im 



And on wliose summit tke statdy oaks and Ai-Tsor^lt^ges 



Are mingling their branches with the clouds, 

 Sn the yawning space beneath it. 



All objects appear in miniature; 

 And the rippling waters of Cedar Creek, 



Fill the wikl aod myst<jrious gleia, 

 With mui^uMg*€cho€s ^ind sweet vibrations. 

 Here are five of Virginia's mountains, 

 Two of which it spans, while below the arch, 

 Nodding wiih every gentle breeze. 

 Are deiic«.te plants and fiowers, 



Hanging from tke fissures in th^ wall, 

 l^o earthly architect its sacred plans arranged, 



No artists br«sh <3r pencil its form or color gave> 

 No band of Workmen round it thronged; 

 The work was done by Nature, 



And staad-s in ^glorioms S'liblimit}^ 



— Berton Mercer, 



Next ranks Niagara Palls among the great wonders 

 «of American scenery., aad here hundreds of people have 

 traveled to witjaess the grand tumbling of her crystal 

 waters, which at the bottom of the cliff are enshroud- 

 ed in dense masses of Tapor or tinted mist* On, one 

 side is Canada, on the other the northern states of 

 the Union, or American side as it is usually called. 

 This grand queen of water falls, together with the 

 Thousand Isles and other beauties of the St, Lawrence 

 river form a wild, mysterioiis grotesque scenery which 

 defies expression by the most lively pen. There are 

 many other falls which are beautiful, in various states, 

 but all lack the supreme dignity of their Leader. 



The Hudson and the great Lakes have their alluring 

 charms and attractions. It is said the lakes contain 

 more than half the fresh water upon the globe. The 

 mountains, rivers, lakes, water-falls and caves are places 

 of great enjoyment, and where you can hold heart-felt 

 communion with the Author. 



