American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-11-12
From the ". York Christian Herald.
A SCENE IN VIRGINIA.

On lovely morning, towards the close OF Spring,
found myself in very beautiful part of the Great
Valley OF Virginia-Spurred onward by mpati-
ence, beheld the Sun rising in spendor, and chan
ging the blue nts on the tops ofthe lofty Allegheny
mountains into streaks OF the purest gold, and ma
ture seemed TO smile in the freshness OF beauty. A
ride of about fifteen miles, and pleasant woodland
ranble OF about two, brought my2elf and companion
| to the great Natural Bridge.
| Although had been anxiously looking forward
to this time, and my mind had been considerably
excited by expectation, yet was not altogether pre-
pared for the visit. This great work of nature is
considered by many as the second great curiosity
in our country Niagara Falls being the first. ! do
not expect to convey very correct idea of this
bridge, for no description can do this
The natural bridge is entirely the work of God.
1t is of solid limestone, and connects two huge
tains together by most beautiful arch, over which
there is great Wagon road.--Its length from one
mountain to the other, is nearly eighty feet, its
width about S5 its thickness about As, and its per-
pendicular height the is not far from 900
feet. few bushes grow on its top, by which the
traveller may hold himself as he looks over. On
each side of the stream, and near the bridge, are
rocks projecting ten or fifteen feet the water,
and from 200 TO 800 from its surface, all oflime-
stone. The visitor cannot give so good descrip-
ton ofthis bridge he can of his feelings al the
| rock, and looking down chasm of from 40 TO 20
| feet wide, he sees nearly 500 feet below, wide
stream foamng and dashing against the rocks
beneath, as il terrified at the rocks above. This
stream 10 called Cedar Creek. The visitor here
sees trees under the arch, whose height is 20 feet
and yet TO look down upon them, they appear like
small bushes of perhaps two or thee feet in height
| | saw several birds fly under the arch and looked
| like insects. threw down a stone, and couEted
81 before it reached the water. All hear OF heights
and Depths but they here what is high, and they
Itremble, and feel it to be deep.-The awful rocks
lpresent their everlasting buments, the water muir.
murs and ioams far below, and the two mountains
rear their proud heads each side, separated by
lchannel Of sublimity. Those who view the sun
the moon, and the stars, and allow that none but
Icon could make them, will here be fully Impressed
that none but almighty God could build bridge
like this.
The view of the bridge from below, is as pleasing
las the Top is awlul.-The arch from beneath would
|seem to be about TWO feet in thickness. Some idea
Iof the distance from the top to the bottom may be
formed from the tact that as stood The bridge
81 and my companion beneath, neither of US could
. speak loud enough to be heard by the other. A
man, from either view, does not appear more thar
flour or FIVE inches in height.
AS we stood under this beautiful arch, we saw
1.-The place where visitors have often taken the pains
Ito engrave their names upon the rock. Here Wash
I neton cimed up 25 feet and carved hs name, wher,
}, lie still remains. Some wishing to mmortaze thei
d pamcs, have engraved them deep and large, Will,
others have tried 10 climb up and insert them il
J the book of fame.
A few years since. young man, being ambition