Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-16
For The Enquirer.

A TRIP TO THE VALLEY OF vIRGINI
On one of the days of Autumn in Virginia,
when The yellow leaves Of the torres, give indica-
tions that Summer is ended-when the husband
mans hopes and fears for the reward ofhis labors,
end in sober cerlany-I took the cars from low
er Virginia for trip to the romantic regions Of
the mountains. In less than half day the blue
mountains, with their undulalions like the waves
OF the ocean in gale, stretched from North 10
South, covered with the veIdant forests which, on
the South side reach their summils. Each re-
gion OF the earth has peculiar advantages and
ills which the inhabitants enjoy and labor under,
which eQuaize pretty much the condition OF men.
The regions OF perpetual verdure where storms
and disease render The tenure oil human life pre-
carious, have delicious fruits, and with little la
Dor have an abundance Of the means OF subsis.
.encs. In the Northern regions, where man by
the sweat Of the brow wrings from sterile soils
his food, the human race attain to the greatest
perfection in physical energy and mental endow-
ments. Lower Virginia, 10 compensate her in
habitants for autumnal levers, has commercial
facilities and natural resources OF subsistence un
known to the mountain regions. The polish
which people must always receive from foreign
and domestic commerce, must and will Tend 10
give to the Eastern portion Of the Uned States
an advaSase over the Western regions. But The
advantages that each portion OF our State are
blessed with, must tend 10 bind the whole together
in friendly intercourse
The health Of the mountains will be sought in
autumn by the people of the East; and the more
genial climate Of the East in winter, with the
wild fowl fish, oysters and trade, will bring the
mountaineers 10 the land OF rivers and bays.
The evening brought US TO Charlottesville, that
beautiful town.
The location of the University of Virginia in
the healthy and romantic region of the Stale, Sc
cuded from the fashion and folly OF large cities,
with well-endowed professorships, has strong
claims TO public patronage. The diminution Of
tina, encouragement il has heretofore received, |
think has been occasioned by The power given TO
the Faculty. No decisive dismissions from the
University should be made without the action oil
the Visitors, or at least OF the Executive Com
miltee The hot haste OF Professors laboring IN
der what they frequently deem personal insults,
has heretofore been prejndicial TO the institution
Our Legislature, in gratitude to its founder, The
beneiaclor of his State and country, and tor The
honor and welfare ofthe Stale, should do every
thing necessary TO promote its prosperity.
The Universities OF England, Scotland and
Ireland have done more for Great Britain than
all her armies and navies. Virginia is central
State; took the lead in the Revolutionary War;
has furnished most OF the Presidents of The Uni
ted States; and her University, well managed, will
best sustain her ancient power and fame. Braced
by the pure mountain air and the delightful tare
OF my host, Mr.. Turpin on delightful day in
the later part of September. | mounted horse
back TO reach The Valley by way of Browns
Gap. The wild scenery on nearing the Blue
Ridge, awoke in me the most agreeable and de-
ishlful sensations. The extended sleeping sur
lace OF a boundless ocean, and mountains tow
ering in sublimiy 10 The heavens, raised our con-
cep,ions from the ordinary Thoughts OF monoio-
nous everyday lite 10 the great source OF power
that spoke the world into existence.
In going over this pass for four or i've
miles, you wind up tributary stream oil
the Rivanna River, crossing its rocky bed
two or three times in every mile, until you wend
into what is called Browns Cove, and appear 10
be shut in BY mountains on every side. The as
cent Of the mountains by zis-zas trace, places
the Cove apparently al your feet, with It's houses
and 6elds-and when nearing the summit OF the
pass, the valley of Virginia and the great North
mountains suddenly burst on the sight. The
descent strikes a tributary OF one branch OF The
Shenandoah, and you wend 10 the base OF The
mountain between mountains on either side
with hoary, moss-covered rocks, which appear
lettering from their SUBMITS 10 crush you be-
meath them.
The valley OF Virginia is destined 10 become
the most populous portion Of our Slate. The
lands already fertile, have the means OF coninu-
ing that fertility through all time. The lime
stone, when burned and applied TO the soil, will
renew its exhausted vigor. The population OF
portion Of The valley, the descendants OF some Of
The most industrious population OF Holland, will
tend TO raise the value of the lands. These peo.
pie are the best farmers in Virginia. They sue
coed invariably in acquiring comparative wealth,
and raising their sons 10 see, that by pursuing
the footsteps Of their fathers, they will acquire
competency; they settle in the neighborh0cd and
by pursuing their example, succeed in enrich
ing themselves, beau!ilyins the country, and add
ing 10 the prosperity Of the commonly. The
Eastern Virginians would do WELL most OF them,
TO take trip 10 the valley 10 see one oilhe Dutch
farms. Here you will find The means all adapt
ed 70 the ends. All the stock Of every de.eriP-
ton at all,imes we'll sheltered 10 high health and
yigor. fat and sleek The fields all we'll enclosed
and made fertile; the crops sbundant, and Sc
cured wilhou, any possibility oil injury, except
by fire and the acts OF Providence. The pecu-
liari,ies Of these people will wear away with
time, and probably luxury and fashion may make
some inroads in their manners and morals, but
the impetus given by them 10 agricultural ini-
provements will be as lasnoe ~ 'no "eee'''''.'
of the human race.
Owing to the unanimity in public sentiment IN
noliticai matters, the Democracy of the Tenth
Legion have been tainted with ignorance, but
| rather think those making the assertion would
be disposed to relract it by visit to The delight
tu region OF the valley. Ignorance and poverty,
with some exceptions, are generally nearly al
lied, and where the means OF subsistence are
abundant, the soil is congenal 10 knowledge
| The interes, Of the East and West clearly
calls for close commercial and friendly in
ercourse, and those who oppose il, bndy feier
the resources and energies Of our native State,
and paralyze our comparative physical and po-.
itical power in the Union. The extension OF
the Louisa railroad and The navigation OF the
Jane. river will give facilities 10 the valley re-
| eion that will benefit them and add TO The COM
| fort and wealth Of Eastern Virginia, and chal-
! enge the united exerlions OF the valley and &C.
nervous support in the East.