Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-02-12
THE YOSEMITE VALLEY.
Its Sublimity and Beauty Graphi-
cally Portrayed.

1t is in the grouping of objects of
sublimity and beauty that the Yosemite
excels. The narrow valley, with its
gigantic walls, which vary in every
change of the point of view, lends itself
to the most astonishing scenic effects,
and these the photograph has reproduced,
striking features of the valley and has a
tolerably correct idea of the sublimity of
some of these features. What the pho
tograph cannot do is to give an impress
sion of the unique grouping, of the
majesty, and at times crushing weight
upon the mind, of the forms and masses,
OF the atmospheric splendor and illusion,
and of the vital value of such an assem-
blage of wonders. The level surface of
the peaceful park-like valley has much
to do with the impression. The effect
OF El Captain, seen across a meadow and
rising from beautiful park, is much
greater than if it were encountered in
savage mountain gorge. The traveller
may have seen elsewhere greater water
falls, and the domes and spires of rock
as surprising, but he has nowhere else
seen such combination as this. He may
be fortified against surprise by the pho
tographs he has seen and the reports of
word painters, but he will not escape
(say at Inspiration Point, or Artist Point,
or other lookouts) quickening of the
pulse and an elation which is physical as
well as mental, in the sight of such un-
expected sublimity and beauty. And
familiarity will scarcely take off
the edge of his delight, so varied
are the effects in the passing hours
and changing lights. The Rainbow Fall,
when water is abundant, is exceedingly
impressive as well as beautiful. Seen
from the carriage road, pouring out of
the sky overhead, it gives sense of
power, and at the proper hour before
sunset, when the vast mass of leaping,
foaming water is shot through with the
colors of the spectrum, it is one of the
most exquisite sights the world can offer;
the elemental forces are overwhelming,
but the loveiness is engaging. One
turns from this to the noble mass of Ell
Captain with a shock of surprise, how
ever often it may have been seen. This
is the hour, also, in the time of high-wa-
ter, to see the reflection of the Yosemite
Falls. AS spectacle it is infinitely finer
1l'th an liinS Nv hilTfOf Lake, anu ~
unique in its way. To behold this beau
tiful series of falls, flowing down out of
the blue sky above, and flowing up out
of an equally blue sky in the depths of
the earth, is sight not to be forgotten.
And when the observer passes from these
displays to the sight of the aerial domes
in the upper end of the valley, new won
ders opening at every turn of the forest
road, his excitement has little chance of
subsiding. He may be even little op-
pressed. The valley, so verdant and
friendly with grass and trees and flowers,
is so narrow compared with the height of
its perpendicular guardian walls, and
this little secluded spot is so imprisoned
in the gigantic mountains, that man has
feeling of hclplcssness in it. This
powerlessness in the presence of elemen-
tai forces was heightened by the deluge
of water. There had been an immense
fall of snow the winter before, the
Merced was raging torrent, overiowing
its banks, and from every ledge poured
a miniature cataract.-[ Harper's Maga-
zine