460 



UNITED STATES* 



arising from the previous course of the river, which 

 is not, at a right angle to the niountaiir, but which for 

 40 miles is parallel with it, and at the base of it; 

 and which here turns suddenly to the left without 

 meeting anything of equal magnitude with the moun- 

 tain to obstruct its first direction*'** 



The only remarkable cascade in Virginia, is that 

 of the Falling Sfiring^ in Augusta. It is a water of 

 James River, where it is called Jackson's river, 

 rising in the warm spring mountains, about 20 miles 

 south-west of the warm spring, and ^i:owing into that 

 valley. About three-quarters of a mile from its 

 source, it falls over a rock 200 feet into the valley 

 below. The sheet of water is broken in its breadth 

 by the rock in two or three places, but not at ail in 

 its height. Between the sheet and rock, at the bot- 

 tom, you may walk across dry. This cataract will 

 bear no comparison with that of Niagara, as to the 

 quantity of water composing it ; the sheet being only 

 12 or 15 feet wide above, and somewhat more spread 

 below, but it is half as high again. 



The passage of the Potowmac through the Blue . 

 Ridge is perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes 

 in nature. You stand on a very high point of land. 

 On your right comes up the Shenandoah, having rang- 

 ed along the foot of the mountain a Imndred miles to 

 seek a vent. On your left approaches the Potowmac, 

 in quest of a passage also. In the moment of their 

 junction they rush together against the mountain, 

 rend it asunder, and pass off to the sea.f The first 



* Samuel Sitgreavee, Eisq 



t The water does not descend perj^endioilarly, excepting in one 

 part close to the Virginian Shore, where the height is about thirty 



