The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-04

| mains are also found In the rocks at Calaghansi
about 20 miles north or the White sulphur, and In
other parts Of the State A fossil called Encrin, Is
found in the Blue Ridge, and has been observed In
| the columns Of the Senate Chamber, at Washing
ton, which were procured in Virginia. The usual
inference Is that the mountains where these remains
are found were once covered with water.
Some Of the mountains along this road are OF sim
gular figure We observed an elevated ridge, with
spurs projecting from at right angles and al regu-
lar intervals, like the abuimenis Of wall.
Within three or four miles Of the Sweet Springs
is an interesting object known as Beaver Dam Falls
SO called from the fact Of The beavers once having
built dam across stream there, causing the wa
to overflow lille valley for several miles The
water, after crossing open meadow, now falsover
a ledge OF rocks some 40 or SO feet into wild and
rocky rayine. What is most curious about il now
u.s. that the wafer holds in solution large proper
ton Of lime, which is precipitaed at every STEP II
encrasts with stone almost every thing il touches for
sufficient time The cascades themselves are some
times thus formed, and it is supposed that the en-
crustaion, or trarertine, as IL is called, In some
places, may be 100 feet deep. You will observe a
tree at the base OF The falls and within reach of the
spray, the lower part Of which, limbs and body, is
encased In stone. The stones and twigs and stnmps
within reach Of the water are covered with this
semicrystallne calcareous matter. We suppose the
lime is held In solution by carbonc acid which es-
capes by exposure, and thus allows the calcareous
matter to separate We found bunch Of grapes
thus turned TO sione-a beautiful specimen The
whole place seems to be sort of pefaetorg, II such
word will convey my meaning, and a large com
pany of us, among whom were some interesting
ladies, after making some pretty discoveries in
cave near by, all hurried away lest we too should be
turned TO stone. II any one is conscious Of being
too soft, let him 60 TO Beaver Dam Falls and get his
ease-hardensd. We believe the same phenomena
are exhibited at the Falling Spring, waterfall near
the Hot, heretofore mentioned.
The valley in which the Sweet Springs are 81
tuated is more open, and probably has longer been
place of public resort than the others we have de-
scribed. But nature has placed all these fountains
Of health in spots the most inviting II the fountains
OF Greece and Italy are surrounded by as much
loneliness il is wonder that men, In darker ages
shonldha bestowed presiding genius on them
But tie laurel groves and the citrons can scarcely be
more agreeable than these venerable oaks, these
pretty knobs, gentle lawns, and sparkling waters.
These springs though called "Sweet" are pro-
perly thermal ucidulous springs; BECAUSE they pos
temperature above that of the region in which
they are situated, and sufficiently carbonated to
be OF an acid taste. Their temperature is "a deg,
and they contain sulphue of magnesia, or EPSON
salts, carbonate of magnesia, sulphae OF soda mu-
ra,e of soda, or as Il is Uulgayly called common sa
bcarbonate of soda carbonate OF lime which sup
pose may be chalk or MARBLE free carbonic acid,
and carbonic acid gas which is constantly rising
and traces Of iron and siliceous or finty matter
These waters are therefore, probably, unlike those
of any other spring in the United States The only
waters analogous to them, we have heard OF, are
those of yichi and Mount dor in France; the
Selzer of Wholesalers in Nassau, and the Carlsbad
Springs in Bohemia; all in Europe.
They have an exhilirating effect, quickening the
pulse and not unfrequenlly exciting headache
valuable results in nervous, dyspeptlc, hillary, and
other complaints which we shall not undertake TO
enumerate are attributed to them Talk with Jean
De Lorme who has lived in the vicinity 40 years,
and has been l6 years the casos balneoran he will
tell you what they have accomplished, II not ho''
they operate After drinking and bathing de-
lighful glow upon the surface is frequently felt
The Bath-house which is Of brick covers two baths
Of 80 feet square EACH for each sex and of the
most agreeable description. Think Of swimming in
exhilifatng gas, and sparkling soda water! What
more luxurious for languid summers day!
These springs were formerly resort, odoub, OF
the Mastodon, as monStrous tooth belonging to that
class Of visilers was not long since found in th
spring II has long been favorite retreat oil The
South Carolinians. The old cabins which have vii
messed many of mans fantastic tricks are OF various
forms and sizes, some of them scattered among The
trees, and others gathered around a grassy obos%
square. One Of the old buildings, until recently
containing the bar was formerly familiar with he
voice Of Patrick Henry. Justice and Bacchus estHh'
lshed their bars, as is frequently the case, in tue
same room, and many an illustrious parsonage ha>
been ingenious enough practise al both atthe SAM
time we do not intend to intimate that such VS.
the case with Henry.
Within the last year the enterprising proprietor
Dr. John B. Lewis, has erected handsome and cx-
tensive brick Hotel, called the Great Western
This is $50 feet long, As feet wide, and stories
high. with sort of terrace walk in front above tie
basement ornamented with three doric porticos--
The dining room is unusually spacious, being leo
feet long 40 feet WIDE and unobstruced by single
post or pillar. There is also convenient ballroom
a reading room, and variety of other apartments,
for all necessary purposes. A row OF CABINS, de-
scrbng the segment OF circle is to be attached 10
each end so that the whole will form cresceni.
When all is completed there will be room enough
for 500 persons, and more agreeable spot for the
summer rambler will scarcely be found.
About mile from the Hotel is Red Spring, $50
called because il exhibits red precipitate at bot
tony which holds nearly half its volume in car
homie acid gas. The waters are otherwise nearly
he same as those of the Sweet except that the tenn.
perature is higher, viz 76 deg.
The number OF yisiters last year at the Sweet
was about 1900. Late in this current month, there
were nearly 200 present, among whom were several
pc rsons Of considerable distinction
THE EpiToR.
Onhe Wing, Va, August, 1889