, 1879-11-06
PORT TOWNSEND SCENERY.

lu the course of more or less extensive
wandcrings over the globe. | have been in
many instances astoEshed to find that
people pass their lives surrounded by the
beauties of nature, and look every day
upon scenery that is, IN thu highest degree
picturesque, and even grand. without ap-
pearing to be at all aware that such is the
case. '.'' D..
1t is frequently reserved for compara-
tive strangers to point out a magnificent
picture, lying as it were, at their very
ieet
While do not mean to say that the
good people of Port Townsend are utterly
oblivious of the grand outlook which can
be had from many points in the immedi-
ate neighborhood Of the city, still, lido not
think they generally realize, that on a
clear day, there is spread out to the view
of anyone who will takethe trouble to look
and study 1t. scene as tlne snd as varied
us is seldom the good fortune. Of human
eyes to rest upon. r.Ig, s,i,l,
Let lis take stand upon the bluff, Just
before sunset. Directly in front are the
Cascade mountains, whose SUBMITS and
sides are white with perennial snow. Far
away in the southeast. Mount Rainier-or
to call 1t by its true and more lsonorous
name, Mount Tacoma--looms up, an i'm
mense white cone, and now biushing
ruby red in the light OF the sinking SIM.
Right below the eye are theblue waters
of the Sound, their placid surface hardly
stirred by ripple. Often there may be
seen graceful merchantmen, Some rtturn-
ing from voyages, while Others are setting
their white wings for a hong flight to
other climes, On the extreme left OF the
picture, Mount Baker is the most promi-
nent feature. Though less In Height than
its fellow. Rainier, it occupies more space
in the landscape. Seen, as I have seen it,
OH day when the clouds have clustered
around the lower part Of the mountain,
while its summit has glistened in the sun,
Goldsmith's fine lines see nj peculiarly APP
plicable To it, 4 '''oH. >" h6ea
''As some tall cliff that rears 1t awful form,
Swels from the vale, and midway leaves
y tt. the storm. Z . fy.'| ! --. 3l
Though round its base the rolling clouds
f' are spread, ia.tt, Z ~fi,r,..,.
Eternal sunshine settles on Its head.
WILDLY Island, with itss green slopes,
now follows, and we see the Admiralty
Head lighthouse, standing like a. silent,
white sentinel upon an outpost. 9b5 # ra
Turning the eye in the opposite direc-
ton, and toward the upper end Of our
bowl-shaped harbor, the cluster Of white
buildings.ar Fort Townsend, set In atore-
ground ofdellcate. green, comes into view
and then the spurs Of the Olympic range.
No art can initiate the exquisite purple
tints with which these peaks are baihed at
evening time. Down their sides. and in
whatare deep rayincs and canons the snow
lies in broad ribbons. @
1t Is difficult to say which particular
ltUtutN vi tlC sSttiC 10 bilG tlltsb
the eye; taken together, it is one of sur
passing beauty. tn,t4a8 va ~,
To the lovers OF the picturesque, and
those fond OF pedestrian exercise, and ''go
as you please' walks. the neighborhood'o OF
the town affords ample means of gratifi-
cation. Leading In different directions
from what has been dubbed, by one, OF our
citizens. ''Marine hill,' are numerous
trails, or paths. Some. trend along the
edge of the bluff, beneath which the waves
roll in on the beach with a soothing surge.
Othsrs penetrate and lose themselves in
what are almost primeyal forests. On
many of the paths the young growth OF
trees. springing up close to the stiles, form
"a complete arch of green over the head,
and into which the sunlight seldom shines.
The attractions OF the crow's-nest are
presumably. too well known to your read
ers, particularly the younger part OF them
to need any mention. Ii will suffice to
say that the view from this point amply
ftpays one who will take the trouble to
walk there. retg,.h .a,f4,, 'nf'
Having. already. trcsphssed too much on
your space will. for the present, s,op,
hoping. with your permission, to resume
the subject at no distant day 81 r, T. T, 4.