Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-08-26

through al depth OF htty feet and then lnterrtnes
| Cbasm near half the dimensions Of that at Lick
Run. The company have commenced filing this
chasm and the culvert ITO conduct the water under
the embankment 400 feetl is already completed A
few hundred yards beyond is situated the third tunnel
| mentioned. The estimated cost OF filling the valley
Of Lick Run, is $l60,OO0; while q superstrucure OF
trIse work, il is believed, would cost very nearly
one-haf that sum. So giddy structure over 20
lrightful chasm, it is believed, would be justly re-
pusive to the feelings Of the travelling public The
company have, fortunately, adopted the plan Of
temporary track, which may be completed at cost
Of slSUUO and which will be entirely safe, and etfec
tive for all the purposes OF the road, until after the
completion of the Covngton aud Ohio railroad.
Thetemporary track passes down Lick Run on the
East side, to its intersection Of the other small branch
and up that on the West one and a half miles, but
lncurs the necessity of steep grades aud sharp
curves not admissible on the main line. The COM
pany have very wisely adopted this expedent. 1t
VIII enable them to put cars upon the whole line
without waiting the long and expensive process
OF filling those frghtful chasms, and by the time the
temporary track shall become inadequate to the de.
mands OF business, the main line can be completed,
three and half miles, embracing the tunnels and
deep fills just mentioned, will cost probably half
million Of dollars.
| Reported for the Daily Dispatchl
On Tuesday morning excursion party started up
the Central Railroad, visit the present terminus
that great improvement. 1t consisted Of Gov. Wise
and family; Alex. Dudley, President OF the York
| River Railroad; Charles b. Fisk, State Engineer;
Lewis +. Hsrvie; VIM. F. Ritche; Col. e. 5. Nor
ApIifn nf trnia.
Shelton e. Davis; VIM. H. IaXa; Richard U. Has
| kins Director of the Danvile Railroad; VIM. w.
Crump, Director Of the r. +. and 2. r. K. Co.; John
| K. Thompson; Col. George w. Munford, Secretary of
the Commonwealth; VIM. w. Dunnavant; Charles
Elicit Chief Engineer of the Central Road; DR.. w.
| A. PattesUn; Chastain White; George w. Randolph;
l.. W. Glhzebrook; Dr. +. w. Hancock; Thomas &.
Epps, George w. Greter, A. Richards and George
Whitfield, OF the City Council; Thomas Lawson.
Chamberlain Of The City; Col Parker Register of the
Land Office; H. ID. Whitconb, Superintendent Of
Transportation on the Central Road; n. B. Hill, Dl.
rector Va. {. K. r. Col. Edmund Funtaine, Presl-
dent Va. e. k. X ) Charles 5. Morgan, Jr, U. 5. NJ.
A.; Benjamin NJ. Jones; Edmund Myers, York River
Railroad; Capt. Wm Munford; Thomas NJ. Farrow,
ST. Charles Hotel George E. Sadler and sundry other
| invited guests.
The party took passage on the mail train, at 81
O'Clock, the splendid new engine, John III. Timber.
lake. under the skiliu guidance of John Harden, fur
nshng the motive power. There were tour cars, be-
sides the mail and baggage. The last Of the former
was new and beautiful specimen from the Union
Works. Portsmouth, Va, just received and used tor
| the first time on this occasion.
The distance TO the Greenwood Tunnel was soon
| accomplished and the train divided "the Baldwin
taking one half and "the Z. K. Mason" the other
preparatory to the grand feat Of crossing the Blue
Ridge This has been so often described that any
attempt now is deemed superfuous. Suffice it to say
that those who never had crossed before ilsc
| with admiration and awe in contemplating the mag
nlticeut mountain scenery, and witnessing the tr
umphs of the engineering skill which first conceived
the idea of crossing the Virginia Alps with iron rail
while all were pleased. The two queer shaped iron
monsters, rightly named Mountain Climbers, did Their
appointed work slowly and surely, and on the arrIva
u the trains at the foot of the mountain on the other
eide, they wers joined as before and proceeded on
drawn by the "Alleghany," large and pow
erful engine recently built by the Tredegar Works
Arriving in Staunton at O'clock, the party proceed
ed under the conduct of n. B. Hill and other officer
Of the road TO partake of all admirable dinner at thu
American Hotel. Embarking again the voyager
safely reached Millboro, where they were met ant
welcomed by Col. Fontaine.
