Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-09-29
For the Yorkville Enquirer.

Yours, &c. j.
.
!. For the Yorkville Enquirer.
JoTT1Nes OF TRAVEL.
Mr.. Eaitor:-Have you seen Dr. Charles Mack
ay's book on his recent tour in Americai 1t was
handed me in the car the other day, and proved
source Of entertainment for few hours. To
those Of your readers who have not yet had the
pleasure Of perusing it, would simply say, that
it will probably interest them more than any 9th.
er work of the kind. Although We have grown
familiar with the opinions of foreigners with re-
gard to ourselves it is nevertheless natural that
we should desire to become acquainted with the
views of the latest visitaut to our country; for,
amid the correct representations and judicious
opinions of the most intelligent and honest travel
ers from the other side the Atlantic, we never
fail to be amused--it were folly to be angry
with the quantity Of errors, false impressions and
morbid sentimentalism which permeates the vol
umes of the best Of them. From these, however,
Dr. Mackay is more free than any Of his prede-
cessors. He viewed everything through, COM
mon sense medium, and has written better book
than we had reason to expect from an English
man, and-hoping to be forgiven by the sensitive
fraternity for the remark-from poet! He was
not, however, altogether free from prejudice eth
er during his tour or when he wrote, and does not
fail to exhibit objectionable ignorance with res
pect to some things at the South. We are, Of
course, always prepared for this. He says it can
be without difficulty established that in general,
slaves at the South are well treated; and this is
the only argument which southerners, pretend to
offer in justification of the institution That
they do not pretend to defend it on higher
grounds Mira6ile dictu I thought Of DR..
Smiths late book on the PHILOSOPHY of Slavery"
in which with complete success, he assumes the
highest moral and religious basis for his argu-
ment also REQUIRED to Gov. Hammond's cele-
brated letters to the English Abolitionist Clark
son +; to DIR. Ross recent mastery productions, !,
and several others of equal note. he says again,
that in consequence of the existence of slavery
amongst US, the intellectual energies Of the South
have been crippled to such degree as that she
has never produced great philosopher, metaphy-
sician, historian novelist or poets This true,
Mr.. Editor?-n even a great or eminent
preacher! He speaks of Boston as 'model
city," This may be true in many respects, but l
must confess that could not help thinking Of
Sumner and Wilson, and spirit-rsppings, and Wo-,
mans Rights Conventions, and negro assemblies
and general amalgamation suppose Tennyson
will visit America with the view Of writing
hook for the oDBghtenment Of the world and
like Mackay, will procure data for an essay on
the "Moral and Political aspect Of Southern .sla-
very" But promised. to say something about
the Montgomery White Sulphur Springs,
The Springs are Of recent discovery and i'm
provement, and are situated on the southern slope
of the Allegheny mountains, in the county Of
Montgomery. The valley may be said to be in
shape, an oblong-square, and measures about a
half mile in length and five hundred yards in
width, surrounded by mountains Of moderate al-
titude, which are covered with trees and verdure.
They are like mighty wall Of defence, and add
much to the grandeur of the scenery. Encircling
the valley, are the houses which have been ,erec-
ted for the accommodation of visitors, consisting
of large hotel and cabins Of various sizes, ee-
CANT and comfortable. Near the centre of the
valley stands the "Reception-house," handsome
building; whilst there is on one extreme, a bath
house. and on the other, booth, where shooting
is practiced. The walks are broad, well arran-
ged, and graveled, whilst the grounds are covered
with luxuriant clover, through which runs pur-
ling brook. There are two springs, one on the
western verge and the other on the northern eI-
tremity of the valley. No analysis Of the water
has yet been made, but it is evidently impregna-
ted with sulphur. 1t is not an unpleasant bever-
age, while it is said to be good for various chron-
ic diseases Delicate persons Of nervous tenn
permanent would likely derive more benefit from
the use of these waters, than from those which
are much stronger, in consequence of their less
cathartic and less stimulant nature. Their sl-
terative and depurative effects, commend them to
9 large class of invalids. From this locality
travellers have easy access to several other springs
which are highly apoken Of, viz: the Allegheny
and Covner's-the one 10, and the other 80 miles
to the east; the Yellow and the Pulaski Alum,
the first and the latter 85 miles to the south
west and the Grayson Sulphur, 65 miles in the
same direction.
The Montgomery Springs are owned by COM
pany of gentlemen, who have expended about
500, 1000, in improving the property. The chair
man Of the company, better known as the propri-
etor, Mr.. Mosby, is an afable, oblgng gentle
man, and caters well for his guests. This popular
resorts patronized by a large and respectable
class of citizens from Virginia, Alabama, Lou
isiana, Tennessee, Georgia, and other States
was, however, surprised to see so few South Car
olinians there. Among the visitors were gentle
men Of emineuce in the various profession, and
ladies of cultivation, of beauty and fashion. Of
the former were, Secretary Thompson, Gov. Wise,
of Virginia, ex-senator Soule Of Louisiana, ex-
Gov. Winston of Alabama, and Col. steptoe of
the Army; and among the latter, might be men
toned several, were there no danger of making an
invidious distinction. A better acquaintance with
one, however, may be regarded as sufficient apol
ogy for naming her as lady of cultivation, I
mean Miss F., of Henry CO., Va.
r This, Sir, is a fast age! The expression I am
aware, has become trite, but its truthfulness is,
Notwithstanding, illustrated more and more forci-
bly, every day; and not the least so, by the ex-
traYagances of fashion Southern ladies are be-