Burlington Free Press

EXCURSION TO CAMEL'S RUMP.
BY HON. WM. SLADE.

This elevation is situated in the south-eastern part of the County of Chittenden, about twenty five miles north east from Middlebury, and about the same distance in a westerly direction from Montpelier. It derives its name from its resemblance to the back of the Camel, and has long been an object of attention, and is yearly becoming one of increasing interest to the lovers of the sublime.
A previous appointment brought together at the house of Mr. Snyder, near the village of Huntington, about six miles west of the mountain on the 21st instant, nine individuals destined to the summit of the "Rump." Four of these were Methodist clergymen, viz: Rev. Messrs. Bates and Prindle of Shelburne, Frazer of Middlebury, and Brown of Bristol. Proceeding two miles from Mr. Snyder's to the end of the Road, we left our horses, swung our packs, and took to the woods. The four miles from this point to the top of the mountain was passed in a little short of four hours. Something more than half the way, is a winding passage, gently ascending round the base of a high mountain west of the "Rump," which we passed without much fatigue. Within less than two miles from the top, the elevation of the ascent begins rapidly to increase, and continues to increase until it rises to an angle of probably 60 degrees, which it retains, with little variation, to the summit.
We passed, in the way, several small brooks winding down the side of the mountain, and furnishing water of surpassing transparency and purity, whose excellence we were well prepared to appreciate. At the sight of these pure streams we could not but feel the force of the beautiful and expressive language of the Psalmist—"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." It was refreshing to drink of these streams, but more so to think of the pure and exhaustless fountains of spiritual life which they faintly shadowed forth, and after which the christian pants as he labors up the steep declivities, in his way towards Heaven.
We reached the summit about 5 o'clock P. M. It consists of a bare rock of several acres, on the east and west skirted with a thick growth of low balsam. Its extensive top, presents a nearly level surface, of a few rods in width, running from north to south, and terminating on the south by a perpendicular precipice of several hundred feet, from the foot of which the mountain slopes off to the bottom of a valley at an immense distance below. The descent on the north is more gradual to the valley of the Onion river.
The weather, at the time of our arrival at the summit, was not the most favorable for the full view which we desired. There had been a rain on the preceding night and morning, and the day had been sultry and the sky overcast with clouds. A light breeze sprung up from the north soon after noon, which had much increased on our arrival at the top of the mountain, driving away the clouds, and gradually disclosing the magnificent and enchanting scenery that surrounded us. We were 4000 feet above the level of Lake Champlain—about 20 miles distant—and in a situation not only to look down upon that, and the broad expanse which intervened, but even upon the lofty mountains which were scattered in wild confusion, and rose in majestic grandeur on every side of us. On the south there came up from the deep broad chasm that forms the southern extremity of the "Rump," a continuation of the main range of the Green Mountains, rising within eight or ten miles, to the lofty summit of "State Hill," in Lincoln, but little less elevated than the "Rump" itself. On the north, beyond the deep chasm formed by the passage of Onion River, rose, as with a proud consciousness of superiority, the Mansfield mountain, about 4400 feet above the level of the Lake: while, in the distance on the west, were spread out the long range of mountains in New York; and on the east, the "White Hills" with their whole connecting range of mountains in the "granite State."
The grandeur of this scene was heightened by the clouds which were sweeping across the summit of some of the surrounding mountains, and half circling the beautiful landscape which extends to the eastern and western and northern limits of the State.
But we had little time to dwell upon this scene. The sun was rapidly descending, and we were admonished by the approach of night, to prepare for its repose. We selected a place on the top of the mountain in the depression which appears in the distant view, between the northern and southern elevations, and where we found the shelter of a large rock from the northern blasts. All hands fell to work, and a cabin was soon erected, covered and floored with the boughs of the balsam, where we enjoyed, after commending ourselves to the Divine protection, a night of sweet and refreshing rest.
The hope of witnessing a beautiful sun rising, and a clear sky, gave to the dawn of day a peculiarly awakening power, and brought us to our feet, to witness a scene which was as unexpected as it was grand and imposing. We had climbed the mountain to view a landscape; but what was our surprise, when the twilight first disclosed the expanse around us, to witness a vast ocean, extending from the main range of the mountains, north and south, as far as the eye could reach, and east to the White Hills of New Hampshire! Though it was, in reality, but a dense mass of fog, it seemed impossible at the early dawn to dispel the illusion, and realize that it was any thing else than a vast body of water, burying in its deep and capacious bosom the thousands of human beings who we knew were slumbering beneath its surface. That surface was probably two thousand feet below us, and perfectly level. The tops of the mountains projected above it, so as to present the appearance of islands, capes and promontories in every direction around the eastern horizon. The illusion was perfect, and for more than an hour we feasted upon the magnificent scene which it presented. As the sun approached the horizon, the vast range of the White Mountains of New-Hampshire became more distinctly visible, and formed a definite boundary to the ocean which lay spread out, with its thousand islands before us. The mass of fog extended over the bed of Onion River, through the whole of its winding way to the lake; and to add to the illusion of the scene, there was a slight motion of the surface of the fog, through the narrow pass at Bolton, produced by a gentle north easterly breeze, which seemed like the passing of the mighty waters, through their natural outlet, to the plain below.
