The southern press., 1851-07-19
Summer Sketches. Mo. I.
BY MARY J. wINDLE.

SHANNoNDALE SPRINGS, Va, July Is.
1t has occurred to us that some Of the lady
readers of The Southern Press" ought occa-
sionally to furnish its editors with gossipping
sketches from their summer retreats, our sex
being so proverbially excellent in that peculiar
branch Of feminine accomplishment.
The greatly increased facilities of locomotion
which these latter days possess over former
times, induce many to leave their own immedi-
ate orbit, some in quest of health, and others
for pleasure. The g lightning trains," the swift
est boats, the most rapid modes Of traversing
land and water, are sought with the greatest
avidity. The present season will be noted as
one of unusual activity on the part Of persons
in pursuit of health and pleasure.
Having decided to make one of a company
for visit to the Shannondae Springs, we pre-
pared to leave Washington on the morning of
the 10Th of July. AT "a given signal the great
" Iron Horse"-devouring burning Goals, and
breathing forth flames and ke,-carried us
from the dust and heat of the city with speed
which outstripped the feetest courser. After a
ride Of about 80 miles, there was sudden tink-
ling Of bell, putting whish! 'sh 'sh! 'sh |!
and the furious monster came to stand still at
the Relay House," place of pause for the
traveller,-situated in lonely glade, carpeted
with moss and grass Its spacious accommoda-
tons and welcome cheer invite an hours delay.
Here we prepare to leave for Harpers Ferry, not
with numbering coach and tugging horses, but
still seated at our ease, in steam-drawn car.
From the Relay House 10 miles of railroad
carried us to Harpers Ferry. On this route the
very foundation of the hills have been cut away,
and you glide along their bases, the precpitous
crags ascending with their garniture of ever
greens almost touching to the clouds. Often
does the traveller turn his eye, almost wearied
with continual vision Of sublimity, to feast it
upon the beauties which art has painted upon
the face of the wilderness. Among its charms
is the river, along whose banks lies your way,
its pure water sparkled and flashed, in the SUM-
shine that peered through the dense branches,
which, even at midday, cast refreshing gloom
that vegetation continues to the very brink of
the river, every stone and root being draped with
its heavy Coating of moss.
Before leaving home, on this summer trip,
when the prospect was before us, of wonders to
be seen in Virginia, for the first time, above all
things and places Harpers Ferry filled our eye.
Virginia was the frame, il was the picture
Virginasthe casket, it the diamond We have a
passion for wonderful places, and for wonderful
creations Of art but above all we have passion
for wonderful scenery. From our earliest child
hood Harpers Ferry has been associated in our
mind with all that is sublime and beautiful. One
is generally disappointed after great expectations
have been raised, but in this instance, enthusiast
as we were on this subject, our expectations were
more than realized.
This country may in its extent contain more
beautiful scenery, Of different kind, but we ven
ture to assert that there Is nothing at all like it.
in three out of four quarters of this our globe I;
and judging from the general silence upon the
subject we are inclined to believe that many are
not aware Of this scene of wildness, beauty, and
sublmty. would as soon attempt, with unhal-
lowed lips, TO inculcate the sublime truths of the
gospel, as with ungi6ted pen, undertake to do it
justice. Some lowering angel might transfer it
records Of Heaven, as one bright spot upon this
sin stained earth.
Tier on tier, rise galleries of bare granite,
with but step between the uppermost and
Heaven. There they stand in majesty sublime,
towering two or three hundred feet above our
car, and overshadowing the village, whose
clustered smokes arose quietly and gracefully
through the still air Of the cloudless morning.
The first sensation was one of indiscribable
awe, which increased, until the mind was over
whelmed with sense Of the presence of Ma
| lures God For moment, the shackles of
| clay seemed really TO fall off, and our spirit
grew large, as though we had looked into the
boundessness Of eternity, and were lifting a
wing with the angels. But we soon came back
again-for we are prisoners in very little cell
and too large draught of Heaven, now, would
not be good forus.
The reader will ask what produced such an
effect? We answer, il was that beauty, that
wide-spreading beauty which God hath showered
here to make us feel his presence in his works.
What American can stand and cast his eye over
this sublime scenery, and not feel proud Of his
nation, and the splendid dowry Of its natural
beauty! Il is, indeed, land Of which we may
well say with q high emotion: This is my
country" Over what an extent Of the earth il
stretches its territories what country Is there,
that does not feel the influence Of its moral
energy the emanations Of Its free and popular
institutions? Every pulse Of love which beats
here--every principle Of justice that is more
clearly recognized--eyery sentiment of chris
tanity that is elevated on the broad basis of the
human heart--spreads through the earth as from
a centre Of moral life II is something to make
part, however small Of such a nation; IL is
something to feel that you have such scope Of
power in the earth.
Are there no poets here! Should not this
glorious view inspire hymns Of praise Is there
not one among virgnia's gifted sons to raise
queen-altar TO the beautiful, and throw new
glory over this glorious spot?
From Harpers Ferry, 10 miles of rail road car