Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-23
Correspondence of the New York Observer
Letters from and about virginia.

Correspondence OF the New Ork ODseNCT
Letters from and about virginia.
The NATURAL BRiDGE.-The Natural Bridge
Of Virginia, certainly one of the most wonderful
curiosilies in the world. is fifteen miles south
west from Lexington, one hundred and seventy
twu from Richmond and two hundred and thr-
teen from Washington.
was fortunate in the time of my visit and in
lha company. 1t was one Of those fine days in
early June when the sun and clouds contend for
the heavens, and pleasantly divide theday between
them; the rain of the night before having laid the
dust, and washed the face Of nature making it
more fresh and lovely; as | set out fora drive TO
the bridge, with my friend Prof. Calhoun, of
Washington College, who had long been familiar
with this delightful region Of country. The nat
ural scenery south of Lexington was more COM
manding aud exciting than any which had yet
seen in the valley. The mountains more nearly
approach each other; aud rise to greater height
with more Of the wild and sublime. Directly in
front Of us as we rode 10 the south, the cUlcbra-
ted Peaks of Outer lowered above the surround
ing SUBMITS, giant hills, which in Jeltrson's time
were supposed TO be the highest in North Amcr-
ca. The lollirsi summit though twenty miles
away from us, gi5lened in the sun more than u
mile above tho level of the sea. and it is easy to
perceive by tho make Of the country that the
view from thai peak must be glorious beyond all
description. had, while in Richmond, rccciv-
ed letter from friend in Bedford county, in
wing me to that region to see the Peaks Of Oucr
and the Kingdoms Of the world from the top of
them, but This with many similar invitations was
compelled TO decline. at is said that John Ram
doIph once spent the night on this height, attend
ed by no one but his servant; and that when in
the morning he had winGssedlhc suuri5ng over
the macstic scene, he turned to his servant, hav-
ing gnoothcrtowhomh he could express sthoughts,
and charged him, never from that time to believe
any one who told him there was no God.
Bot these mountains were in the distance; 9th.
ers were nearer at hand and presented new lea.
lures Of attraction, on which the eye dwclt with
ever increasing pleasure. We were now APP
preaching ''lhe Bridge" aud ! was looking ul
each side Of the road, expecting every momcn
To behold the great arch: my friend became ever
more than usually entertaining, and specially IN
tcrcslod in the distant scenery To which he was
calling my attention osncw beauties broke upon
his npprcciaring mind.
Look at that peak at the left: how the sun
plays on It's head and the peak beyond 1t and
higher, is dakIing in the shade"
"Thesc are the lights ndshadow3 Of life, '" said
J. "lhc tpIcsl heads are not always in the sun,
shine: tholowliosr may hayethc brightest skies. y
Thus dlscorlrsng we roue pleasantly on, adml-
ring the beauty Of the world air of, when sud-
denly The Professor checked his horse, aud asked
Inc if | would not return aud see "thG Bridge.
Il was a fact, had crossed lhe Bridge; had actu-
ally rode over the awful chasm, ON the single
rock that spans it, and had never seen it. My
friend being perfectly familiar with the locality,
was anxious TO allure me ignuranlly over the A.
byss, aud by diycrling my attention just as we
came upon il, succeeded we'll, aud did not fail 10
improve the occurrence afterwards AT my expense
with interest But this gives the reader who has
never been here, a striking view OF the position
Of this wonderful curoslly ii is a real bridge
over deep ravine, and covered with deep soil
on which there is a strong growth of trees and
shrubs, through which the stage road leads, and
any person not on the lookout for it would be Il
cross before he was aware Of beingin the vicinity.
was now to behold the greatest natural curl
oSity in this western world, and perhaps in any
uarl of the world, and came to it with the usu-
al high anticipalions Of something that should fill
the mind with profound astonshmcnt and delight.
drew near TO the verge Of the bridge, and be-
fore looking down took a seat on an oyer-hapg-
ing rock from which The eye would take in the
side of the bridge and the great gulPh down 10
the stream below. Being fairly seated in com.
paraliye safety, looked over into the chasm, and
Instantly sickcncd; so deep, so thrilling, SO terri
fc was the sight Withdrawing for II few mo-
menis 10 recover, returned TO the spot, and AT a
more respectful distance studied the scene. Ga
this projecting rock stands a cedar stump. at the
very verge, and il is a common affair for thought
a III
twirIing on its head to show their Goohardincss
and rccklessness of life. Althis point you have
lhe best view from aboye aud can here make
Yourself familiar with the face Of tho country
and the necessity for just such bridge at thi,
very pass. A ravino with PERCEPTIONS sides, It
which dense shrubbery aud even tall trees arr
cnging, strangely finding suslenanco on the bar
bosom of these perilous cliffs, is here to be cross
ed, and by most remarkable provision of ma
lure, an arch Of one single stone is thrown owe
the dread abyss, resting on TWO piers of nalur,
masonry that will doubtless stand unmovcd, ii
the last earthquake. There is no pleasure to
derived from looking down into this chasm: yo
cannot escape the thought that it would be an aw
fIl death TO plunge hcadIong down, these hun
dreds of feet upon that hard bed al the base, an
Won are quite wlliugto walk below winding ha
mile around the hill, that you may look up an
enjoy the grandeur without feeling the terror
,he scene. A rough and crooked walk 500
brings as In full view Of, the arch, as it stanC
midway between earth and heaven, silent, beat
uful. sublime. You pause Instantly and gaze u
on il without word. You do not wish to spea
or be spoken 70, while This oblscI OF which yC
had no adequate image in youF mlnd, RISES hiS
er and sill Glihgher as you behold aud wonder al
admire. Such descriptions, am aware, aPPe'