The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1858-09-23

its own cluster oil spurs and sloplng hol'
lows, here intersect in way, that may
aptly be compared 10 closs. Starting
then from the centre Of this cross, let US
60 out-the bazes being gstilI our guide
towards two or three points OF the ho'
rzon. Abou, hundred yards in front
we see a fine grove of oaks. Following
the footpalh which leads in that direction
and making sudden face'about with a
sharp angle TO the right, we are brought
by few steps of steep descent vs.a.vis
to the grove already mentioned. 1t is
planted, we find, on the rool o(a strong
Iy vaulted cave. from the black mouth
Of which stream Of the purest water
comes gliding into the light. Entering
the cavern we behold capacous store,
house of natures handiwork, convenient.
ly fitted up with shelves Of pebble stud
ded rock and already appropriated by
our thrifty hostess Of the og.aabin to
dairy and other domestic uses. Leaving
this retreat, we are soon led by the bla.
zes 10 another of like character, but
wilder and more beautiful. In few
minutes more we alight npon an exquis,
tie liulc fountain, enclosed in a natural
arbor Of moSS.covcGed rock, cmptying
into a golden bason, and flowing out over
golden sands, which from the pains ia.
ken TO adorn it by Col. Barney, the amia.
bic and ndelalgable engineer of the
University, has been appropriately chris
tened "Bafncy's Pet.' Within few
hundred yards we meet with three or four
other springs, each with its own cave or
dell, and each with its own especial beau
ly, or wonder, to commend it. But leav.
ing these, not however without IortIy ing
ourselves with draught from springs of
of most deIiciously cool water, we gently
ascend as the blazes lead US back TO the
back bone, as it were, Of one Of the main
ridges, and at distance of about two
miles to the Southwest Of our cabin
emerge in cleared space on the brow of
hill. This spot, for want Of a better
name we might call the Mound Of Elk.
clamalion! 1t is a birds eye view, in
fact, of Slope Wall-lhe point where the
Railroad up the mountain first comes 10
view-or TaIIey's Cove, Winchester val.
ley, the town Of Winchester, Cowan, and
of an inlerminablc reach Of grove and
field forest, stretching far away into the
blue depths beyond. TO attempt the
description of such sences is mere waste
of paper. When one behods them he
must vent his feelings by shout, tr else
keep silence. Anything between the
two is an impertcnce-in insult. as it
were to the majesty Of nature.
From the point to which we have led
him, the reader may descend, iChe please,
by rugged and steep path, TO the near.
est farm, which lies before US in the still
cove below. Should he do so, Squire
Hawkins, the proprietor, will receive
him with a generous hospitality, and in
such intervals as can be snatcheJ from
the discussion Of peaches, melons and
other dantes of the season, will show
MIN beautiful limestone spring, with a
mass Of whilish rocks piled up above it
in picturesque confusion, and with a
pretty flock Of kids perching themselves
in a fashion still more picturesque upon
every juttIng point and coign Of vantage
that the said rocks afford. He will in.
tIoduce him also to greater curiosity n
the shape Of cavern from which a cold
stream gIides, bringing with it a strong
puff OF apparently cy.cold air.
But we have said enough Of the at.
fractions Of one line Of excursion from
our cabn-though the subject, we assure
our readers, is not by the tenth part ex.
hausted. Another line, leading in an
opposite direction to the one we have
taken. conducts US after walk Of about
a miIe-wilh plenty oil springs, Of course,
to refresh US on our way-to Green's
Point, 40 to be named forever in honor
Of that model Of Christian gentlema
and churchman without reproach, the ex.
cellent Bishop of Mississippi, This is
the good Bishops iavorite lookout, and
lie has taken great pains to have spnce
properly cleared for the enjoyment Of the
scene. The ridge terminates in mass
Of bold casteIIaled cliffs, which seen from
below, with the tall trees hanging over
them, are sigularly beautiful. A fine
chaly ybeate spring adds to the traction
of the spot. The view from the summit
takes in Rowark's Cove, with bound.
less expanse towards the Northeast and
Northwest, TO describe all which we
should have TO give at least three shouts,
with tremendous marks Of exclamation.
We may remark, however, that these
views from the plateau are beautiful rath.
er than sublime. The mountain and
plain lines are all alike horizontal -
These are no points, no curves, but a
horizon level, and to the eye apparently
lifted up like that Of TIE ocean. Yet
the long line of spurs on either side run.
nng out into the plain, and the exquisite
sylvan frame through which the whole is
seen, give peculiarly fire effects of light,
and shade, and the impression on the
whole is such as no one who has felt il
can possibly forget.
Another point about two miles from
our lodge, and in a direction between
the two already mentioned, has been par
italy iiy;' cleared r}Hmihe eNer'iOns of DR..
Alternately, resident Ol'ih.'fs &. is!s ssI rust
below, aud will 60 under the name OF
Abemalhy's View. 1t is more varied
than the others we have seen, and opens
lovely yistas to the West, Moth and
East.
And so is. whatever direction we may
take from our cabin. Bishop Green, TO
whom with Col. Barney, we are indebted
Ior III sorts Of facilities in thridding this
Iaoyrn'h oI paths and blazed roads, has
visited some coPious springs-many of
them as interesting as those we have des.
cnbed-wI'hin two or three miles OF our
present quarters. One Of these obounds
In the handlcrait Of curious little man.