306 Editorial Miscellani/. 



those artificially idea'd people who seek rural delight iu fantastic 

 rock-work. The peculiar influence of unpropitious atmospheres on 

 the ripening of fruits, is particularly apparent on the mountain 

 Whortleberries, are so extremely acid as to render the real 

 flavor scarcely recognisable ; this acidity is doubtless to be 

 attributed to a deficiency of heat during the growing season, and 

 and also the sudden changes which here exhibits the most singular 

 caprices. The vicissitudes of sunshiue and gloom, light and 

 shadow, are as fleeting and ever varying as the smiles and frowns 

 of a well disciplined coquette. For the space of ten minutes the 

 sun peeps out brightly and warmly, then comes up a dark cloud, 

 pregnant of damp and mist, sweeping swiftly through the sky — 

 quickly intercepting the supply of caloric, and as rapidly making 

 one's mind change from tropical thoughts to reindeer and polar 

 expeditions. 



These fleecy vapors embrace the mountains as if their destinies 

 were fulfilled. And so it would, were it not for the merciless 

 installments of west wind leaping out from a sunlit sky ; they 

 rush furiously over the valleys, and clasping the misty pall with- 

 out vvarning, disengages it from the rock and moss-bed ; the 

 succeeding moment it is away, relentlessly pursued until lost to 

 view in the distance. 



It is a well authenticated fact, that at the summit of Mount 

 Washington, the external pressure upon the hodj is much less 

 than at its base. A persons capacity for accommodating food is 

 so much increased, and his appetite sharpened hj the exhilerating 

 atmosphere, that on partaking sufficient to appease his craving, 

 and subsequently descending to the foot of the Mountain, he expe- 

 riences indescribable agonies — a feeling of repletion almost to 

 bursting. 



The only manner at present of ascending Mount Washington, 

 is by a bridle path, which, to one unaccustomed to the performance 

 of pedestrian feats, is a herculean undertaking — nevertheless, it 

 well repays for the outlay of perspiration. The view is grand, 

 — entrancing beyond description. Tlie gazer for the nonce, is lost 

 in the sublimity of his emotions ; and his own insignificance com- . 

 pared with the mighter works by which he is environed, becomes 

 a startling and permanent conviction. 



