The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-07-22
LETTER FROM TEE HOT SPRINGS.
CORRESPONDENCE of the Richmond Dispatch.
The Temperature IN the Mountains-1ht
Blouoing Caue-The Bath Alam-1ht
Warm Springs-The Hot-PotitiCS.
Hot SPRINGS, BATH COUNTY, VA,

HUI SPhlNGS, DAiH CooNii ' 49,
...... .-.- July II, 1868.
The "hot term" in spite of the cool
breezes that issue from the gorges of these
mountains, has to degree penetrated here.
Those who have been here for four or five
weeks complain very much. Yet they are
consoled by the newly arrived guests, who
confess to be refreshed and revived from
the exhausting effects Of the heat they
have left by the moderate temperature
which prevails here. This has been our
hottest day, and the thermometer in the
shade stands at rs.
felt this happy change myself, having
left temperature of los, and travelled
gradually into one not exceeding SO-en
route enjoying the cold vapor baths of the
Blue Ridge Tunnel, Buffalo Gap, and the
Blowing Cave. This cave is near the Cow
pasture river, Immediately upon the road
side. The blast which rushes from its
mouth descends the bank into the road, and
there surrounds the traveller, startling him
with its sudden and cold influence. This
cave was made famous by Mr.. Jeterson's
Notes on Virginia.
The passengers for this place are the hrst
night lodged at the Bath Alum Springs, now
kept by Mr.. Baxter, the proprietor. IL IS
but just to that gentleman to say that inc .
weary traveller there finds food and rest Oh
which it would be faint praise to say no
complaint can be made. No one could de-
sire better table, and the lodging is 1auit-
less, the linen above suspicion, anu the
rooms clean and neat. Such comforts anu
consultations after day OF neat ana gust
and fatigue of travel is God-send TO the
wayfarer. Such place should be CRATE
full retreat to the seeker OF health anu plea
sure in the mountains. The alum water
there is very eficacious in variety of dis
eases especially is it beneficial to entee-
bled persons, the trace of iron that Is In 1t
giving it highly valuable stimulating and
tonic effect.
The WARM SPRINGS is kept with an en-
terprising spirit by the lessees, Messrs.
Darnell s. Revercombe. 1t is agreeable to
the traveller who was familiar with this part
of the world in better times to see the Warm
! again going ahead. Its world-renowned
bath will, under good management, soon fill
its hotel with appreciative and grateful
guests. General Lee and family are
amongst those now at the Warm. The
| General looks remarkably well, and is, as
ever, courteous, atfable, and digni6ed in
his demeanor. Every one who passes,
come from whence he may, seeks to look
upon this noble Virginian, and nearly all
obtain an introduction. 1t is gratifying to
listen to their frank and warm expressions
of admiration for him-especially those
| from the North; and without political dis
tinction they all express themselves thus.
The company at this place is rapidly in
creasing, the warm weather in the East
having filled the Central trains for many
days. There are now about one hundred
and twenty here, and large acquisitions
daily expected, according to letters received.
| The fare is excellent, and tho attention paid
to the comfort Of guests, and the general
order and decorum Of the place, admirable.
Colonel McClung leaves nothing undone for
the promotion Of the welfare and content
msnt of sick and we'll. His polite and eff
cient aids, Messrs. Fisher and Turner, ac-
| quit themselves in most faithful and
popular manner.
There are the usual number of disabled
and afflicted persons here, nearly all of
whom are deriving the most remarkable
| benefits from these wonderful waters-the
| only hot springs, as you have said, east of
the Mississippi, in the United States.
The fine meadows of the Hot Springs
farm are being moved. The yield is re-
markable, notwithstanding long drought.
The principal meadow, in the valley below
the Springs, yields on Incredible amount of
hay. Colonel MeClung informed me to-day
that they had to set the fence back to get
room to cure the hay! suggested that if
the mountain were "set back " slightly it
would give little more elbow-room to
which he gravely assented. Everybody is
not as green as grass here
Politics are not much talked Of. People
seem to shirk public affairs-and no won
der, they have been 80 abominably managed,
and politicians have been so corrupt and
malignant, There is not much congress
sional Republicanism in these mountains
/ mean amongst travellers. All the Re-
pubiicans ! have seen were Censor
NATIVES, And they agree with the De-.
meesats that the only just hope Of .