, 1893-07-19

Bog Walk to Port. Maria lDlS laItel wac
discontinued some weeks ago, but we believe
il Is Mr. Squirrels intention to resume IL snort
w.. The advantages TO be- derived from a
daily service to, Port Maria are great
would be a boon both to the business man and
traveller-and !theoprojeet should Feeelve the
suppertiq deserves.
Leaving Bog Walk, with it's attentuated
railway station and olpmp Of 1nlnterest!nS
cottages, we drive rapidly along the valley
leading to the rRiehmpnd) road. This road
FORMS 0na- Of the NOSE pleasant dri9ed. that
can be Imagined. iOVerha,fging trees shade
either side, shutting out .theoppressiye light
Of. the sun and 1formingya long vtsta OF dhIl-
coloured foliage, IAN qccasienal break occurs,
when a Aging GLIMPSE as 0lpght OF q DISTANT
peak or q flash of blue sky passes hike o
blotch Of colopred glass 44Qn tn Q right OF
the road, and eloseltO itatlse RlQLGobre winds
along, it's waters muddy and stained. The
cottages on either side Of che track present
q comfortable and most pictul esque aspect,
situated some on little rising knobs rich IN
veldure and teaming with insect and animal
life, Others in secluded and peaceful hohowS.
These little cabins present almost nomelike
appearance, and covered as they ale IN some
instances with hanging creepers and other
beautifying plants, evince q gratifying taste
and care on the part of their occuplers. For
over two miles this long, shady lane continues,
when the country becomes more broken, anu
less rich III vegetation. Our road gradually
becomes ascending, and we now catch a wider
view of the surrounding country than we
have hitherto done. Away to the right
stretches the Abov 9 Rocks district, with it's
sharp pointed mount Gin peaks and rounded
ridges. Nearer and more distinct rises Lunar
Mountain. it's sides covered with vegetation
and thick brushwood closer still is a stretch
of smiling land stepped IN the rich colours OF
the declining sun.
Our road now takes a sharp turn to the
right, and passing through a wide sweep OF
comparatively level country, we plunge into
the mountainous district which leads
up to the Goddard Range. Sharp sweeps
aud turns are now the order of the day a
nervous anxiety to clutch anything and
everything takes possession of the traveller
as he suddenly turns a sharp corner and finds
himself within a hairs breadth of eternity
The road becomes sleeper and they
wind around the mountain sides, with an oc.
casi0nal dart into low lying valley III which
a ripping stream crosses the road and splash
es round our carriage wheels. We are fol-
owing the course OF the River Pedro, and on
either of its banks are long tracts Of bananas,
occasionally varied by thlck Bamboo g~oves.
These latter present a most beautiful appear
ance, waving in the breeze like a olump Of oS-
trich featherv, their light graceful outlines
reflected in the running water. Driving IA
pidly through the thriving little villages Of
Shelton and Hyde the road takes another
sharp turn t. tho right and CROSSES tie we'll
known Natural Bridge.
The scenery here is of a wildly romantic
character. Deep valleys, high and lofty
peaks, j~ltting crags, covered with clinging
r.oVor hO11nacS nf nuflInp tpmn6r0U by
~softness of coloring, are it's general oharac.
t~eristios. tAsawe drive rapidly along details
are not easily grasped and the bridge itself
is lost to view before we realize it has been
crossed. This interesting structure IL a
natural bridge thrown by alandslip yer The
Rio D'oro. which bubbles aud, boiis beneath
it. 1t has now become SO entirely covered
With vegetation that to discover its original
formation is impossible. Ii has . most pic
turesque appearance, and will repay the tron-
BILE IF q visit. { n9(I0 % continued