EI.DORADO 233 



urns, which, Hke inland seas, inspire and impress man 

 with the majesty of creation, as he floats upon their 

 ])lacid waters or vainly attempts to sound their almost 

 fathomless depths. 



"Lake Tahoe, fourth in size of mountain lakes, is 

 the queen of the Sierras, whose frowning granite walls 

 upon the one side and rich foliage upon the other, have 

 hcen the theme of romantic poets and enthusiastic 

 tourists. It is situated high in the Sierras, one-half 

 heing upon each side of the boundary line between 

 California and Nevada. Tt is twenty-one miles in 

 length by twelve in width, and 6220 feet above sea 

 level, nestled up among the tall pines, ferns and oaks, 

 over-topped by the towering pinnacles and snow- 

 capped peaks of the mountain range which reflect their 

 lengthened shadows upon its placid bosom as the set- 

 ting sun gilds in golden hues the rich, wild, but pictur- 

 esque and beautiful scenery around. The soul catches 

 that sweet inspiration which calmly draws us into 

 communion with the harmony of nature and a contem- 

 plation of a better land as we stand upon the silvery 

 shores of Lake Tahoe, w-hile amidst a stillness sub- 

 lime and awful the rays of the morning sun, like rib- 

 bons of gold dart through the dense forest, streaking 

 with amber and golden sheen the dark blue waters 

 through whose transparent depths the landscape is 

 mirrored l)el()w, God's fountain in the wilderness to 

 beautify his footstool and invigorate all his creatures 

 that partake of its crystal waters." 



The colors and transparency of this beautiful sheet 

 of water are two of its principal attractions. The 

 water which is a pea-green, gradually deepens, leav- 



