Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-08-15
Letter from Rock EnOu Springs.

hOCK ENoN, VA, August Is, 1873.
Dear Star A party of rovers, comprising the
me mbers of st. Johns choir and a number OF
lady and gentlemen friends, passing few
happy days at this delightful retreat. No one
need be told where Rock Enon is, for the repu-
tation of its remedial waters is widespread.
About five hours by rail over the Point OF
Rocks and Winchester roads bring the pleas
ure-seeker to the latter handsome town, and
two ard half hour drive by stage from thence
brings him to this charming retreat, beneath
the high bluffs of Frederick county. Our trip
up here was most ENJOYABLE on all hands, par
ticularly the stage drive, the satisfaction of the
latter having been materially enhanced by Mr..
James Wormley, who accompanied from
Washington, and who stinted no effort to make
eryoody comfortable. To this end the stages
were halted at a wayside spring about five miles
shade of tall willows and elms, he spread a
sylvan banquet, 1anked by choice liquids, and
our party lunched sumptuousy Ia COuF de
hsSS in geSw0Od forest Ende. the RE
treat, and modicum of old Yerze-
nay, we sped along another three miles,
powerful sulphur spring on the hillside. This
water is furiously " LuciferOus," possessing all
the attractions which linger around the vicinity
of an excessively stale egg recently broken. OF
accompanying the libatiOn with significant
inward pressure OF the thumb and finger against
their dear noses while they triumphantly quaffed
the beverage. After several hearty pulls at the
sulphurous fountain, all simultaneously discov-
cred, like Mr.. Pickwick, that we felt better
TheIe Is another sulphur spring few hundred
yards short OF this place, but Of much weaker
quality, and everybody refused to taste it be-
cause ii lacked the requisite rotten-egg standard
of excellence. They couldn't fool US with their
weak sulphur water. We arrived here after a
charming drive in time for a hearty dinner, OF
which we ate with appetites decidedly wolhsh.
Old Capper was the man who achieved this
watering place-many, many years ago, and
there is no disease or poison its waters will not
heal. SO say all the old inhabitants here
about, and to doubt this universal belief is
to express heinous heresy. and bring anath-
ema upon the devoted head of the doubteT.
Some years ago, when the Y NJ. G. a. held
prayer meetings here, a Washington clergyman
baptised the place Rock Enon' for biblical
reasons, but notice all the Virginians flout the
name, and refer with swelling pride to HOld
Capper." They say tho biblical Enon was not
medicinal, only "much' and that Old Cap is
the boy for them, in which sentiment l most
heartily concur. In word, the water is de-
lciOus. a powerful eradicatOr OF blood impuri
ties, and almost tasteleSs. The Capper spring
feeds splendid bathing-pool adjacent, whore
we had a tub-Tace yesterday, the winner beiug
the son of a distinguished naval officer. The
other springs, OF which there are six or eight,
carry the invalid through a maze of remedial
virtues, including iron, alkaline, and alum.
This is a most delightful retreat, the hotel and
cottages are kept in apple.pie order, the Menu
is good, and the proprietor and his assistants
obliging. There are about one hundred
boarders here at present, including many
Washingtonians, and We all feel at home.
Under such enviable auspices we already begin
to try TO find excuses for staying away from the
dust of 18th street and the dOg-day sun of Wash
ington, as long as possible. For amusements
there is no lack. We have dancing, singing,
rambling among the hills, embracing, tourna-
ments, croquet, ten-pins, billiards, chess, whist
and delightful evening chats on the verandab
in front of the house. Mr.. Wormley has done
wonders here this season, in the way of popu-
larizing the place, and deserves the best wishes
OF all who have sojouTned with him this sum-
mer. We are to go to- morrow to the top of cat
a-mOuDtaiQ. from whence n grand nanOrama :
to be seen, embracing portions OF four different
states of the Union, and one day this week
Wormley will drive Us over to Capon Springs
distant from here about five miles. SAM.