Newberry Library - George Frederick Augustus Ruxton papers, ca. 1839-1948

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Open book George Frederick Augustus Ruxton papers, ca. 1839-1948

Title George Frederick Augustus Ruxton papers, ca. 1839-1948

Creator Ruxton, George Frederick Augustus, 1820-1848

Date 1839-1948

Language English

Summary Collection includes correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, manuscript notes, drafts, copies, etc., mostly relating to Ruxton's travels in America.

Extent 0.2 linear feet (1 box)

Format Correspondence, Photographs, Clippings

User-Contributed Transcription [upper right corner:]] 2shear the howling of the wolves, as they returned to the mountain from the predatory visits to the sheepfolds in the valley, whilst the deep tongued bay of the noble Pyrennean watch dogs resounded from all sides, taken up as by a chain of sentinels and giving notice that they were awake & alert on their posts. A cold biting wind next word underlined: poured down the gullies of the mountains, causing us to pull up over our ears the collars of our zamarras, and scattering the ashes from our cigars in our rears like the sparks of a furnace. We proceeded slowly and with great difficulty, as a recent fall of snow had obliterated the tracks in the road. Several times a large wolf bounded across, causing our beasts to start & tremble violently, as they instinctively recognized their natural enemy. As morning dawned, a striking and beautiful scene presented itself, as the first streaks of daylight appeared behind us in the East, dimming at once the brightness of the stars, the lofty masses of mountains gradually lost their distinctness. First the bright reflection of the snow faded away leaving a dim shadowy form looming through the gloomy twilight -- Soon however as the light increased the outline became clearer and more defined, but leaving ? the mass ? still cloudy and indistinct. The outline of the ridges, the peaks and valleys became more and more exposed, until suddently the upper limb of the bright orb of day appearing upon the horizon of the plains, tinged the edges of the mountains with a golden hue and at once brought into sight the colossal figure of the mountains themselves, now clearly drawn against the clear blue sky. Now the summits of the lofty peaks became distinct & the ragged outline of the chain, those nearest to us fringed with snow weighed pines, The sun bursting out at length in all its power & majesty threw its glittering beams upon the walls of snow which throwing back the reflection dazzled the eyes until they were unable longer to look upon the glorious picture. High up above the highest peaks floated a canopy of golden clouds, changing into gorgeous tints as the sun rose higher and higher on the horizon.Often as I have seen the sun rise in many diferent parts of the world, I never have been so struck with the natural beauty of such a scene, as on this morning. I well remember the feeling of gratitude nay of devotion to nature for providing so joyeous [sic] a spectacle to her children, which took possession of me. My whole heart felt an elasticity I have seldom since experienced, and struck with the unusual feeling I remember asking myself, Truly this after all is devotion, and so it was, and is, and the heart and not the lips is a universal prayer.

Transcription Status Needs review

Transcription Note This document was transcribed by volunteers as part of the Newberry Transcribe crowdsourcing initiative.

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number VAULT folio Graff 3614

BibID 991560928805867

Rights Status Copyright Not Evaluated

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

Size 2615px × 4145px 31.04 MB

Filename 991560928805867_graff_3614-2_0018.tif

Unique Identifier NL1YMJY

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