Camden commercial courier. (Camden, S.C.) 1837-1838, June 16, 1838, Image 2
HI iscc ilaueous.
From the Fondon old Monthly for Ayril.
JESSE WEEVIL.
nv uai. willis, student at law.
I. The Mouse-Trap.
A cotcmporary chum of Weevil's described
him as a very little man, with a
very little head, and very little in it.
At an eaily age he indicated a disposi
i !-?? ?- ? -
?.v?t iui practical joses, uiuusiriousiy
planning, without the requisite 'ingenuity
and adroitness to carry the projects .into
execution. Jesse had barely attained his
eighth year when he accidently witnessed
the extrication of a half guillotined mouse,
whose predatory exploits in the larder
were most ignominiously closed by a trap
baited with toasted cheese on the over
night. His fender parent, as she raised
the iron bar and liberated the mangled
body of the nibblcr, endeavored, in a
very feeling speech, to impress upon his
.? ? " -
iiiimu 1111mi me wicKcuness 01 seit-appropriating
the goods oi others, and the
punishment tvhich attended the infiingetmint
oi the h.w of meum and tvurn. Jesse
opened his mouth, stared, and exhibited
many other amiable expressions of attention;
at the same time slily pinching
the tail of the deceased mouse to induce
"a last kick," but in vain; and just as his
SClf-Satisficd mamma hafl rnnrliulml her
I
moral deduction, her interesting offspring
had succeeded in attaching a string to the
dorsal Continuation of the victim, and was
dragging it about the floor.
She turned angrily upon him, and chifled
him for ^his cruel disposition; and
snatching away his 41 play-thing," made
him toast a piece of double Gloucester
lor a fresh bait. Jesse went sulkly to his
task, and his affectionate mother, in order
to light a smile upon his innocent countenance,
and implant a taste for mechanism
in hi3 mind, explained the construction
of the trap as she set it.
In tue afternoon (it was a half-holiday)
he was allowed to invite Tommy Wilkins
to tea. I'Now for a bit of fun," said
Jesse to himself. "Tommy, did you ever
see a trap?"
11 What's a trap?" inquired his friend.
11 What! don't you know?" said Jesse,
delighted at his ignorance; and mounting
in a chair, he drew the mouse-trap carefully
from the shelf. 14 Do you sec that#
rli
" Is that cheese?"
" Touch it and try."
14 What for?"
" For fun, to be sure," replied Jesse,
-anxiously. 44 Book here: just put your
finger at it so?don't you see how I do it?"
44 No." said Tommy, blundering forward,
and running against Mast*"*-*?
lK-4-'has, V .,
SCii^ "dlwKw Jesse's
mm <* fjjgar"was f/0??t?.aSnto the trap, and he
roared.aloud for help.
Such an early impression would have I
endured, and been a wholesome warning
to many during the rest of their lives; hull
Jesse Weevil was a strange compound, i
and the incident had no more effect on his
mind than a pebble c,.st^into a pond,
which is now wrinkled and ruffled.- (like
an old dowager,) and anon becomes smooth
-and glassy again in a moment.
^ ' II: The Basket op Game.
The old proverb of 44 birds of a feather."
&c. was verified in Weevil's selection of
his cronies. They were all devotedly attached
to the same elegant pursuits, and
generally met weekly at a certain house
cf entertainment, where they smoked
cigars and eacft other simultaneously, and
discussed bowls of toddy and Welch rabbits.
The ingenious Weevil was unanimously
elected their President; and many
a way-farer was startled by the boisterous
chorus of " We won't go home till morning?they
durst not shut us out!"?as he
passed the windows of the room where
the youths were performing their orgies.
It happened one day that a basket of
game was left at this rendcavous, addressed
to "Jesse Weevil, Ksq.?^Carriage
paid." It soon attracted the notice of
one of his boon companions, who dexterously
reversed the card, and inscribed
thereon the na.ne of " Walter Trott,"
another member of the intelligent clique.
Weevil arrived soon afterward.
" What sport, my buck?" demanded he.
"No sport," replied his chum, 41 bat
here's some game."
" Say no more," exclaimed the delighted
Jesse, slapping his forehead. "I've
nn idea, now mind?muni's the word!
Fetch up Griggs."
Griggs was summoned, and he entered
with a grin.
" I say, Grijrgs," cried Weevil, cutting
the string and producing the game, " we
want you to dress this hare and these
hirds lor supper, and serve it up in your
best style."
