Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-25
Rides, Drives, Attractive Features,
Etc.

| more attractive and diversified suburbs
and surroundings than does Nashville.
Go in whatever direction we may, the most
delightful uudulatiors, elegant suburban
residences tsstefully improved and decora-
ted, and the most pleasing and variegated
scenery and views are spread out before
us. These attractive features form sub
| Ject Of common remark among strangers.
At this season, when young spri1g is
friDging the wayside with flowers, clothing
the bills with their velvety covering, adorn-
ing the woodlands with bursting buds, ard
filing the valleys with Joyous diapasons
of bird music, the prospects are peculiarly
pleasing. Animation and happiness per-
wade the homes and highways, and life is
all bright and joyous in the country now.
Soon as rosy morning islands tiptoe on
the misty mountain top" plowmen
drive their teams afeld" to ''break the
glebe," and SOW their seeds over broad
acres to bring forth of their abundance
for the ensuing harvest time In no Sec
ton does this elastic life end bounding an-
imation more prevail than in ours.
And soon along these beauteous high
ways aud about these surroundings, the
grand old forest trees, whose limbs stretch
above, like loving arms, ready to shower
blessings down upon US, will be full
draped in their livery of virgin green,
sparkling with morning dews and rustling
and trembling to the kisses of South
zephyrs, redolent with aromas rich and
delicious as though famed from breezy
isles Of "Araby the blest" Aud then not
monarch in all the proud old world
across the deep, e'er wore his crown SO
lofIly as will they their coronals of green
leaves" Pleasing prospects are these and
on all sides they greet Us. We admire and
are proud of our suburbs and surround
ings. They are Of surprising loveliness
and present themselves in endless and
ever-varying attractiveness- Excellent
roads, leading OF through scenery glorious
as any upon which the sun of Heaven ever
cast his beams, passing rippling streams,
curving hills, and pleasant valleys, and
losing their courses in deep outrageous
forests, and again emerging into open
stretches of well cultivated farms and
waving eornfelds, center here from all di-
rections. Meandering to the Northwest is
the Buena Vista pike, crossing hills that
overlook broad expanse of country, lead
ing to the limpid mineral springs of the |
same name, and winding through rich |
and fertile plains. Passing out this road,
the CLASSY Cumberland is seen shimmering |
to the right; the cotton factory, |
with its glistening roof, and other
interesting views are beheld. From |
this, and darting off at can acute |
angle, is the Hyde's Ferry road, traver ing |
a section of country romantic and interest |
ing, crossing the river through deep and |
comparatively sequestered solitude. JEFF |
ferson street, the city'S north avenue, and |
Jackson street lead out into charming su- |
burbs. The Northwestern Railroad darts |
out from the city through glorious suburbs
and surroundings. It bears you by the /
beautiful Fair Grounds, passes the mead
owy wales and clover-scented fields of
Belle Mead, intersected with crystal
streams, fowery glens, and vine-clad hills,
and goes down to cooling lakelets, or drops
you off at the fishing and hunting grounds.
The Charlotte and the Harding pixies,
threading their courses more to the west
ward, lead through a country rich in re-
source and exuberant in production.
abounding on all sides with stately man
sions, rural homes and country seats, and
various attractions. Richlani Pike,
leading out from the intersection of West
Avenue, affords one of the most charming
rides or drives about the city. More to
the southwark, is the Hillsboro Pike, one
ofthe most delightful highwaysto be found
anywhere. This is adorned with the pa
latial residences, wide-spreading lawns
and decorations of some Cf our best and
most useful citizens. II leads out by
bes dteous "telm mt, and through land
scape scenery unsurpassed. More to the
southwark are the Granny White and
Franklin pikes. These are historic high
ways Dismantled forts frown upon them,
and earth works and entertainments run
across them. These are the roads along
which came armed hosts to battle driven"
as came the Highland legion at Lucknow.
On these roads platoon5 of brave men
melted away before the iron storm of bat
tie, when Hood fought his last fight and
lost. Leaving the forts and the battle
fields, where 80 many were in one ''red
burial blent," they pass into glorious
country of surprising lovliness. Beaute-
GUS Melrose and attractive forests over
look these roads, the entire proipect pre-
senting a scenery more cheering and Sc
rene in its Influences than is afforded by
the wild headlands from st. Leonard Due
south leads the Nolensville pike, leaving
Cherry street after passing the city ceme-
terry and going off into The lovely country
beyond Next follows the Murfreesboro
road, adorned with tasteful residences,
well laid off grounds, and public institu-
tions 1t passes the State Asylum for the
Insane, goes through rich and beautiful
C countly, and across the classic stream of
s one river, where moving masses swayed
and surged in battles dread revelry at the
G ose of 1862. To the eastward, passing
the reservoir, and for a considerable dis-
tance following the mesnderings of the
is the Lebanon Pike,
This is one of The most charmipgh;ghways
in the South. After reaching the suburbs
one of the most delightful views is afforded.
The serpentine course Of the river is |
traced for miles; the entire city is mapped
before you in panoramic life and beauty,
with the bold and striking outlines Of the
Capitol building well defined. Further on
the beautiful and pensive quietude of ,
Mount Olivet is reached. This is Nash !
ville's new metropolis, and one of the best ,
arranged and designed Cemeteries in all ,,
the land. Following its course, by green
fields, past lovely wales, villas and country
seats, we come to the fsr-famed Hermitage,
With its vast lawns, baronial-hke old man
sion, magnolias and long drawn aisles of
cedars Here, after breasting for years |
the 'istorms of State, the old war-horse |
Of the Hermitage retired to the tranquil ,
serenity of private life; here the great and
good from the old world and ffom the new |
used to make pilgrimsges to do him hon.
age, and hero 'afIsr lifes ftful fever was
over" he snnk to rest ''by all his cUuntry's
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