The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-28
NEW YORK HERALD MONDAY JULY z8 ls7s-wTH SUPPLEMENT-

stalled In its princey halls It requires more than an
ordinary efYort 70 tear ones self away again. The
term ''old,p md tndiBputably belongs TO these
springs, for they the most ancient in the United
States; but ''sweet" believe to be misnomer.
unless that word applies TO the sweetness OF this
delightful spot and valley. The place was first
owned by one Of the noted Virginia Lewises, TO
whom 1t was granted by one OF the Georges prior
to the Revolution. Even as early AZ that era in
American history this became watering place OF
great note. IL continued In the possession OF the
Lewis family and their descendants until about
pany q four gentlemen, one on p Of whom was the
present proprietor who subsequently about
t twenty years ago. bought out the others and is
tliul property In West Virginia. This gentleman,
who can be said to be one or the self-made men OF
Among that large class Of people who constitute
the watering place visitors of the country these
Of area e ana a Of
forty miles OF the Virginia spas. Chief because 1t
is the most charming and attractive OF them all in
lent attendance and its still more excellent man
agement; distinguished, on account OF the Guilt
who give ecsat TO its bathrooms, its dining rooms
and It's spacious and luxurious parl0rs during the
season. Running in semi-circular direction rom
the main hotel, at which you aight from the stage,
is o handsome row OF three story brick cottages,
quilt somewhat in the Dorc style of architecture,
scrupuOusy neat and clean. Then comes the centre
building, q massive ana stylish pile OF the same
oy hs and lighted
fanked by handsome rows Of wooden cottages,
which combine all the splendor and elegance Of the
r Them a IS the spns ssor
building erected from design by the proprietor;
BY Two SQUARE towers ana extending back s
lance SUFFICIENT to embrace two large plunge bath
ing apartments about thirty By forty feet IN size
and water closets on the other side. The spring
ITSELF in front OF the house, under cover Of the
Continual stream emptyns INTO large eV sewer
which runs at the rate OF thirty miles an hour, and
with volume Of 800 gallons to the minute.
the greater and ali q the latter pof.
the Order
at the present time about two hundred and fifty
persons large majority q whom are ladies' the
menced to come yet in force. The capacity Of the
Old Sweet Is about eight hundred.
are chemically known as actduous, marked char
acterstic being the performance OF carb0nic acid
which gives them vivacity and buoyancy that are
peculiar. As tonic 1t IL successfully used in all
chronic diseases emanating from debility, and in
the treatment of ladies' It's cures have been WON
derful.
is however, more astonishing In its exhilarating
every species Of wearied and tired humanity. A
plunge and immersion OF three minutes, or Six at
the most, followed by rubbing with coarse towels,
leaves the most delightful sensation ever expert
enced, and 80 invigoraJes the system that one
feels like running foot race or jumping
Richmond remarked to me to-day that il he mad
that bath at his house half million dollars could
not buy it.. AS said before, society here is OF the
ments dissipation and fashionable lollies OF the
neighboring white sulphur. Amusements aud re-
sights to be seen varied and curious as they
are picturesque, grand and beautiful. Two miles
from here is q most delightful cascade having a
fall OF sixty feet, the waters tumblng from crag
you approach it. Scramble down the rock and
to the mouth of beautiful cave where the adven-
turous and lovers OF the beautiful eat their sand
witches. drink their light wines and indulge In a
game OF cards, the atmosphere at all times being
deiclously cool.
Is a scene OF the most terrific grandeur and SUBJ
Unity of which to-day the visitors here had vivid
and striking illustration At eleven O'Clock bank
Alleghanies in the west, feariuiIy portentious in
their looks, but giving out nothing OF the terrible
elements within them. Slowly they rolled across
the heavens, hiding the sun, mingling with the
mountain tops and darkening the whole face OF our
limited world With accustomed regularity engen-
dered by long experience, the servants OF set
about closing doors and windows and this had
scarcely been done when the storm burst forth In
OF rain, followed in q moment afterwards by a
deluge OF water accompanied by wind that beat
and whirled the aqneous element in every
bright and binding flashes OF lightning illuminat-
ing the darkened scene and after that roll of
thunder tnat seemed to shake these eternal hills
ana the cottages. Flash succeeded flash with
scarcely an instants intermission a continuous
roar OF thunder being kept up all the while, the
rain descending in torrents and the wind beating
with such wild and awful force as to threaten the
destruction OF the noble old oaks and trees with
which the lawns are dotted. The wind was the first
OF the fierce elements to subside; its fury was
spent in short time but the rain, the lightning
aud the thunder still seemed to struggle Tor the
mastery. For while the latter gained supremacy
by the terrible suddenness, the awful volume and
the sharp, ana then, heightened deep roar with
which each nash OF lightning was succeeded.
AT FIRST 1T CAME ON THE CAR
IKE the distant rattle OF powerful vOlley of mus
kerry lasting an instant only, and then exploding in
grand fearful crash, TO which the combined dis
charge Of thousand parks OF artillery would he
as mere nothing compared. The lightning too is
peculiar at thls altitude where the mountains "kiss
the Clouds" 1t does not nash regularly at intervals,
as nave noticed In low countries but 1t is con.
timed nickering blaze OF the electric nud lighting
up the EARTH In twenty minutes the wind, the
thunder and the lightning, had ceased, the rain
only continuing to fall through atmosphere so
calm and peaceful that the very leaves the trees
looked as II they had been cast in an iron mould.
Half an hour later and the sun was shining as
brightly and as cheerfully as If there never had
been . storm.