4 Leavo it to me, sir," was the reply,
as the host walked off with the spoil, just
as the whole crew began to drop in. The
conversation soon become general, noisy,
and interesting. At last the cloth was
laid.
M Ilallo! what's in the wind now?" in?
quired Master Walter Trott, surprised at
the unusual display; ** here's a spread!"
" Only a snack," said Weevil; "and wt
must beg vou to take the chair on the oc
X- IIOIV/II*
?? Jj?
"Yes, von," answered Weevil.
*' Well, I'm sure?the honor?but I'cr
always ready to do any thing that will con
dijco to the harmony of the company," re
plied the by no means reluctant Trott.
The supper was s? ved forth with; am
upon *!?3 remo? ? the cloth, Weevi
U /-; } .1 . 7'. ?
fcti-V*' " -A*
arose, and, in an elaborate mock speech,
returned thanks fur the very handsome entertainment
the chairman had provided..
What?-? eht?how do you mean!"
stammered the astonished,Trott.
By way of elucidation, the basket was
handed to him, amid peals of laughter.
The unconscious entertainer looked
blank, and pretended.to read the card; but
in fumbling it with his fingers, he turned
it over and discovered the original ad*
dress.
Gentlemen," said he, rising, "nothing,
I assure you, would be more gratifying
to feelings than to entertain my friends?
(hear! hearl)?but I cannot?I will not
allow*?(shouts of laughter)?that praise
ivkiek I*.?. ? ? ? ^
n iiivu 19 tluo iv UllUlllVr ?w uc UD9IUWUU
upon myself. Instead of returning you
my thanks, permit me to propose the
health of Jesse Weevil; for?(I speak by
the card,)?it appears to me this basket
is addressed to him, and to hitn, there*
fore, let our thanks be paid!"
Weevil seized the basket; the trick was
too obvious to be misunderstood; and .the
factious Jesse, unable to support the
jeers and laughter of his friends, (lung
down the basket, and rushed from the con-1
vulsed assembly.
III. The Kid Glove.
Mr. Walter Trott, who was rather an
exquisite in his way, was standing before
blazing fire, surrounded by a knot of the
jocose fraternity, and was relating a prime
adventure of which he Was lite hero, when
Jemmy Dawson, winking at Weevil, urew
him aside.
"Well?" said Weevil.
" We shall have a novel dish to-night,"
said Jemmy.
tin > "...
i - now ao you mean J"
"Why, don't you sec thalTrott is roasting
his kid for our entertainment?
"Admirable!" cried Weevil; and whispering
his crony for n moment, Jemmy
slipped out, and returned with a pair of
scissors.
"Keep him in conversation," said Jesse,
"and see how I'll carve his Arid."
Weevil accordingly beat about the bush
a little lime, and then approached his
victim, from u hose delicate hands dangled
the fingers of a new pair of lemon colore d
gloves. Adroitly snipping oft' the fingers,
Jesse deposited them in his pocket, and
then wheeled round to the front, and
joined in the laugh of the delighted audience.
"Ami then putting out my hand in this
fashion," continued Trott, extending hi*,
right lift, and at ti e same time fringing ;
forward the curtailed gauntlets in his left, (
iic stopped short in his exciting narrative. i
and eyed the clipped coverings of his i
hands with a look lha* *1
ipiuvv,.,,,,r J -a
J. AI.JULMj*- ? ?
41 Now, *pon my life," cried he, 41 this
is really too bad!"
44 Nay, don't whimper," said Weevil,
scarcely able to utter a word for laugh er
!44 Don't whimper, Trott; I'm sore the
lamuscmcnt is worth a dozen pair oi the
best that ever crossed the Channel."
44 I wo uldii'l care a pi it about tiic mat'
ter, said Tro.t?"but the fact is?"
"They arc the gilt of some Dulcinea,
1 suppose?" interrupied Weevil.
44 But the fact is, the mirth is not at my
expense," resumed Trott; 44 or in a freak I
extracted these same gloves?"
44Call 'em mitts," saul Weevil, with
tears in his eyes. 44 F. jm the pocket ?'?i
our excellent friend '^Veul" continued
Trott, handing luin the mitts. The fun
which ensued may be easily imagined.
IV. Tiik Sign Painter.
The deeds which were done by Weevil
and his friends on dark nights were as innumerable
as they were annoying to even
inhabitant til the vicinity. If a board
were placed in the front garden of any
house, to intimate that lodgings were to
let, it was sure to be transferred to some
crusty neighbor's, who was well known
to have too much pride or too large a family
to offer such accommodation fjr single
men? Impertinent applications and angry
altercations were the consequence. Bells
were rung alarmingly?the knockers twisted
from the doors?and the nightcaps of
the drowsy inhabitants who ventured to
peep from an open window were the chosen
marks for the well-directed pea-shooters
of this irregular troop.
