The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-05-27
The Royal Gorge in Colorado.

Grand as il the view of this remark
able canon when seen from the window
OF the rushing train, its power of inspir-
ing awe can best be tested by the tour
list, contented to make his way thither
on horseback or in the "schooners of
the prsirie.n In approaching the gorge
it Is c 1served that the pinion growth is
rank and dense; just beyond, great bleak
ridges Of bare, cold rock contrast
strongly with the p%rofuslon of foliage
hiding everything beneath from sight,
while away in the dim distance the
snow-crowned peaks of the continental
divide are outlined sharp and clear
against the solid blue ofthe morning sky.
II the tourist Is impetuous, his ardor
will be checked by the guide, for
after leaving wagon or horse a few steps
will bring him TO the edge OF the preci-
pice. Shuddoring, he will peer down
the awful slopes; fascinated, he will
steal a little nearersto c%ircumvent a very
mountain that has rolled into the chasm,
and at last the eye reaches down the
sharp incline 5000 feet to the bed of the
river, the impetuous Arkansas, forty to
sixty feet in width, yet to him a mere
ribbon of molten silver. Though surg.
ing madly against its rocky sides, leap
Ing wildly yer gigantic masses Of rock,
and hoarsely murmuring against its
prison bars, nothing is heard OF its fury.
The solemn stiffness of death pervades
the scene; the waters as viewed are rs if
polished, and as stationary as the mighty
walls that look down on them from such
fearful height.
II the first experience upon the brink
of the Grand Canon was startling, that
of the Royal Gorge is absolutely terrify
ing, and the bravest at the one poini
become most abject of towards in CON-
parison at the other. At the first poini
Of observation, the walls, though fright
fully steep, are nevertheless sloping to
more or less extent; here at the Royal
Gorge they are sheer precipices, as per-
pendicular as the tallest house, as
straight as if built by line. So narrow
is the gorge that one would think the
throwing of a stone from side TO side the
easiest Of accomplishments, yet no liv-
ing man has ever done it, or succeeded
in throwing any object so that it wouli
fall into the water below. Many tour
lists are content with the appalling view
from the main walls, but Others more
venturesome work their way 600 to
1000 feet down the ragged edges of a
mountain that has parted and actually
slid into the chasm. The gorge is zoos
feet sheer depth, and most %precipitous
and sublime In its proportions of any
chasm on the continent.
Among all the thousands who have
visited the Grand Canon and the Royal
Gorg &c, harm has befallen none, for,
despite the seeming horror of the situa-
ton, the appalling depths and rugged
paths, the fascination of the danger APP
pears TO give birth to greatest caution
The canon, except in the dead of winter,
is approached only from the top, the
walls below being so precipitous and
the river such a torrent as to defy all
access. When frozen, as the waters are
for brief periods during tie coolest
months, the way up the canon may be
accomplished, but only at the risk OF
personal comfort and not a little dan
ger