Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-07-22

4 Summer Retreat qfMe O,dcn Time Where
the First Families Of america Drank and
Batiel-A noble gift to the PuJlic-THe
Resort of Revolutionary Sres-Thc First
Steamboat.
FROM THE NEW yoRS CORRESPONDENT.
BERKELEY SPRINGS, W. Va, June 24.-I
write to you from the oldest watering place in
the United States, for Berkeley takes preced-
ence of all others in respect to antiquity, and
has a right to look with scorn on Saratoga
and Long Branch, and PRONOUNCE them, as the
Senator'S wife disdainfuly styled the "Cabi-
net ladies, creatures of day"
The first white families emigratod to this
neghborhood from New York and Pennsyl-
vania as early as 1880 and found the warm
springs here the fashionable resort for Indian
invalids The cream of the aboriginal aristoc-
racy came here to battle; the real First Families
of Virginia, afflicted in their old age with
rheumatism, came here, washed, and were re-
stored; but doubtless their unnatural cleanli-
ness after this surprising process worked upon
their feelings, for they would immediately
cause themselves to be buried up to their
necks in the sand In this way they restored
their cquanimity and returned to their normal
condition aud were happy. That is they were
if they in the least resembled any noble red
men | ever saw, who one and all appear to
study IN regard to costumes . happy combi-
nation Of dirt, beads and feathers, the former
being used more largely than either Of the
other component elements. However this
may be Berkeley has right to be proud Of
/ her record che indians Of hostile tribes used
/ to assemble here with their afflicted and aged
relatives, and meet as on neutral ground,
and never violated the implied confidence they
reposed in the good faith of each other. They
never quareled Whether the faircr. race
who have succeeded them and who boast of
higher state Of civilization have observed the
same rule and sacredly kept the peace when
assembled here for health or recreation, we
will not ask. Because we know envy, hatred,
malice, and all uncharitableness ere always
banished from I'll fashionable and aristocratic
watcrngplaccs
Berkeley is comparatively so little known
to the present generation that it is necessary,
now that it is lifting its head above the clouds
which have obscured !: since the beginning
Of our civil war, and now that it intends COM
peting with the younger watering-places, to
give some idea of its location and attractions.
1t is situated in Morgan County, West Vir-
ginia, 12O miles west of Baltimore and $50
miles east of Wheeling, and is two aud a half
miles from the station on the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad known as Sir Johns Run. The
road from the station hther is rough one and
principally up hill. The scenery is charming,
and so is not the iolting ia the miserable speci
men Of stage in which bloated monopo-
list shakes visitors together for and in coLsd-
Grafton of the small sum of one dollar per pas
senger, baggage included. Who would be-
gradge dollar for being carried in dire dis
comfort so great distance Yet it is conso-
lation to know that next year Mr.. Potts, IN
der whose management this hotel now is and
will be for the next FIVE years or more, intends
competing with the monopolist and running
stages of Lis own, in which case, as in all
where there is competition, the public viii be
benefited.
The springs, baths, and the hotel are Situat-
ed in a lovely valley, just at the foot of very
high hill out of whose side the healing waters
flow. The bill and the grounds abound in tall
forest trees, uudor whose shades one may
wander all day long and never feel the sum
mer heat To the top Of the hill paths are
made, aud few who have visited Berkeley but
have some tender recollection connected with
some one Of the messy stones on the hillside
This morning gentleman pointed out to me
one of these, seated on which he asked the all
important question Of his wife, eight years be-
fore they were married. It was very IN
comfortable. inconyanient looking stone, and
so regarding it one could not wonder that the
lady was irritated into stern no " and did
not relent for eight long years. 1t is the pride
of Berkeley that in the good old days before
brethren confronted each other in battle on
her hills that in certain aristocratic Southern
families the traditional custom Of passing three
or four months each summer At these springs