ALLEGHANIES. 85 



If, for the difficulty of the ascents between 

 Erie and Pittsburgh, the traveller is recom- 

 pensed by the views from their summits, much 

 greater must be his gratification on accom- 

 plishing the more toilsome task of surmount- 

 ing the Alleghanies. Placed there on a ridge 

 of the earth, upheaved hundreds of yards 

 above the general surface, and extending to 

 nearly 1000 miles in length, and from 100 to 

 200 miles in breadth, he experiences an exal- 

 tation of mind befitting the contemplation of 

 the boundless regions encompassing him 

 but yesterday composing inhospitable wilds, 

 peopled by ruthless savages, to-day possessed 

 by an enlightened and powerful nation, under 

 whom majestic rivers, wending their far jour- 

 neys among primeval forests, have become sub- 

 servient to the purposes of wide-spreading 

 commerce, while every where appear splendid 

 cities, handsome towns, and cultivated fields, 

 with all that for utility or for ornament civili- 

 zation brings in its train. 



On Friday the 18th, in the morning, we 

 descended from the mountains, and arrived at 



