Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-07-29
PAGES HOTEL,
Near the Pilot Mountain.

4N6uT IHC L tCOt 1UOUttbtft'J
Mr.. EDITOR As l design spending some
time in Western North Carolina, | have con-
cluded to give you occasional inkdrops ofmy
journeyings. | took the Cars at Hillsboro
Station on the 9th inst. I need not tell you
and your readers that the engine whistled
shrilly and the heavy wheels muttered hoarse-
~ over the hills and wales; you have been told
that a thousand times or less. | had a pleas
ant ride, at any rate, to High Point Station.
There | took the stage for Salem. And that
stage ride! oh merciless Progress l am
almost ready to aver that Plankroads are
humbugs, and Plankroad stages public out
RACES One thing is certain that stage Is
wonderfully safe-provided there is but one
in it otherwise [ would not vouch for the
consequences of the jolting and tumbling.-
Mot intimating@that this is not as good as
other stages.) Before reaching Salem | had
a good view of the Pilot and Sawra Town
Mountains-about 35 miles to the North
Salem is a place of much energy and of some
enterprise. Winston, which djoins it, is
growing rapidly. These two places, Salem
and Winston, though united in position, are
wide apart as regards many points of conn
munion, The smoke from their chimneys
mingles in the same air-the echoes of their
hammers and the soundings of their bells,
blend in harmony; but education, custom and
religion make them almost two distinct peo-
pie. While this is not desirable or pleasant,
it doubtless gives stimulus to the progress Of
both. The acquaintance l formed there,
: were very agreeable. From a remark /
!, heard about the sobriety of the community,
I expect the Spirit of the Age has been there
before me.
left Salem for PAGES Hotel on the morn
g ing of the 10th. Of that ride I haven't much
to say, as | was trying all the way to please
a capricious old lady, both in conversation
> and conduct-and failed most s~ignally. l
found Mr.. PAGES house a lovely retreat. 1t
. is in a commanding position, in full view of
d the Pilot, about 3 miles from the summit; and
h besides we'll furnished apartments and a
richly laden table, has a Colorado on the
roof from which the view is extensive and
delightful. Here we have pure bracine
1t breezes and excellent water. Mr.. Pace and
4 his family have large hearts-have theil
hearts in their hands and have their hand
open.
To-day, the 18th, I visited the Mountain
top. On my way thither, I was required BY
a. a Mr.. - to pay to see the Mountain
doubt the justice of the principle of specula
F" ting on such a God-giyen wonder. The grea
rs Creator piled that gigantic mass aloft to NEE
so the admiring gaze of the humblest child {
a nature as we'll as of the wealthy and tn
=. proud. I wonder if there are not some me
Is in the world, who if they could, would sprea
ISL a stupendous awning over the heavens an
nd charge us for a peep at the sunshine? Som
ire who, if possible, would stretch a water ga
across the Atlantic and establish a Toll Ga
ne on every wave? 1t truly seems that thel
are such. l do not object to giving the pi
ad lance required in such cases-I only que
ton the correctness of the principle.
pa Accompanied RE a yoq HgzrG gsn5Isn4 Heh
9u before reaching the apex. l could not hay
ION fallen on a more favorable day for the visi
an. The scenery was, | am sure, more than us
his ally picturesque and varied. A heavy ra
had given the Yadkin a deep yellow hue
two heavy clouds were playing along Il
Eastern range of the Blue Ridge, while fra
re- ments of clouds-many-colored and eve
wn moving, cast dark spots of shade over tt
tic wide panorama; and as they fitted on, ga,
-' a new scene, each moment, to enchant Il
W beholder. In every direction the river VIZ
uty gorgeously enchanting. To the east, lay Il
the Sawra Town mountains with five towerir
peaks. To the North, East and West we
the black ranges of the Blue Ridge-to Il
ime Southwest was the golden bosom of the va
ted. Kln' 1ashlng gally IN the sunllght-and
around, one immense and almost boundle
picture of varied verdure and foliage-inte
leW spersed with e multitude of farms of diff
has ent colors of soil-with here and there a FL
of. tering housetop and winding road. So bea
: tiful is this scenery, that I would advise
4 who visit the Pilot to go prepared to st
sea longer than they expected. One thing
ace came very near forgetting, that is, to wa,
any your lady readers, if they visit this great @
ject, to be sure to leave their hoops at t
Hotel for they positively cannot ascend wi
ses' them On and the solid rock of the Pill
pop unlike the doors of parlors and omnibus'
be- is wondrously hard to change. Nature
. :: this instance at least, does not endorse HOOP
=. In conclusion, I cordially recommend
: 90 visit to this mountain to those who love bea
eol- ty and grandeur of nature. 1t rises like
con- elevated island from a sea of foliage
We looks like a lost link from the chains til
range around it-a lonely exile from
, u great western family Of Mountains. I
ian. boarders at this House are also favored WI
EAST, the opportunity Of using the water of an
wing %jacent C~halybeate Spring. This spring
oro visited this afternoon in company with so
very pleasant ladies and gentlemen, and
certainly found the company and the wa
iage very good. More anon from your friend,
rest
,cks-