The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1881-06-29


within two or three miles Of the falls;
but this distance can be easily walked,
for We do not mind walking q few miles
here as where you are. The path leads
through The woods and brush where no
sound Is heard save the dull, heavy,
roaring thud of the water as il falls
over the precipice. bat st sudden turn
We stand on the brink of an almost
perpendicular stone wall where we
look down TO the distance of four hum
dred feet and all at once is natures
beautiful picture presented. The
massive stony walls on either side. the
overhanging, trees, the tall a great
bank of billowy white foam. rushing.
plugging and tumbling over the bOul-
ders down into the ehasm below; the
bright rainbow on the mist, which
hangs like veil before the falls. and
with sound as OF mighty rushing
the water flows on and on till it is lost
to view behind the projecting cliffs
This is one of the srandest and most
sublime pictures IN nature. inferior to
Niagara Ia volume. but not in beauty.
Among our summers recreations,
camping holds the first place. just
picture to yourself such . scene. 1t is
evening. and the deep cloudless blue
of the sky is broken only by myrisds
of bright stars. The camp fire as it
by turns fitfully flashes up and grows
dim again, Lighters the surroundings
with lurid glare, causing the shadows
to dance among the tall trees and on
the tent of snowy whiteness as if at q
game of hide and seek. The merry
party are scattered about playing games,
telling stories. or making the forests
ring with their joyousness as they sing
the pleasures of 'Tenting on the Old
Camp Ground Among the enjoyable
things at such times, if We arelcampiug
on the sea besch, are digging clans
(Which. 10y some, are valued above the
oysters,l clambering over the rocks in
search of Sea anemones, Anneiids, Holo-
thuroids. Echinoids, Asteroids, &C..
&c. Sometimes getting tide bound af-
ford another kind of diversion,
Often as we ride upon the water,
numbers of porpoises. sometimes called
putting pigs follow in our wake. As
they swim in search of food they Jump
out of the water just enough to have
the appearance of great black wheel
rolling along.
At one time q dozen seals folio wed
US. You caa scarcely imagine how
strangely these animals look as they
swim along behind US with their half
human faces just above the waters
Says DR. Kane, in recording his first
killing of one in the polar seas: Very
strange are these seals. with u counte-
nance between the dog and the wild
African ape, an expression Sd like that
OF humanity that it makes gun-murder-
ers hesitate" Have naturalis;s ever
noticed the expressions of this animals
phiz!" he asks. as be tells of the dying
look given by his first victim. 'curi-
osity, contentment, pain. reproach, de-
spair, even resignation, l thought
saw in this seals face Many more
things l would like to tell you, but
time forbids.
Seattle-destiued ultimately to be the
New York of the Pacific coasts even
now quite a commercial and manufac-
turing town. The Territorial Univer.
sity is located here. The building,
with its capitolian dome and large
white columns in front, is located on
hill and surrounded by beautiful ever
green grove. This Institution is under
the best of management; connected
with it is library, collection of Spec
linens, and apparatus for the use of
classes in natural science. There are
four courses of study, from which these
are graduates each year; and today be-
fore the sun is set. will link be for
ever broken in the chain which binds
together the classes of 1881.
Another thing of which must speak
are the sunsets. Many of them are gor..
geously beautiful, rivaling in richness
of coloring aud delicsteness of tintipg,
the most glowing Italian sunset. From
Capitol Hill we have often watched
these. At our left Mount Rainier
towers far above the trees. while the
rays of the setting sun battles itr eter'
nal SHOWS with delicate rosy tiuge.
Across the Sound before us is the Olym.
pic range clad in robes of rosy purple.
with caps of ermine. while the sun like
a great ball of fire just disappearing be.
hind olympus, throws over his bald
head a crown of gold. At our right in
the distance looms up snowy Mount
Baker. Above us the feecy clouds,
with lining Of silver aud gold.
float like birds on sea Of crimson light
while a passing ship with all her can
vas spread, and thousand spire-shaped
trees are all reflected ia the mirror.like
bosom of the glistening. sparkling,
feryrtinted waters beneath.
Last but not least, / must mention a
moonlight boat ride. It was the even
ing of President Hayes visit, when the
city was beautifully decorated and illu.
minated, on the belfry of the Univer-
sity, was large transparency .Alki'
by and by the motto of the Territory.
Not cloud appeared 10 tho sky Of
ethereal blues where the moon sailed in
state the queen of all she surveyed.
A gay and joyous company We watched
the scene from the steamers deck.
As she glided over the CLASSY surface,
The twilight hours. like birds, few by.
As lightly and as free;
Tenthogsand stars we're in the sky.
Ten thousand In the sea;
For every wave, with dimpled cheek.
That leapsd upon the air,
Had caught . star in its embrace,
And held il trembling there"
Your friend,
FLORA A. PHELPS.