Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1858-09-08
For the Standard
PIEDMONT SPRINGS.

For many long years past, not only North. Caro-
lima, but most of the Southern States have paid
heavy tribute to Virginia. The amount of money
drawn within her limits, through her springs, has
been estimated to equal if it does not exceed, her
entire revenue. The springs Of Virginia have much
the advantage of any others in America not in
their medicinal! qualities or healing virtues, but in
all that prestige and reputation which a long and
extensive patronage gives them. They have been
and are regarded, more from the force of habit,
watering world But with the waking up of old
Rip in latter years, to mighty strides and fearful
rivalry in internal improvements, comes also wa
king 0the rivalry Of the proud old Dominion in
her boasted watering places
Piedmont is the STRIPPING in years. in whose ath-
letic limbs and proportions foresee the giant rival
of the future Already the ambitious babe, like
young Hercules performs fsats of strength dispro-
poroned to its age. It's situation is in the midst of
varied and splendid mountain scenery, whose
peaks, cascades, and streams we'll beft it for the
dwelling place of the genius of health.
This Divinity evidently presdes over the place.
1t may be felt in the pure, sweet atmosphere which
comes from the mountain sides, and in the cool wa
tiers which gush from the rocks and recesses all
around tin the renewed energy and vigor which
few days impart to ones frame, and in the sweet
sleep that characterizes the night 1t is in the
1.-the step, the rosy cheek and sparkling eye and in
the better spirits of the invalid and old.
1t has been the good fortune of the writer to spend
considerable portion Of the present summer at
these springs; and sheer of justice induces
him to Say-and he has travelled much through the
country--that there are few places in the States
more pleasant than Piedmont has been this season.
All that could conduce to enjoyment and comfort
there. The proprietor, Mr.. P. Smallwood, and
his amiable lady not only kind and polite and
agreeable in themselves, but untiring in their atten
tions to their numerous guests; and am pleased to
add for their qualification, should this meet their
eye, that they reaped abundantly of that reward
which always follows upon such efforts to please to
wit, the most "emnent success" The accommoda.
tions are good, and extensive as the age Of the
springs and their present patronage will admit OF.
They consist of well arranged and we'll ventilated
rooms, including ball room, refreshment room, bowl
ing alley, and all the ct ceteras that properly belong
to place of the kind. The general appearance of
the place is that of two sides of triangle, with the
springs between its sides; or, TO use more poetical
figure, which struck me when l first saw it, as be-
ing applicable, it is like some huge white bird (rep
resented by the large buildings that stand at the
angle of the two sides) stretching out its long white
wings Represented by the Of cabins on either
side as though they would take under their fold the
precious virtues of the waters-which are made by
this form of building convenient to all the visitors
Clean, nice beds attentive servants, and we'll served
wholesome food, are also among the well cherished
luxuries of the place.
The water is chiefly chalybeate and It's effect mos,
exhilaratng. 1t bursts from the side of rock into
solid rock basin, the rate Of about gallons 70!
every minutes. A fine, bold free stone spring
stands within few feet of it, but after few days
the visitor invariably prefers the halybeate.
North Carolinians would do well, Messrs. Editors
to patronze this place, and keep within her owr
borders portion of that wealth which now annual
ly flows into other channels and serves to make he
by-word amongst her sisters.
Your correspondent will long cherish the memory
Of the delightful hours passed and the pleasant &C
guantances made at Piedmont in the summer o
1858. VIATOR.