Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1872-09-17
p p Zoe AZ Ehholrz 80. ! 2
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.af.rl BY NICK NICHOLSON.

The United States has been fire.
quently called the garden spot of the
world. But as no garden, however
beautiful upon. the whole, however
well arranaed, or however well culti-I
waited, presents equal attractions at all
points. so the Land of Columbia has
some parts more highly gifted with
the power to please than Others. She
has some places which might be called
bowers, where apparently all that is
beautiful and grand, all that can sat-
isfy the sense, and crafty the taste,
are concentrated; and where the trav-
eler having wandered over her extern
sive domains, bewiIdered by the vast
ness of her scenery, seats himself to
enjoy her more exquisite Beauties
These favored spots are scattered here
and there along her rivers and among
her mountains. But the most favored
of them all, is the southwestern part
of the "Old Dominion lgTcR5 4
Nature is seldom prodigal Of her
blessings. And those places which
she has adorned with beautiful scene
ry, and blessed with pure and health
restoring waters, and Wholesome at
mOsphere, she has generally cursed
with 'steriiity of soil, and the inhabi-
tants of these beautiful places, though
vigorous both in mind and body, can
scarcely make support. Other Fla
ces, on which she has bestowed great
fertility of soil, and wheregmeng may
grow rapidly rich, we gefierelly find
them unhealthy. The fertile banks of
the MisSissippiill ustratethep point. The
water which the Inhabitants drink,
contains the ingredients of disease
The air they breathe, is loaded with
fever-prod0cing vapors and poison
Gus gasses, arising from stagnant ponds
and marshes. Thus they are render
ed siekly and though the land is rich /
beyond. comparison ans wealth easily
acquired, vet they enjoy but few real
pleasures. for wealth without health
can insure but little injoyment. Thus
we see that we must take 1.-THE bitter
with the SWEET
But is there no place which COM
bines all that can add TO the happiness
of man, and is devoid of all that tends
to make him miserable? If there is,
that place is South West Virginia :
Here may be found all that man de-
sires. Does he wish health, that first
requisite of happiness? If he cannot
find among the hill of South West
Virginia, at her mineral springs and
in her pure atmosphere, lie is indeed
in deplorable condition.; he can be
benefited by neither nature nor art
Is he in pursuit of pleasure? That he
can here find every variety of inno-
cent enjoyment, is clearly proved by
the fact, that housandsaiinuaIIy come
hither from their Southern homesyon
account of that pleasure which, they
cannot find elsewhere. If rural pleas
ure is his desire, let him come hither
and engage in stOck-farming, and his
days will pass smoothly and rapidly
away as those of the shepherds of old.
Or he may wish the pleasure afforded
by refined society. The ariStOcray of
Virginia carnot be surpassed in re-
finement and hospitality, and-if it
will be any inducement-in beautiful
ladies' Does he wish wealth? He
will here find abundant means for the
profitable employment of his capital |
Let him invest in these fertile lands,
employ his funds in developing its min
eraI resources, or engage III the bust |
ness of manufacturing. There are
men in this immediate neighbOrhOOd |
who make an imlpense profit by the
manufacturing of salt, and the coun-
try affords many such opportunities
for profitable investments. Does the |
lover of nature seek some place where
the grandeur of the scenery will fill
his soul with poetic fire? Then this
is emphatically the place. Here he
will find mountains which cannot be
surpassed in beauty by those of Swift
erland. Wales as beautiful as that of
Tempe. Sparkling streamlets, noun
tain torrents, and silvery cascades,
which could not fail to stir emotions
of pleasure even in the breast of the
most degraded of humanity. In short,
South West Virginia is adorned with
the most magnificent scenery in the
world, its soil is composed of the very
essence of fertility, and its mineral
wealth is inestimable. In addition to
this, it is relieved from most of the
evils which curse humanity. Surely
this must be the favored land of
which the poets sing, the FL Dorado
for which the Spaniard sought.