Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-07-28
Correspondence IF iAe Balsi'"ers Ar-'F'eas'
Barn, Morgan County. Va,
Jn{u 8. fS42.


the sea, OF Justice in Morgan county, Va,
abou, as miles from Harper's Ferry
This village lies IN pleasant, fertile. Dull
narrow valley, bounded on the East by q
long range of hills, and on the West by
Warm Spring ridge. The East side OF
this ridge, from the base Of which The
Berkeley Springs flow with sufficient force
to turn small mill, is steep and rugged,
aud is composed of sand aud sand stone.
The WIS; side slopes off more gradually,
and contains considerable luT Stone
The stream formed by the Sfrings, rises
on the West side, about midway between
the North and South ends Of the ridge,
and in its course divides the town into
nearly equal portions, utfordIng great
source OF cleanliness. Bath contains a.
bout fifty dwelling houses, Court House,
Jail, two houses oil worship, four hotels,
and number Of stores, shops, &c. Sumo
OF the Hotels are quite extensive, present.
| ing long fronts, with sufficient depth and
wing. The market a, this place is well
supplied with vegetables, fruits, poultry,
&C., the best of mutton and veal, aud not
IuHiItQutHtly Win FtblSpb'
The most attractive object in Bath is the
Public Square or Grove. In il there are
two bathing houses--one u white frame
building near the south end, for the ladies;
lie 9th, 7 for gentlemen, at the north end.
| The latter building is brick, about 40 by
80 feet, and two stories high the rooms
in the upper story are used, the one as an
Assembly Room and the Other as a Rend.
! ing Room. Both the bath houses IRE sup
Piled with water from the Springs, con-
Quoted through iron pipes under ground
into the reservoirs, the bottom and sides
Of which nre plasirred with Potomac ce-
ment lime. Wood lasts but very short
time when subjected to the action OF this
water, or the s,cnm Of ii. When the wa
ter is found too warm, i, can be cooled TO
order and, IN the contrary, il II be too
cold, the means to increase lis heat are
also at hand tits optional with the bath
er MS 10 whether he will take the bath by
plunging or shower.
! A very important item al these Springs
remains to be mn niioned-the water liseli.
Its temperature is IA degrees Of Fahfcn-
/
nary spring water. Several springs issue
from the foot OF the hill near each other,
all Of the same temperature ; and no doubt
all flow from the same source. One oil
these is near the gentlemen's bathing
house, which it supplies with water. IL
is known by tho name of the Printing
Spring." and has n handsome canopy,
with a zinc roof, supported by ten columns
of the Tuscan ord'r. Another situated
at the South end of the Grove, neatly wall
ed and capped with stone, supplies the la
dies bathing house. II is called the boil.
ing Spring." not that its hea. elevates the
mercury To 2l2 d.srees-its temperature
bring only "A degrecs-but on account
of the bubbins and ag'ated motion OF the
wal, as il is thrown upwards through u
small inverted cone in the rock.
The waters Of these Springs are most
efIicacious in eflecling cures OF raeuma-
tsm, govt and ulcers, when applied exter-
nally. Their virtue when so used 10 now
no longer a question Of doubtful charac-
ter. Persons who have visited the Springs
80 cnleeblej by disease iha: they had to
be earned to the bath, have 81 fn recov-
cred as 10 be able not only TO walk well,
but, before leaving, TO figure in the ball
room. From these waters, rs they issue
from the Springs, there is constantly es-
Gaping gas, the nature oil which has not
been nsceriaincd. They contain n guam
ti,y of fine white sand invisible to the ma.
ked eye, and some alkaline or earthly
matter. When the water is heated, tn 81
substances are Immediately preciptaicd.
In these ncrusailons the sand is apparent,
and if an acid is applr d, eflervcscrnce is
the result.
From this il is inferred that drinking
this water proves bcnrGciaI to dyspepsia,
&C., by combining with AMI ncu,ralizlng
the acids in the stomach. When taken
in great quantities il acts US dlure,ic,
aud would, perhaps, if U.s. d freely, coun.
tcract nciplen, gravel or tendency to cal.
culus. The bathing properties Of this wa
ter are said 20 have been discovered by
the WHITES about one hundred years ago;
they noticed the Indians washing in il for
the cure of pains and ulcers.
The Bath Square contains about four
acres, aud was presented 10 the State of
Virginia BY Lord FAIRFAX, then propric-
tor Of the Northern Neck of the State.
Up to the year 1920, the Springs were in
Berkeley county, aud the name of"Beike-
ley Springs" is yet retained, though they
are now in Morgan county. During the
summer season, Gen. WASHINGTON, Lord
FAIRFAx, end other distinguished men
we're in the habit of visiting these Springs.
They had houses bull, in the vicinity for
their own use, the remains Of which are
yet to be seen. In these they passed the
season for attending the waters.
| The country round abou: the Springs
is picturesque, and exhibits a delightful
appearance at this season OF the year.
II also abounds in mineral springs. Those
OF iron and sulphur are found in great
numbers. Several Of these are on The
road between Bath and Hancock. Clear,
cold and wholesome waters issue in great
profusion from the neighboring noun
.ains.
Persons visiting Berkeley Springs, are
sure to meet good fare and reasonable
bills and such are tho pleasures to be
found at this "ancient watering place"
that but few leaye il Bt the close of the