The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-09-04
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch
From The NountniTS-A Glance Mt
Sfaunton and its InstttniiOns-Rcv.
s1r. MunNey.
STANTON, August 81, 1867.

The town OF Stanton is beautiful for
situation" Like Damascus of old, it may
be truly called the "gem of the noun
tans." For good order, sobriety, and IN
telligence, il enjoys an cnviable name. 1t
is rapidly extending its limits, and is pro-
badly the scene OF more activity and en-
tcrprise than any town in the Valley.
Large quantities Of flour daily arrive here;
the most OF which, observe, is shipped 70
Richmond. The hotel accommodations
arc excellent. The Virginia Hotel, where
we tarred for short time, is dcscrVediy
popular. More accommodating and polite
servants we have never seen in any hotel.
On the southeast of the town, embowered
in a beautiful grove, stands the Lunatic
Asylum. The surrounding grounds arc
kept in excellent order, and are beautifully
ornamcntcd with every variety Of shrub
and flower. Here nature and art combine
to lend their charms to soothe and cheer
that unfortunate class who may be called
to spend their days within these cnclo-
sures.
There are at present about three hun
drcd and twenty-five inmates Of the asy
lum. The majority of these arc quite
peaceable, and easily controlled. They
are permitted daily to take exercise in the
open air, and some Of the more rational
spend most of their time in the yard. 4
number Of the inmates, however, have 70
be kept closely confined. / saw several
Door creatures in n small yard to them
selves, sad spectacles Of hopeless demcn-
tation. There they might be seen with
their dshevelled hair and the wild fire Of
dclerium flashing in their erer-rcSt'cSs
eyes. -,
We we're kindly shown through one of
the wards occupied by about fifty female
lunatics. They were all neatly dressed,
and calm and quiet in their dcmeanor.
Their rooms were exceedingly tidy III
appearance, having every evidence Of com
fort. We conversed with several, who for
moment would talk nationally, but soon
again relapse into a strange incoherence
of language. / turned with feeling Of
sadness from the scene, thankful to God
that, under the benign Influence of the
Gospel, these unfortunate people are so
well cared for. HeatheniSm can boast Of
asylums for dogs and cats, but nowhere
within its vast realm was an asylum pro-
vided for the poor lunatic.
Mr.. Editor, have you ever seen con-
gregation Of lunatcs assembled for divine
worship! Such q scene l witnessed last
Sabbath in the chapel at the Asylum |
expected to see some queer antics per-
formed there before the service was over ;
but not 50. have scarcely ever seen a
better behaved congregation. Through
out the service they seemed TO listen with
attention, and the most Of them with the
greatest reverence. The same cannot be
said Of some sane people in some Of our
places Of worship.
After preaching was over, asked Dr..
Stribbling if he thought the inmates could
appreciate q sermon. Certainly" he
replied, "Some Of the seycreSt criticisms
on preaching ever heard were from some
Of my patients, and If minister breaches
to them as if they thought they knew
nothing. it will 10 very difficult TO get
some Of them ever to como and hear him
again. From q published report Of the
institution find that the prepondcrating
causes of insanity among the patients here
are iutcmperance and domestic trouble.
When boy, remember having learned
in certain geography lesson that Meyers
Cave, in Augusta county, Va, was one OF
the greatest natural curiosities III the
world consequently / have always had a
was graticd. The cave is located on the
banks of the south branch Of the Shcnan-
doah, about seventeen miles from Staun-
ton. The entrance is near the top OF a
very high hill. Advancing Il few feet from
the entrance, profound darkness surrounds
you, and immediately you have to bring
into requisition the lights furnished by
your guide. The cave is about 600 yards
long. The passage through ii is very cir
cnitous, and ut certain points exceedingly
difficult.
The singular formations which abound
in these wonderful Subterrane2u cham
hers are not easily described, and no word
painting can give correct idea OF the
beauty and grandeur OF the scene. To
appreciate this wonderful work Of nature
one must see it, and seeing it, he will
almost involuntarily adopt the language OF
the PSalmist: Great and manifold are
thy works, O.! Lord God in wisdom hast
thou made them all"
In passing through the cave we met with
the Rev. DIR. Baird and lady, and Mrs.
Moses d. lioge, Of Richmond, who, in
company with number Of lady friends,
seemed to enjoy their visit exceedingly.
While in Staunton we formed the ac-
quaintance Of the Rev. William +. Nun
sey, whose pulpit efforts have attracted SO
much attention throughout the State. We
have not had the pleasure of hearing him
preach, but would Judge from our inter-
course with him in the social circle that
the strength of his great intellect has not
been ovcrrated. He possesses a mind OF
great analytical and logical power, and one
cannot converse with him without being
impressed with its comprchensiyeneSs.
Mr.. Munsey, in appearance, is rather re-
markable. His head is nearly hairless
cheek bones prominent; chin narrow; eyes
very penetrating and restless; nose sharp ;
head unusually large, and his brow re-
markaby broad and high, with iutting
promontories Of thought on either side.
lie is about six feet two inches high, and
very slender. He is at present in feeble
health, and is now travelling in the noun
tains, seeking to improve it. He is close
student, and very thorough in his prepare
ton for the pulpit. Besides, Mr.. Munsey
is an humble and artlcsS Christian. His
amiable disposition endears him to his
friends, and adds an additional lustre to
ms character. E. M. P.
Correspondence Oft Richmond Dispatch.
A Funny Aetter-If You Think So.