Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-09-07
The Natural Bridge.

Considering the fact that this is one Of the
greatest, most curious works ot nature on this
contncnt-that it is one Of the wonders Of the
world-t is astonishing that so few. even with
10 days journey, have ever visited it.
While the mighty Niagara is ceasclesSiy
laundering forth the teachings Of the glorious
works of nature the Natural Bridge, in Nir-
gipia, speaks no less emphaticaIly, in It's silent,
awful grandeur, of the omnrotcnce OF nature s
God
But while Niagara is thronged with its crowds
of fashionable pleasure the Natural
Bridge is visited only by scattering few wor.-
shippers of nature Here is room and food
for contemplation. undiSturbed by the vain
pomp and show of man 5 invention. y dcscrlp.
ton or pictures of the bridge are only vagares
compared with the impressions received III
viewing the wonder itself.
The first sight of the stupendous arch, as you
wind around the rugged path that leads to the
bottom of the raviue, fills one with feeling Of
awe and surprise which approaches almost TO
fear. Sensations are awakened that were never
felt before.
We spent over an hour under the arch
as though it had been but fifteen minutes, and
when time called Us away, we were 10th to leave
place so sublime, and as it seemed, almost
sacred. Mr. Lear: our guide, pointed out to Us
some of the curiosties in rock forming the arch,
the most noticeable Of which Is the eagle with
spread wings formed by the parti-colored rock.
The names of reckless aspirants for fame are
seen, engraved in the hard and almost lmpene.
trable rock. Our guide told US W hat We we're
glad to hear: that he was satisfied, from read
ing history, that George Washington never was
so tool-hardy as to hazard his life in the attempt
to inscribe bis name as the story has 1t, above
all others in the rock: though he pointed out
to US the marks-now nearly cffaced-that were
said to form the initials q. ". His cxp!ana-
ton was that George Washington must have
been at least thirty, eight year DID, and probably
older, when he first visited the bridge; aud lie
was unwilling to believe that the Father OF his
Country" at that age would attempt 50 rash
and unwise an undertaking.
The bridge is not merely magnificent work
of nature without utility or practical worth. but
it affords crossing to large country OF a
ravue that would otherwise have to be nrldged
at great labor and expense. there being no
other crossing within five miles in either dlrec-
ton for vehicles. The Dimensions Of the vast
arch are doubtless familiar to most readers. 10
give an idea of the height o: the bridge, We
we're told that tree growing just under the
edged of the arch, the height OF which was ),
feet. and which appeared from below to reach
more than half way to the top, was IL reality
less than one-thlrd the distance from the bed OF
the ravine to the top Of the arch. The thick
ness of the rock over the arch Is t. feet; width
of rock under the road bed, s. feet: width OF
arch-across the stream-9Q tcet.--lHherI
Enterprise.
ROANOKE CoLLEGE-We are pleased to
chronicle the fact that the exercises Of the
twentieth session of the Roanoke College open
ed Yesterday under more favorable auspices
than any former session of this excellent iustltu,
ton. Every train brings fresh arrivals to the