SCENERY 277 



chief assets of Alaska, if not the greatest. This is the 

 scenery. There are glaciers, mountains, and fiords else- 

 where, but nowhere else on earth is there such abundance 

 and magnificence of mountain, fiord, and glacier scenery. 

 For thousands of miles the coast is a continuous panorama. 

 For the one Yosemite of California Alaska has hundreds. 

 The mountains and glaciers of the Cascade Range are 

 duplicated and a thousand-fold exceeded in Alaska. The 

 Alaska coast is to become the show-place of the earth, and 

 pilgrims, not only from the United States, but from far 

 beyond the seas, will throng in endless procession to see 

 it. Its grandeur is more valuable than the gold or the fish 

 or the timber, for it will never be exhausted. This value, 

 measured by direct returns in money received from tour- 

 ists, will be enormous; measured by health and pleasure 

 it will be incalculable. 



There is one word of advice and caution to be given 

 those intending to visit Alaska for pleasure, for sight-see- 

 ing. If you are old, go by all means ; but if you are 

 young, wait. The scenery of Alaska is much grander 

 than anything else of the kind in the world, and it is not 

 well to dull one's capacity for enjoyment by seeing the 

 finest first. 



