Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-08-30
Rockhridse Alum Springs.

II correspondent OF the Washington star writes
as follows from the Rockbridge Alum Springs,
under date of August 9th
wish, Mr.. Editor, that you and many of my
Washington friends would come up here and be
invigorated. The one days Journey that brings
you here is very pleasant. You have fine noun.
tain views, at intervals, all the way, aad the last
six miles OF staging is the best part of the route
the road is so good, and the mountains so very
grand. You get here in time to hear the band
play the "Arvil Chorus" or zone Summer
Night" or something equally good; and after
this kind of music another comes that travellers
in the mountains like to hear-the supper bell
After an excellent supper, you can dress and &c
to the ball room, or to the parlor, or following
our good example) you can 60 to bed. You are
sure OF good nights rest, everything is so clean
about the beds, and the rooms all look recently
washed, and are very comfortable. We
know an old lady who VOWS "Oleanliness is next
to godliness" is text of Scripture; that she has
read it there often. We have neverseen it there,
but we believe the sentiment to be true one,
and the establishment is conducted on The same
principle. Everything is clean at the table, and
even in the mammoth kitchen. On being as
sured of this with our own eyes, we began to
improye three times q day,
| This is very pretty, rural place. Although
there are now five hundred people here, living
in cabins close together, and in the near hotels,
there is the quiet and repose that one leaving the
tumutuous city longed but hardly hoped for
The only noise we hear now, is the chirp OF our
Canary, at the door of the cabin. We do hear,
besides, breeze that 10 just springlng up and
setting In motion the many fine trees on the
| lawn. But the cabins are nearly all deserted
the ladies are at their bowling alleys, and the
gentlemen at theirs, or at billiards, or shooting
in the gallery, or riding up and down the hills.
The very quiet ladies 60 to the parlorj and
wish YOU could see the number OF worsted shaWls,
&C.. in progress there. Alas for the women Of
the nineteenth century! Margaret Fuller APP
pealed to them in vain. Their mission is, not to
improve their own minds, or others, but to spend
their time and strength and eyesight in working
or knitting horrid, useless things In worsted. ii
women will knit, why not knit stockings
In half an hour, Otis now noon) the musicians
90 to the centre Of the lawn, where Mr.. Frazier
the proprietor, has caused to be erected an ex
ceedinely tasteful little building, so correct in it,
proportions, and so graceful in shape, that it de-
serves the mans of temples Within are seats
for listeners, and in the very centre OF the tenn
pie the musicians are seated while playing. Il
is very shady here all the time, trees surrounding
the building, which is used for other purposes
than that of music; people 60 there for discus
sions political aud religious, 1--WE suppose the
latter. as we see clergymen there sometimes tol
gossippipg, and Irritation. Nurses take theil
babies there in the heat Of the day, and little
ones of all sizes are playing there from morning
. until night. Already the new white paint Ii
dis6gured with the American sin of soribRlipe
names, de-, everywhere. Why do people DO sucl
tbings2
. We have music for an hour before dinner eV-
ery day, and lust before dinner time the stages
are ranged in front of the principal hotel, ane
the baggage is piled in the piazza, and the pleas
ant acouantances made week before, are going
off. We are very much distressed, Of course
and say very sorrowful things. But sad as Ii
the parting, we are perfectly coDsoled when TIT
stages come in at sunset We welcome the new
friends and forget the old-so much for th'
friendships of watering places, and of life, will
occasional exceptions.
Tomorrow / will tell you about the Alum
Rock here and of some of the people who come
to drink; but you had better come up and try
the waters Yourself Editors are the most op
pressed of all humanity. Brain and hand mus
ALWAYS work, in winters cold and summer
heat. They get no credit for good editorial
but thew are COMPOUNDED for bad one. The.
must give us news, if they have to coin it, ant
when proved in error how they are abused.
/ PHREGRINA
*This Pavilion is said to bea gem of architecture
We learn that it was designed by Mr.. Librook, o
Richmond, and executed In faultless style Dy MI
Butcher, of this place