here and there shaped by the imagination into grand and weird figures—among them the eagle, the lion's head, and the heroic countenance of Washington: when you have taken in the proportions and circumstances of this elevated and wide span of rock—so wide that the skies seem to slope from it to the horizon—you are called to investigate other features of the scene which strain the mind and the eyesight less, and are distributed around in almost endless variety. Looking through the arch, the eye is engaged with a various vista. Just beyond rises the frayed, unseamed wall of rock; the purple mountains stand out in the background: beneath them is a row of hills and matted woods enclosing the dell below, while the creek coursing away from them appears to have been fed in their recesses. A few feet above the bridge the stream deflects, and invites to a point of view of the most curious effect. Taking a few steps backward, we see the interval of sky between the great abutments gradually shut out: thus apparently joined or lapped over, they give the effect of the face of a rock, with a straight seam running down it, and the imagination seizes the picture as of mighty gates closed upon us, and leaving no outlet from the contracted circle of mountains and hills. Now let us move across to a position fronting where these gates apparently close. Slowly they seem to swing open on unseen and noiseless hinges; wider and wider grows the happy interval of sky, until at last wide open stands the gate way raised above the forest, resting as it were on the brow of heaven—a world lying beyond it, its rivers and its hills expanding themselves to the light and splendor of the unshadowed day.
THE EMPEROR ALEXANDER.
IN February last, returning from Washington to Philadelphia, Mr. Jay Cooke found as his companions the Russian and Spanish ministers and some of their attachés. An interesting conversation upon the subject of our great rebellion took place, and mutual inquiries were made as to various incidents and circumstances connected with each of these countries—Russia, Spain and the United States. M. de Catacazy, the Russian minister, was particularly eloquent when describing his own country and its institutions, and especially ardent in expressions of love and affection for the Emperor Alexander. An incident showing the regard and sympathy felt for the United States by the emperor is worthy of being related: When M. de Catacazy was summoned to the Imperial palace to receive his instructions before sailing for America, he found the emperor engaged in writing a letter to the empress, who was absent. The emperor soon completed his letter, and turned to converse with the minister, his whole manner showing the earnestness and affability of his nature. "I have sent for you," said the emperor, "to give you instructions as to the conduct of your mission. I wish you to assure the American nation of our earnest and hearty sympathy and respect. Whatever you can do to draw the two nations more closely together, and to unite our interests more and more inseparably, you will be expected to do. The friendship between the two nations has been, and must continue to be, based on reciprocal appreciation and discretion. All my instructions are summed up in these few words. I have nothing more to say."
In further continuing the conversa-
