Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-04-01
For the ,Spectato
A Suggestion.


Tradition tells us that in the ulden time Staun-
ton was the resort of a large number of inteli-
gent and agreeable people from lower Virginia,
who spent tho uoaths Of August and September
here, in preference to being huddled together a.
midst all sorts OF discomtorts at the Springs
You thus had charming society in your little
community, and your hotel-keepers, merchants
and mechanics were benefited in pecunary
point of view by the patronage of the visitors.
But of late years there has been change in this
respect and people now merely pass through
your town without stopping on their way To the
Springs. For one should like to see the old
state of things restored and believe it could be
effected by a little exertion on the part Of your
citizens.
Probably three-fourths Of the people who visit
the mountains, do so, not so much for the medi-
cinal qualities of the waters, for the change Of
air, amusement and relaxation from business, or
to avoid the unwhoesome atmosphere of the
lowlands. They 20 to the Springs because all
these objects can be best accomplished there
But if you can hold out as strong inducements
in town like Stauntop you can soon arrest the
tide-Cannot this he done2 You have here q
climate as saubrious as any oil the slopes Of the
Alleghanies, and you can offer many other in
ducements to visitors. You have cultivated
aud intelligent society-large and well-kept no.
tells spacious churches, pious and talented
preachers-good roads and many objects OF in
terest in the neighborhood to tempt visitors to
rural excursions. All these present strong in
dueements to the mdde-aged and old people
Bat the young folks, who pretty generally rule
in such matters, require something more. They
like gayety, dancing and little fun. These are
to be found at the Springs, and are not to be
found here at this time. But can they not be
furnished think they can, and | will state
hoao they can be furnished. Let your three prin-
cipal Hotel keepers take the course that is adop-
ted by the Spring-keepers. Let them unite and
employ fine band of Musicians for the months
of July, August and September. Let this band
be stationed at the American and play every
day when the cars come in, and let it be under
stood that each of the Hotels will be open, once
a week, for a HOP for the young people. This
wonld give THREE HOPS week. which are
as many as could be required. Let it also be
understood that this band would on the other
evenings play in the grove south of the town, or
at such private houses as might be opened for
the entertainment OF strangers, and your town
would soon become the most attractive spot in
the mountains to strangers. The old could en-
Joy the comforts of good hotels, luxurious tables
pleasant drives, and agreeable society, and they
would not be cut off from the still higher enjoy
meuts of attendance on the churches of their
preference. The young could have cheerful COM
pany, delightful promenades, charming cotillions
and reels,and unbounded opportunities for fiirta-
ton and fun. Being but half day distant from
Richmond, Petersburg, Washington and Balti-
more, business men could at any time run home,
if any exigency required it.
What say you, Messrs. Hotel proprietorsG-
Will you have the band or note Will you have
your Hotels crowded or emptya Will you make
your place the most charming in the mountains
to young and old, or will you force your own
people to HE to the Springs in quest of society
and pleasure9 The whole matter rests with
you. TRAVELLER.