Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-06-24
in brief, in the article referred to. have moth
ing further here and now to add.
HOMEWARD ROTIND

was unfayorably impressed with much oj
the country along the @. & D. r. r., between
Staunton and the Blue Ridge. The land, in
places, seemed thin, the wheat very poor still
by proper cultivation. this section, too, might
be made productive. The tunneing of the
mountain is masterpiece of engineering and
workmanship. Now On the summit and now
passing down the eastern slope. beautiful
| panorama is to the right presented. The coun-
| try bowl-shaped the mountain encircling, cres-
cent-like, one side, far away down is spread out
view really enchanting. Our farmers never
will lnhabit it, tor the reason, they cOnldat see
out, so deep do the lands lie, and no level OPEN
| ing, except on the east side. Lovers of ro-
nance aud solitude can here find a resting
place-no others.
CHARLOTTESVILLE
This beautiful town Ia reached beautifully
situated In level country, and was favorably i'm
pressed with the country around, productive
and well cultivated. The uurelenting ravages
of war, il seems did not blight this section.
as no battles were fought here or near, and no
armies laid to destroy houses and fences and
lay waste the timber and was, therefore, saved
the terrible aff1iction of many sections of your
Valley.
MONTICELLO.
A gentleman from West Virginia, who took
great interest to make my visit pleasant, point
ed out the dwelling amidst shade trees, the
home on beautiful mountain OF ridge emf
nence, where the immortal Jefferson lived and
died, Had [ known this sacred attractive
place was SO convenient to a station, Char
lottesville, would have stopped, and taken
survey of the place, his last resting spot and
surroundings, and greatly disappointed was |,
that my ignorance OF this dear place, as to its
location, was the sole cause of passing near at
railroad speed, without having the qualification
to visit it,
G0RDONSVILLE-MR NEWMAN.
found town of some Importance in busi-
ness. Having written lengthy article for pub
lication In the Richmond Enquirer Of March
5th, copy was read by MIR. James Barbour
Newman, residing some ak miles from this
town. This gentleman, by letter, invited me
to visit him, which did. His son, a mer-
chant, gave me his horse to ride out. Never
was so kindly. so socially, so affectionately
entertained, and by his estinable lady. Here
was genuine, unostentatious. free hearted hos
pltality shall never for1get-noo. never. His
palaclal mansion, situated On slight eminence,
is surrounded with loeusts and other trees of
native growah. Here ne dweils with the part
ner OF his joys and sorrows, while Mr.. Macon,
his relative and dear old lady, dwell here in
quiet and pleasure unalIoyed Mr. Newman
bas fine plantation of one thousand acres
His lands and others In this celebrated Pied
mont District, spread out in every direction
unusually level and very productive | re-
turned to Gordoosvile, happy in the reflection,
Penn6ylvanians and Virginiapq can again shake
hands and each bid the other God-speed and
an affectlonate farewell.
FROM GoRDoNsvILLE TO ALEXANDRIA.
Before leaving at % o'clock A. NJ, two
Michigan farmers, the advance of forty other
families, arrived here by way Of Buffalo, N Y,
on their way prospecting for lands for a colony
Being Catholic. and as they did not wish 70
settle where they had no church, recommended
them 10 visit Siaunton where the church Is
fiourishing) and the Valley. The reason for
migrating is the long. intensely cold Winters in
Michigan. ] fcup6, On daylight appearing, the
country along the Railroad. and for great dis
tance in every direction, has no attractions,
seeming, TOR the most part, exceedingly barren.
judging from the scrub growth of timber and
appearance of the soil of cleared lands This
part of my trip was unpleasant, and glad was
when this unpr0ductive reg ion was lett behind
and safely arrived at Alexandria.
LEAVE ALEXANDRIA.
Not by rail nor the ''slow COACH" but the
beautiful City of Washington" steam ferry
boat, amply provided. with accommodations for
pleasure and the Inner man." Eating and
drinking are attended to, while The boat swiftly
gdes on the Potomac, headed for Washington
Now safely landed on terra frma, and now in
the omnibus, off we start for the depot, arriv-
ing in time to get tickets, 10 the cars ard 10
few minutes the signal given to move fer Bal
timore. Here We rest two hours, (quite agree
able, when We start for Harrisburg. On ar
irving there, the Erie Express was in read
iness, not five minutes detained, when we start
up the Susquehanna, steaming at fne speed,
and at 81 clock precisely arrived at station
some four hundred yards from my residence,
fatigued with my long journey. safe and expe-
ditious, from Gordonsville to Williamsport
Yours truly,
Wiliamsport, Pa W. MILES.