The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-08-18

HEALrsa sPk,nas. Aug Ii. 1856.


coRREsPoNpxScE or THE DIspATcH
HEALING SPkisas, Aug ii, 1856.
This watering place, which IL among the consid
erable number brought into public notice within
lew years. 10 becoming very popular for the Ell
caey OF It's waters In q variety Of dissases-mors
especially for diseases of the skin and scrofula -
weak eyes, approaching almost to blindness
nave been restored; and deafness has been curet
by them. learn that Major Gwynn, Of the
Army, left here last week aud very considerably
oenehtfed In bis hearing. He arrived very deaf
aud len with his hearing almost restored. He II
also blind; but hopelessIy so. The waters had nc
effect on his eyes This excellent officer and gentle
mau is the victim Of exposure and hardships in the
service 10 Florida and Mexico. 1 bear Of severa
cases OF extraordinary cures performed by these
waters There is negro boy here from Richmond
VINO came here very much diseased with scrofnla
but who seems now to be entirely healed
The locality is very picturesque, and the propri
etors Nessrs. Porter g. Irving, are improving 1t In
most enterprising manner. They have compile
TED two large brick buildDgs-sne containing the
office. parlor and number of lodging rooms; the
other spacious dining room, with other apart
ments- They have in the course of construction
another large brick building which has a splendid
ballroom. This will not be ready for the guests
this season. but the ball Of the next may be OIL ed
in it In grand style.
These buildings are ranged on the East side OF
the ravine, in whose bosom are the springs and
baths. On the West side is handsome row OF
wooden cottages adorned in the centre with a
larger building: whose neat pertics Ia supported
with columns of lattice work foot bridge spans
the ravine and communicates between the two
rows of buildings 1t forms a handsome feature
OF the scene. The whole establishment is very
pretty and presents an appearance of quiet and
repose within the mountain fastness where ii rests
that imparts to the guest feeling of contentment
and invites him to the enjoyment of the real con-
fort and good fare which the place most sbundanty
supplies. The enterprisiBg purveyors of the place
keep the table well supplied with everything
that can be obtained; but there is appearance
of neatness and order about the rooms and deli.
cacy of arrangement of the good things of the
table which show q cunning in housekeeping to
which the ruder sex can never attain 1t is attri-
buted to the true cause by those who are aware OF
a recent important acquisition to the firm.
The waters of the spring have not been an
alysed. They are alkaline, evidently, and con-
clude tonic There is one plunge, spout and
several tub baths. The plunge is small and the
water not very abundant The bathing ia not
flicted. The water has very decided influence
upon the skin one evidence, it clears dandruff
from the head very promptly.
have been rambling over the mountains hunt
ing curiosities and flushing pheasant yet without
a gun If Squire t. were here he would have
rare sport. l found to-day small slab of lime
stone which was a concrete mass of marine shells
1t was oa the top of a mountain which overooks
the Healing Springs / yesterday found in the
gorge below a perfect impression of shell of a
salt water bivalve. The traveller is filed with
wonder at those grand and Almighty agencies
which have lifted up these tall mountains out of
the sea which surely once covered the earth here.
These impressions of sea shells place beyond ques.
ton fact in the unwritten history of the world
They are the miraculous testaments of events
whose magnitude fill the mind with awe, and ad-
monish Us of the insignifcance of man and his
small deeds
gushes from the foot Of the mountain, not more
than fifty steps from the mill wheel. Where 1t
comes from-cresk as it is-the miller says he does
not know. He says it rises when the rains arc
heavy other streams RISE but to his great salts
faction it does not dry up in dry weather as other
streams do 1t belongs TO the family of living wa
tiers and come from its cave in the mou ntains clear
aud cold. he miller, by the way, s young fellow
just attained to the age of manhood-is exceedingly
handsome, wears upon his cheek a tint like the
maiden's blush, is gentle and frank in manner, and
yet strong as miller should be- welding bag Of
corn with as much ease as wouli pillow case.
My report of this spring, mill and miller has made
the walk to the mill popular among the ladies; and
en- afraid shall be the means o: bringing grist
TO the mill thai will not be very profitable, and
that may confuse the movement of the comely
proprietor.
There are about $50 visitors here. The compa-
ny changes rapidly. We are three miles from the
Hot Springs. The road from which Is billy but
firm. new and we'll graded road connects with
the road to Callahau's, saving long out.of. the
way journey, to those going that direction. A
Ra,tosnake Il csn't help telling you of that dis
tinguished nhabtant Of the moupt tains) is here
hibted by Peter Cook, gardner. Peter put large
toad in with him yesterday. He did not like the
toad and drew off to corner, highly irritated, but
would not strike the ugly creature until stirred up
with sticks He struck him rapidly several times
and then turned his head from him 3s if be was
afraid of him. The toad remained with him sew
eral hours not appearing sick, and showing pro-
found indifference to the snake. He was finally
Withdrawn from the box, and several hours after
wards seemed perfectly well. 1t would appear
then toads do not die Of the Rattlesnake bite.
We enjoy quiet life here with good living and
pure air The round of reading talkirR, eating
aud drinking water aud brandy is tliom interrupt.
ed by an incident of excitement The only unusual
event is the death of Mrs Christian, q venerable
lady, mother-in-law of Mr.. Cady, a contractor on
the Central Railroad She was aged about 80, and
died today. Her funeral takes place to morrow and
is a rare occurrence here. G.