Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-09-09
Virginia Springs.
MONTGOMERY W. SULPHUR SPRINGS
VIRGINIA, Aug 81, 1870.

tember carries OH many from the mOun-
tains. The height of the season has passed,
and those who propose to remain, even
until the fall Of the leaf. are principally
seekers of that most precious of all bless
ings, health, without which wealth confers
no happiness, and pleasure is sought after
in vain Two classes are fast leaving us
the merely fashionable, for the more genial
region of the cities, and those whose purse
reminds them that they tarried long
enough. Many of the latter have frequent
ly visited the gaming table much to their
discontinue, and, it is said, greatly to the
detriment of their resources. have never
been present at a place of the sort and 1
am surprised that the proprietors of any
we'll regulated establishment should per-
NIT ''a faro bank" and its evil accompani-
ments to gain access to their grounds.
| Life at the Springs presents but little
variety, especially at Southern Springs
There is great sameness in it through
out. To the naturally lazy man, it is the
very t'E Dorado" of existence. He can in
dulge his natural propensity to his hearts
content; may sleep all day as we'll as a.
night, lounge on his chair, Or stretch him
self at ease. and yawn away his hours un-
der the shade of some wide-spreading tree,
without exciting comment or remark. -
As general rule, the Southern young lady
has been accustomed to some refined
species of employment, becoming her pO-
sition and sex, nevertheless she can vile
away the time in various agreeable modes.
A little group of gentlemen admirers, of
such elegant manners, 1t Is difficult to re-
alize that most of them have experienced
the trough and tumble" of four years
war, charm away goodly portion of her
leisure, cToquet, an occasional game OF
10 Iako oil 4 c-F
chasing off weariness, whilst If, like Flora
McFlimsay, she have nothing to wear, de-
lightful occupation can be found in dis
cussing the styles sat the dance last night"
for we have dance four nights in the
week. The young lady can make out very
we'll, and the young gent too, barring
little scratching occasionally from ''ye
tiger" whose claws, I am sorry to say, are
felt, perhaps more frequently felt by the
0Zd gent also. But to the industrious man
of business, the Springs present a most
wretched, dawdling phase of life. Yet to
those who require, for a season, an un-
bending OF the mind. or relaxation from
toll, visit to the mountsins affords in
calculable beneft-they return iuvigorated
to pursue with renewed ardOr their daily
| avOcatlOns.
At the North we know that every ap-
pliance which wealth can suggest or pro-
cure, affords guests at their watering places
every source of amusement and recreation.
| We cannot expect to compete with them,
but the prOprietOrs Of our Springs seem
wholly oblivious of the fact that they are
at all required to do anything more than
provide as mere hotel keepers, for their
visitors. Here at the Montgomery
White" we have not even q reading room,
and SO it is, [ suppose, with all the others.
We can buy sometimes, the "Herald,
''World, some of the Richmond papers,
but no others. A reading room. with pa
pers and magazines from all parts of the
IS Union," and even from England, would
add vastly to the attractions of each place
of resort, and could be very easily sup
ported by small tax upon readers, which,
[ an sure, would be most cheerfuly paid.
| We have here two dramatic perform
ances a week. by the "Hartel Troupe"
in which ' the Queen Sisters are promi-
nent. The performances give much salts
faction.
| OF all classes at the Spring the '' little
| folks" enjoy life most. Unrestrained by
the conventionalities of their seniors, they
become acquainted without introductions,
and mingle together, free from arbitrary
rules delight in watching their gambols
on the lawn, their enj oyment on parade, |
their frolicsome wagon rides, their grace
aud merriment in the dance, and as some
delightful little girl passes by me, with the
step of gazelle and the face of an angel, |
1 cannot help q mental prayer That she
may be ever as happy and as free from
guile as now. Nor are they without their
interesting episodes. One little fellow
sweethearts, but that he came we'll nigh
losing two Of them in quarrel. It is Sir
Walter Scott, think. who says that works |
of fiction in which love tales most predom- |
mate owe their popularity to the fact that
| nearly every man and woman can look
back in early life to some love episode, un-
realized, but carrying tender associations |
even to the end.
Yesterday four of US hired carriage
for which, by the way, we had to pay |
81 5O-and visited the ''Yellow Sulphur |
Springs" only four miles from this place, |
and within fifty feet of the summit of the
Allegheny ridge. It seems to be a quiet
and delightful retreat, visited mostly by
entire families. The ride back by differ
ent route, skirting for some distance
deep and romantic ravine, at the mountain
base, presented o grand and imposing
scene.
saw General Earlyiat the Yellow Sulphur.
Although yet of striking appearance, it is
difficult to recognize in such q quiet and !,
unobtrusive gentleman one who, six or
seven years ago, was prominent among the
great generals of the Confederacy. Gen
eral Early published, some time ago, for
private circulation only, a memoir of his
Valley campaign of genuine merit it
ought to be given to the public I may
add that we have here at the Montgomery
White the brave and gallant General
Nichols. of Louisians, who lost leg, an
arm, and, think. the sight of one eye. in
fighting for the Lost Cause, and yet Gen
eral Nichols is q fne-looking man.
Whenever meet with such men cannot
but raise my hat to them and to the prin-
ciple for which they fought in vain, the
principle of Constitutional liberty, which
fell in the United States with the surrender
of Lee at Appomattox. @o @
In day or so will leave this place.
In the extent of its buildings no other
watering place in the Virginia mountains
can compare with it,, whilst cheerfuiiy
bear testimony to the kindness and mr.
honiku of Lha lnnranr Mnor,r HNilunra and