Having read an amusing account of* a
certain sigmpainting exploit, Weevil proposed
u to get up" a similar .entei tainmcnt;
and a large pot of whitewash and n
brush were accordingly provided for the
operation.
The appointed hour arrived, and the
youths sallied forth, Weevil carrying the
pot and brush, and six others bearing a
light ladder, borrowed from the stable
yard of the inn where they held their Symposia.
Their first attempt was made upon the
"UJnck Hoy," which having accomplished,
Wef vil declared he deserved the thanks
of the corps for having performed the
, miracle of washing the Blackamoor white.
The '.Rose* next grew pale under his
able hand?and having complete this
transformation to his taste, he ordered
the esealcadc to proceed to the 4 Carved
' Red Lion.1 This was to be the crowning
feat.
Having mounted to the ledge whereon
[ the fierce-looking quadruped was fix?*d, he
began to rub in the color, and had already
completed the half of his task, giving
the animal the appearance of a shaved
poodle, when he was startled by a fear'
ful roar, not from the lion, but from his
" affrighted companions, who close upon
* their heels bcheld.a detachment of police.
Pol and brush fell from the grasp of WceI
vil; and our hero, who thought with th?
1 redoubtable FalstafV that discretion was
i
the better part ot1 valor,1 made Cot tho r
ladder: but slaa! his dear friends, in their i
confusion, had kicked it down. s
His situation was by no means enviable
^-escape was vain" detection certain; and c
?but we shall b?g leave to quote from t
the columns of a respectable contempora- I
ry, as we feel by no pie&n* competent to J
give so lucid an accouut of the catasfro- c
nhe. 1
"Police Office.'?A gentleman about 1
three-and-twenty years of age, with fair <
hair, and of slight and rather genteel figure,
was this morning brought before Mr i
Mittiwus. the magistrate. He was dross- i
cd in a fashionably cut suit of blaeki but i
which was so ridiculously daubed Urith ]
white, thrt a zoologist would unhesitating- i
ly .declared him to be a species of that t
party-colored bird, ycjcped a magpie! i
"4 What is the charge?'demanded Mr. i
Mittimus. [
" 'Please your worship,' said the policeman,
*1 discovered this gentleman, about t
one o'clock this morning, in a very sus- t
picious situation.' . t
" 'Indeed,' said Mr. Mittimus, 'he looks i
very like an insolvent who has just under- I
gone the process of whitewashing. Pray I
describe the situation iti which you found t
him.* r
" 'lie was crouched on the lodge be- I
side the .sign of the Red Lion, in
street.' s
44 4Vcry suspicious indeed/ said Mr.
Mittimus. 4\Vhat is your name?' e
44 4 Henry Jones,' said ihe prisoner. s
44 4 What are you/'
44A gentleman at large,' was the reply, d
44 4Not ut present remarked the facetious
magistrate. And pray may 1 ask 1
you what you did on the ledge of the c
sign of the Red Lion in street?' v
44 4Only half what .1 intended,' replied t
Mr. Henry Jones; 4for 1 had taken a fancy
to paint the Red Lion white, and had d
only half done the job when I was interrupted
by the police.' ?
44 4Candid at any rate; hut what induced r
you to make the noble animal change co- b
lor?' c
44 4The fact is, sir,' replied Mr. Henry n
Jones, 'it's a ridiculous piece of business li
altogether. 1 am lieartih ashamed of the I
freak; but the truth is, I was elevated at
the time/ s
44 4\.s, we have proof of lint,' laconi- n
rally Interpolated Mr. Mittimus. s
'Exactly, sir,' replied Mr. Henry Jone. t
44 Wei I, it is a foolish affair, I must confess,'
said Mr. Mittimus; 4and I am really
sorry to see a young gentleman of your j<
annpnr.1 net' in ??ir?K ? .
, ... U..^M U i'jJ- 1 A I I I C" I I. IVt'- I U
lire and cndr'\T,,..\j3*\V,u^. nt>v\v \'?VbYr
,n,..Hwulv,-"~-". " .VropfLlU^tr
.. r>t celt I M . !t "A 1. '? II-. ? H .1 : ' IJ \ li
]TjJlU?! ?' "l" Vi"""" ' ' "?
uavo so wontonly destroyed. '
"Their demands are already satisfied,' ?
replied Mr. Henry Jones, 'and they have t
promised not to prefer any complaint a
against me.' * 1
V\ as there a.tv resistance on the cap-l?
trre?' den,?r>detl Mr. At it times.
