mistress of a spot, to invade which neither man nor beast could venture across the gulf that surrounds it; while it is farther secured by the mist that rises from the falls. 10. This solitary bird has not escaped the observation of the Indians, who made the eagle's nest a part of their description of the falls which they gave us, and which proves now to be correct in almost every particular, except that they did not do justice to their height." 11. The river above the falls is quite unruffled and smooth, with numerous herds of buffaloes feeding on the plains around it. These plains open out on both sides, so that it is not improbable that they mark the bottom of an ancient lake, the outlet of which the river is still in the act of cutting down, and will require many ages to accomplish its work, or to reduce the whole to a moderate and uniform declivity. The eagle may then be dispossessed of its ancient and solitary domain. EDINBURGH REVIEW. LESSON XLV. Description of the Natural Bridge in Virginia. 1. THE Natural Bridge, the most sublime of nature's works, is on the ascent of a hill, which seems to have been cloven through its length by some great convulsion. The fissure, just at the bridge, is, by some admeasurements, two hundred and seventy feet deep, by others only two hundred and five. It is about forty-five feet wide at the bottom, and ninety feet at the top; this, of course, determines the length of the bridge, and its height from the water; its breadth in the middle is about sixty feet, but more at the ends, and the thickness of the mass, at the summit of the arch, about forty feet. A part of this thickness is constituted by a coat of earth, which gives growth to many large trees. The residue, with the hill on both sides, is one solid rock of limestone. 2. The arch approaches the semi-elliptical form; but the larger axis of the ellipses, which would be the chord of the arch, is many times longer than the transverse. Though the sides of the bridge are provided, in some parts, with a parapet of fixed rocks, yet few men have resolution to walk to them, and look over into the abyss. You involuntarily fall on your hands and feet, creep to the parapet, and peep over it. Looking down from this height about a minute, gave me a violent headache. 3. If the view from the top be painful and intolerable, that from below is delightful in an equal extreme. It is impossible for the emotions arising from the sublime to be felt beyond what they are here: so beautiful an arch, so elevated, so light, and springing, as it were, up to heaven, the rapture of the spectator is really indescribable! The fissure, continuing narrow, deep, and straight, for a considerable distance above and below the bridge, opens a short but very pleasing view of the North Mountain on one side, and Blue Ridge on the other, at the distance, each of them, of about five miles. 4. This bridge is in the county of Rockbridge, to which it has given name, and affords a publick and commodious passage over a valley, which cannot be crossed elsewhere for a considerable distance. The stream passing under it is called Cedar creek. It is a water of James's river, and sufficient, in the driest seasons, to turn a grist-mill, though its fountain is not more than two miles above.-JEFFERSON. LESSON XLVI. Change of External Condition is often Adverse to Virtue. 1. In the days of Joram, king of Israel, flourished the prophet Elisha. His character was so eminent, and his fame so widely spread, that Benhadad, the king of Syria, though an idolater, sent to consult him, concerning the issue of a distemper which threatened his life. The messenger employed on this occasion was Hazael, who appears to have been one of the princes, or chief men of the Syrian court. 2. Charged with rich gifts from the king, he presents himself before the prophet, and accosts him in terms of the highest respect. During the conference which they held together, Elisha fixed his eyes steadfastly on the countenance of Hazael; and discerning, by a prophetick spirit, his future tyranny and cruelty, he could not contain himself from bursting into a flood of tears. 3. When Hazael, in surprise, inquired into the cause of this sudden emotion, the prophet plainly informed him of the crimes and barbarities, which he foresaw that he would afterward commit. The soul of Hazael abhorred, at this time, the thoughts of cruelty. Uncorrupted, as yet, by ambition or greatness, his indignation rose at being thought capable of the savage actions which the prophet had mentioned; and, with much warmth, he replies: "But what?—is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?" 4. Elisha makes no return, but to point out a remarkable change, which was to take place in his condition;-"The Lord hath shown me, that thou shalt be king over Syria." In course of time, all that had been predicted came to pass. Hazael ascended the throne, and ambition took possession of his heart. "He smote the children of Israel in all their coasts. He oppressed them during all the days of king Jehoahaz:" and, from what is left on record of his actions, he plainly appears to have proved, what the prophet foresaw him to be, a man of violence, cruelty, and blood. 5. In this passage of history, an object is presented, which deserves our serious attention. We behold a man, who, in one state of life, could not look upon certain crimes without surprise and horrour; who knew so little of himself, as to believe it impossible for him ever to be concerned in committing them; that same man, by a change of condition, and an unguarded state of mind, transformed in all his sentiments; and as he rose in greatness, rising also in guilt; till at last he completed that whole character of iniquity, which he once detested. BLAIR, LESSON XLVII. The Trials of Virtue. 1. PLACED on the verge of youth, my mind I viewed its ills of various kind, 2. But chief my fear the dangers moved, My heart the wise pursuit approved; 3. For see, ah, see! while yet her ways A hostile world its terrours raise, 4. O how shall I, with heart prepared, How from the thousand snares to guard 5. As thus I mused, oppressive sleep 6. Before me rose: on the wide shore The gathering storms around me roar, 7. Near and more near the billows rise; 8. What hope, or whither to retreat! 9. I felt my heart within me die; A voice, descending from on high, 10. "What tho' the swelling surge thou see Impatient to devour; Rest, mortal, rest on God's decree, 11. Know, when he bade the deep appear, Thus far,' the Almighty said, 'Thus far, no farther, rage; and here 12. I heard; and lo! at once controlled, Back on themselves reluctant rolled, 13. Deeps to assembling deeps in vain The shores the rushing weight sustain, 14. Convinced, in nature's volume wise, 15. Then why thus heavy, O my soul! Thy thoughts with vain impatience roll 16. Let faith suppress each rising fear, Thy Maker's will has placed thee here, 17. He to thy every trial knows 18. Then why thus heavy, my soul! Say, why distrustful still; Thy thoughts with vain impatience roll 19. Tho' griefs unnumbered throng thee round, Whose finger marks the seas their bound, LESSON XLVIII. Travelling over the Andes. 1. AMONG the rugged and unfrequented paths of the Cor dilleras, various dangers and fatigues beset the traveller. The ruggedness of the roads can hardly be described. In many places the ground is so narrow, that the mules have scarcely room to set their feet, and in others it is a continued series of precipices. |