The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-03-29
.HE average European thinks
that the sense and appreciation
of beauty is not we'll developed


that the sense and appreciation
of beauty is not we'll developed
in Americans. In this he is not
altogether wrong; for the material
things and the luxuries of life are es-
teemed here more highly than anywhere
else. Our great country abounds in
natural beauties. While these are duly
appreciated by some, the majority of
our people, tho not entirely disregard
ing them, care little for matters not
possessing marketable or useful
value. Fortunately, many OF our
finest sceneries are of monetary value
to railroads and other transportation
companies, and to the owners and
lessees of summer hotels and similar
resorts. Through the advertisements
of such companies and people, the ad-
vantages and beauties of certain locali-
ties are brought to the attention OF the
public, while other really beautiful
sceneries are seldom heard of, or de-
scribed.
w LOU Wow, AOA AAoOohNSS SeSAA w
grander than that from the heights
Immediately behind the city of Portland,
Oregon? Right below you, at your
very feet, lies the city, half encircled
by the Willamette River with its many
ships and continuous travel. A little
farther off is the majestic Columbia,
which appears to the spectator like
tremendous, silvery snake, with its head
resting at the bend at Kalama, while
Its body windssits-Ways sthrough-lo -lovely
valleys, forests, pastures, towns and
villages. All this is framed in by the
Cascade Mountains, out of which rise,
like huge, white pyramids placed in
evergreen sockets, the great Mount.
Hood, Mount st. Helens, Adams,
Rainier andp on clear days, two or
three other glaciers; not in a lump, as
in the Alps, but each separately, many
miles apart. from its nearest neighbor.
The many beauties of Puget Sound,
with its multitude of forest-covered
islands, and several other parts of
Washington, are also unsurpassed in
its kind. In California, the numerous
beautiful resorts, the Yosemite Valley,
and many other natural attractions,
are receiving due attention; while the
still greater scenic wonders of the
Sierra Nevada with its unique valleys,
slopes and waterfalls are seldom men,
toned, because, as yet, they have come
but very partially within the net of the
railroad systems.
How many of the thousands of visi.
tors, who wend their way disgustingly
through the dirty business sections Of
Pittsburg, are aware that they are ir
the most romantically situated large
city of the worldp And. yet, such is tht
case. In order to find it out, one hal
but to ascend the top of most any Of
the steep rocky hills surrounding
Pittsburg or Allegheny City. Then on
has below him the picturesquely bull
twin cities, the Junction of the Ohio
the Allegheny and Monongahela, sur
rounded by innumerable disconnecte'
mOuuColu poIOo, OuO Va buO kIOOu AOi
iage of which are plainly discernibl
private residences, estates and pleasur
resorts. The many small steamboat
and barges, and the gigantic railroa
net with its immense travel, add t
the liveliness of the scene.> Even tn
volume of smoke, arising fror
thousands of smokestacks and ful
naces, contribute to enchant the viel
-on clear daysS For when the air
sultry, or when it rains, the two citie
and their entire -neighborhood are er
veloped in a mist of dense, dirty smok
and then the picture is as desolate an
as gloomy, as it is fascinating Q
bright days.
The Blue Ridge Mountains with i
valley of like name, and with tt
Shenandoah and Cumberland Valley
are in the way Of general travel, ar
it's points of particular interest, /
watering places, and health resort
(Asheville, North Carolina) have CO
tributed to make this delightful pa
of our country pretty familiar to mo