"The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling, The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen "Upon my word," said Dora, "one would think that Shakspeare had seen Cousin Porte writing verses." "Well, well," said our hero, shrugging his shoulders with an air of resignation, "when one has condescended to a business only fit for scribbling women-" "Scribbling women!" repeated Fanny; "why, brother, you ought to be ashamed to talk so, when you have been at least a month writing this impromptu." "Truly, Miss, how came you to know what I have been studying for a month past? Is my skull so transparent, or have you more shrewdness than I have been accustomed to allow your sex ? "Indeed, Porte, it required no great shrewdness to make the discovery, for about three weeks ago I found this bit of paper in the bottom of the carriage." Our hero examined the scrap to convince himself of its authenticity, which he acknowledged by immediately tearing it up. Observing, however, that Minnie had secured his verses in that charming receptacle where a lady hides whatever she thinks too precious to be trusted in her pockets or work-basket, and consoled that they had thus reached their destination, he bore the laugh with reasonable fortitude. Repeating a harmless line from Martial, "Risu inepto res ineptior nulla est," our author turned his back on the pests, and starting up the road at a rapid pace, was soon out of sight. It was near sunset before the carriage overtook him. He was then standing, with folded arms, absorbed in the contemplation of a view which was presented for the first time through a vista in the forest. To the right of the road, and at an immense distance below, appeared a champaigne country, stretching away in endless perspective, the line of whose horizon was lost in mist. In front rose a lofty conical peak, whose sharp forked apex was yet gilded by the rays of the declining sun, while its base was enveloped in misty shadows. As Crayon ascended the carriage, he informed the ladies that they saw to the right a portion of the map of Old Virginia, and before them stood the South Peak of Otter, one of the twin-kings of the Blue Ridge, crowned with his diadem of granite-a diadem so grand and so curiously wrought withal, that it remains equally the admiration and the puzzle of artists and philosophers. His brother, the Round Top, was then hidden by a spur of the Ridge, but would be visible shortly. The Peak loomed in the gathering twilight, and our travelers gazed in silence on his unique form and gloomy brow-a silence that was not broken until winding down the notch between the two mountains they halted at the gate of the Otter Peaks Hotel. This celebrated hotel might readily have been mistaken by the inexperienced traveler for a negro cabin, for it was nothing more than a log-hut, showing a single door and window in front. Yet, to the more knowing, its central and commanding position, amidst the group of outbuildings of proportionate size and finish, proved it unmistakably the dwelling of a landed proprietor-what the negroes call sometimes, by excess of courtesy, the "Great House." Crayon's ringing halloo was answered by the appearance of a full pack of dogs and negroes. whose barking and vociferation were equally un- | guests desired to ascend the Peak in time to intelligible. The travelers disembarked at a ven- see the sun rise, that she might arrange her ture, and were met at the door by a smiling moth-housekeeping accordingly. The idea was favorerly woman, who ushered them into the great parlor, reception-room, and chamber of the hotel. The bare log walls and cold yawning fire-place were made dimly manifest by the rays of a single tallow dip; but the united labors of the landlady, her little son and daughter, four negro children, and a grown servant-woman, soon remedied all deficiencies. ably received by the party, and it was unanimously determined to carry it out. The coachman was instructed to arouse Mr. Crayon at the proper hour; and then, by the landlady's advice, they all went to bed. What time the glittering belts of Orion hung high in the heavens and dim twinkling stars in the alborescent east gave token of approaching day, Porte Crayon started from his downy couch, aroused by a sharp tap at the window. "Mass' Porte! Mass' Porte! day is breakin'— roosters ben a crowin' dis hour!” An enormous fire roared and crackled in the spacious chimney, the rafters glowed with a cheerful ruddy light, and a genial warmth pervaded the apartment, which soon restored our chilled and disappointed adventurers to their "Begone, you untimely varlet! How dare accustomed good-humor. The supper, which you disturb my dreams? Go help Apollo to was excellent beyond all expectation, furnished get out his horses yourself-I'm no stable boy." Porte Crayon an occasion to lecture on "the And Mice's retreating footsteps were heard deceitfulness of appearances in this sublunary crunching in the hard frost as he returned to sphere," and also to narrate a pleasant anec-his quarters, not displeased with the result of dote concerning a supper that his friend Jack his mission. Porte Crayon closed his eyes Rawlins and himself had eaten in this house, again, and tried to woo back a charming dream while they were on that famous pedestrian tour, that had been interrupted by the unwelcome so often alluded to heretofore. According to summons. What luck he met with in the enhis statement, Jack had eaten twenty-two good-deavor we are unable to say. sized biscuit, duly relished with bear-steak, Our friends were consoled for the loss of the broiled ham, preserves, and buttermilk. Porte sunrise view by a comfortable breakfast between credited himself with sixteen biscuit only. Fan-eight and nine o'clock. In answer to their apolny, who understood something of domestic arithmetic, immediately did a sum in