Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-04-27
NEW SERIES--V0L. %, NO. II

glad TO find place to rest, and with
a keen relish partook of the excellent
bread and cheese offered us, This EN-
inence is 1855 feet above the sea. II
consists of modern building and @
stone tower from which the straits are
watched and the shipping reported
the range being 80 extensive that on o
clear day the character of o vessel
can be discerned forty miles distant
The view from this elevation is ex.
ceedngly fine. The visitor can see
from here the whole of Gibraltar bay,
the Sierra Nevada mountains of Spain,
the placid waters of the Mediterranean,
the Atlas mountains in Africa and the
coast Of Barbary, together with far
reaching tracts Of country. Thus al.
most with one glance he beholds three
separate and distinct nationalities-
Morocco, Spain and Gibraltar sight,
which for novelty OF effect has no
equal, recalling as it does, the faded
fortunes OF the Moors, the dissipating
powers of the Castilian, and the pres.
tige of England.
The Notifications of Gibraltar are
the most formidable in the world.
The fortress is literally impregnable,
and from 1904 the British flag has
waved triumphantly overit, During the
great siege Of 1779, and which con.
tinued nearly four years, by the allied
forces of France and Spain, numbering
nearly 40, 900 men, besides a large ma
val feet, the English heroically and
successfully withstood the attack, with
a garrison consisting of only little
over 5000 men. The first gun from
the Rock was fired by the wife of an
officer at the signal of Gen. Elliott
BritoHS, strike home! The furious
bombardment of the enemy can be
somewhat imagined when it is stated
that during period of six weeks &c.
900 shot and 10000 shell were hurled
into the colony, and at one time, for
three successive days, 1900 rounds
were discharged from the land batter.
les per day. Notwithstanding this
terrific assault, the English lost in
killed only 333 men, after an expendi.
ture, by the combined forces, of over
10000 barrels Of powder.
At present q sea wall, with system
of curtains, fanks, and bastions, ex.
tends around the western base of the
rock. Every spot from whence gun
can be brought to bear is mounted
with cannon, and retired batteries with
the heaviest ordnance occupying the
most commanding positions, though
not discernable from the sea. At an
elevation OF 400 feet is planted the
Rock Mortar, the highest piece of ar
tillery, and it is said to have been dis.
mounted frequently by the Spanish fire
Guns peep out of the most secluded
hooks, among flowers and plants, and
immense piles Of shot and shell are
slowed carefully away, secure from the
invaders fire.
Gibraltar has additionally held the
title of a barren rock, and 10 all prac-
tical agricultural demands it pro
baby is, but its floral kingdom is
rich and varied. There are many
species of plants and ferns, many are
indigenous. The Alameda Gardens
have profusion OF flowers, the gerani.
ums being the most abundant. Here
the military bands play twice a week,
making it the favorlte resort and
promenade of the inhabitants. The
people amuse themselves in various
ways, fox hunting in Spain being the
chief feature Of the season. During
the winter months they have a meet.
ing twice q week. Racquet, lawn
tennis, cricket, polo and private thoatri.
Gals, are largely participated in by the
officers Of the garrison. The parade
grounds are used for athletic games
The library contains 10000 volumes
and is the finest institution of the kind
outside OF England, In connection
with this is a pavilion with q billiard
room, reading room, etc.
Since the introduction of steam YES
sells, the value of Gibraltar as a pro.
tected coaling station and depot for
war materials, is OF undisputed import.
ancc. Combined with q naval fleet
she could hold indefinite control Of the
entrance TO the Mediterranean, and
defy the united powers of Europe.