The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-26
SHARON SPRINGS.
Beauties and Health-Giving Properties Of the
Place-The Hotels and Surroundings
Sulphur Bathing Establishments-De-
fciencies of the System and At
tendance at the Baths.

At this delightful summer retreat health and
pleasure seekers are still numerous. In spite of
the exodus to Europe and the attractions of other
and more pretentious watering places, this has
been the most prosperous season in five years at
Sharon Springs. All the hotels have been crowded,
and in the month Of July, particularly, 1t was found
impossible to accommodate the large number OF
visitors who were anxious to remain in the neigh
borhood. Very many were compelled to seek other
scenes, because accommodation here could not be
had. We wonder not that Sharon Springs is
popular summer retreat. Our wonder rather
Is that the merits Of the place are not more
widely known and more generally appreciated.
Aside from the springs, which, so long as they give
forth their healing waters must continue to at.
tract crowds OF invalids, there are other and
powerful attractions possessed by this place above
almost any watering place we know. The scenery
which is rich and varied, presents, when looked at
from certain standponts, spectacles OF surprising
beauty and occasionally awakens IN the beholder
an overwhelming sense of the sublime. Elevated
some fourteen hundred feet above the sea level the
ATMOSPHERIC HERE IS NEVER OPPRESSIVE
nor is the heat ever intolcrable. In the hottest
days Of this terrible summer the air here has been
comparatively cool. So much certainly cannot be
said for Saratoga or for Newport or for Long
Branch. 1t will not be at all wonderful il
within a few years from now the heights
winch surround this village shall be adorned with
some OF the finest hotels in the whole United
States. When that time comes-and come we think
1t will, and that at no distant daySharon Springs
will bequite as much resort OF the gay in quest
of pleasure and the weary in quest of rest and
pure air as Of the invalid in search of health
AS it Island when we say this we do not depreciate
the attractions which already exst-Sharon
Springs really comfortable and truly attractive
watering place has yet to be made. The hotels
which are numerous, are most OF them small: and
in the case of all OF them much room remains
for Improvement in all that relates to the
comfort OF the guests. More hotels are needed
Springs, as a watering place ana Thoroughly agree
able summer resort can be what IL ought to he
and what Us natural advantages cnttle it to be. 1t
that there is not IN the neghb0rhood single drive
worthy OF the name.
THE GRAND CENTRAL ATTRACTION
at Sharon is the mineral waters. These waters
with their healing properties were, it Is supposed,
known to the Inhabitants of the adjacent regions as
early as the commencement OF the present
century: 1t was not, however, till the year 1880
that their reputation extended beyond the
their fame has continued to spread, and
now they are annually visited by many hundreds
OF people from all parts OF the country, but chiefly
from the large cities, some OF them seeking relaxa.
ton and pleasure but most fthem seeking health.
The springs are numerous gushing from the hill
beneath your feet. AS rule the spring takes its
name from the mineral which predOminates in the
beate the White Sulphur, the blue Sulphur. tie
Magnesa and the pure water but we believe the
correctness Of this classification has been called in
question. The White Sulphur waters and the
Magnetism waters are most in favor There
are two rival bathing establishments, the one
spring, the other connected with what is called the
Magnesia Spring. AT the Magnesa Spring Bathing
cessully introduced and this bath is eagerly sought
after by many who have great faith In its healing
virtue.s
AT THE SULPHUR BATH
are seen the blind, the lame, the deaf the DUNG
the halt the withercd, all waiting, If not as
least for their turn in the bath room
and sometime for ''sOme One' TO help and lead
them thither. 1t is a sad and somewhat sickcning
sight, the reverse OF 1atering to human pride and
vanity. and well fitted to I'LL the mind or the on
locker with humbling thoughts OF himself and his
"Whereore all this misery and sOrrow?r 1t is i'm.
possible to refuse to admit that the waters are pos
the case Of certain diseases, such as rheumatism,
neuralgia, govt scrofua and such like, the applica-
ton OF the sulphur bath has been attended with
wonderful results. We see proof OF the healing
power OF this place every day, although some are
disposed to attribute the healing '.vriue" quite as
much to the pure and invigorating air as to the
curative properties OF the water Wherever the
virtue lies-whether 1t belongs to the air to the
water or to both we care not to nquirc-the factis
undeniable that cures are performed. If the blind
are not made to see, and the deaf to hear certain
it is that the lame walk and that
THE WHITEHEAD PUT ON FRESHNESS
and vigOr. We sorry cannot write as ap-
provingly as we could wish of the condition and
management OF the sulphur Bathing establishment
In both particulars IL stands out In striking and
disagreeable contrast to its rival. The Mag
nesian Baths are. in regard to appointments ami
management, almost all that could he wished
There cleanliness ana good attendance are the
order Of the day.. At the sulphur estab-
lishment there are two bathing houses-one for
gentlemen and one tor ladies'. In each there are
hity.two rooms. Al the busiest hour Of the day,
when the rooms are full and an impatient crowd
wait for admission, one lady, with an assistant is
reckoned sufficient attendance for one house, and
one man, with an assistant, is reckoned sufficient
attendance for the other. surely this Is not as it
ought TO be. At bathing establishment, II any
where cleanliness and good attendance are neces-
sary IL Is expected that the season here will close
about the 10th OF September. As vet. as we have
mentioned before, there Is lack of visitors,
among whom and at most OF the hotels we notice
gO0dly sprinkling OF the prosperous sons ana
daughters OF Israel
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