, t is a glorious sight
"Glorious say, rather a terrible one"
"Terrible, perhaps, to you but do not
surprised if say that to me it is lovely, a
solutely lovely p
| And as he smoke. a smile of bewitchil