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Volume 3 (1858-1859) (592 pages)
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Page: of 592
THE MAMMOTH TREES OF CALIFORNIA. 389
shadows of the densely timbered forest
weare entering, by the awe they inspire— .
at first gently, and imperceptibly, then
rapidly, and almost to be felt—prepare
our minds to appreciate the imposing
grandeur of the objects we are about to
see; just as—
“Coming events cast their shadows before.”
The gracefully curling smoke from the
chimneys of the Big Tree Cottage, that
is now visible ; the inviting refreshment
of the inner man; the luxurious feeling
arising from bathing the hands and temples in cold clear water—especially after
aride or walk—are alike disregarded.
One thought, one feeling, one emotion ;
that of vastness, sublimity, profoundness,
pervades the whole soul; for there—*
The giant trees in silent majesty
Like pillars stand ’neath Heayen’s mighty dome,
*T would seem that perch’d upon their topmost branch,
With outstretched finger man might touch the stars;
Yet could he gain that height, the boundless sky
Were still as far beyond his utmost reach,
As from the burrowing toilers in a mine.
Their age unknown, into what depths of time
Might Fancy wander sportively, and deem
Some Monarch-Father of this grove set forth
His tiny shoot when the primeval flood
Receded from the old and changed earth:
Perhaps coeval with Assyrian kings
His branches in dominion spread ; from age
To age, his sapling heirs with empires grew.
When Time those patriarchs’ leafy tresses strewed
Upon the earth, while Art and Science slept,
And ruthless hordes drove back Improvement’s
stream,
Their sturdy oaklings throve, and in their turn
Rose when Columbus gave to Spain a world.
How many races, savage or refined,
Have dwelt beneath their shelter! Who shall gay,
(if hands irreverent molest them not,)
But they may shadow mighty cities, reared
F’en at their roots, in centuries to come,
Till with the “ Everlasting Hills” they bow,
When “ Time shall be no longer !
Before wandering further amid the
wild se.luded depths of this forest, it will
be well that the horse and his rider
should partake of some good and substantial repast—such as he will here
find provided —inasmuch as it is not al“‘dauL HLONWVN DHL dO dWOLS @HL NO ONIONVG SNOSHAd OMI-ALYIHE dO ALYVd NOITIILOD V
* Extract from Mrs. Conner’s forthcoming play of
“The Three Brothers; or, the Matamoth Grove of
Calaveras: a Legend of California,