"l>i??iic, jour worship,' replied the pc>- ?
Herman; 'hi walked away like a lamb.' ?
414 A sheep' was on lit" tongue or the s
magistrate; httt he suppr ssnj it with a 1
smile, and ordering Mr. Henry Jones to 1
pay a line of live shillings for his acknowledged
elevation, he was discharged." '
VI. The MUD-IiAuk. '
A dull,damp, foggy night in November, <
?fl\ red a favorable opportunity for the I
exercise nt Weevil's peculiar talents. A
daru lane leading to the town, was the
chosen spot of his exploit. The muddy I
state of the road was a source of particu- '
lar gratulotion to our hero, and he sallied 1
forth, inwardly rejoicing at the anticipa;i'>n
of his chantage intentions. Carelolly
affixing a cord to the stump of an
?lil tree, he drew it scientifically across 1
the muddy road, and fastened it to a fence
on ihc opposite side of the thoroughfare,
i>aking it form a straight line about n
foot anil a half from the ground. Concealing
himself, with achnrkle, behind
the projecting angel of a shed, Weevil
anxiously awaited the issue of his stratagem.
Presently the voice of a passenger singing
aloud, "A queer little man?very?
how came you so?'* struck like sweet music
on the tightened drum of his attentive
car. Louder any louder grew the voice
as the singer approached, hut still the
thickness of the fog prevented Jesse from
beholding the form or figure of his un
conscious victim. He was indeed to him
i vox et preterea nihil. Weevil scarcely
breathed, although his heart panted almost
audibly.
Nearer and nearer the stranger approach
led; and, at last, a stumble, a splash, and
I n ~ * - ? - ? - 1 * 1
I i> oiiuuvn GAtiniiinuuii, iniiiruicu lO IMC
j critical ear of Weevil, that the 'singing
! bird* had fallen in his imp.
Several people, attracted by the cries of
the floundering youth, ran to the spot,
and Weevil, having cut the treacherous
line, joined the group.
"Oh, here's a precious go!" exclnimod
a blubbering boy of about sivtcen, with
a clothes-basket in his hand, the contents
whereof wore fenrfnllir crntioi-oit in
road.
' Never mind, my lad," said Weevil, in
a half pilyiing, half consolatory tone.
'11*8 easy never minding o' me," replied
the hoy, jamming the rumpled linen
pell-mell in his basket, "but shan't I get a
lathering? that's all."
Every one of the bystrndars charitably
endeavored to comfort the unfortunate
boy.
"Hc^f von injured yourself!" demanded
the kmd-heai'ed Weevil.
"Injured myself!" repeated the boy.
* No by gosh ! There ain't no chance ofi
breaking bones in tumbling into such a!
pudding as this hsre. But I ain't a nice
ucss, amlT1 continued he, angrily, hold*
ng up his muddy arms, and showing himelf
to the mob. |
,'"The more dirt, tho less hurt, howcr)r,"
remarked Weevil; and at tho same
ime the boy inadvertently shook oft' the
iqufd mud, with which tho too curious
[esse was spattered from tap to too. Tho
trowd, of course, laughed heartily; and
Weevil, aware thut any remonstrance on
tis part, would have been jeered at, pocktied
the affront, and walked quietly home.
His suit of black was quickly changed;
md. seating himself by a blazing tire, he
idtlloed ill rend in or till ninn nVlit<>lr. ivhon
ingiog the bell, ho ordered his housekec)er
to bring up his things, as he was gong
to ctdonizc, preparatory to storting
or annual ball, given at the principal inn !
11 the town, at which all the beauty and I
ashion of the neighborhood were to dis
day their attractions.
Directly, sir." replied the obsequious
lomestic, and retired. Meanwhile, Wee'il
began practising his new steps, and
rying over some concerted phrases intenled
for the car of the delectable Miss Juia
Totterley, at the same time extending
lis hand in a right line from his heart to
he looking glass, and grimacing in a ;nanter
which he concluded must be irresislaile.
"I think that's a killer?" exclaimed the
elf satisfied Jesse.
"O! mercy on us!" cried the housckcepr,
breaking in upon his physiognomical
tudies.
"Eh? what! is the house on fire? demonled
he.