After again refreshing the inner man, the part,
proceeded to the Rockbridge Alum Springs. Th
mountain scenery grand and beautiful to view, ant
lust at this time, when the hills and valleys
) vered with verdure, nothing can be more pcturesqu
: and interesting TO lover Of nature. Alter shor
ride and accidents, all bands were safely domeet
Gated at the Springs. having TO thank Messrs. Har
man and Brown for safe conduct thither in their ad
+ mrably appointed stage coaches. At night Grant
ball came of, 10 which many joined the dancing be
ng kept up till late hour There are said to be no
less than 800 guests al these Springs at the presen
time, and most of the other Springs have as man.
boarders as they have room for. After enjoy
ing pleasant nights rect, heightened by tn
fatigues of travelling, the party rose at o'clock
and having breakfasted called in the aid OF Messrs
Harman and Brown, and returned TO Millboro by
o'clock, examine portions Of the road beyond th
terminus, and now nearly ready for the rail. At Mil
boro horses were procured and the party commenced
series of explorations their own hook, guided b,
their obligng hosts. The visit was highly gratifying
to ALL and each expressed himself surprised ant
delighted at the evidence of progress everywhere
met with.
The road West of Staunton is ballasted with bro
ken stone, which secures annoyance from dust, ant
also additional smoothness. The rail iron weigh
from 81 to 65 lbs. to the yard, and is the best in use
Ten miles from Staunton you pass the Buffalo Gap
ton the North mountaln,) which IL lOO feet above tn
level OF the stream below. From this point beau
titul view may be had.
Three miles beyond this, you pass the divide be
tween the waters of the James and Potomac Rivers
which, at this place, is 22U feet above tide, and thre
feet higher than the Allegheny Tunnel, 1.-THE hlghes
point on the Coviugtou aud Ohio Rail Road.) Fror
this point you descend the side of the North noun
tain for 81 miles, to Little Calf Pasture. Here tn
country is gently undulatng, and many points Of n
terest may be observed. The next place reached !
Mill mountain. Ia continuation OF the Sh.nandoa
mounaiii,) which contains the celebrated Panther
Gap. The scenery views, and general appearance
this portion Of the country, i'll at once arrest the al
tentiun of the traveller. In a word, it is beautiful
The dinner given to Gov. Wise and the other guest
of the President aud officers of the Central road at tn
Rockbridge Alum Springs, took place at O'Clock
Wednesday last, in the Ladies Ordinary at that place
AS display of the taste of the caterers Messrs. Fra
zier Co.. Proprietors of the Springs, it reflected tn
highest credit them; an evidence OF the lbera
heartednees Of the President, Directors and Officers
the Central Road. it will long be remembered wit
pleasure by all present. In word, SO far as eating
drinking sOclably was concerned, IL was al tnd
could be desired.
Col Muniord was requested TO take the head OF th
table, Gov. Wise being on bis right, and the othe
guests being ranged on either side. Alter viRorou
attack oil the edibes, the cloth was removed aud IN
order given by Col. Munford to "charge classes.
Tn. President then announced that Mr.. Hill had
letter from COL Fontaiue, which he requested him I
read. In the letter, Col! Fontaus regrets that frot
indisposition he was unable TO be- present; comp:
mened his substitute N. b. Hill, Esq, willing Gil
able to do the houors of the occasion; and after su
ding to the Governors being strong advocate q
Internal Improvements, friend of Railroads an
Canals closed with the following toast:
"G0rernOr lVtse-His ardent desire to promote 10
prosperity of Virginia il known to all; may his terii
mind suggest some means of terminating our VAR
Gus works OF Internal Improvement, now langushihl
for want of funds for their completion. u
The reading of the toast was followed oy iouu Gaii
for Wise In responding hr. " ise sa'u M r
sid.nt and gentlemen: came up here for pleasure
and did not expect TO be set at hard work. he' now
ever, would confess himself caught tor once. Aiie
r.frriny IN Col Funaine letter, in which he allude
70 the Coyernors devotion TO the Interests of Vngi
na he snd that if it WIS q weakness it was his if /
was virtue, it his. The old Common wealll
them came in for eulogy, which was couched II
,ns nj the mos, ardent devotion. When the dsso
natr,n overcome the an0r Lci, then would Vrgnan
arrive ut u right understanding of the immense re
sources Of their own State. He quoted the lines,
"There is a land, Of every land the pride"
aud said that the day would come when Vrgnian
would be proud to say OF their own State,
| THAT land lie my country. that spot my home
He had taken much pleasure in examining the worl
OF the ruad. The Importance Of the work, 10 deye
oping our resources, called for legislative aid. Tn
COMPANY. without money or means, had accomplish