Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-07-18
LOCAL IT + MS.

THE HOME SpRINGs.-Upon hot day in
July, the very mention of cool spring water
is Acknowledgements of shaded paths
into pleasant dells, where the sparkling water
bubbles up and runs murmuring over the
smooth pebbles. Even now, in the midst
of Cameron" which brings its stream to
our doors--somewhat heated by its long tra-
vel, to be sure, but very pleasant for all
that-we hold pure spring water, that never
saw other pipes than those laid down by the
Great Engineer, to be the best of all. Above
the Bridge Pump" more grateful than the
"Gate Pump" exceeding "leates' Pump"
and not to be mentioned along with the
"Baptising Pump" or the Virginia House
Pump" or "Skidmore's Pump" is the fresh
stream that gushes from the bosom of Mother
Earth, to refresh her thirsty children. Yea,
even Incompatible Diagonal Pump" use
ful as thou has been in days gone by, to
thirty thousands, spring water is preferable
to thine--cold as it used to be, when it came
round in water-carts, with negro driver,
and was sold ut a cent bucket, and sat
in cool place in the pantry, where the cat
would drink out Of it when the lid was in
adyertently left off, and then We had to
thirst until the water-cart came around
again.
The springs of this neighborhood, once
renowned-seats OF pleasant summer parties
and sites Of 18th Of July dinners--excelent
water they have for mixing-have of late
been dwarfted into insignifcance, and their
very names almost forgotten. Yet a brisk
walk to some of them, in the "cool of the morn
ing" with half a dozen tumblers of water,
might be quite as effectual TO remove disease,
and give tone and vigor to the system, as the
far off fountains of health, which so many
seek in vain. Many citizen has travelled
miles, and spent hundreds of dollars, to
drink, during few weeks of the year, water
of no greater medicinal qualities than are
contained in the crystal waters that bubble
up from the 'Old Sulphur Spring." embos
omed in the woods. near the Powder House.
Beside the Canal Basin, two streams pour
out, side by side, Sulphur and Chal ybeate
water, of no mean virtues Then there is
the once famed Federal Spring" at the
base of Federal Hill, refreshing and delight
full: and many fountain half hidden by
the moss in the valleys that lie at the base of
Shutters Hill, and on the water shed which
empties into Four Mile Run. Closer to
Town, the Little Spring" rs the boys called
it, in the ravine that runs down to leaton's
Marsh. from beside the Mount Vernon Cot
non Factory, bubbles its waters. On the
other side of the hill, a small but perennial
spring has supplied the inhabitants of that
vicinity with water. For one hundred and
fifty years it is known to have been pouring
out its grateful supplies to the thirsty earth.
This spring is marked in the map of the
town of l148, and although the cutting
down OF the hills about it have rendered it
less copiuus than it was when the century
opened, it pours forth in the hot sun of to-
day a refreshing stream to bless the passer-
hy. TO the south Of the town, the Spring
Garden Spring" once famous, still gushes
up, and many passer to the cemeteries
has been refreshed by its waters Another
cool fountain is to be found near the Stone
Bridge. in s,Inken lands, beside the Orange
and Alexandria Railroad. 1t is now the
best spring in this neighb0rhood. Close on
10 the Hunting Greek Bridge II spring nes-
ties under the hill: and further down the
shore, about on il line with Washington
street, is the once noted spring that in days
VI hli, Sil|iitu lIie Ni>il'i' w Dio''h
Lawn. where festivals were held. In the
swamp below IcatcS' Garden. almost over
grown. but still not without yigor, "Tomp-
kins' Spring" continues TO furnish an outlet
for its waters. There the tired soldiers re-
lreshed themselves after the sham battles
which they fought ut the opening Of this
century.
Across the Greek, Juhnsons Springs En-
merson's Spring, and Gum Spring; upon
the Canal, Arlington Spring; on the Wash
ington road, Columbia Springs. and on the
other side Of the river, Il pleasant spring
near the Bluff, are well known to the picnic
parties Of this neighborhood, and many plea
SAINT hours have our people spent beside
them Within the town, 'the Oldest inhabi-
tamt' recollccts several springs which bub-
hIed up nj spots now densely popu!ated and
even within few years, 4 corlous spring
existed ut the corner OF King and Water
streets, the water Of which is now carried off
from the cellar Of Gray, Miller 4 Co.. in
iron pipes IL the river.
So they roll on their limpid waters all
around us. Generations pass away beside
them, and we may fancy that they mnrmur
like The poets Brook -
"Aye! men may come, and men may so,
But we 20 Oh forever.
DURIFY TIE BLOOD l--MOFFATS VEGE-
/ TABLE LIFE Pill y AND PHOENIX