Worser nor that, sir," said the dame;
'such a pickle?such a misfortune?wild
ould ha* thought there was such a set o*
kicked people in the worlu? Only to
hitik?"
14What the devil is the matter?" deman'ed.thc
impatient Weevil.
'The shirts, sir?frills, ruffles and all;
lot one to put on! every man John of em
oiled in the mud. The poor mangling
?oy has been thrown down by some mishicvous
willin, and almost killed. His:
notiier?honest woman ? has just been !
mre, and is ready to cry her eyes out,
mor soul."
Weevil whistled so loud, and long, and
hrilly, that the housekeeper was startled;
nd when he calmly declared "he must
lay at home then," the old woman re-;
ired?wondering at his equanimity!
VII. Tiie Cup of Poison. \
Weevil, unfortunate as lie was in his i
okes, was no less so in his moresciiousj
ttem,?.io whole career was one grand 1
y ''"'c'*; ^^"'liwilh a sweet young lady
;; -n;'P-7dJ2; A^.oJlie a fortunate,"
' r.f iin-fj dbUUh.i iZCt?j atfrVSTSSS |jain
ic discovered, too late to retract, that
he was the dowerfess daughter of an cxravagant
insolvent. To add to his disippointment,
Mrs. Weevil proved an in:orrigible
shrew, whose eloquent tongue
mnoyed him unceasingly.
Proud, however, of his boasted tact
md abilities, Wcovil resolved to tam'c her; I
ind after pondering for months upon the
fubject, resolved to put in form the Allowing
novo) and cxtraord;naiy rxperio
' '
nent. |
Having purchased some white arsenic,
lpon the paper of which was duly printed
'arsenic?roisoN," lie consigned the
Jeletcrious mineral to the flames, and replenished
tlic envelope with white sugar.
Watching his opportunity when Mrs.
Weevil was in her tantrums, he calmly
proceeded to the closet, and pouring out
a cup of milk, mixed up the sweet potation.
"Jane," cried he, in a melancholy tone,
stirring the potion with the fore-finger of
the right hand?"Jane, listen to me for
a few short moments?1 shall not long be
a burden to you."
Mis look and impressive manner silenced
the storm. Quaffing the draught at
one gulp, he cast the cup into the grate,
and threw the paper upon the ground.
" What have you done?" shrieked Mrs.
Weevil, snatching up the paper, and turning
pale as Parian marble.
"Poison!" muttered Jesse, with the
most thrilling tragedy-look he could assume;
and clasping his hands to his face
ho buried his head in the cushions of the
sofa.
A shriek, followed by an awful silence,
ensued. Jesse ventured to peep between
his fingers, expecting to see his rib extended
on the hearth-rug in a swoon?but
she had vanished.
"Where the dickens has she gone?"
cried he risinir.??" Janr?!"?nr? nnswfr ?
He rested upon his elbow and listened.
A trampling of many feet upon the stairs,
aroused him from his posture; and the
next moment his better half fushed wildly
into the room, followed by three men and
the servant tnaid.
'My dear IS!r. Weevil," said the foremost
gentleman in black, in whom Jesse
recognized a neighboring apothecary?
" what could have compelled you to this
rash act?"
Weevil was really alarmed by the crowd
which he had so unexpectedly brought
about his ears.
' What act?" demanded Weevil.
You have swallowed poison!"
"Nonsense?nonsense?" said Weevil.
Where is the cup, ma'am?"
" lln line llirnwn it omiov " <-*> <. 1!r.#1 \f
..mw ? ?? ?% ?? ? i ivjmn u iti idi
Weevil, sobbing aloud; "but? but here is
the horrible paper."
j The apothecary looked at the paper,
shook his head, shrugged his shoulders,
and th^n looked significantly at his assistants,
who immediately laid violent hands
upon the disconcerted Weevil, and threw
him at length upon the sofa.
" What in the devil arc you about?" demanded
Jesse, glaring wildly upon the
M V*
. W
pump from Jiis coat*pocket.
sistance will avail you nothing." ;
*'Pooh! pooh! nonsenSeWpoil nay. ';vi
soul 'twas only a joke! a more ruse?dotrt^W"Sj
be a fool," cried Jesse, struggling. "May
I die if? 1
'JL'lio forcible introduction of the admirable
machine put an end to further opposition.
