Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-08-11
Latter from Bedford Springs.

Correspondence Of tie Alerandria Gazette.
BEDFORD, Pa, Aug. 6, misunderstanding
that you have occasional letters from the
Virginia Springs, have thought that II
brief desert ption Of the route to this celebra-
ted Watering place, and of the Spring and
its visitors. would not be embarrassing to
your readers With your kind permission,
therefore, | will attempt the task.
We left Alexandria, on Monday last. at
quarter to six. A. NJ. and taking the Balti
more train Mt ten minutes to seven. found the
Western cars waiting for US ut the Relay,
and commenced our journey Westward
The valley of the Patapsco presents. un-
doubtedly, some of the finest scenery have
ever looked upon--in the nei ghborhood OF
Elicott's Mills, especially, it is very attractive,
and up to the Point of Rocks, those who,
like myself, seldom see great overhanging
rocks and falling waters, will find much t"
interest them.
Before reaching Monocacy, the road pas
ses through short tunnel cut in the solid
rock, and at that point, view Of the noun.
tains il first obtained. From the Point OF
Rocks to Harper's Ferry the Railroad, Ca
nal and Potomac River run side by side,
and the scenery is really magnificent, though
we did not stop at the Ferry, long enough
to obtain a fair view of it. Reaching Mar
tinsburg about II, NJ, we found an excel
lent dinner in waiting for us, which we were
allowed nineteen minutes to partake OF; and
we were then ratified on, under overhanglng
crags, and under and beside lofty noun
tains, with the old Potomac for many miles
beside us, towards Cumberland Those who
are accustomed to look upon the majestic
flood which rolls past our good old town,
cannot help feeling little surprised at the
small size Of the river up in the mountains.
Four Mile Run is IL great stream in c"lnpar-
ison with it, and though it appears wider
and deeper at some points, | should think
that it might easily be crossed dryshod in
few seconds.
At SIR Johns Run We found coaches wait
ing for snch If our passengers rs were
bound for Berkeley Springs, which are only
two miles aud halt from that point, and
Mt / We reached Cumberland and pnt up at
the st. Nicholas, very quiet aud respecta-
bic house, kept by Mr.. Samuel Lehman, n
most polite and attentive host just after
we arrived, the President passed in ear
riage, on his return home, and took lodgings
nj the Revere House, whittier mutItudes ot
people wendell their way to pay HIN Their
respects.
AtII in the morning, we took the Good
Intent Stage for Bedford, but her pertor-
nance was not equal to her Intention, Tor
we broke spring i'll ascending hill soon
after starting, and had to send the horses
back for another coach. which delayed US
until 81, A. NJ. In thi>, Il lady and five gen
tlemen were safely conveyed over one OF the
worst roads imaginable, about twenty ely mt
miles. We were said to he ascending the
Cumberland Valley, but said Valley though
hemmed in by spurs of the Alleghanies, APP
pears to consist of pretty steep hills, rising
one after another throughout the entire
route. At II, NJ, We got pretty good
dinner at the Lafayette House iii Centreville,
. mountain village of forty inhabitants, and
about 81 we reached the Springs, upon
which Que comes SO suddenly that you do
not see them until you are just in front OF
the buildings. Four of our party stopped,
but the rest, preierring the village, rode a
mile and half farther, and took lodgings
at Mrs Fullcrs.
As description of the Springs would
make my present letter too long, | will give
it in another, and merely mention to those
who think of coming, that a round trip
ticket from Washington coss S77.I5, the route
expenses being $3.50, and that board at the
Springs is Sll, and in the town s. per week.
Those who have the time to spare, would,
| think, find it best to 60 from Georgetown
to Harper's Ferry in the Canal packet, and
there take the Railroad as the journey
through 10y the latter ID excessively tatlgu-
in, FIDELIS.