THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 305 



From this place the hl<^liest })eak is soon attained. Any one ^Yho 

 doubts its altitude may thus easily satisfy himself, for it stands, and 

 will continue to stand, courting measurement. One who frt)m the 

 eminence looks down on its vast proportions, its broad base, and long 

 8))urs running out for miles in all directions, and gazes in silent 

 wonder on its dark plumage of countless firs, will feel no fear that ita 

 "sliadow will ever become less," or that in the present geological age 

 it will meet the fate fancied by the poet, when he wrote the words — 



"Winds iin<ler ground, or waters forcing way, 

 Sidelong had pushed a niount.un from his seat. 

 Half sunk with all his pines." 



I fear, my dear sir, that I have made this letter much too long for 

 Tour patience; and yet the vegetation and surrounding scenery of 

 this mountain, peculiar and remarkable as it is, might well tempt me 

 to say many things that I have omitted, I hope your interest in all 

 that relates to natural science will find an apology for my having so 

 long trespassed on your valuable time. 



I am very truly yours, &c., 



T. L. CLINGMAN 

 Prof. Joseph Hexrt. 



20 



