The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-24
Surely Of land such as this. dreamed

Surely OF land such as this. dreamed
the poet:
THE hills,
Rock-rbbed and ancient as the sun.
The wales stretching in pcnsiyc quielness
between;
The venerable woods: rivers that move
In majesty and the complaining brooks,
That make the meadows green.
Here the lover OF natural scenery mas
undying satisfaction. Every step shifts
the slides Of the marvellous panorama
and throws before the eye dissoNihs
view of blending shades, color, outline
and background. an enhancing picture
view that Is never tho same Here ma.
ture charms by her creative powers. with
unnagging zeal she cautiously retoucheS
her handlwork, lest the eye grow weary
and the soul become SATISFIED. here
heaven and earth meet In Kiss OF sueh
gentle tenderness that vision cannot us
Germ the touching OF their lips.
Softly. almost unconsciously, a spirit
of prlde enters our heart, and with the
boastfuness Of a school lad, We claim
partnership In this grand country. a pa
triotic impulse seizes us. our soul mar
monies with nature. our being thIiis
with A new love for this sweet lahd %
liberty"
a
through stubborn rocks, We marvel AZ
the works of man and confess our oollg@
lions towards the skilltul and daring en-
eineers and surveyors who have wrestce
from nature royal highways.
Gratitude and recognition are due thoa'
whose brain and Drawn devised ana &C
complished the wonderful winding mazA
OF these mountain paths over Wnien w
travel with ease, comfort and pleasure
Neither man nor beast seems 10 tire al
mile upon mile Of labyrinthian country
pike IS covered 49,.
What a wonderful necromancer Is TIM
gaunt old mountain Every bend OF NV
road tuggles with our senses anu WV
grand orchestra OF nature plays su.'ao'o
commandments OF the dexteriiy OK thd
confurer. \ low murmur as the Phile-
mons and Baucises VOW 10 one another
love eternal: a soft rustic OF the lowy
nlants eager 10 make their presence
known. a soothing sound from the con-
testing waters that In gentle riNaity pre-
cipitate each other over the steep rocf
cIefts amidst the plaudits or their MOST
friends destined TO fall into the roch-hol-
lowed basin worn by centuries OF batter
ing-al these sweet melodies OF the
mountain hymn a pacau t1 the Maker OF
am "a glorious soul-st.rrng hallelulah.
Thev llft the soul OF man above the wor,
ries and burdens Of life. The nebulae OF
cares are dissipated by the gentle WOO
ings of nature, beautlhed by the hand OK
deity.
How one longs 10 pry into the secrets
Of these wcather-beaton, centufy-old
rocks and learn from their mute lips the
marvols of the ages past. what titanic
power shaped their rugged SIDES ana
veined their obdurate bodies; what FOOT
Ii Ian roll uN
broke tho silence Of the woodlands re-
nose What would we not 20 win the
confidence OF crystalline spring that bub-
bIes forth from It's lofty well-hidden re-
cess I'm protecting hollow OF fern-coyered
banks: or read the thoughts OF its laugh
ing child. the tiny brook In its meandor-
ing course as splashlng. ripping smiling
IL bears its fresh beauty 10 some noble
stream and mingles its purity with tho
eddyug currents Of rolling river III such
charm contentment. contemplation sur
fee not 10 win man 70 his better SELF ana
strike the slumbering chords OF his reli-
gious nature; If the overwhelming power
OF the gigantic DO needed 10 vibrate the
bass-strlngs, then upward glance ana
gaze in awe toward the sheer preciDiccs
with their rocky abutemnts and measure
height with natures citadels II then tho
head refuse 10 bow IN l0wly reverence
and the bated breath whisper not: How
great art thou how small am l." more
nay. less-than human art thou.
Beautiful mountains OF North Carolina.
so calm and majestic; so lofty and inspir-
ingl Would that mankind might behold
ye. noted I'm the tnts Of woodland, the
hazy blue or atmosphere. the soft shadow
OF clouds and the benign radiance ~
heaven, Upon your submits. the king OF
day smiles with warm-heartcd geniality.
and the full-faced orb OF night sheds her
softest beams Of sllyery brightness.
Round you play the storms OF heaven,
terribly maiesticl Amongst you dwell the
peace Of sushlne ana the grace Of beauty,
with regret we leave your hallowing
presence and tho abode OF your hardy
sons filling the steep slopes Of your stout
ribbed sides. Back 10 the haunts Of men
we wander, our vacation ended. Home
ward we turn our reluctant step. but
with new born strength 70 assume the
duties OF life; richer I'm health, Weather
In activity; nobler IN thought
Enchanting land. farewell
DAVID MARX.
Atlanta Constitution August llth