The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-12-27
For The Cecil HEig.
SKETCH OF NEW VALLEY.

As promised THE Wing some time previous
y. Il sketch Of this place, pail the said valley
Il visit in order TO take Il note Of it, My mayi-
nation having been somewhat excited, BY read
ing, from time to time, SO many cilusiols-poetic
and omanlic--purporting 10 have been nliled
at this place, | had invested the srot with all
those imaginary scenes that distinguish classic
ground, while vending NY way through the
long sleepy holl0wS that environ il.
AS past llom among the hills, by the wind
ing pathway that enters the circular valley
through which the main road holds IT'S way.
was, in imagination, transferred 10 PhGc;y. and
the hrSt object that arrested my attention, was,
what ! for the moment took to be the famous
Mountain OF Pm""ssms; where. if any person
slept he presently became Poet: while bv my
side, and al the foot Of ParmGs>us. flowed the
Fountain C"st0liccsi This QuiXulic dcusion,
however, was bat mnneniary, ami only men
Ton II to show what vagarirs can take posses
sICn Of the mind, wien its ideas flow through
the colored medium of Fancy: and the Parras-
sides retreat Of New Valley. MS suddenly shlunli
INTO an rnmsSuming hill of moderate height.
covered with brown heath, or scdge-cra IS;
while the Castaliccs fountain at lis base. anich-
N assuming It's original appearance. flowed,
meanderng gently onward, the wcl-hnown
stream called Basin Run.
New Valley Is the site of an old wooden fac
tory, which was worked in former times with
considerable degree of spirit and enterprise; but
as none OF the owners made splendid fortunes
out OF 1t. lis splndIcs are now abandoned There
are, besides, several dwelling houses and saw
mil located in the place; and some few years
ago, an entcrprisng man, by the name of Sher-
mer, owned the property, and established a shoe
peg factory in the vale, which gave rise 10 the
so"6riqnet of"Pcg Taiiey," which is sometimes
bestowed upon it. "HG,mony," also, is another
name for this famous spot, though of the origin
OF this Jriendly title ! am net aware.
But the name, with which is coupled all ofthe
fame aud notoricty the place is possest of, is
Ne~ Iallcy. This name, however, is not in
tended to convey the idea. that the valley is less
ancient than the hills which enclose it, or that
they are younger than the rest ofcreaton. But
Mr.. Shcrmer, when in possession of the proper
ty, coupled with the enterprisng spirit of bust
ness man, the zeal OF pious member of the
Methodist Protestant Church, and was actively
instrumental in having a church erected in the
place. The silence ofthis retired spot was then
broken by the voice of Divine Worshin and the
old hills echoed the songs of Zion. II became
new resort for multitudes; and the doctrine of
Christianity, as ever, giving new feature. and
new life to the place, it henceforth received
another name, and is now known as New VAL
ley.
On taking hirds-eye view of the surrounding
was compelled TO acknowledge that
Dame Nature had been very nigra,dlv in her
gifts at least for there is notbino in
the way of scenery, to attract the least admira
ton, Notwithstanding the Distinguishing char
acicristic of the place is hill and dale and WHY
the Muses. should resort to such a spot rather |
puzzled me TO divine;-but on entering the
,hurch, this enigma was soon solved; for the ar
ay Upright eyes within, induced me to believe
hat the inspiration, infused into those lines