The true Democrat., 1854-05-30
The Hot Springs.

in the confederacy that does not boast of some attraction calculated to elicit the wonder and enquiry of it's people. Niagara is simply a waterfall, but one which, from its vast magnl- tude, is productive of the sublime and wonder full in thousand varied aspects, and raises in the mind of the observer emotions as rreslsta- 1 be as the flood which rushes into the abyss be- low him. It probably resulted from causes which. in view of the situation of the rlver and the character of its bed, are immediately obvious.
 But the Hot Springs of Arkansas, in addition to their marked rural beauty and variety of scenery, possess increased interest for the req son that their cause is not immediately obvi ous.'' They have for years been the object of much speculation, and it is to be hoped that the mystery hitherto existing in regard to the composition of their waters and the develop ment of heat will soon be unveiled by scientific investigation.
 The recurrence of warm weather has already brought into our midst the usual number of pleasure and health seeking strangers on their way to this quiet and delightful valley. A has ty sketch, at this time, for the benefit of those beyond the limits of our State, will probably not be inappropriate or nnproftable.
 The Springs are situated sixty miles south west of Little Rock, and about eighty miles north west from Camden on the Ouachta river, from both of which points they are readily ac cessible by means of good roads and comfor table stages. As one approaches, their proxi- mity is indicated by an abrupt transition in the appearance of the country-from state of fer tihty to one comparatively unfruitful and evinc- ing the manifest traces of volcanic action.- They are almost completely shut in by two mountains, whose height is nearl y equal-mea surng about 500 yards, and distance from peak to peak some 400 yards.
 There are, in all, about eighty-thre springs varying in size and temperature, and ranging with the valley, which, ill length, is about half mile, in width seventy-fve yards, and runs nearly due north and south. The hot water gushes in various volumes from the hillside on the east, and is readily conveyed to the bath houses below, built upon the margin of small creek which traverses the valley. The proba- blity is, that the springs at one time, were nearly level with the creek. The declivity which they now occupy is, beyond doubt, a secondary formation, thrown up like an en- bankmcnt against the main hill by that gradual deposit of the water which is daily and hourly perceptble This inference is justified first, in view of the legitimate necessity of such re- suit; second, from the conformation of the hill itself; and third from the distinct and peculiar character of its soil and vegetation.
 An abstract from some observations made upon the spot, may give the most satisfactory idea of their general aspect.
 September 29th, 1853 Clear day. atmos- pheric temperature 76 deg. fahrenheit wind southeast.
 Saloon Spring or No. l, the first on the creek; temperature l36 deg, and elevated seven feet above the level of the creek
 No. 2 40 deg; elevation above No. 1, 90 feet, and distance therefrom, 100 yards paral- Tel east
 No. 3, l52 deg; elevation above No l, 85 feet-distance from No. ?, 90 yards, parallel south.
 No. f. A strong chaly lybeate-temperature l25 deg; elevation same as No. g. and seperat- ed therefrom feet, due east
 No. ,. 12O deg; mud bath-elevation above, and distance from No l, 25O yards due south.
 No. s. Known as the Alum Spring, and the only one west of the creek, and nearly on a level with it-temperature 149 deg.-distance from No. l, 15O yards, due south
 No. :. A spring in the gentlemen's vapor bath-nearly level with the surface of the creek, emitting at the rate of one hogshead of water every three minutes-temperature lSO deg
 Whatever may be the chemical explanation of these phenomena, they probably are pro- duced by causes strictly analogous to those of volcanic eruption. Indeed they may be the remains of some such catastrophe, that centu- ries ago, startled the aborigne from his solitude and repose or they may be the premonitorv symptoms of such influences beneath the sur face of the earth, as, their equilibrium being destroyed drop of water might develop with the vehemence of Heca or Vesuvius: or they may be development merely sympathetic with those active eruptons, that alternately obscure and illumine the highest summits of the Rocky Mountains
 Their medicinal virtues are attested by the most remarkable instances of cure. Bva con- paratively short application of these waters the most desperate cases of rheumatism and mer curial poison are pleasantly and radically cured. The bath, in its effect, is equal to the most powerful sudoriic, unaccompanied by any thing like physical prostration; and the warm water, used as drink, can be taken in abundance without any sensation of nausea The num- Der of visitors to the springs is about three thousand annually, and the accommodations are ample for the present patronage A con- venient means of access from other States would make them second to none in attraction and