Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-10-11

AT O'Clock p M took the stage for Lynchburg, with
pleasant company just from the White Sulphur aboard
Our route, during the day, lay entirely within the Jackson
River Valley the windngs of the road presented numerous
picturesque views Of hill aud mountain. We were obliged
to the river bridges several points, and at every
rise of the road excamaon Of pleasure and surprise
from our company expressive Of the magnifcence Of the
scenery presented which compensated for the edousnes
Of the ascent
The beauty Of these enhanced by the
panimen Of water prospects, the glitter of the pashing stream
umblng the obsructing rocks, rushing the mill
dams erected below These goes Of Nature presented
for admiration in continued SERIES rapidly swept
down the mountain and could but look upon them and
wonder. Five miles from Callahans brought Coui,g
o the county seat Of Allegheny, situate at the junction Of
Dunlsps creek with Jacksons river I position favorable
to s increase both 10 business and population; and its
prospects in this respect considerable, from the ap
proach of the James River Canal which in few years will
reach this point and these advantages may be in
anticipated by the construction Of slaccater navigation
of acksons river, which may be made at comparatively lit
tie and such the facilities afforded by this for
many miles above Covinson that improvement may be
tended owhin few miles of the Warm and Hot Springs
The comfort Of this route, them from the sesboad for nva
lids would be great indeed and many a cted would
waters. Faa
AT the distance Of twenty miles passed Clifton Forge,
where the scenery is very fine, and, crossing the Cow Pas
ture river, arrived at Dcbres Spring. in Boetourt county,
twenty eight miles from Callahan's.
The general characteristics Of the of this spring
similar tho other sulphur waters named, and according
the analyses Of Prof Rogers deseve high rank among
mineral waters" The buildings here both neat and
and the whole establishment well supported the
company visiting here being in Within
miles Of these springs the celebrated Peaks of O
ter from whence has been lately hewn to be depo
sited in the Washington National Monument erecting
city, here that that extraordinary man, John Ran
do of Roanoke spent night with his servant to witness
the rising Of the the majestic and when be
had done turned to his and charged him never
from that time to beeue any ,oho told him there oas no
Cod" One Of the routes TO the White Sulphur is by the
Peaks Of Oer passing through the following places Bu
fort Fncastle, Sweet Syringe, Red Sweet, to the White
Sulphur.
AT an early hour in the morning took the stage for the
Natural Bridge in the county of Rockbdge, and after
ride Of twenty miles, arrived here to breakfast, after
passing the Natural Bridge without being conscious Of
it, solid the road being bed of rock. This certainly
of the greatest Of natural curiose and witha
full has furnished passage and roadway to this section
the country immense chasm which, to have effected
afcialy would have the State perhaps half million
OF dollars.
The span Of the arch here is from As to 60 feet and its
height from 200 to 220 feet forming something Of ep
cal arch and what remarkable its section presents
diagonal ne $50 feet below Cedar Creek bordeed
each side by the richest verdure, ng step by step until
towers above your head To this magnificent arch to
Judge Of Beauties the traveller descend the chasm
ho~c
to in the leasa-s. ef
writer, Mr. HOWE, in his sketches of Virginia
There is two hundred feet below you the Cedar Creek,
apparently motioness except where il flashes with light as
its way through the broken rocks Mark the trees of
every Variety but especially the fir, how they diminish
they stand the margin Of its bed and how they ascend
step by step, the noble rockwok till they overshadow
you still preserving such decacy of firm and growth If
they would not do injury. while they lend grace OBJ
those hills gathered all around their arest forms
and richest verdure to do honor TO Of SURPRISING
excellence. Now look at the bridge ITSELF springing from
this bed Of verdant loveness distinct one, complete 1t is
before in its most picturesque form you just through
the arch, and the outward face of the further pier perfectly
revealed. Did you such pier such arch Is
it iusive Look at that masonry Is il not most
like the perfection Of art and yet what artcoud resch
Look at that coorng. Does it not appear like the painters
highest skill and yet unspeakably transcend This is
quisite still you have conception Of this masterpiece
until you go, below. You 60 little distance for this
purpose the vicinity Of the bridge the rocks far
precpous hot and brilliant day is Of all others the time
to enjoy this object To escape from which scorches
you these verdant and cool bottoms is luxury of itself
which disposes you to relish every thing ese." 81
placed myself about hundred feet from the BRIDGE
Of rock" "The eye now through the
bridge, and is gratfed with lovely vista. The Blue Noun
stood in the back ground beneath them the hills ard
woods gathered together to enclose the dell below
"Tben there the arch distinct from every thing and above
every thing Massive as it is il is light and beautiful by it's
height, and the fine trees its summit only like
garland of evergreens and elevated il its appsrent ee
vatioh wonderfully increased by the OF its piers
and by its outline being drawn the blue sky which appears
beneath and above it. Oh il sublime, strong, and yet
elegant sp1neing from the earth, and bathing bead In
heaven. But it the sublime, not allied TO the terrific as at
Niagara it is the sublime associated with the pleasing.
and gazed in wonder and establishment That after
the shortest remember. had quickly, too
quickly, leave the spot forever but the music Of those
waters the luxury Of those shades the form and color Of
those rocks aud that arch-that arch rising ALL and
seeming offer passage 10 the skiesOh they will never
leave me"
plank road is forming from the Natural Bridge to Lex
ingon and Saunton and believe from thence Rockbdge
Bath Alum Springs from which the the Hot and
Warm Springs will be easy The navigation Of the James
river canal extended above the Natural Bridge, that by
This means the facilities of the invalid the springs will be
greatly increased.
After partaking of excellent breakfast pursued
journey winding up asng the sides of immense heights of
where James breaks thr ,ugh the Blue Ridge
The views continued grand and beautiful varied by the
tes Of James river and the canal After riding thirty EIGHT
miles, crossing the North river and the James river reach
cd Lynchbug The counties we passed through to-day were