Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-08-12
CORRESPONDENCE of the Journal.
ROCKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS, VA, Aug. 5, 1859.

ROCKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS, VA, Aug. D. 1859.
DEAR JOURNAL :Leaying Wilmington Tuesday evening,
party arrived safely at this place the following evening
at about 10 o'clock We several hours behind time,
the usual hour arrival being j P NJ We took the Vr
gina Central Railroad Richmond early in the morning of
Wednesday, and had good opportunity of seeing very
interesting portion of the Old Dominion An exhausting
system culture has left barren many broad fields the
lower end of the road but the country gets better as you
approach the mountains. There several short tunnels
the road besides the tunnel of the Blue RIDGE which,
cordmg Cooks Map of Central Virginia. 4270 feet
in length The train through very slowly and the
darkness of the place makes the time consumed in
the passage appear longer than it is have heard of i'm
patient lovers wo such occasions have transferred their
plasters to each others faces, but declare that the
place rather suggestive to of that outer darkness
where there is waiting and crashing of teeth At this
point the great of Virginia has immense COST
bored through the Blue Ridge and extended the Va Central
Railroad into of the oveles regions upon which the
sun ever shone AS the traveller dashes along following
the erpentne of the road along the mountain sde
his eye wanders the broad valley spread out below him.
with it's field of uxurient clover and it's fat cattle
horses grazing rich pastures and its nnumerabe home
steads peepng out from beneath the outrageous trees
people Cold indeed be the heart which, amidst
such these does not love its country with a a
lection. East of the Blue Ridge tobacco seems to be the
great staple The region this side OF the Ridge is strictly
grazing country.
At etaunton sixteen miles west of the long tunnel we
pearance from the railroad The houses and shrubbery
evince taste and liberal expenditure. From Staunton
Depot which is just IT'S miles from Richmond. There
took coaches for this place. which is distant six miles from
the depot These figures differ little from those of the
advertisements, but nevertheless correct.
The Rockbridge Alum Springs have wide reputation
throughout the country for their valuable medicinal quail
ties Of these cannot speak from experience The waters
by analysis contain Aumna, Protoxide of Iron suphates
of Lime Potash and Magnesia onia Sodium Carbonic
and Sulphuric Acids If the without
remedial agent the beauty of the place. heightened by the
embellishments of art into surprising loveness the good
the accommodations and fare and atmosphere
pure and vgoratng would make this spot very attractive
Everything here on substantial scale. The buildings
nearly all of brickbut not to subserve the purposes Of
fashionable folly whose favor IS always ephemeral but to
accommodate the seekers of health rational pleasure for
all time. Several of our party give decided preference to
this place Saratoga for beauty of surroundings and
general attracveness. Whilst write excellent band
dscOurses sweet music from the midst Of the grove to the
four five hundred people who occupy the buildings
But time flies, and supper is near at hand.
Yours truly, REVONAH.