The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-11-08
Sketches Of fLexiBxton, Virginia, and
Washingten college.

Among the many places of note in
Virginia, perhaps mono attract more
interest than Lexington does-and for
several reasons. As to the situation OF
the town, it combines rare advantages
in agricultural and commercial inter.
course, salubrious air and patural
scenery.
Situated between the ranges of the
Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains,
those everlasting and grand old senti-
nels of Virginia, upon which every Vir-
ginian locks with pride, as part OF
his birthright, it is continually per-
vaded with the health giving air that
is waited from their surrounding sum-
mits.
From elevated positions near the
town, may be seen, at distance of
thirty-three miles, the renowned Peaks
of Otter, which loom up in the hazy
distance, with such symmetry, beauty,
and grandeur, as to strike the beholder
with awe. 1t is an historical fact, that
on one Of these peaks, a small excava-
tion in rock is still to be seen, where
the illustrious Jefferson once inserted q
flag staff.
Nearer, at distance of fourteen
miles, is that wonderful structure of ma
ture, concerning which almost every
one is familiar, the Natural Bridge.
Mine would be a hopeless task to under
take to describe it, after the able ef-
forts that have been made by so many
gifted pens. Suffice it to say that its
is immortal (if from no other
fact) by the name of George Washing
ton being carved on its imperishable
walls by his own hands.
But to return to Lexington. Of its
early history and settlement, much
might be said, but it will cause too
much prolixity, therefore will simply
say that it and the county of Rock
bridge, in which it is situated, for
merly part of Augusta, were
first settled by Scotch Pennsyl-
vaniaus. This accounts for the
Presbyterian being the prevailing de-
nomination throughout the county, and
all this portion of the Valley, at this
time. The inhabitants are true expo
nents of that hospitality which always
characterzes the descendants of Scotia.
That which gives life and the great
est interest to the town is Washington
College. Education in whose cause are
enlisted myriads of promulgators in
every quarter of the world, is here par
ticularly regarded.
The youth of our country, especially
the Sunny South, come up to learn the
great truths and mysteries which few
are able TO explain, in througs more
eager than those which once wendea
their way to the Dclphian Oracle.
Every institution of learning has at
tached to it some degree of importance,
but one, whose name, whose record,
whose connections, have been, and are,
so eminently historic, creates an inter
est which nou9 in our land save Wash
ington College can boast.
1t had its origin in a classical school,
established by the early settlers OF the
Valley before the war OF the Revolution.
The Legislature of Virginia granted
a charter to this school in l1S2, under
the name of Liberty Hall Academy.
In 1874, the Legislature of Virginia
passed an act vesting one hundred
shares of the James River Navigation
Company in General Washington.
He declined the gift, except on the
condition that the Legislature would
permit him to transfer it to some object
of public good.
4 second act was passed in 1855, pro-
viding that this fund be presented to
General Washington, to be applied as
he might indicate, and he accordingly
conveyed it to Liberty Hall Academy.
The name, in honor of this bensfee-
tion, was changed in 1875 to Washington
Academy and afterwards t. Washington
College.
Since that time it has been an insti-
tuition of progress and expansion, and
has reached high degree of eminence
among the colleges of America. Largely
has it contributedIo the dissemination
of knowledge in the past, and among
its Alumni are those who have figured
conspicuouly in our country's history.
To-day Washington College has for
its head, as President, the gray-hsired
chieftain who led the embattled hosts
of the South amid the thunders of the
fray. OF General Lee we will say moth
ing-the world knows him. Him no
eulogium can further exalt, nor can the
tongue of slander reach.
Resting upon a sure foundation, under
favorable auspices, with widely extend
ed facilities, Washington College offers
to the youth Of our land thorough and
liberal education-the only palladium
of our liberties. DELLA