Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-08-31
[For the Spirit of JefersOn.l
sHANNoNDALE.


utter WEAKNESS settle down upon the body,
when the exhausted frame feels a depression
more than enn,ti; without energy-scarcely
enjoying full sense of vitality, or some or
ganic disease clutches deeper hold upon the
vitals, or, more than ala secret grief gnaws
at the heart, sappirgthe springs of joy and
than the Apothecary's drugs. Faithless of
physic and desiring change ii our mode of
life, we bethink ourselves of the mineral
Springs whose health. giving waters sparkle
in the sunlight of many Virginia dell, offer
ing life and renewed strength, not to "whom-
soever first steppeth down." but to all who
may drink of them.
Not, then, as pleasure-seeker to test this
hygienic power, l have come to the Shannon
dale Springs. Situated on the East bank of
the Shenandoah where the river bears boldly
to the West and then bends back in the
opposite direction forming crescent, Shan
nondaie has received more than a common
share of scenic beauty from the plastic hand
of nature. The grounds sweep down in
gently declining slope to the rivers edge,
fringed with silver barked sycamores. Clumps
of grand old elms dot the lawn, with here and
there huge, broad breasted oak, with knottea
and gnarled branches, that have stood a
hundred storms. Near the brow of the hill
stands the ruins of the hotel, with focks of
pigeons cooling and strutting along the top of
its crumbling walls, and weeds waving above
its topping chimneys. The cabins-both
frame and brick are decayed and dilapidated.
The walks and drives are overgrown with
grass and but for slight depression, could
not be distinguished from the surrounding
green sward; everything indicates neglect
aud consequently decay. Ofthe springs them
selves-and there are but two that deserve
the name the one of chaly beate water bubbles
up iu circular stone basin in the midst of
the thickest grove of elms and naples. A
short distance of, near the foot of an aged oak
is the other-a sulphur spring, giving forth
an odor like that of Marrowgate and sugges-
ting the presence of suiphuretted hydrogen.
This water seems to be appreciated certainly
visited, only by ducks Or other aquatic fowls,
as found its surface floating with downy
feathers and surrounded by rude old frame
work OF rotten boards. l took my first drink
here with some qualms at the stomach, but
can now gulp down half pint of this dubious
liquid without drawing breath, though [
can't say that L am fond of it. The least
attention of all seems to have been given to
this spring though its medicinal virtue may
be great; as it contains the gas of which l
have spoken and other valuable ingredients
The ehaiybeate water has large proportion
of the salts of soda and magnesia, l do not
remember the chemical analysis of either
Those who send from distance for the water
use it at disadvantage, as the gases escape, and
that lIvelincss and sparkle peculiar to mineral
water when fresh are lost. immediately above
Shannondale, the river widens and deepens in
its course, presenting splendid expanse for
boating-and with oars, instead of the rustic
pole here in vogue. 1t is equally fine for fish
ing, though fish abound among the islets and
shoals which are peculiar to the shallow and
rocky -bedded Shenandoah. Fewresort hithcr,
despite these attractions Gas there are no ac-
cotnmodations) except an occasional rustic
picnic party, or bands of youths who 'camp
OUT on the grounds, coming rather for tho
sport of fishing and the keenIy telished out
door life, than for the use of the springs
The lovers OF the. romantic, as well as of the
picturesque in nature, would find here much
to crafty their taste. just across the river
from the Springs is beetling cliff of yellow
colored stone that rises perpendicuIarly from
the rocky beach its front scanned with deep
assures and its top splitting into crazy pro-
Jccting lodges that almost overhang the rivers
surince. The widest and most jagged peake
is-Ul course, the ubiquitous Lovers Leap"
though have not yet fell upon any local
antiquarian or preseIver Of legends, who might
tell me the tragic story of the Inflated lover
whose unrequi,ed passion dashed him in dcs
spalr from its summit and thus threw around
il sad and tender interest. 1t may be, how
ever, that some individual of utilitarian dis
position gave 1t the name from mere fitness,
in his practical mind, to such use, by disap-
pointed SWANS; in the same spirit which
prompted the unpoetic tailor, upon beholding
Niagra Falls, to exclaim: "What glorious
place to sponge cloth u
This however is my chosen resort, reach
its summit by clambernS up the hill on the
funk OF the cliff and forcing my way through
dense growth of dwarf evergreens. The
summit gained, love to set upon the outer
most ledge. with nothing between it and the
earth but empty air, aud feast upon the fair
scene that uuiolds to the eye. In the midst
flows the "Daugh Of the Stars" at one point
its placid surface glittering like a furnished
mirror in the sunshine, at another where it
winds round in its serpentine course over a
rocky bed, ripping and roaring in miniature
rapids and waking the echoes among the cliffs.
On either side, as from a valley, rise gentle
hills with their green wood crests, whose re-
firing slopes on the east are merged in the
Blue Ridge Mountain. Here and there are
picturesque wales just CLEANED of their golden
grain or waving with tasseled corn, and over
all, the clear pure sky of summers day with
light aeecy clouds lying against the blue
vaults at the western horizon. But soon
become oblivious to the rich landscape and
am wrapped in delicious revery, shich the
pleasant solitude of my situation aud the
peculiar balmuess of the mountain airinduces.
What was in my day dream, you may learn at
another time, if you desire again to hear from
one who is unEillingly d
REcLUsE
ATTEMPTED OuTRAGE.-A few days ago
q Miss NJ residing four miles from Mid.