The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-15
FOR THE ARBEvl1.l.;3 EAN%EE.i
INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL.

(ron THE AHEEvIIls: EANEEE.j
INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL.
LETTER VII
The pass ofthe james River through the
Blue Ridge is also u magnificent and truly
sublime spectacle. AS the immortal
Jefferson has so eloquently portrayed the
pass ofthe Potomac through the same chain,
we could not interest you with a description
OF the James; for the scenery is more bold
and imposing at the former. But, sir, a
day spent there appears little moro than an
hour, to those, who are fascinated with con-
tcmplating the romantic and the beautiful
in the works Of Nature. The James comes
stealing along the side Of the Blue Ridge,
winding out and i'll at every sinuosty appa-
rent'y seeking an opportunity to make its
escape. The North River glidcs on in the
opposite direction, also in quest Of pass,
until they meet. Then as with giant
effort narrow chasm is opened in the mas
sve rock, and the liberated waters bound
and dash with frantic fury through the
CldSSy cnann@l.
The Balcony rock about midway in tn.
Ridge, rises to the height OF several hundred
feet almost perpcndicularly, and some the
points Of mammoth dimensions are project
ing in very menacing attitude At the
base of this tremendous rock, the canal
passes, having its bosom dcnscly intespcrscd
with boats, ladcd with the exubcrant pro-
ducts of the great Galley. In conncxon
with this there are several canal locks of
exquisite workmanship. These objects
blended together most delightfully."- associate
the ~tile with the dulce, and all arc height
ened BY the bold and the the beautiful in the
pencilings and colorings of Nature.
In the fork of these two rivers, and about
mile from their juncturc, is YalIings
Mountain, which appears to have been
raised out Of the Blue Ridge, and thrown
out there by some mighty convulsion Of la
boring nature, to furnish passage for the
James and North Rivers On the summit
of this Mount you may obtain prospect of
the Blue Ridge, that is so extensive, as to
give the Ridge the appearance of an i'm
mense amphitheatre. And the enchant-
ments of the scenery are so captivating that
the eye can never tire surveying the tasteful
and the beautiful in this panorama of ma
lures handy work.
The alum Springs is also place of con-
siderable resort for the gay and fashionable,
during the warm season. The water is
strongly impregnated with alum, and four
or five other mineral substances. And is
OF sterling value in scropulous and dyspcp-
tic diseases. In consequence of not loosing
its medicinal virtues, by transportation,
large quantities are used as an article of
particularly at the port Of New
Orleans. 1t eminates from bank, which
is upwards of an hundred feet high, and
composed entirely of slate stone. And what
ispassing strange, the water is more strongly
'ifnpregnatcd with its mineral properties
during the rainy seasons This is splen-
did retreat for invalids, and those who wish
to'spend the summer pleasantly and fash
ionably amidst the balmy fragrance of a
mountain atmosphere. 1t is a matter of
ldeepregret, that Mr.. Campbell the enter
prising and hospitable proprietor has lost
by fire, nearly all his valuable improve
ments; but nevertheless, arrangeme nts
have been made for accommodating COM