multiplication, based upon the supposition that twelve gentlemen had stepped in to supper at the Hall. "Well indeed, Sir, I do remember them boys. They come here a-foot and did eat enormous. Of that, Sir, I tuck no account, for I like to see folks eat hearty, especially young ones; but when they come to pay their bill they said it was a shame to charge only three fourpenny bits for such a supper, and wanted to make me take double." "And you refused. My good woman, I was one of those boys." "God bless you, Sir! is it possible? Why your chin was then as smooth as mine, and I should have expected to have seen you looking fatter, or maybe something stouter than you are.' "A very natural suppositiofi,” replied Mr. Crayon, with a sigh, "but these things are controlled by destiny-I must have been born under a lean star." Mrs. Wilkinson had come in to know if her! ogies for changing their plans, the hostess informed them she had rather calculated on their not going, as most of her visitors did the same thing, especially in cold weather. The Peaks of Otter are in Bedford County, on the southeastern front of the Blue Ridge, and about sixteen miles distant from the Natural Bridge. Their height above the level country at their base is estimated at four thousand two hundred and sixty feet, and more than five thousand feet above the ocean tides. They have heretofore been considered the highest points in Virginia, but by recent measurements the Iron Mountains appear to overtop them. The North Peak, called the Round Top, has the largest base, and is said to be the highest, but the difference is not appreciable by the eye. From a distance, its summit presents an outline like a Cupid's bow. The South Peak is considered the greater curiosity, and receives almost exclusively the attention of visitors. Its shape is that of a regular cone, terminating in a sharp point or points formed by three irregular pyramids of granite boulders. The largest of these heaps is about sixty feet in height, and upon its apex stands an egg-shaped rock about ten feet in diameter. It seems so unsecurely placed that it would require apparently but little force to send it thundering down the side of the mountain. It has nevertheless resisted the efforts of more than one mischievous party. The remarkable regularity of this peak in all its aspects would give the impression that it owed its formation to volcanic action, but there is nothing more than its shape to sustain the idea. The hotel is situated in the notch formed by the junction of the peaks, about midway be- | tween their bases and summits, and travelers starting from this point have to ascend not more than two thousand or twenty-five hundred feet. To persons unaccustomed to such exercise this is no trifling undertaking, and horses are frequently in requisition to perform a part of the journey. Our friends, however, fresh from the Alleghanies, and vigorous from four weeks' previous travel, scorned all extraneous assistance, and started from the hotel on foot. As the fallen leaves had entirely obliterated the path, a negro boy was detailed to lead the way. Porte Crayon followed next, with his rifle slung and knapsack stuffed with shawls and comforts, to protect the ladies from the keen air of the summit. The girls straggled after in Indian file, with flying bonnets, each holding a light springy staff to steady her in climbing. Mice, armed with a borrowed shot-gun, brought up the rear. For a mile they tugged along with great resolution, pausing at intervals to rest on the sofas of rock and fallen timber so temptingly cushioned with moss. At length they arrived at a small plateau where the horse-path terminates, and as there seemed no further necessity for a guide, the boy was here dismissed. The ascent from this point is much more diffi- "Non sotto l'ombra in piaggia molle ASCENT OF THE PEA5. "The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.' Poor things! how they struggle," said Porte, looking back at his wards, who, with disheveled hair and purple cheeks, staggered up the difficult pathway. "Ah!" cried Minnie, "Who can tell how hard it is to climb;'" and she sunk exhausted and palpitating upon a rock. "This does seem like waging an unequal war indeed," said Porte. "Come, child, your hand: the road to the Temple of Fame is nothing to this. In fact I've been led to suspect lately that there must be a railroad up to it, from the marvelous celerity with which some people have accomplished the ascent. Mice, help the hindmost." What with the assistance of the men and frequent rests, they at length reached the summit. Here, between the granite pinnacles, they found a little level, carpeted with dried grass and protected from the wind by the rocks and stunted thickets. The shawls were immediately produced, and the ladies nestled in a sunny corner, while Crayon and his man kindled a brisk fire of dried sticks. A brief repose served to recruit the energies of our fair travelers. A rude ladder assisted them in the ascent of the largest pinnacle, which looks eastward; and then (first carefully assuring themselves of their footing) they turned their eyes upon the glorious panorama that lay unfolded beneath them. The sensations produced by this first look would be difficult to describe. The isolation from earth is seemingly as complete as if you were sailing in a balloon-as if the rocks upon which you stood were floating in the air. For a few moments "the blue above and the blue below" is all that is appreciable by the eye, until the lenses are adjusted properly to take cognizance of the details of the landscape. Looking east, a vast plain rises like an ocean, its surface delicately pictured with alternating field and woodland, threaded with silver streams, and dotted with villages and farmhouses. Sweeping from north to south, dividing the country with the regularity of an artificial