The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-08-30
Correspondence of the DispatehLl
RncyPnrrcF Az I'M GpnrN-c

-ts August p, 1853. 5
Travellers who come direct from Staunton to this
place by stage reach here usually at about dark
after ride Of forty miles over rough road, and
after registering their names amid crowd of in
speetors, are presented by the polite gentleman at
the desk, with prospect of being as well accom-
modated the floor of the sitting room as the ma
ture CT the case will permit, and the prospects,
allied The next day, or it may be two or three
days afterwards, by the departure of some OF the
five or six hundred who are here, his predecessors
On the floor and himself are one after another
favored with welcome introduction to a room
Being crowded out of the stage which came
hither, from Staunton we were sent by Lexington.
Twenty miles of the thirtysix between Staunton
and Lexington, is pretty good plank road, and the
rest not bad. We ate, at little place called Fair
field, one of the best of country dinners-had a
good nights rest at Porters comfortable Hotel in
Lexington-and the next morning, over one Of the
roughes rockiest roads, surely, in the State, came
along to this point. could but fancy as we shook
and veered toward every point OF the compass, the
invitation from him who should open the door for
us at the end OF our journey, would be gentlemen
be pleased to gather up your bones and alight. =
But the ascent and descent Of the mountains hard
by, being free from rocks administered sweet re-
pose and arrived about ii, in much better plight
than we expected The distance is II miles
The Railroad is expected to pass within five miles
hence Much of the dirt work this side OF Staun-
ton, is done nearly so; and when it is completed,
these trials will have end. Five times five hun
dred people will then come hither more easiIy to
fare more roughly than now; for the accom1noda-
tions will hardly keep pace with the extending po
pularity OF these healing waters. Though enter
prize may do it has already done-much to
shorten the distance between the two. At LeXing.
ton. paid visit to the buildings of Washington
College; all was silent it is the time of vacation
This richly endowed and eligible institution, had
at its last session only about fifty Students The
| figure of the great and good man whose name il
bears stands the highest point of the building,
and is interesting, with it's mild countenance look
ing off upon the noble hills around. The Military
Institute to be enjoying high degree of pres
periy. Number of students not less than 1J0, and
increasing.
| Though admirer of the art of war, nor OF any
thing that tends 10 cherish the love OF it in young
bosQ4ns could but reflect that the manly and in
dustIous habits enforced at this school, must be CT
| inesimable value in future life.
| The halls for the literary societies in the new
| buildings, are very handsomely furnished. That
of the diaectic society shown to it carpet
ed, elegantly curtained high pitched, has cushion
ed seats neat platform and tables with three fine
chairs for the secretary, vicepresident and presi
dent. On the wall hangs in very large gilt frame
| "A portrait of Col. Smith sitting at his table sur
rounded by books and papers, the gift of wealthy
| gentleman on the eastern side OF the Blue Ridge
The dormitories of the students are more scarce
| OF furniture than that of the hardy Duke o.
| Wellington. And it is to be hoped that many o.
| these young gentlemen will be led TO reflect how
much the usefulness and long life OF that and other
| great men were ascribable to abstemious habits
This is all the furniture of student" said the DO
| lite corporals guard who attended us-a table. ;
| wardrobe and a square movable range of shelves
| for books, compose the stock as saw it. Stools
we suppose are allowed, but not beds.eads
The buildings here (at the Rock Alum Snrinps'
closely surrounded by high hills, which gives tht
place. with its present crowd, rather too much thf
| appearance and atmosphere of a town; and 1nde,
| existing circumstances, town not well furnished
| with scavcngers.
The water which supplies the Springs-fve in
number-percolates of rock about fifteen
| feet in height. When rains unirequent as they
| have been for some time past, it becomes scarce
| and weak. Some persons put the alum rock info il
to give tstrength Many seem to be deriving much
| benefit from the sojourn here. Others sigh and
| groan the days and nights away, under rackine
| pains or scorching levers.
The ball room and Swceneys banjo. do not lack
| patronage. Hunting invisible deer in company
with the sons OF the mountains and their d-ashien
ed flint rifles and powder horns, seems to delight
| number.
Society, both attractive and profitable, is not want
| ing.
| ramDle upon the mountains is truly refreshing.
lt is asserted upon what TO be good autho-
rity. that by next summer, the railroad will be fin
ished TO Miiboro, point FIVE miles west of this.
| The table here is good, and the way that some
sickly people eat, shows faith in the preventive
and curative power ofthese waters that struly re-
markabie.
Not to speak of green corn and pound cake at din
ner, what do you think of meat and mclasses for
supper! but morbid appetites mighty hard TO
control, and deserve II less game, more sympathy
than thew eet