Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-10-24

ern Ii takes century to form an inch and
quarter of these staactites, some of which al
twenty feet high. These different stalactite
have names given them on account OF thei
close resemblance to the objects whose name.
sake they are. Without prolonging this PAL
of my letter, | will touch upon a few of tn
most notable stalactites which may be dis
with capital letters Mr. j. r. Mohler, ou
attentive guide. first took our party, as wa
proper, to the Cathedral where we received on
6enisons; then, proceeding via Jacob's Lad
der, and taking a look at the Elephant, W,
squirmed our way through the Fat Man s Mis-
cry, and knocked up against John Tyler's nose
nas-ed on our way through the Garden O.
Eden to the Post Office, where we dropped oul
cards, and after taking look at the Oyster
Shell aud playing an anthem on the big Or
gan we retraced our steps by the light of the
Rising Moon. and had a fine Winter \ lew
firm the Natural Bridge. Fountain Cave, sit.
mated in the same ridge as Weyer's Cave, and
half a mile from it, is just the opposite to
! Weyers Gave, in regard to stalacrite beauty,
Its scenery is OF the more grand and sublime
| tyre, appear as if there had been an earth
qnske. throwing up hills in majestic confusion.
After coming out Of the cave we assembled the
ridge, and in the distance saw the battle-ieds
| of Port Republic and Cross Keys, in the Shen-
andoah Valley. where Stonewall Jackson de-
| teated the separate armies of Fremont and
Shields At the foot Of the ridge we saw a
hog cooling himself in mud hole, whereupon
the incorrigible of the party remarked. por-
cine lpoor sign for comfort after all. We wilt
ed and descended. Good hotel accommoda-
tIons can be had at both of the caves.
Having spent Sunday in recuperating our ex-
hau>ted energies. we started early Monday
m"rning for he Natural Bridge via Lexington
Biushng, beautiful Aurora was Just arising
from her roseate c,uch, with the blithesome
birds twltterlng their homage, while we saw in
the distance vast, cean-shaven valleys, dotted
with even rows of fodder; men blowing and
sowlng, and the solitary horseman" winding
ms way around the foot of mountain, q rip
ping stream at his feet The coup d oea was g!o-
rlous Late 10 the evening. on the road, we
had the misfortune of breaking the tongue OF
our carriage; negro coming up just then
SAID ne heard dat tongue speak. which re-
mark dlspelied the Inspirations which we were
enjoying In seeing the sun sink behind noun
'a'n aud hearing dogs barking and cattle bells
ling in the distance
We were soon righted and proceeded on our
way to the Bridge. where we arrived late at
nlght. Next morning We went down early and
took look at the Bridge, which We found
grand and rugged excavation 225 feet high,-
Our tr>t view was from the bottom looking
up we plainly discerned the figure of an i'm
mense eagle imprinted on the rocky arch as if
s'me one had painted 1t there on the Jagged
sides OF The Bridge. moses, ferns and trailing
vines were growing over the names of visitor~
cut IN Its racks. We clambered TO the top and
looked over this yawnlng preclpce until We
grew dIzzy; throwing pebble over We found
live seconds pass away before it reached the
bottom. One lady, speaking rapturnusly Of
this grand curiosity, was brought back to stern
reality by her male companion remarking:-
That's nothing bat a culvert. All, the de-
pravlty OF human sentlment!
That evening we returned to Lexington, Wis
tied the tomb> of Lee and Jackson, the Wash
gina Military Institute at dress parade and
passed most delightful evening with Mrs Lee
and daughters. We had the honor of having
Gen. CuStis Lee call upon US in the evening.
who. by bis culture aud intellectual capacity,
has been appointed successor to the chair which
his father so honorably filled. He is general
favorte Of the students.
When the contemplated railway to this point
is ompleted, Lexington will be the Mecca of
the Soutn, where all may go to pay their hum
BILE devoirs at the shrines of the Christians
Lee and Jacks N.
[ caunot fually conclude without referring to
that most glorious of summer resorts the w White
Sulphur Springs. The fare, attention and ac-
COMMUNICATION received the full appreciation of
every visitor, and those finding fault (if any
we're voted as belonging to the firm of Grum-
bier & Co.
Aud now, most lenient Mr.. Editor. | will not
tre,pass any longer upon your good nature and
the valuable space OF your paper; but before
closing | must tender my Acknowledgements
for the insertion of Roadside Jottpgs' by,
YOURS truly, CARLOS