The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-24
LIFE AT THE VIRGINIA SPRINGS.
Especial Correspondence Of the Union.


OLD SWEET SPRINGS August II, 1858.
The proprietors Of the watering places in this section
of Virginia reaping most abundant harvest OF profit
the number of visitors at the Aeghanes greatly
exceed that OF any previous Thousands of southern
planters who have heretofore contributed to enrich New
port and Saratoga this year filling the White Sulphur
and this delightful resort with company of unusual
refinement intelligence, and wealth The beauty and
the wealth Of Georgia, Mississippi Alabama, South Caro-
lima Louisiana Texas, Florida Virginia North Carolina
Arkansas Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee here
in such abundance that IL difficult to believe that
there any Of the wealher people of those States ut
home We have at this place great social congress of
the entire South The of hundreds OF negroes and
thousands of of rice cotton and sugar plantations
plentiful rs blackberries
The old Sweet Springs at which there are now nearly
thousand visitors has within the last three years be-
the flyorte resort of the southern people and
the accommodations are equal to those of frst-cass
modern hotel, it is destined to become the summer
home of planters from the southern States from June
until 0cober OF oil the watering places in the United
States this is the oldest
Its waters analysed nearly hundred years ago
by Bishop Madison, of the early presidents of Will
liam and Mary College. Since that time its baths have
been regarded the best in this country 1t is distant
some seventeen miles from the white Sulphur Springs,
in the most elevated and beautiful of all the lovely val
leys of the Alieghanies. Tho VALLEY SWEET
SPRINGS has been celebrated both in prose and 1t
has appropriately been called the Tempe of America The
valley narrow, rich strip of alluval SOIL four
miles in length and two hundred yards In width,
roundedby lofty mountains and cultivated hills The vege
tation Of this valley is of tropical luxuIance and variety
The whole of H. with thousands of Of the adjoining
country for many years the property of the Lewis
family of the oldest and most distinguished families
in Virginia large portion of it is still owned by Col
Lewis adcsoendant of the celebrated Gen. Andrew Lewis
of the revolution, to whose memory Virginia proposes
to erect statue which will form of the group
around that of Washington.
A few years ago, except large and massive brick
wall the buildings here Of the poorest description,
and inadequate to the accommodation of more than
two hundred guests few years ago these springs
bought by three gentlemen of great wealth. who have
erected great number of large and beautiful cdfces.
The guests surrounded by every comfort and
the Sweet Springs regarded by the Virgnians with
pride the model watering place of the South. Tho
buildings all supplied with gas and water,
and the parlos and sleeping apartments furnished
well those of the best hotels The bath house is one
of the most complete and beautiful edces in the State
The whole establishment is under the superintendent of
Major Wilson, gentleman of great reputation and pop
uarity In tho line Of his vocation The season will con-
tnue until the first of October and the number guests
will not be much smaller than it is before the 10th
Of September. There is much gaiety among the young
people, and tho parlos, drawng-room, and ball
constantly filled with most brilliant and attractive
company We have number of celebrities here from
all parts of the United States but the gaycst and live
cst of all our distinguished visitors is the Hon Henry
Stuart Foote who nightly figures the ght fantastic
toe with the energy and agility Of youth of twenty
ono. Washington is well represented by large and
attractive party of agreeable people.