course. In a few hours they passed the rocks, extending the distance of six leagues.' They were then enabled to keep the center of the river, where the numerous windings of the stream compelled them to make continual manoeuvres.
In this place the river is most magnificent: the smooth polished surface of the waters-the rapid current, almost concealed from view by the contraction of its rocky bedthe sullen roaring of the waterfalls and cascades - produce upon the mind an effect of sublimity and grandeur not to be described. One is never weary admiring the richness, beauty and variety of these solitary regions. The shores on either side are bordered by lofty forests, and crowned with thickly-wooded mountains. It is more especially in the forest that the grand, the picturesque, the sublime, the beautiful, form the most singular and fantastic combinations. From the loftiest giants of the forest down to the humblest shrubs, all excite the spectator's astonishment. The parasites form a characteristic feature of these woodlands. They cling to the tree, climb to a certain height, and then, letting their tops fall to the earth, again take rootagain shoot up - push from branch to branch - from tree to tree, in every direction - until, tangled, twisted and knotted in every possible form, they festoon the whole forest with drapery in which a groundwork of the richest verdure is diversified with garlands of the most varied and manycolored flowers. In ascending the Columbia we meet from time to time with bays of considerable extent, interspersed with handsome little islands, which, thrown as it were like groups of flowers and verdure, present a charming spectacle. Here the painter should go to study his art -here would lie find the loveliest scenery, the most varied and brilliant coloring. At every step the scene becomes more ravishing; the perspective more noble and majestic. In no other part of the world is nature so great a coquette as here.
At length, on the 5th of August, the vessel arrived at Fort
2 Fr. miles.