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2 THE SOUTHERN WORLD, AUGUST l t 1882. Tallulah Falls. We were one of an excursion party of some five hundred that paid a visit to these falls on the 13th of July. Our route was over the still unfinished extension of the Northeastern Railroad, from Rabun Gap Junction by Clarksville to within one mile of the beginning of Tallulah’s grand views. In the elegant coaches of the Richmond and Danville Railroad, of whose system the new road forms a part, the passage was quick and comfortable. Arriving at the terminus, we “took foot in hand” along the roadway to the “grand chasm"—one of the lower views, down the river—avoiding the frequent un filled! ravines, by tracing a narrow footway that had been prepared for the convenience of the excursionists. Suddenly from' the brink of a tremendous precipice which caused the quick stepping and eager observer to shrink back with a feeling of mingled uwe aud fear, the grand chasm burst upon the view! We soon recovered ourselves suf ficiently to approach to the very edge of the terrible gulf—so suggestive of the jumping off place which existed in the imagination of some of the old time explorers of the great sea on the confines of tbe known world. Far down, down, four hundred, five hundred—yes, six hundred feet below us in perpendicular depth we could see tiie roar ing, surging, foaming watersof the Tallulah river. The wall on the side of the observer is too precipitous to be taken into the field of view, unless, indeed he lie prone on his breast with bead hanging over; but tbe prec ipice on the opposite side of the river could be seen rising from the water's edge with its bald, blackish-gray surface—with here and there a straggling spruce and luxuriant lich ens that have fastened themselves in the crevices—until it reaches an elevation cor responding to the eye of the beholder. Then it begins to break away at a lesser angle of ascent—the surface mostly covered with a stunted growth of pines that struggle for foothold and sustenance among the almost solid rocks—until the eye rests on the rug ged mountain beyond—sixteen hundred feet above the water that is still wearing and cutting its channel deeper and deeper. The distance across the chasm at this place is very deceptive. It is considered an extraor dinary feat to cast a stone so that it will fall into or beyond the river. And yet it seems as if an apple might be tossed by a child to the other side. As we passed from one point of view to another up the stream on the south and west side, the beauties and grandeur of the scene constantly unfold to the eyo. The river in its tortuous course makes a succession of falls—fivo distinct ones in number, varying from forty to eighty feet in perpendicular pitch—in the course of about two miles. As we ascend along the margin, the walls of the precipice on either side become more precipitous, less in height, and more bare of tree vegetation, Several projecting points present favorable views of the ever chang ing but always wonderful stationary pano rama— the observer shifting ills position in stead of the views presented. Among the most noted of these points are Flirtation Point, Lover’s Leap and Devil’s Pulpit, from each of which special beauties may be seen. We would not forget to note that the rail road will,extend its perilous course along the chasm, in some places on the very verge of the tremendous precipice, where a car jump ing tbe track would make a sheer fall of five hundred feet or more I The bold skill of the engineer has been well illustrated in the location and construction of a secure road bed along and across the dangerous crests and gorges. Nearly the whole work of ex cavating the numerous cuttings is done by blasting with powder and dynamite. Returning late in the afternoon to the view of the grand chaim from Flirtation Point, we spent an hour in solitude—only disturbed by the rumbling and pouring waters far be low us—In gazing upon the scene and en deavoring to unravel the cause of this grand natural wonder. It is quite evident that in the dim ages of the past, this great gorge or canon did not exist, and that the opposite sides of almost solid sandstone were joined together with only an inconsiderable ravine between, along which the river took its course tour or five hundred feet above its present bed. The walls of the chasm and adjacent hills are composed of a species of soft sandstone, (Pottdam formation) which must also have once filled the whole of the now void space. This sandstone is striated and varying in hardness, in some places appearing as if it had been the work of rude, but gigantic stonemasons. The rolling, restles waters be gan to cut away the soft stone, grinding it to powder and bearing away the sand and peb bles towards the ocean. In places where the stone is harder, the stream was diverted from its course and made to seek a less obdurate barrier, forming curves and horseshoe bends and undermining the sides of the forming precipices. This process has been going on for thousands—yea, millions—of! years, no geologist can tell how long, until the water has cut the deep gorge' over tw6 miles in length. Tbe distinct cataracts seem to be caused by ledges of stone of a harder and more homogeneous character that have of fered more resistence to the erosive action of the water. Wo did not start to write anything like an elaborate description of this great won der. Language—of which we have a poor command at best—utterly fails in the effort to give a just conception of the terrible sublimity of the scenes. Our illustration fails—perhaps more signally than words—to pictureoneof the viewsas it actually appears to the observer on the ground. We have never seen a print or photographic view of Tallu lah that gave more than a very faint idea of the real. It must be seen to be appreciated; and several days will not more than suffice to give it a thorough and satisfactory exam ination. Orounds near by have been selected for the location of the Southern Chataugua, a place for the meetings and Conventions of Sunday-schools, educational bodies, etc. The building of the railroad and the