While we were feasting on this illusion, the sun arose, and threw his bright beams across the ocean which lay before us. Instantly the surface of the mighty mass was changed from a dark gray, to an almost snowy whiteness, and as the sun rose still higher, presented the appearance of a vast expanse of snow, with a drifted surface. The scene was gorgeous and splendid beyond the power of description, and continued for a long time to withdraw our attention, almost exclusively from the enchanting landscape, spread out on the western side of the State, and upon which, save the winding valley of Onion River, the mists had spread no morning darkness. The contrast was striking. Facing the north, we beheld the deep gulph through which flows the river, far below us, and the huge and lofty mountain of Mansfield lifting its venerable form beyond, while the vast ocean on the right, burying every village and hamlet in the eastern part of the State, displayed a strong contrast to the clear and distinct map of nearly one half of the western part, with Lake Champlain and its Islands, lying almost beneath our feet. It was worth a voyage across earth's widest sea, to witness this combination of ocean, islands, mountains, and landscape rich and lovely, with a cloudless sky, and the sun shining in his strength, and pouring his golden rays upon the world of wonders spread out in wild and gorgeous magnificence around us.
As the sun came to shine more directly on the mass of vapor which covered the eastern part of the State, it gradually disappeared, until, at about ten o'clock, the ocean had vanished, and in its place, a rich and enchanting landscape, with its villages and hamlets and cultivated fields was spread out in vast and beautiful variety before us.
And now came another wonder. It was the formation of clouds from the vapors which had rested on the earth during the night. What was in the lower atmosphere at the dawn of day, became rarified by the action of the sun; and, ascending, formed in detached clouds. The formation of these clouds from beginnings, "as big as a man's hand," was an object of great interest to us. We saw in the process of some of these formations an illustration of the theory of Professor Espy of Philadelphia, in regard to the formation of clouds and the operation of storms. It was a small upward current of rarified vapor rushing to a common centre, and rising until it reached a cooler atmosphere, where it became condensed and spread itself out in the form of a cloud. One operation of this kind was peculiarly observable in the north-western part of Washington county. These clouds were, before 10 o'clock, formed in every direction, and floated below, around and above us, giving a new and deepened interest to the scene.
We gazed, and gazed upon this world of sublimity and beauty, with a gratification which the magnificent and the lovely in nature are so peculiarly fitted to produce. But there was another object more vast and glorious and lovely than this combined scene of beauty and grandeur. It was the GREAT AUTHOR of it all. We looked beneath us, and there was the mighty mass on which we stood, borne up by an ALMIGHTY Hand, to a towering height, amidst the surrounding mountains, and exciting in us a strange and thrilling sense of the Creator's power. We looked around, and there lay spread out, in vast and magnificent variety, huge mountains, deep valleys, winding rivers, cultivated towns, and thriving villages and hamlets, combining the sublime and the vast in nature, with the productions of skill and art and human industry. Surely, GOD was there. In the signal manifestations of his power and wisdom and goodness, above, beneath, around and within us. It was the crowning glory of the scene.
To stand amidst these glories of heaven and earth, and lift up the heart and say with joyous and exulting wonder and gratitude, "My Father made them all." It was enough!—enough for earth! and seemed the fitting transition to a nearer and sweeter and holier communion with heaven than earth can give. We felt it; and, gathering in a circle, prepared for religious solemnities. We sang and prayed: But such a prayer! It was full of the inspiration of a scene so well suited to expand and deepen our conceptions of Jehovah's power. But while our minds were drawn "through nature up to nature's God," man, buried and sleeping in the mists of ignorance, and bound in the slavery of sin, was not forgotten. The eye had been indulged in an unwonted range over the face of nature, and the mind, catching the inspiration of the scene, seemed to range with a corresponding freedom and boldness of flight, among the objects of human guilt and suffering. Nor was the African slave forgotten. Never did I unite in such a prayer for the abolition of slavery. Every heart felt it: and I believe every heart gathered fresh courage and strength to do all that ought to be done to advance the cause of human emancipation from unrighteous, lawless, irresponsible power.
Again we sung;—and then listened to a discourse from the Rev. Mr. Prindle. He read a passage descriptive of the view of Moses from the summit of Pisgah, which he made the foundation of an eloquent and deeply impressive address of half an hour. Again we prayed, and soon after quit the scene.
The whole has left on my mind an impression which will never be effaced. It was good to be there. The love of the sublime and beautiful was richly gratified and the occasion improved, as all such occasions should be, to expand the heart, to deepen its humility, to give it a more profound sense of the Divine wisdom and power, to enlarge its benevolence, and to lead it to a nearer communion with the God and Father of all.
Middlebury, Aug. 31, 1838.