344 BREACHES IN THE INNER 



tion was called to a striking view of it, at the principal 

 inn near Ellicott's mills, on the Patapsco, in Maryland ; 

 and I examined an excellent sketch of the same, in the 

 possession of a gentleman at Baltimore. The best spot 

 for observation is a romantic pile of shistic rocks, si- 

 tuated between the summit and the Shenandoah. The 

 prospect is eastward or down the stream. The two rivers 

 unite at a point just beneath you, and pursue a roaring 

 and foaming course through the dreadful breach they 

 have made. The landscape consists of water finding its 

 way toward the ocean amidst ledges and projections of 

 rocks ; of vegetables endeavouring to cover with their 

 verdure the sandy beach, and the ruinous terminations of 

 the strata ; and of the ferries, roads, and buildings su- 

 peradded by the industry of man. The whole is termi- 

 nated by a distant perspective through the gap as far as 

 the eye can distinguish, of woods, hills, farms, and other 

 rural objects. The whole forms a rare and admirable 

 display of the productions of art and of nature. 



10. The breach made by James* river. 



The valley situated on the head waters of James' river 

 has apparently undergone a similar evacuation, and the 

 lower country extending to Manchester, Richmond, and 

 beyond, has been subjected to a corresponding change 

 by the gush and inundation. 



11. The breach the widest of all, between the Cum- 

 berland mountain and the hills at or near cape Girardeau, 

 beyond the Missisippi. 



Over this wide tract, the barrier was either high 

 enough to enclose the waters, or it has yielded to their 

 impulse, over a broader space than IB any other. It 



