The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-08-01
fcorrespondence Of the unionl
RECORDS OF A SEASON AT THE FAUQUIER WHITE
SULPHUR SPRINGS, VIRGINIA

Do not fancy kind readers, IL begin my records with
description of the way hther and the place, II be-
cause either is unknown but there is fitncss-nay
any undertaking. 10 have proper starting point
therefore if you leave Baltimore 10 the mail train at four
in the morning you viii be in time for the boat at six
from washington TO Alexandria, where YOU win take the
cars ON the Alexandria and Orange road From Warren
ton junction. by branch road, you arrive at Waientoni
an exceedingly pretty and houshing town OF about 500
inhabitants.
And now comes a pleasant, and to many anoyel
change We speak OF badons, and busy fancy at thai
word peers far backward into vista where objects loom
up in the imness with unreal. mythical FORM covered
with The dust of ages But in our day Of rapid trans
tons even the meaning of words becomes relative Our
own land in her youth and beauty stands forth herself
realization of the ideal of the ancients Minerva sprang
into life in full panoply from the head OF Jupiter Did
she more than toreshad,w country in her ma
tai hour Nations of the Old World required ages
to mature a discovery but, in this, the novelty
of the day is perfected and becomes old the infant
masses from his childhood Thus il is that in many parts
of our Union stage travelling has become tradition hand
ed down father SON. and the stage coach itself
already myth But at Warrcnton, as If time had rolled
backward uniting the nors with the historical Men the
traveller finds himself in vertable coach, drawn
good turnpike, by as fine horses urged by as ami
II
grandiathers had known in the good old times when
three ,cees were required to pass from Baltimore to Boston
Memories of by-gones' will perhaps at first crowd
upon the mind but country seats in the midst of finely
cultivated lands groups of cattle grazing in the meadows
distant views of the Blue Ridge drawn boldly upon the
horizon with here and there gathering of all these fa
lures into one exquisite landscape will cngros the
attention and call forth expressions of delight drive
of seven miles will bring you to the springs at noon
where you win be kindly received by the popietors and
attentive servants will be ready to show you in
the spacious hotel conduct you to the cosy cabin
where you may at once install yourself at home
The hotel fine brick building standing at the head Of
the grounds and in the centre Of the semicce Of cabins
has noble portco of 1873 feet in length which, being
shaded by large trees affords agreeable promenade OF
all hours of the day, and from it the view is charming
The alley down which you look is cut through
avenue of trees, and terminates at the spring, dis
lance of about $50 yards which is erected
tasteful octagonal pavilion supplied with seats In
the middle of this alley is fountain that when play
ing adds its beauty TO the scene Diverging from
this walk paths winding among the grcensward and
beneath the Pine trees, casting their cyer-varyng light
and shadow over the waving grass and aording shelter
to the faow deer, Here these elegant animals
in two groups is their habit quietly grazing, or
gracefully bounding over the grounds the young fawns
gambol by the side of their DAMS and the sags beaut
full with their dappled Sides line of ctty black adown the
back and branching antlers which at this yet
soft and protected by light brown yelveke covering
wait the cabins, ready t!nidly to approach rta
kindly call and take the profercd fruit from the extended
hand.
No wonder this delicate creature has always been the
vorite Of poet and painter and has become the emblem
of genencss and grace and strange, too, that, in
country where it has scarcely ceased to in native
q
grounds Would that Others might initiate in this respect
the good taste of the proprietor Of the Fauquer Springs
few yards from the hotel stands of the most In
terestng features of the place 1t is cabin that for
many seasons occupied by the late Chief JUS
ce Marshall but for the last ten years has been the
residence Of General Moses Green of Culpeper, who
lives permanently at the springs for the benefit of the
waters, having been long afflicted with dropsy. By
the side of his cabin is large hencoop and pigeon house
and his hens of the choicest breeds of Shanghai 80
kind is his heart and such the simplicity of his benevo
lence that he delights to instruct his servants to
fine SQUAD tender chicken fresh eggs, gift from
themselves tempt the appetite Of any invalid they
hear of on tAe ground This interesting old man. not
whsandng his aliction which has confined him for two
wears to his bed patient and cheerful and ready
extend hand of welcome to visitors and to them
with recollectons of the past 1t is precious to hear
tales Of our early history and brave struggles from the
lips of those who have lived through all those stirring
scenes privilege more to be valued since it daily be-
comes more and rare and will be lost forever
General Green though young when our revolution
commenced has distinct remembrance of the latter
scenes in the war; and Of the declaration of peace and
afterwards holding a commission in the army of the
States he had the qualification Of showing the discipline
of his troops General Washington, the occasion ola
review by him at Fort Cumberland, Virginia event
he recalls with patriotic pride Nor is it such sub
iecs only that he loves to impagt his knowledge but in
details also that add to daily comfort Observing an in
ouisitive glance given branches of walnut the walls
around his bed he informed that once having heard
the walnut leaves would drive away flies, he had hung
them there with complete success and truly there we're
but few of those troublesome visitors in the room
Every year these springs resorted to by families
high social position and culture, rendering the society
very attractive. Among Others who now here arc
the highlyesteemed Chief Justice of the United States
Supreme Court and his two daughters. of a man 50
widely known and well appreciated the Chief JUS
tice II is superiuous for to attempt deneaton.
1t would b. indeed to gid refined gold but would say
that while his name win live historically in his deeds
his features and intellectual expression viii be admirably
preserved by the genius of Hoatio Stone whose fine bust
is finished representation Of physical form, lumncd ,!
the soul.
AS other guests daily arriving at the springs ana
as with each addition of number increase OF So
cal pleasure doubtless my writing will record many
interesting events; till then, dear reader, adicu.
!
!