The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1857-10-17
For the Central Presbyterian.
The Falling Spring.

Not long since | spent a Sabbath near
the Falling Spring, in Alleghany Co., Va
On the next day party of young persons
having made arrangements to visit the
Falls, | willingly Joined them, as had long
wished to see them. As we were setting
out, the dense fog which had hung for seye-
raj hours over the valley began to clear
away by gracefully wreathing around the
mountain tops, then disappearing in the
blue expanse above.
A high mountain lowered in the distance,
attired in its autumnal robe of many colors
and as we slowly rode along viewing the
varied scenery it presented, as its veil oi
mist was gently raised, we felt most i'm
pressiyely, how Insignificant and trivial are
the most gorgeous displays of human skill
and grandeur, compared with Gods.
After pleasant ride of few miles we
entered the ravine leading from Jackson's
River to the Falls, through which noun
tain stream of rare beauty winds its devious
way. Its waters are remarkably transpa-
rent even for this region, but very insipld.
We passed several cascades from six to ten
feet high and quite number of pools formed
by them.
Saturated twigs and leaves settle at the
bottom and are encrusted by sediment
that is deposited upon them and in this
way many curious specimens Of petrifaction
are formed. Upon breaking what appeared
to be petriied twigs of beech tree so ex-
act was the resemblance, found decayed
wood and sometimes black mould within.
The method of deposit seems to be very
similar to a galyanic process. The matter
deposited is held in solution in such man
ner as not to be perceptible in the water
unless it be to increase its transparency.
The spray of the Falls floating about upon
the air will encrust a twig it it remains
sufficiently long in one place. Some dis
lance up the rayine we left the road and
after passing through field we followed a
path to a point within sight of the Falls.
Here we dismounted and after climbing some
steep banks and crossing and recrossing a
small stream several times, we approached
the Falls. The water pOurs over preciplce
about ninety feet high but not in sheet,
for lust before it comes to the verge, the
water in the main channel seems to have
paused and diyerged in different directions
as if it feared the leap, thus it falls from
different points like showers of chrystals,
upon the rugged rocks beneath, not form
ing, as one might suppose, a deep pool but
leaping from rock to rock for some distance
beyond. The gurgling of the falls and the
mrmuring of the rapids blending, where
all else is solitude and silence, produce a
fine effect upon the ear, for one loves to
hear the silence broken thus.
Having reached the Falls early enough to
see the ''rainbow in the morning" we wit
messed a perfects bow with al the prismatic
-is- -1s.' n.' eine,siOns Va
r5sd. according 10 the positions from which
it was viewed. Its most beautiful appear
ance, however, was from the apex of q conf
cally shaped rock near the Falls, from which
saw miniature bow about thirty feet In
extent, one extremity resting upon rock,
the other upon the eddying waters almost IN
reach of me.
Currents of air are constantly radiating
in every direction from the Falls, waiting the
almost invisible spray. In few minutes
drops of water gather upon the face and
hands, and the clothing becomes damp. If
leaf remains long enough in the same
place, within reach of the spray it is en-
crusted, as have been credibly informed
by those who have often visited these Falls.
My young companions were much interested
and it was a favorable moment to remind
them of God, and the teachings of his won
derful works. With the Falls for text, |
would preach them and others a brief ser
mon. Ny hearers, you hear the allurng
murmurs of those sparkling waters, you
perceive that bow displaying its varied hues
to charm you nearer, for the nearer you
approach the more beautiful it appears.
How pleasant to be famed by the cooling
breezes ever playing there. Yet there is
an influence silent and unseen eXerted here,
that hardens whatever remains within Its
reach, How ftly this typifes the pleasures
of the world. They have sweet sounds to
allure, pleasing colors to charm, but when
we draw near to hear and see, We come
within the sphere of an influence that ST.
lently and almost imperceptibly hardens the
heart until it becomes as stone.
GULIELMUS.