com modious hotels, has made it as easy of ac cess os it was before difficult; and Tallulah must become a grand summer resort in the near future. Visitors from the great Ni agara even, stand in wonder and awe as they gaze upon the dark and gloomy chasms and inaccessible wails of Tallulah, or ramble upon the surrounding mountains twenty- five hundred feet above the ocean. R. Fiesta Food Not Indispensable. BY HENRY REYNOLDS M. D. Flesh is not an indispensable article of food. One may discard meats of all kinds, aqd live to old age on fruits, vegetables and the various grains. The health seldom suf fers any impairment from such a change, and often is much improved. Neither is the vigor of mind nor power of body Impaired. Not a few of those who have attained to re markably old age and preserved to a notable degieo their powers of mind and body, have been those who lived principally upon vege table diet. Those nations whose people sub sist largely on vegetables are not inferior in mental or physical powers to those who eat most freely of meats. The hardy Scotch liv ing on grain and vegetables mostly, is not surpassed in vigor and activity by the beef eating Englishman. Tbe Russians, whose diet contains very little flesh, are noted for their fine physical development uiul powers of endurance. Many of our people eat too much flesh, causing Injury to their health. The long train of bilious diseases and gouty attacks are largely due to eating too freely of meats. Excess of animal food is also regarded by some radical writers as cause of consump tion and other lung diseases. Scrofula, some forms of kidney diseases, and other affec tions, are attributed to the eating of too much meat. Persons who pursue indoor oc cupations, requiring only a limited amount of active exercise, are more injuriously af fected by animal food, than those who lead an active out-door life. The carnivorous an imals, like the lions, tigers and wolves, gen erally arc very active in their habits, taking a large amount of vigorous exercise, while the herbivorous animals, like the ox, sheep, and others, are of a more quiet disposition. The man who eats freely of flesh, and 1 imi. fates the carnivorous animals in the activity of his out-door life, will suffer little incon venience therefrom, while he who leads a sedentary life and eats freely of meat will suffer from various diseases. The taste for flesh is largely, if not wholly, acquired, and we ate apt to mistake the crav ings of appetite for the demands of nature. Many think that flesh is indispensable. Un less they have their regular supply of meat, they feel the want of it—do not feel as strong os usual—and that no other food with them can take the place of meat The fact that they feel stronger after eating meat is re garded by many as sufficient proof that meat is just what they need to make them strong, active, or well. A glass of wine would also make them feel stronger and active for awhile, yet they would be aware that the sensation was merely delusive, and would soon pass away. The same is true to a con siderable extent of the first effects of meat. It exerts a stimulating effect upon the stomach, which imparts the- feeling of strength, when first taken. The sense of strength after meat is felt more immediately than after a meal of bread and fruit, but does not last bo long. A laborer on a diet of bread, fruit and vegetables; will endure to labor longer without feeling exhausted than on meat. Meat is not especially Injurious, except when excessively eaten. Few should eat it more than once a day, and then very mod erately. It is not indispensable, and a fami ly might get along without it for almost any length of time, and suffer no real injury, if provided with a wholesome variety of vege table food. The health of many families would be much improved by the change. Dr. Cragie, author of a work on the practice of medicine, says: “Diet, consisting of an imal food, is not requisite, either to preserve health or to maintain strength, and diet of articles from which the flesh of animals is altogether excluded, is perfectly adequate to the sustenance of the human body in a state of good health and strength." Dr. Adam Smith, in his “Health of Na tions,” says: “It may indeed be doubted whether butcher’s meat is anywhere a nec essary of life. Grain and other vegetables, with the help of milk, cheese and butter, or oil, (where butter is not to be had,) it is known, from experience, can, without any butcher’s meat, afford the most plentiful, the most wholesome, the most nourishing, and the most invigorating diet.” The cost of meats is a serious objection to their use by large numbers of our laboring people. To provide beef steak for a family is a severe tax upon a laborer who has only his daily wages to depend upon. Many, however strain a point to furnish a good supply of meat for the family, believing it essential to “good living.” Flesh is popu larly regarded as containing nutriment in a highly concentrated form. Such, however, is not the case. Beef contains only about 20 per cent, of nutriment; pork and veal, 24 percent; mutton 30per cent, and poultry 20 per cent. The grains are much more con centrated food. Bread made from wheat flour, contains 00 per cent, of nutriment; com bread 91 per cent, and rye 70 per cent. Thus it will be seen that the meats contain less than one-third as much nutriment as the grains, while their cost is much more. Meats sell at irom ten to twenty-five cents per pound, while the grains sell at from two to four cents per pound. No man should over-work himself to provide meat for his family, for they will be just as well off without it as with it. If a man has means so that he can afford to purchase meat, then there is no serious objection to a limited use of it. No family, however, 'should be deprived of other necessaries in order to se cure a supply of meat All the food needed for a family can be purchased for a compar ative small sum, in this land of plenty, and no laborer, who has work, need allow his family to go hungry, provided he invests his money wisely, purchasing that kind of food which is best, and which, fortunately, is also by far the cheapest.