Weevil kicked and plunged ill /y"
vain. The whole operation was admirably
performed; and feeble, 'spiritless, and V *>
exhausted, the unfortunate patient was
left extended on the couch. The apothocary
promised to send a composing draught
immediately, and left him in the mean- ; while
to the tender care of his wife, who
alternately wept and scolded; winding up - ^
her hystei ical harangue with a bitter remark
upon his cruelty in wishing to leave
her unprovided for! ^
EXPLORING TOUR DEYOND THE
ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
A very interesting and valuable work
has made its appearance, entitled "Journal
of an Exploring Tour beyond the
Rocky Mountains, under the direction of
the Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions, performed in the years 1S35, *30
and '37: containing a description of the
geography, geology, climate and productions:
and the number, manners, and customs
of the natives, with a map of the
Oregon Territory. By Rev. Samuel Parker.
l&mo. pp. 371*" This map is by
far the best that has yet been published,
of the almost unknown regions of the far
West. It commences on the Western
verge of civilization, say at Council
Bluffs, about long. 90, and extends to the
D !i! _ rv - - *
xruciiic uccan. iNoriU and South it extenils
from lat. 38 to 50. Although necessarily
very imperfect, it conveys a prctty
good idea of the general face of the
country, its rivers, mountains, *Vc. and
we are ussnrcd may be relied on, as far as
it goes. The 'Journal' is a description of
occurrences, curiosities, and scenery, as
they presented themselves to the notice
of our traveller, with occasional observations
having a more immediate bearing
upon the objects of bis tour, viz: to ascertain
the most tit openings for missionary
operations among the Indians. "The
country here described," says the author,
in his Preface, "is siti generis; every
thing is formed on a largo scale. Its lofty
and perpetual snow-topped mountains,
rising i?U(MOO loot or more, the trees of the
forest, the wide extended praties, plants
of enormous growth, and the results of
volcanic agency, which you meet in alau'aTmtJ^rTr^jn^^asinf^sccnc
of interest
to the traveller; and if any statement*
appear large it is because the facts aro so
in themselves." Of the many wonderful
things recorded in this book, and which
the author assures us were penned with
the most scrupulous regard to accuracy,
we can copy but a few, referring the reader
tv> the work itself for a connected
view of these interesting travels. We
are glad to find, by the extract first quoted,
that a passage is observed through
tltc Rocky mountains suitable for a Rail
Road, as we shall wish to take a trip to
the mouth of Columbia river, a few years
hence, when we have 12 or 15 days to
spare; or if we dont go ourselves, we may
wish to send our children. There ishardly
a doubt that such a work will eventually
bo constructed, and that our latest
news from China and the Sandwich Is
lands, will conic through this channel.?
Under date of the 10th of August, 1835,
I Mr. Parker thus Writes:?N. V. Journal
I Com.
The passage through these mountains
is in a valley, so gradual in the ascent
and descent, that I should not have
known we were passing them, had it not
been thai as we advanced the atmosphere
gradually became cooler, and at length '
we found the perpetual snows upon our
right hand and upon our left, elevated many
thousand feet above us?in some places
teii thousand. The highest part of these
mountains arc found by measurement to
be eighteen thousand feet above the level
of the sea. This valley was not discovered
until sonic years since. Mr. Hunt
and bis party, more than twenty years
ago, went near it, but did not find if,
tlwiiifli in Bfinrcli n f unmn f..
. wvmivm vi ouuiu lavui auiu j?UbI
sago, it varies in width front five to twen!
ty miles; and following its course, the '
distance through the mountains is about
j eighty miles, or a four days journey.?
J Though there arc some elevations and dc|
prcsssions in this valley, yet, eomparai
lively speaking, it is level. There would
I be no difticulty in the way ot constructing
: a rail road from the. Atlantic to the Pacific
ocean; and probably the time may not
be very far distant when trips will bo
made across the continent, as they have >
been made to the Niagara fulls, to see naInrn'c
wnlidM-c
SULPHUR srillXO.
At a place called Jackson's Hole, a narrow
defile near the head waters of Columbia
river, is a remarkable Sulphur Spring.
Mr. Parker thus briefly describes it.
Here, for some distance, I was much
annoyed will) the strong scent of sulphuretted
Ilyd iogen, and soon saw at the foot
of the mountain under the bed of gypsum
a largo sulphur spring, which sent up as
much as thirty gallons of water per minute.
Around this spring were large quantities
of incrustcd sulphur, and so strongly
is the water saturated, that it colors
the water of the river, on the side next to
the spring, a greenish \ How for more
| than a mile below.
I M*?.Niricrv i .-> ? nki: \
A few mile* v m Jack: jn'i Hole/
- ? M