Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-11-10
THE NATURAL BRIDGE.
Its Singular Grondeur-Daring Feats.

Correspondence of the Evening Post.
LEXINGTON, Va, Oct, 1871.
It is a curious fact that the Nat
ural Bridge seems to possess more
interest for European than for Amer
lean travellers. The former look
upon this and Niagara as the won
ders of the Western Continent; and
the most thorough examinations Of
the Natural Bridge, and the most
elaborate and scientific accounts
written of it, have been by foreign
ers. The questions which arrest
them all, and which science seems
powcrless to answer, ave, what was
The origin of this wonderful arch?
How and by what power was it
produced? Various theories Of
volcanic upheaval and attrition Of
water have been advanced, but these
are all set aside in the report of
French engineer of pre-cminent
ability. sent by the Comte dc Roch-
ambeau to examine and measure
this world-famcd curiosity. In his
report, which is exceedingly inter-
esting as well rs scientific, occurs
this torcible sentence: "'The rocks
being of Il calcareous natule G exclude
every idea of Il volcano, which, be-
sides, cannot be reconciled with
the form Of the bridge, and it's ad-
jacent parts. Fit is to be supposed
that it is the effect of a current of
water, we must suppose, likewise,
that this current had the force to
break down and carry to a great
distance a mass of five thousand Gu
bic fathoms, for there remains not
the slightest trace of such an opera
ton" A fact which must be no.
ticed by even the most casual
observer, is the entire absence of
rocks "confusedly hurled" around
or below the arch, which would
witness to such a convulsion Of ma
ture. The Frenchman, in conclu-
sior, asserts that the Natural Bridge
is "thc direct work OF the Creators"
and in this opinion he is supported
by numerous scientific men.
1t seems useless to attempt a de.
scription of the Natural Bridge, for
no words can give any idea of its
grandeur. The most impressive
view is obtained from below. On
the top, which is some sixty feet
higher than Niagara, the feeling
but for the fact Of knowing that you
stand upon one Of the most sturen-
dous works of fnature-would differ
little from what is experienced at
other grand elevations. The wide
extended landscape spread out be-
fore you distracts the attention, and
the bridge is simply part of it
But looking up from below we re-
alizc nothing save the mighty arch
springing up into the sky, and tow
erlng so far above us that the huge
rocks on its summit seem like peb-
bles that child nigh toss, and the
giant evergreens that sentinel its
edge like tufts of fairy moss. The
rugged grandeur Of the bridge is
mere striking by contrast with the
quiet loneliness of the surrounding.
scenery. Softly outlined mountains
embodied in dim, purple shadows,
stretching away into the distance;
at their feet lie fair green fields,
flooded with amber light;@apd
through these, and beneath the
great solemn arch, flows with mus
ical tinkle sunny mountain stream,
on whose margin, and on the face
of the rock, wherever there is
crack to hold particle of earth,
grow sweet, dainty flowers, fit for
Titania's crown. The tissure is
about ninety feet wide. From the
surface OF the wafer to the summit
Of the bridge is about two hundred
and forty feet; to the under side of
the arch about two hundred feet
This, however, is the measurement
of only one side of the arch, which
is not entirely perfect, the noun
tain being higher on one side than
the other. Few persons have cour-
age enough to stand on the edge of
the summit and look over into the
abyss beneath. In the words Of
Jefferson: "You involuntarily fall
on your hands and knees, creep to
the parpet and cautiously look
over" Even his becomes in mo-
ment uncomfortable. Many OF the
trees on the sum0lit are twisted in
to curious and fantastic shapes.
probably by the force OF the wind,
which here in winter must hold
high carnival.
High up on the face Of the rock,
carved by his own hand, is the
name Of George Washington. Ma
nv attempts have been made to
reach the summit by climbing the
sides Of the arch, but none have
been successful. The person who
most nearly accomplished this feat,