—N. E. Farmer. Pampas Urns* pinmes. The sales of pampas grass plumes in all of our principal cities are very large, and is growing larger every year. The plumes make an excellent ornament for rooms in the winter time and in all houses of any pretensions in cities the plumes may be met with. In the latitude of Philadelphia the plant will not live out in winter unless well protected, but in California the cultivation of the plant for its plumes lias become an industry of some importance. Three quarters of an acre planted to pampas grass, yielded, at two and a half centsa head, |500. Another grower sold all that he could raise at seven aud a half cents per head. Last year 10,000 head or plumes of this grass were sold from that region. The plumes retail in Philadel phia at from twenty five to fifty cents each. As with all other American productions a large trade has sprung up with Europe for these plumes, many large lots finding their way to England, France and Germany. The plumes, when cut and placed in the house will last for years losing hardly any of their value after several years of use.—Ex. The Sacramento Bee makes a note of the fact that there is <n routs to the coast from China, a consignment of rare trees collected by Consul-General Denny, among which are plants of the “candle-tree,” used by the Chi nese for illuminating purposes. They will be distributed between the University and Golden Gate parks, and will, it is thought, flourish in this climate. Of course the latter trees are not to be introduced here for the benefitof the heathen, but simply on account of their variety, handsome foliage and ex otic qualities. JUgriqulttirfil jfjqparbtwiL A Rival of Hinson Sniff. Macon County, Ala. Editob Southern World.—By way no in troduction may I ask you to read these fu lines from your old friend, (I mean stranger) Pos Buts by name. Now I don’t run much on my name, but I run er heap on er one horse farm down in these parts—that is, hits er mule yer no we all’ows call hit er horse farm down here. Well arter me an all the boys had got thru hoein’ a mity fine peice uv yung corn about fourteen foot high down in the sand hammock this evenin' an we wus cornin’ or long to the bouse, I felt like expressin’ myself to somebody by letter about hit an other crops in this neighbor hood. Well arter we got to the house an fed the muTe an turned the stear in the oat patch to graze, an drawed er bucket uv water fur Jane,(Jane's my wife you no), an had partuck uv supper, Sam he went to bed an Bill, he wanted to go over an see old man Jurnigantose about gittin’ his buggy to take Sis Brown to meetin’ in next Sunday, an Jane (that’s my wife you no) she got all the chillun er sleep an every thing was still except the mule er kickin’ at the caf down at the lot. Thinks I to myself nows er good time fur me to write about our crops an ez I’m er subscriber to your paper, I seed a copy uv hit lyin’ on the table an the idear struck me to write to you—but says I to myself, them fellers don’t know me an may not like about my intrudin’ this ’pistle in their sanktum, but thinks I, they air in terested in farmin' an good crops an may not think hard on hit, so I rit anyhow just to get rid uv the feelin’ there wus on me to rite. Never to the recollection uv mankind has there been as many oats harvested in Macon county as there has been this year; why one uv our big farmers here has made thirty thousand bushels, an all the small ones has made enough to do um. I never heard the like in my life befo uv as many oats as has been made all over the whole country in genal—still corn keeps goin’ higher, an what in thunder is the cause uy this, answer me? Well ef hits gits up as high as the moon next year bit wont bother us in this section fur we wont have hit to buy. I tell you mister, we hav got corn planted down here, patches uv hit, whole fields uv hit, nay! miles uv hit, never seed the like befo since I wus born. Our black lands down here is adopted to corn os well as to cotton an ef the rains keep cornin’ like they have been fur the last two weeks, the yield will be ummencible, so to speak; an we can sing the joyful song uv peace an plenty in the land as hit use to be in aunty bellum days, (befo the war you no). Hit 'pears that farmers air cummin’ to their senses uv late, takin’ the advice uv you newspaper men, plantin’ mo grain an taters an less cotton, rotatin’ uv crops an usin’ mo political—I mean mo domestik economy at home an less guano. Hit will be the salvashun uv this whole country mister, ef the farmers will only keep hit up, and hit is the only way by which we can become a happy and independ ent people, hit does my old heart good to see hit goin' on an to no that the future is brighter fur our chillun. Now while we air raisin' a good deal uv corn an oats an taters an so on, we hav got lots of cotton planted too, but not all cotton like it has been here to fo. You see we air in a cotton region down here, hit grows just so, on our black pararie land without guano. Why show er farmer down here er sack uv guano an let him smell hit he would be very apt to run from hit. Hits no mistake we don’t use bit at all in this section. Cotton seed, stable manures an vegetable matter is our favorites with perhaps a little assid fosfate to make hit pulverize quick. Now Jane (my wife) says she's er gittin’* tired uv my Bluin' up here er riten an er riten an she don't see no sense in hit and says I must come rite to bed. Ef she says so I must. You don't no her,mister like I do an as I have got ergood days work afore me fur to-morrow, I ’spose she’s about rite, so I must close fur I expect that I have taxed your pashunts to much allso with the forgoln’ subjects. Well I’ll promise' not to do so any more soon as I am not much given to riten letters any way, but sometimes when the feelin’ comes on me I hav to get it off somehow or ruther so you must excuse me this time, an write to me whenever er opportunity offers hitsself. I will allows be glad to hear from you. My address is Guerrytown, Bullock county, Alabama. I mean that is where I get my letters an papers at you no. Jane's arter me agin. Pos Burs.