The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-18

LErrERs OF A cosvALEscEsT.
No. XII.

BALCONY FALLS. LFNcnpuR0. nicnMoED
A few miles east Of the Natural Bridge is the In
teresting Pass Of the James River through the Blue
Ridge. Coming east, we forded the broad and i'm
petuous rivera dangerous passage, and, by the
bye, II would be Bothered by bridge or ferry
and approached the rocky, grey headed and broken
line of the Blue Ridge, under the BLACKLIST clouds,
and amidst the fercest lhunderings As the James
River winds around and draws near the apparently
indispensable barrier, the hills suddenly withdraw
10 respectful distance. right and len, as the Red
Sea once parted before the Israeles and the waters
dash through the rocky opening fearless Of the
frowning cliffs, the Kissing winds and the growing
caves, glad creatures for the and full Of ife."
A canal for the passage Of bateaux, has been dug
along The side ofthe river for the distance Of about
seven miles, and the public road winds among the
rocks and hills above H. From the highest point Of
the road the view westward Is beaulilul-far down
below, the river approaches and runs under your
left-up the stream, you see dam across the en-
tire river-the canal and It's miniature boats--ihe
wild hills either side, and through the VISTA dis
tant mountains, robed in blue. The canal, at one
place. hangs like balcony the side of the rocks,
out OF whose sides It's channel Is dug and hence we
suppose the name Of the falls.
The road down the mountain was as crooked as
the Presidents route TO New York: and in conse-
quence OF the frequent rains, the surface was as
treacherous as the heart OF demagogue. But In
spite OF hot sun, a humid atmosphere heavy mud,
and tagged horses, we reached at length the summit
of the last hill Of the Quohee country. After an
animated discussion of Mr.. Davis bacon, we took
a peep at Lynchburg, nine miles off on the plain,
and were whrled into that same place at a rapid
rate, We met dozen of its citizens shooting night
hawks, or they call them, bats for their suppers.
Lynchburgis in Campbell county. on the south
bank OF the James River and Is one of the principal
andmos fourishing towns of Virginia. It contain
ed In 1880, we think, $50 inhabitants; we should
Judge il now has double that number. Il commands
comprehensive trade with the surrounding country,
and its manufactures are both numerous and extern
sive. II Is OF the largest tobacco inspections in
the world; from 10000 To 1900 hogsheads being
inspected there annually The chief articles of ex-
port are tobacco, -four and hemp The Morus Null
cauls fourishes largely in its vicinity and an ex-
tensive cocoonery Is In operation, so thai silk may
possibly be yet added to the list. It Is distant 40
miles from Richmond, with which city il commune
Gates by balteaux through the improved navigation
OF the James River. Il is brisk, city hike place,
little red and dngy In It's appearance perhaps lit
tie lcentious here and there (and what city is not y
and its main street with its shops hotels &c. mar
shaied into long lines like militia shoulder to shout
der, present quite an imposing aspect. The James
River is navigated by batteaux, Gan old fashioned
way of doing business about 100 miles above Lynch
burg by Of cuts and sluices like the canal be-
fore mentioned. There is a canal at Richmond, 10
facilitate the kind Of navigation 30 miles long.
The Roanoke River, which is a few miles south Of
Lynchburg Is rendered navigable by similar means,
from Weldon in Norh Carolina, TO Salem in the
Valley Of Virginia, distance Of 244 miles.
The route from Lynchburg to Richmond srather
uninteresting. You go through the amiabe process
of being aroused as soon as you are fairly asleep,
start before daylight, and ride in delicious state Of
soporiferousness TO Buckingham Courthouse 10
dine. Cold dinner. Yankee stage driver thinks
the Yirginians have no more hospitality, charity or
integrity than hrir counts ynirr the Yankees Negro
boys in field MASKING apples with pesiles in
trough, common way of making cider. Pass
through Cumberland county, and arrive at Carriers
vile IL o'clock at night-80 miles from Lynchburg.
Go to bed, catch 40 winks, horn is blown in your
ears, and you crawl into the stage half awake at O.
BY the bye, many Of the farms along the James Ri
yer are first rate-some charming scenery--alluvial
soi-corn tall and lnxuriant- Multicaulis prodigi-
ous-obacco broad hogs running with impuniiy in
its midst-nohing touch the weed but the tobacco
worm, and an absurd animal OF the order mamma
la bimana-dine in Richmond, 40 miles from Car
tersville-Farc from Lynchburg to Richmond, 40
miles, S9-less than travelling in the mountains
which costs generally about 10 cents or more
mile.
Richmond is quite an imposition-that is, it has
an imposing appearance, whether you approach it
from the west south, or east II stands alone upon
an eminence on the north bank Of the river and de-
generacy has reached only of its quarters and
few Off politicians The James River is broad and
rapid, and is crossed BY an old bridge above the town
and by handsome new one mile in length for the
passage Of the Fredericksburg Rail Road Steam
boats and other Graf, navigating the James below
Richmond, land, perhaps, mile below the Capitol,
ir the suburbs OF the city The city is planted prin-
cipay along the front face of the HILL and its main
street IS long, quite compact but more quiet than the
streets OF some Of our northern and western cities
The city is very well built, and its situation is
healthy and commanding. The Capitol occupies
the most conspicuous position, and the view from it,
Of the surrounding country, is comprehensive, and
in some points very beautiful. The Capitol is
plain honest two story buildings as every body knows,
with doric portico at the front end and entrances
on each side The Hall Of the Assembly is small
room in the rear and the Senate Chamber is direct
ly over II in the second story. The corresponding
rooms in front are room for the Executive and his
Council and Library. In the centre Of the build
ing, is an excellent marble statue Of Washington,
executed in Paris, and bust Of Lafayette. Offices
in the basement. Mr.. Jefferson sent the model of
THIS edi6ce from Paris. The Courthouse in the
rear is beautiful building of much better taste
There is commodious house in the adjoining
square exclusively reserved ior the use OF the Co
vernon. The public buildings are constantly guard
ed by patrols with musket and military dress. The
State employs standing army Of men to protect
thepubic property and to overawe insurrection, &c.
The other public buildings are The Penientiary.