acclivity, perhaps a furlong. The stream fell from a height 

 of 240 or 250 feet over three precipices: the second receding 

 a small distance from the front of the first, and the third from 

 that of the second. Down the first and second, it fell in 

 a single current; and down the third in three, which united 

 their streams at the bottom in a fine basin, formed by the hand 

 of nature in the rocks immediately beneath us. It is impos- 

 sible for a brook of this size to be modelled into more diversi- 

 fied or more delightful forms ; or for a cascade to descend over 

 precipices more happily fitted to finish its beauty. The cliffs, 

 together with a level at their foot, furnished a considerable 

 opening, surrounded by the forest. The sunbeams, pene- 

 trating through the trees, painted here a great variety of fine 

 images of light, and edged an equally numerous and diversified 

 collection of shadows; both dancing on the waters, and alter- 

 nately silvering and obscuring their course. Purer water 

 was never seen. Exclusively of its murmurs, the world around 

 us was solemn and silent. Everything assumed the character 

 of enchantment; and had I been educated in the Grecian 

 mythology, I should scarcely have been surprised to find an 

 assemblage of Dryads, Naiads, and Oreads sporting on the 

 little plain below our feet. The purity of this water was 

 discernible, not only by its limpid appearance, and its taste, 

 but from several other circumstances. Its course is wholly 

 over hard granite; and the rocks and the stones in its bed, and 

 at its side, instead of being covered with adventitious sub- 

 stances, were washed perfectly clean; and by their neat ap- 

 pearance added not a little to the beauty of the scenery. 



From this spot the mountains speedily began to open with 

 increased majesty; and in several instances rose to a per- 

 pendicular height, a little less than a mile. The bosom of 

 both ranges was overspread, in all the inferior regions, by a 

 mixture of evergreens with trees whose leaves are deciduous. 

 The annual foliage had been already changed by the frost. Of 

 the effects of this change it is, perhaps, impossible for an in- 

 habitant of Great Britain, as I have been assured by several 

 foreigners, to form an adequate conception, without visiting 



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