Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-26
To the Editors Of the Enquirer.

BArR ALUM SPRINGS, }
Bath County, Va, May 18th
Messrs. Edtors:-Thinking that an attempt at de.
scrinton of some of the beauties of the Valley Of
VIRGINIA might not be wholly undressing to your
r.aders. I have seated myself in this, my fnvorite
summer resort, in what think the most beautiful
county of the finest State of the Union, to say to
,hose who are tired of the ciiy's hum, in whose
.ystems as il my own, the hardness of the North
arm climate has planted deeply the seeds of consump
ZION, 10 come and be healed by the bnlmy breezes
and health giving Springs of Central Virginia.
From Washington down the broad Potomac to
Alexandria, and thence through beautiful plantations
over the Orange and Alexandra Railroad TO Gordons
ville is a route which is We'll calculated to ravish
Northern eyes by it's beauty. The green fields on
either hand, the pink peach blossoms and the beauli
full rhododendrom reminded US that we were passing
through land fairer than that of our nativity. But
the route from Gordonsvlle through Staunon to
Miiboro, the South western terminus Of the Virginia
Central Railroad s, to my eye, more beautiful than
any ever travelled In America. Passing Monticello,
the former home Of the great Trainer of the Decla-
ration of Independence beautiful amid its encir
cling hills. the University Of Virginia at Char
luitesve, which owes it's architectural beauty
to the same master mind, we assembled the slopes
of the Blue Ridge until our train reached It's
lofty summit. from which view is presented, which
language cannot describe, but which must be seen to
be- appreciated. From this elevation the eye wanders
over green fields aud whits dwellings, eastward, till
the horizon bounds the view Westward, the green
valley OF virginia Nes spredu ike PCtuIe oc"oou
us. Soon we have descended into that lovely region
and the iron horse whirls Us along past beautiful
Saunton, and through verdant valleys to Milooro'-
to which point the Central railroad Is now complete
From this point to the Bath Alum Springs, situated
10 miles West, the distance is accomplished by stage
which is by no means the oast agreeable part OF the
journey.
These Springs which are fvs in number, and en-
brace all grades-from pure Chalybeste waters to
those strongly iIDpregnated with alum-are unrva!ed
in their Efficacy for the cure Of dyspepsia ashmatic
and scrofaous affections and many other diseases as
numerous certificates from invalid. show. Here too
may be found spacious hotel, kept by Messrs Wood
e. Brnkiey, whose airy rooms. attentive servants
and above ALL ts delicious and abundant fare, which
ia peculiar to the middle section of the Old DOMINION
will compare fsvorably with The first class hotels OF
Philadelphia, New York or Boston.
The scenery around thess Springs is unsurpassed
in sublimty. High mountains rear their blue heads
aloit, and numberess cascades foam and tumble
through the gorges between them. Among other
places of interest, yesterday visited huge cave
about one mile from this place, which, mes place
extremely interesting. Midway from the base TO the
summit Of the mountain, its entrance ID perfect
arch Of ~ feet span-in depth It 10 81 t.e
is height 20. It's root Id an arch, formed IN the sod
rock by the hand OF Omnipotencs. its echOee are
truly wonderful. One cannot more agreeably spend
half day than in exploring it, dim recesses. At the
mouth of this wonderful cave mineral spring leaps
from the mountain side and goes tinkilns dowu
10 mingle with the stream below And to sportslnen
this region is peculiarly inviting party OF gentle
men left the hotel on hunting and fishing excursion
and in seven hours returned with two deer mare,
aud several phea-ants, besides ave dozen trout as
proof Of their SKILL
Iu conclusion, will cay, to invalids from the
Northern and Eastern States that in fssing from the
rough climate which has induced their diseases, they
cannot find more agreeable or healthy retreat hau
the Chalybeate and Alum Springs OF Bath county,