The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-31
CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTERS OF A coNvALEscENr.
No. Nv
THE WARM SPRINGS.

THE WARM SPRINGS.
The Warm Spring is situated Ia charming
little basin with an opening through the hills south
whittier lis waters fow Il has been denominaled
the Alpha and The Omega Of the soiourn Of a
northerner at the springs OF Virginia; because Il is
the first point OF rest and Il last Of departure,
less the traveller chooses break through the noun
tains east OF The Red Sulphur, and return by
more circuilous route. The buildings consist OF
brick hotel about 100 feet long ronled bya spacious
porco extending its whole length; smaller hotel
recently erected upon similar plan; several brick
cabins, number of small log huts and bath
house. The principal hotel, which is kept by Col.
Fry, contains besides It's bed rooms, commodious
dining ROOM a comfortable parlour, and an apart
ment ior dancing. The table is very decently sup
Piled and seat is allotted each vsiter in the order
Of arrival, which he discovers by card on his plate
bearing his name. This practice obyiales confu-
sion and dissatisfaction, and is pursued at all the
springs Of this State. The lodgings generally,
no doubt satisfactory, but had the misfortune Of
being placed in rickety log hut upon narrow cot
with neither head nor foot board and found oursef
in the morning. quite as much faligued, as rested,
by The efforts we had found il necessary to make
during the night to keep the upper hand of The bed.
But we must not complain, for tie best apartments
modang as possible.
The bath Is covered by an octagonal wooden
building, with four dressing rooms, one at each
cardinal point of the compass, each Of which may
BE- entered from the outside, and communicating
with the bath by stone steps. The mineral deposle
at the bottom gives the water in the bath green
ish hue; but In glass, il is brilliant and transpa-
rent It has strong odor, perhaps Of nitrogen,
and It's average temperature is that OF the blood viz:
80 deg. II Affords nevertheless most, delightful
bath the grand Sultan cannot command of
greater luxury. The prescribed time for remain
ing In the bath is about Is minutes; the bather is
mol 10 exercise himself by swimming or splashing
the water the surface Of the body becomes covered
with minute bubbles Of gas on coming out, the bS,h
keeper gives the patient fine rubbing with coarse
towel, and profuse perspiration begins to flow.
Mr.. Jefferson, who is said TO have spent many Of
his days at this place. calculated tha, the spring dis
charged through the gate Of the ba,h house besides
leaks The copious food of three hogsheads per mi
mute
The gas which is constantly 'bubbling up" in the
BATH consists Of nitrogen, with minute quantities of
sulphuretled hydrogen and carbonic acid. Each
gallon OF the water also contains, it is said, 4, S
cubic inches Of gas, in the following proportions:
| Nitrogen 3.25 cubic inches.
Suphuretted hydrogen OBS do do
Carbonic acid 100 do do
The saline contents of one gallon Of water are as
follows: ,,...@ ,..
Muriate oflime 1908
sulphurate Of mageesia 1884
Carbonate of lime 1928 @ NV
Suphurale Of lime 54G6
237o6
| A trace Of soda no doubt in stale of muriate.
Taken internally, the water is said TO operate be-
nefcially as a c3rrector Of an acid stomach, and as
gentle aperient.
An ancient piece of architecture, something like
Dutch barrack, with seats, indicates fountain
where the invalid may sit and quaf the waters at
his leisure. Below this is an old building contain
ing a shower BATH and bath for those who are too
modest to enter the public one.
The water flowing from these springs continues
tepd for the distance of two or three miles below,
summer and winter . ."."a sa
Persons may amuse themselves at these springs at
ten pins quos riding 10 the tops Of the surrounding
hills TO survey the finest scenery, hunting in the
forests which abound with game
| The arrivals commence in the latter part of May,
and end with October. The number of visitors in
1887 was l684-in 1888, it was 1874
The Hotel is built upon the site Of an old fort,
which was occupied many years ago for the protec-
tion Of the settlers against the Indians The bones
of the Commandant, Maj. McClannahan were dis
Inferred as is believed when the cellar was dug
Hisjaw bone is exhibited TO the curious.
The spring is said to have been discovered by a
Maj. Bawler, who, being pursued by the Indians,
jumped into the water, and found il delightful
place of concealment until danger was past.
The proprieorshp Of the whole is in a company
Ind ckpnhn pfR ;c s,;d
hold the greatest number of shares Distance from
Saunton, So miles.
Col. Fry, is very good nalured landlord and re-
ales great many funny anecdotes, in the desire of
keeping his guests in as good humor as himself
Amongst variety Of good things, he gives them
plenty of venison to eat, and charges them but SO
per week
| This county is not only Conservative in its pre-
cious waters, bu also in politics. The Conserva-
tive delegate elect to the Legislature, was opposed
by Loco-foco, whose electioneering speech may
furnish the Globe with additional illustration Of
the justice Of its claims 10 all the literature"
Fellow citizens" said the mountain Loco foco
orator, pma warm'd up thro' going administra-
ton mani goes the whole fgger-I come out on
my own toot-nobody axed me TO come out don't
care whether Wing votes for me or not"
"Colonel, what doyou think Of the Subtreasury?"
asked by-sander.
Sub-treasury--Sub-tr MISUNDERSTANDING his
head -wel don't seem to like that much"
Yours,
| .. THE EDITOR.
| White Sulphur, July, 1882
| DIED,
In this city, on Friday last, ALICE S. eldest daugh
ter of Lund Washing on jr. Esq, of the Land Office.
Miss Washington was one of those young ladies