The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-01-22
From sour own Correspondent''-Wha
Valley Yirginian girl saw on her way to
"West Virginia'-Her opinion Of Andrew
johnson, &C., &c.
PAILLIPP1, WEST VIRGINIA,
7th January. 1868.

In all the mountains Of West Virginia there
Is naught to substitute your bright coming.
Will you quite forget me because SO far away
Lest this be my sad fate, accept this gentle
That is noble, noble Valley,
whose name you bear-sorrow filed my heart
and my eyes were dim with tears as fare
we'll was spoken to my native snow mantled
that sentinel it on every side. The
shadow was not lifted from my spirit, till such
a welcome as only sunny faced Virginia girls,
and courtly gentleman of the "Old School
can give greeted us at Alexandria and, tho
the snow storm still pelted pitilessly sunshine
seemed to have bursted out in all its warmth
and briiliancy on all sides
With spirit struggle to behold the invisl-
Bile hands about to bear the Old Year to eter-
nifty, we gathered around its death bed-in
witnessing the last agony our dead joys died
again-buried sorrows once more grappled at
the heartstrings. The "New Year" came in
tears-for its dead companion! We will
hope they were not shed for the EVIL to come
The disappointment it brought for u.s. we also
trust, is not ruinous for our hearts were set
on attending tie Presidents Levee, aud with
a great deep sigh, that must needs be resign
ed A greater cross could have been endured
with our surrou findings; but we were privil-
eyed to enjoy more than grand and WARM hos
pitality affords Our lovely hostess brought
out war chair, unpretending and convenient
after camp chair fashion, with heavy piece
Of carpeting serving as seat and back, and with
emotion she said ''this was Gen. Lees chair
during all the war, and after the surrender
presented to my husband, who was one Of his
clerks. He prizes it above everything he pos
sesses." What great history in that chair
and how it speaks to the heart! Among life's
highest privileges | hold my communion with
our matchless Chieftain's 'sOld Army Chair"
At noon the sunshine came out gloriously,
enabling us to visit Christ's Church, where
General Washington was won't to Worship
Words may not express our deep emotion as
we entered this sacred edifce, and sought the
pew, bearing on neat silver plate the inscrip-
ton, "Washington's pew" On the South
side is very antique urn shaped pulpit, no
longer used, and only retained against the
wishes OF modern, fashionable members. be-
cause the aged, who worshipped there in days
long gone, cannot witness the sundering Of SO
many hallowed associations. 1t is not diff
cult to imagine yourself among the spirits of
the past, as you sit in those ivy-clad shades !;
and it was not strange that every voice was
hushed and the heart acould lift itself in pray
en-.
Thence, we wandered to the spot made mem
orable by Elsworth's exploits, and the noble
Jacksons fali-though it now bears no marks
OF the tradegy it had voices for Virginia girls,
not quite reconstructed.
Vespers at the Catholic Church were not
without interest, with such music as grand
organ and noble soprano could produce in
"Come we disconsolate." From these scenes,
we went to a hearth stone, so brightly beauti-
tul, that the heart will keep going back to it,
wherever the footsteps roam.
A charming ride on the Potomac to Wash
ington introduced the second day, and we soon
found ourselves in the Smithsonian Institute,
wondering much over the meteors The most
marvellous of all, the one found, I think, in
South America, weighing l 400 lbs, present
ing the appearance of quite regularly defined
circle and composed Of metallic substance
Then the huge sea-animals, wild beasts from
Africs jungles to America S blooming praries,
with birds Of every form and plumage that
vocal their praise, called for ordinations.
Among the various products of habitable
chimes, and curiosities from almost uninhabi-
table regions, the dress, worn by DR.. Kane in
his Arctic Expedition, was curious and most
interesting. 1t is formed of skin, clothed in
heavy white WOOL the skin extending oyer
the face and hands. A view of the Egyptian
Mummies strengthened my wish for chris
tian burial and the Egyptian idols, SO rudely
fashioned and presenting countenances SO in
human, and even hideous, caused one deep
thanksgiving, that the God we worship is
without beginning Of days and end of years.
The desire to tell you Of the beautiful CO.
rails, snatched from old oceans secret mines,
the curiously rich mosaic from Pompeii, the
less ancient, though not less eloquent battered
sword presented by Lafayette to an officer in
the Revolution, must not be INDUCED, for you
are weary Of my long talk and | am in haste
to reach the Presidents mansion. Yes, q band
of Virginia girls, very much enraptured with
the magnifcence Of that American Palace, had
the audacity to beg the privilege Of seeing the
President; but | must confess, the thought
that our request would be denied nerved me
wonderfully, and much as desired the hon
Or the Usher's "walk this way ladies'" was
not altogether pleasing summons; however,
once in his Honor's presence, greeted by a
smile and cordial grasp ofthe hand, it was pos
sible in homely country girl style to express
our appreciation ofthe privilege Was it vani-
ty that prompted US to believe his noble coun-
tenance frightened, when told we were from
the Valley Of Virginia. Much as we admired
the almost sublime stand he has taken in this
life struggle between lacerated, bleeding
country and political aspirants, we were not
prepared to find a parsonage SO affabe and a
reception SO near akin to Old Virginia hospi-
tality. While showing us his Library, and
calling our attention to the~beautiful view of
the Potomac from that point, he spoke tender
+ OF the Country's present and future, and
expressed determination to do his duty and
leave the result to an all Wise Ruler of Ma
lions. When we took our leave, he kindly
presented us with photographs, which we hold
in the most profound reverence. While re-
fecting upon the sentiments he SO nobly ut
tered, and reviewing his Official conduct, we
were constrained to believe that, with such a
President all the power Of a Jiendish Congress
cannot destroy she Country. Pardon me =
This letter has grown fearfully. If you de-
sire to hear from me again, cheer my noun