rampart, its monotonous length broken at intervals by conical peaks and rounded knobs, the endless line of the Blue Ridge is visible, until in either direction it fades out in the distance. Westward, rising from the valley, are discovered the unique forms of the House Mountains; and beyond them ridge peeps over ridge, growing dimmer and dimmer until you can not distinguish between the light clouds of the horizon and the pale outline of the Alleghany. On your left hand, in sublime proximity, the Round Top "lifts his awful form," like an uncouth giant, insolently thrusting his shaggy pate into the etherial company of the clouds. While our friends reveled in this illimitable feast, for a time silence reigned supreme, until Porte Crayon, who had been sitting apart upon the apex of the egg, slid down from his perch, and approached the group of ladies. "Looking down from this lofty height, over the length and breadth of the land, what enlarged and comprehensive views do I not take of her physical features and capacities. My intellectual vision penetrates the mists.which dim the material horizon; I can see the whole State, like a map unrolled, from the Big Sandy to Cape Charles; from the Dismal Swamp to the PanHandle-that pragmatical bit of territory that sticks up so stiff and straight, like the tail of a "Girls, there must be something in our alti-plucky animal, Virginian to the very tip." tude calculated to produce a corresponding lofti- "Porte, can we see Berkeley from here?" inness of sentiment. I am in a state of exalta-quired Dora. tion-overflowing with patriotism. I don't allude to the marketable staple produced by the combined stimulus of corn-whisky and lust of office, but the more common instinct of loyalty to kindred and country, vivified, perhaps, and intensified by this bracing air and magnificent prospect. I feel as if I should like to be Governor of Virginia; not for the sake of gain-no, I scorn emolument-but simply for the glorification; to be enabled to do something great for the Old Commonwealth-to make her a great speech. For instance: "Certainly, child; look northward there, and you may even see the chimneys of the old Hall peering above the locust-trees." "To be sure, cousin, I can see it now; better, I think, with my eyes shut than open." I "Your silly interruption has put me out. had a great deal more to say, that possibly might have been important to the State; for you must know that in Virginia speeches are of more account than food and raiment. It is all lost, however; and I will conclude in the words of the most egotistical of bards: "Could I embody and unbosom now That which is most within me; could I wreak My thoughts upon expression, and thus throw Soul, heart, mind, passions, feelings strong and weak, All that I would have sought, and all I seek, Bear, know, feel, and yet breathe into one word, And that one word were lightning, I would speak. But as it is, I live and die unheard, With a most voiceless thought, sheathing it as a sword."" "I'm glad you've done it," said Dora. "I should not have commenced, perhaps. The effect of eloquence depends too much on THE ENCAMPMENT. Cautiously descending from the airy pinnacle, our friends made their way back to their gipsy encampment. As they tarried here, the comfortable warmth of the fire by degrees led back their wandering thoughts to the common paths of life. Fancy, that, like the eagle spreading her wings from her eyry in the rocks, had soared away among the clouds, now began circling gently downward-down, down, downward stilluntil suddenly, with pinions collapsed, she swooped upon a fat turkey-supposed, of course, to be roasted. "Then down their road they took Through those dilapidated crags, that oft Moved underneath their feet." Although the descent has its peculiar difficulties, it is accomplished in a much shorter time than the ascent. Our travelers reached their place of sojourn in the vale about 2 o'clock P.M., where they found dinner had been waiting some time, and the turkey overdone. The descent from the hotel to the foot of the Peaks affords a number of striking views, well worthy of record by pen and pencil. As they rolled rapidly over the road toward Liberty, the signs of a milder climate became momentarily more evident. The appearance of open, cultivated fields, of elegant residences surrounded by shrubbery, and notwithstanding the lateness of the season, cottages embowered in fragrant roses and adventitious circumstances. In this rarified at- | showy chrysanthemums, threw the girls into mosphere the most sonorous voice seems weak and piping." Fanny suggested that this fact appeared like an intimation from Nature, that these sublime solitudes were fitter for reflection than noise. "I never could bear speeches any where," rejoined Dora. "Very naturally, Miss Dimple. Your sex prefers addresses." Having relieved his surcharged feelings to some extent by these straggling remarks, Mr. Crayon gave the ladies a peremptory invitation to get up on the egg. It was accepted without Lesitation, although in fear and trembling. Mice, according to his own account, made "a lather" of himself, by means of which they were enabled to ascend with comparative ease and safety. On the rock they formed a group at once picturesque and characteristic. Every eye kindled as it swept the boundless horizon; and, by a common impulse, Crayon took off his cap and the girls spread scarf and kerchief to the breeze -waving a proud, enthusiastic salute to that fair and generous land. Dead indeed must be his soul, who, standing on that peak, could not feel full justification for such enthusiasm. quite an excitement of pleasure, and for a time entirely diverted their thoughts from what they had left behind. But Porte Crayon, heedless or half scornful of these softer beauties, still cast his longing, lingering looks behind, where a blue mist was |