Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-08-25
The Virginia ArgriS.
RICH MONDE:
SATURDAY. AUGUST o5. 1904.

-
IenHet " a ieiter from aSea,leniaa, novo trIeei.
Ing for tbe pnpcSe 9f viewing Ire na,m,ai c1gio
si.ies in TIE Western Parts 81 tbs STATE. to 5is
J'iert IN Petersburg, dated Lee CoHi6ozsc, 26ib
.9Kly, 1904.
- accomplished on Monday last the most n
borious job ever undertook this was, the inca
suring the Natural Bridge in this county, /" the
most sublime Of Natures works This bridge
Is l5+ feet higher than the Natural Bridge in
Rockbr;dge county; being $50 fee, in perseudi :.
cu'ar heigh'. its summit projects S7 feet over its
base, IT fronts to the south west. and is arched
p regular as could be by the hand of arr; the
arch in front is about 300 feet high, and stones
Oh 50 feet at the distance of los feet from the
enerance-fron It's mouth in I straight direction
measures 400 feet--thence at right angles 500 f.
thence crossing the second line at 80 fl. from the
wall 10 the other end $40 feet; the roof is regu.
larry arched, and gradually desccnds to Is feet.
winch is the lowest pare at the intersection Of the
second angle it then rises 70 90 So 40 and rs
feet, which is the height OF the north. cast en-
trance The stream of water which runs under
this bridge is from $50 to IS feet wide at its
common height.-The head of this stream (Stocl,
Creek) is from three 70 four miles above the
bridge, rising out of knob or spur of Clinch
Moun,ain and emp;ies Itself three miles below
into C!inch rver--this creek is suddenly sweled
by rains sometimes TO 10 and ID fee, perpendicu-
lar bur Is soon run out. There is Wagon road
over the bridge, which is only used in time of
freshes, and that is the only part that can be
crossed-on approaching it to the southwest
front, it produces the most pleasing, awful sen,
satons; the front is 4 solid rock of limestone.
the surface very smooth and regular formed IN \
semi circle, the rock of Il bright yellow colour,
which colour is heightened by the rays of the
sun, the arch is partly obscured- by spur of rhe
ridge which runs down the edge of the creek in
front Of the arch. Across the creek stand Sc.
vera beautiful uees the most elegant and lux.
uriant is Cucumber Tree, teeming with fiuit
the leaves are from Q TO 2 IL feet in length, and
foot in width this, with two white cedars
and three white walnut trees. adds very much TO
the beauty of the scene-to decribe it, would be
vain attempt, and can only be done by the skill
full Inner.
=" If the scene below creates such pleasing sem
sa,ions, what must that from above be Ii fills
the mind with horror From the level OF the
summit of the ridge where the road passes, to the
verge of the assure, the mountain descends about
Is degrees Of an angle, and is from As to so feet
perpendicular he,ght-you involuntarily slide
down feet foremost, holding on to every twig
you pass, until you reach the verge which is for
or D feet less steep; the rock is covered with
= thick stratum Of earth, which gives growth to
many large trees; from this landing place to the
verge is descent of feet, so steep that it can.
nor he approached near enough to look over-to
the west of The arch about 400 yards the ascent
70 the verge is much eveller, where you may
look into the abyss below. My guide was an old
hunter, who had for many years been accuston,.
ed TO cambering over the steepest mountains
on approaching the verge, the horror of the scene
below inundated him for a few moments, bur
he could presently walk along the verge with
composure. This bridge may be- passed by thou
sands, without knowledge o. it, unless attra6t-
ed by the roaring ofthe water below