Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-11-24

TO Norman Miller, Esq. = Having fully
exhausted the beauties and curiosisies of
Staunton. August 10 We again took up tie
line Of march for the Natural Bridge one Of
the grand objects Of our excursion. Leaving
at near o'clock in the morning we pursued
our way over an unimproved road and through
a billy and poorly cultivated section Of eoun-
try to the town of Greenville. prettily situa-
ted upon the main Shenandoah. 8 miles from
its source, which Is In ridge that separates
the head waters Of the Potomac from those
Of the James river--all issuing from The same
ridge. Tarried at this village a sufaciep,
length of time to breakfast for which ,be
exercises Of II mile ride over bin and dale
through mud and mire, impaired keen rel
ish to the appetite, and made us pay servile
1 homage to "Old Virginia ham," and other
inviting dishes; Mr.. L. and myself always
patient at such devotion and the last to rise
and go hence. Under the invigorating Of
fects Of these wholesome substantials, we
pursued our journey over a country pretty
similar to that already described to the vii
lage of Farfeld--in approaching which the
country improves and expands into delightful
lawns circumstance that gives nave to the
town After rest of about an hour here we
started for Lexington, where we arrived about
in the evening, and having little time to
spare, Immediately proceeded to the Military
Institute, passing in our walk the Washing
ton College buildings. which are handsome
but not imposing. Located on the same en-
inence, however. and contiguous to these edi-
fees in connection with them they make
bole appearance. and contribute to diversity
as we'll as beautify the whole scene Being
the season of vacation they were deserted and
MADE lonely aspect compared to the life
and hustle and animation at the Military
Here we saw the Cadets on parade. perform
ing every variety of warlikc maneuvres, and
many of them are splendid specimens Of their
profession-others equally the reverse. Sew
eral new buildings appcrtaining to this Insti-
tuition we're in course of erection, and when
finished will be worthy the great State to
which they belong. The Barracks" the
front or main of which was completed, and
doubtless the whole by now, is one Of the
most beautiful and perfect samples Of archi-
ture we have ever seen--rivalling in magni
tude as well as workmanship and design the
National buildings as Washington. The 10.
cation Of these establishments is elevated and
commands full and picturesque view of Lex
ingtou the surrounding country, ard the dis
.ant mountains, which nature has cut into
thousand knobs. The location of the town
is high, many of the buildings brick. comfor-
tably built, and altogether We prefer it deci-
dedly to Staunton. Lexington may be called
handsome town, though like all "Old Vir.
ginia" towns, it needs renoyating
zing. The spirit Of energy aud improvement
will reach it ere long in its gradual but sure
progress from North to South, and will give
to it that finishing and beautiful touch so
peculiar TO our Northern towns aud cities
Friday morning, August Goth, the sun
rose in golden colors above the Eastern hor-
lion, adnonishing us to take advantage of
tho threatened midday heats in this warm
latitude, by making an early start, which we
accordingly did, and 10 o'clock. A H.. found
us in sight of one of the greatest wonders of
creation, and the main point of our destination
The country between Lexington and "Thc
Bridge is generally uneven. billy, and the
farming wretched, The greater part of this
mofring's ride lay over a plank road, which
| for ease and comfort is certainly preferable
to any We have ever travelled, and we had
reason to regret its too speedy termination
Leaviu it we finished our journey over new
ly graded road intended for plank, in many
places, owing to recent rains, in bad condi.
tion. rendering our progress both tardy and
vexatious. On our arrival We procured cle-
giant accommodations at Luster's Public
House, near and in sight of the Bridge and
after 10 o'clock breakfast we proceeded to
reconnoitre the elephant Of Curiosities,' -
which it has been SO appropriately termed by
writer's
| Its location is in the extreme south cast
corner of Rockbridge County. Is miles from
| Lexington, on one of the main valley roads.
1t is thrown over Ceder Crcek-an insigniti
cant tributary Of James Rivcr--is about 100
feet long, and go wide, with an elevation Of
$50 feet above the water. An elegant road
crosses it, and SO completely is it hid from
observation by shrubbsry on either side, that
the unimformed traveller would pass over, ig-
norant of the sublime wonder beneath him.
On the side of the road. and midway the
bridge, is an oblong frame structure, third
Of which projects over. from which the awful
abyss is safely but tremblingly seen. This
building is also furnished with winding ap-
paratus for the descent Of persons who may
prefer to 60 down at this point, for our part
we chose more circuitous route, and reached
the bed Of the stream by means Of path that
winds around the hills The descent in this
way, although farther, is easy and perfectly
sale. Having attained this point we spent
at least four hours under tue bridge and along
the sides of the almost inaccessible cliffs that
environ the water; looking. staring, gazing,
wondering. once and again; sometimes di.
vertiug ourselves by throwing stoaes. cutting
canes, writing and then wondering again.
We feel and acknowledge our utter incapaci.
ty to describe this strange freak Of nature.
The fact is, no pen can dclineate, no pencil
picture no language can convey any thing
like correct conception of the reality To
know and appreciate, it must be seen and
felt, the impr ession must be felt Every
thing connected with it is wonderful in the
extreme-nothinG is more so than to behold
such an immense structure thrown over such
an uncomfortable stream-at the time of our