Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-02-13
THE YOSEMITE VALLEY.
One OF the Moste Exquisit Sights the World
Can Offer Is the Rainbow Fall.
Hnruer's Machine

It is the grouping of objects of sublimity
and beauty that the Yo~emite excels. The
narrow valley, with IS 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 so that the world is
familiar with the striking features of the
valley, and has a toleraby correct idea Of
the sublimity of some Of these features.
What the photograph cannot do Is to give
an impression of the unique grouping, OF
the majesty, and at times crushing weigh
upon the mind, of the forms and masses,
Of the atmospheric splendOr and illustra-
ton, and Of the total value Of such an as
semblage Of wonders.
The level surface of the peaceful park
like valley has much to do with the i'm
preston The effect Of FL CAPTAIN. seen
across meadow and arising from a beauti-
full park. is much greater than if we were
encountered IN a savage mountain
gorge The Traveller may have seen else
wnere greater waterfalls, and domes and
and spires of rock as surprising, but he
has nowhere else seen such a combination
as this. He may be fortified agrinst sur
prise by the photographs he has seen and
the reports OF word painters, but he will
artist point or other I0okoutsl quicken
ing of the pulse and an elatiOn which is
physically as well as mental in the sight
OF such unexpected subimIty and Leauty.
And familiarity will scarcely take of the
edge Of his delight, So varied are the eff
fectg in the passing hours and changing
lights The Rainbow Fall, when
water is abundant, IS exceedingly i'm
pressIye ~ well a. beautiful. Seen from
the carriage road, pouring out cf the sky
overhead y gives a 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 spect-
rum, IL is one Of the most exquisite sights
the world can offer; the elemental forces
are overwhelming, but the loneliness Is
engaging One turns from this TO the
noble mass Of FL Captain with a shock Of
surprise, however often it may have been
seen. This is the hour, a $50, In the time
Of hign-water, to see the reflection Of the
Yosemite Falls. As e spectacle it IS IN
fniteIy finer than anything at Mirror Lake,
and is unique in its way. TO behold this
beautiful series Of falls, flowing down out
of the blue sky above, and flowing up out
il sight not to be forgotten. And when
Of an equally Llue sky in the depths
VI bhN 'dilllF Alib biI0'i Fti B't7''P
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 excl enent has little chance Of
subsiding. He may be even a little OBJ
pressed The valley, so verdant and friend
ly with grass and trees and flowers, is so
narrow compared with the height of its
perpendicular guardian walls and this lit
tie secluded spot is SO imprisoned in the
gigantic mountains, that man has feel
ing Of hclpIessne5s in it. This powerless-
ness in the presence Of elemental forces
was heightened by the deiuge Of water.
There had been an immense fall Of snow
winter before, the MERGED was a raging
torrent, overlooking its banks, and from
every ledge poured miniature cataract.