11. On June 27th, 1857, an event occurred in North Carolina which brought sadness to the whole State. Rev. Elisha Mitchell, D. D., while making researches and surveys upon Black Mountain, in the darkness of night, lost his way and fell over a very steep precipice and waterfall, and was killed. His remains were found, eleven days after the accident, in a pool of clear water at the foot of the waterfall. They are now resting on the highest point of the mountain, and the spot is known as "Mitchell's Peak." Dr. Mitchell found, by measurement, that the Black Mountain was the highest point of land east of the Rocky Mountains. "Mitchell's Peak" is 6,672 feet above the level of the sea, and 244 feet higher than Mount Washington, in New Hampshire. 12. After the defeat of Charles Manly by David S. Reid, of Rockingham, for Governor in 1852, the Democrats continued to gain in strength in each succeeding election. In 1854, Governor Bragg was elected to succeed Governor Reid, by an increased majority, over Hon. John A. Gilmer, the Whig candidate. Messrs. Mangum and Badger were succeeded by Governor Reid and Colonel Asa Biggs, of Martin, as United States Senators; and when, in 1858, another Governor was to be chosen, both Judge John W. Ellis, of Rowan, and his competitor, Duncan K. MacRae, of Cumberland, claimed to be defenders of the Democratic faith. The differences between the North and the South were fast bringing the people of North Carolina to one mind. QUESTIONS. 1. Of what does this chapter treat ? How was the election of President, Pierce considered ? 2. What is said of internal improvements? 3. What educational progress was being made? 4. How was the value of lands increasing? 5. What is said of the Presidential campaign of 1852? 6. In what condition were religious matters? 8. How was the question of slavery affecting some of the religious denominations? 7. What new party was organized in Massachusetts? What was the main policy of the "Know-Nothings"? 8. What is said of this new party? 9. What party next originated? 10. How was the South affected by "Squatter Sovereignty"? 11. What fatal accident befell Dr. Elisha Mitchell in 1857? 12. What changes in the government of the State are now mentioned? CHAPTER LIV. PRESIDENT LINCOLN AND THE WAR. A. D. 1860 TO 1861. 1860. After seventy years of party struggles touching the relations of the General Government to the individual States, the Presidential contest of 1860 opened with such notes of violence and public confusion, that it was at once seen that at last the supreme crisis had come.