The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-08-29
Corresponasnce OF enc Fhoetx.
WILSON SPRINGS, N. @.
August %, 1867.

august 20, 1857.
Three weeks ago, woe-begone
hypochondriac, so mildewed that
even his boots wouldn't take polish,
came to this up-country patch Of Pa
radise, to drink spring water, forget
feas and tempt fat to gather on his
ribs. To-day, the unhappy individual
aforesaid, transmogrifed, uncurdled,
creamy and rich in that grandest of
all blessings-perfect health, clear
conscience, q forty-horse power ap-
petite, and digestion like pair of
grind-stones-smokcs his cigar in the
shade of one of the mountain trees,
and writes to his withered, juiceless
friends to come and do likewise.
There is not much that is inspir-
ing in the mere trip here, unless
it be that some Providential contin-
gency supplies you with compa-
nion, such, for instance, as I had
never mind who-full of enthusiasm
and adjectives, with seventeen years
of loveliness just blushing into the
eighteenth, and pair of lips sug-
gestive of the temptation OF Mother
Eve and the forbidden fruit. But
after you have arrived, and, under
the pilotage of the politest hotel
proprietor, dropped anchor in quiet
bedroom, with its snowy counter
pane, white curtains aud cottage
furniture, and you take the first puff
of the country zephyrs through the
open windows, you begin to feel as
frlsky as a young colt, with briar
bush tied to his tail. You imme-
diately drink some spring water.
The dewy morning fluids your soul
full feathered for fight. You turn
out with the birds, sip sulphur and
iron from natures own apothecary
shop, and watch the king of glory
while he commences his grand
rounds.
Then for breakfast. A glance up
and down the table gives you home
picture of fresh, pleasant faces, look
ing upon your own, and possibly
diagnosing as to how much amuse-
ment You can contribute to the little
body polite which they compose.
The repast is solid, substantial, and
appetites are intensified by the deli
cions air bath of the early o. m.
After breakfast-seats for the gentle
men on the piazza, and pipes for the
crowd. Think of the "reminiscences
that follow, the tales that are told,
and the paroxysms Of cachination
that move the diaphragm. At 10 or
IL, there is walk to the spring;
books are brought out, an audience
gathered around some good reader,
and the MONDAY passes amid the
cool shade of the trees. Dinner
time-adorable soup, superb. bread,
heavenly fried chickens, and magni-
ficent vegetables! Afterwards-im
promptu rides, tours of exploration,
lovers walks, meditation hooks, &c.
More spring water aud baths. Even
ing-scenes in the parlors, music,
games, courtship, gossip, twaddle!
Bedtime, and its dreams-sweet, be-
cause peaceful. No mosquitoes; no
night-sweats; no Nightmares; your
epidermis in good order; your head
level; your conscience easy as an old
shoe, and each upper eye-lid weigh
ing just one pound avourdupois.
Such is the skeleton of days life
ut the springs. Fill it up to suit the
fancy. or the changing realities of
travel, and it will give you an idea of
the sublunary enjoyment which any
mortal may possess almost for the
asking, and have enough left over to
put out at compound interest.
Just now, there is one of the most
agreeable gatherings here which it
has been my fortune to meet trans
silently in any of my worldwide
wanderings. Wealth, intellect,
beauty, youth and refinement have
their several representatives, and the
hours trip by on velvet feet. The
place is thus most deservedly patron
lied, and in turn repays its visitors
in the rare coin of renewed health,
strength and elasticity. The various
water0supplied by nature have effect
ed many wonderful cures, and wea-
ried merchant or professional man,
the debilitated female or languid
child, can find no spot in America
more aptly located for the resuscita-
tion of decaying life.
AS matter of general interest,
append the names of some of the
visitors present-all of whom are at
/ tho hotel. r