Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-07-09
DEFERRED ARTICLES.
SCOTTSvILLE DITCH.

| We had often heard of this great and unparalleled
achievement, we know not to say whether Of art
or nature. Tor at the present Moment it is difficult
to distinguish which has exerted the prevailing in
fiuence In ITS formation. But, no matter to whom
to what the curiosity belongs it is curiosity and
mafvei,--lt deserves to be added to the seven
wonders OF the world we doubt whether there is.
ever was, or ever will be- another similar constr,ic-
ton and, as the progress of the age is onward as
the voice OF enterprise and Improvement is beginning
to make itself heard in Virginia, advise ali those
who would see for themselves spectacle which is
not likely to be again witnessed until the return of
the barbarsm of the middle ages, to take the first
boat to Scottsvie, and undertake pilgrimage upon
the renowned thoroughfare which bears its name.
We can speak by the card. We have lately
made voyage what is f;,cetously styled the
Scottsvile road, and thankful as we are that VIC
escaped shipwreck, we cannot altogether Danish
from our minds the memory of the disconlforts and
perils of the navigation. We hereby return our
grateful acknowledgements to Mr. Dull the skilful
and experienced pilot, who deserves better fate
than TO spend his life upon the shallow and DANCE
rous waters of this inland sea- and hope he may live
10 see the day when the genius of McAdam will
give MN resting place upon dry land, and the am
Phibous animals which are chained to his car will
nc able to attain the luxury of trot, without excl
ting universal admiration mingled with ave.
The Scottsville road is peculiar in combining al
most all the great features of modern Improvements
and retaining, at the same time. every disadvantage
of the rudest kind of primitive travelling which can
interrupt the case and peril the lives of adventurous
pilgrims-At times, you have the mud turnpike,
and gently sink in the soft earth with but remote
hope OF ever again seeing the cheering light OF day.
AT another period, you placed upon what is sty-
ed by Mr. Dull rail road, consisting of logs laid
cross WISE which, at every movement of the vehi-
cle produce succession of agreeable Shocks arous-
ing into fresh activity the blood which had grown
sluggish in your passage through a vast expanse of
oil ooze. Finally, you are introduced to n natural
canal, variegnted here and there by an island yonr
horses taking to the water as naturally as ducks.
ii 1t be warm day. you will be prepared to enjoy
bath for the feet, without the necessity of leaving
the stage. Such, without much exapgeration was
the condition of the Scottsvie Straits at the time
we attempted the perilous passage, and thanks to
our Neptune OF a conductor, We're at last enabled to
anchor IN safety at the thriving port of Scottsville
Seriously, however, is it not disgrace to the
Commonwealth that this most wretched of all roads
suffered to remain the only avenue by which an
immense amount of trade from some of the richest
counties OF the State find outlet to the metro
polls The cost of Matchmaking the road would
be contemptbly insignificant compared with the vast
returns winch would arise from a1ording facilities
10 market for the great agricultural wealth Of Abe
marie and Augusta. The importance of such an
Improvement TO the James River Canal and to the
city 81 Richmond must be too evident to require
comment. We hope 10 be able at future time to
present some statistics of interest upon this point.
ana trust that the region of country particularly
concerned and our entetprizng citizens will unite
their efforts to obtain from the next Legislature the
adoption OF n wise and liberal policy which will
develope the resources of most fertile portion of
virginia and secure its trade against all possibility
Oh hazard, to Virginia City.-Rich. Republican.