Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-08-17
LETTER FROM VIRGINIA..
LoupouN COUNTY. We,

cartlaSeS ulaWn py Two gentie, yet strong ana
active steeds, furnished by our enterprising
and accommodating townsmen, Messrs. Stump
Il Hawks :. And what NO. tourist before me
could say and none but these gentlemen could
do, / was furnished with and driven by an
Angel. What say you, an Angell Yes, q
live Angel Well, leave it to your many
My route laid through the neighboring county
of Clarke, across the Shenandoah at Castle.
mans Ferry, scaling the Blue Ridge at
Smokers Gap. The view from either side of
the ridge is truly beautiful. Inthe West the
Valley Of the Shenandoah stretches ont in
panoramic grandeur. broke only in the far of
distance by the North Mountain whilst in
the East the prospect is quito as enchanting,
fore the eye in queenly dignity. just at It's
Gated, presenting to the traveller clean,
thrifty appearance. The railroad from Alex.
andria via Of Leesburg and Hamilton will, Il
is thought, reach this point by the close of the
year, on its projected way across the Blue
Ridge to Winchester. OF course, this will
be an era in its experience and history, and
provo an impetus to travel and traffic. In
travelling through the county to my resting
place ON its southern border, was struck with
the fine condition of the public roads,
Though the rains of late have been heavy and
the country is rolling and stony too, yet the
roads are excellent, showing great care and at
tention on the part of the authorities, and
what to me indicated enterprise and spirit,
were the numerous sign-boards at many Of the
crossroads, directing The traveller ON his
journey. Stick peg here to the praise of the
road boss, for it is most auoying to encounter
fork and crossroads and know not which to
take-but these Gelcome fngerpoints, with
sentence in its simplest form, solve the diff
fculty and away We HE, alright. This good
state of the highways with the facilities of
travel, show cleerly efficient laws, we'll
organized working corps and proper attention
to = most important interest. In this matter
our Jefferson authorities can learn lesson
There is much room for Improvement in the
working of aud keeping the roads In good
order, whilst doubt if there be sigu>board
in the length and breadth of the county
Let me suggest thata commission be appointed
to visit and inspect the working of the sys>
tenn over here, and confer with the authorities
1t might prove great benefit.
This is grand old shire of the Virginia
domain. She may emphatically be termed
the Empire County of the Old Dominion
She properly ranks as such, from her popula-
ton, he's broad area, her wealth, her INTEL
lgence, her virtue, her old Virginia hospi-
tally. In all of these elements she is with
out peer. just now, she wears her richest
livery. Her heavily laden and richly waving
corn fields, her cleared acres and forests decked
in emerald green, her focks of fat bullocks
cropping lazily the nutritious blue grass, her
thousands of cozy farm houses, the homes of
hard working yeomanry, her gushing foun-
tains of sweet freestone water on every hand,
her health inspiring atmosphere, her kind
and goodly soil, her moral and industrious
population, her educational advantages COM
bining many private schools as well as the free
system, her hundreds of sanctuaries like gems
studding her coronet of glory all of these
and more make her ga goodly heritage" where
"the lines have fallen in pleasant Places
Yet with all, she is part of earth with its sin
blight and curse. The death reaper here, as
everywhere, has been at work. After an ab-
sence of seven years find many with whom
took sweet counsel in the past, "have- shot
the gulf" and reached "that undiscovered
country, from whose bourne no traveller re-
turns" The sweet, fresh taste and feeling of
youth which had, when in tho long, LONG
ago, / roamed these fields and haunta, are gone,
and with the fight of years 81 bide my time"
The Loudoun Circuit Camp Meeting, the
annual feast Of tabernacles for the Mcthodists
of this section Of country, begins next Thurs
day, the 18th, 81 miles from my present stop
ping place, and promises to be large encamp.
ment-fifty tents at least, to be supplied with
the best preaching talent of the church sx-
poet to attend it. Tho Methodist body of
Christians, as one Of the orthodox denomina-
tions. has always been the leading one Of this
county. Itstill maintains its ascendancy, and
numbers among its leaders some of the most
wealthy and influential citizens. The circrit
ranks Us frst,class and gets for its pastors men
of superior ability. II is regarded as q snug
place to occupy, insuriDg good support and
hospitablo reception by the people. Rev. T.
Carson, late of Winchester, aud Rev. Me-
Infancy, late of tho Protestant Episcopal
Church, are its present pastors, gentlemen of
culture and ability, and filing their places
with great satisfaction.
The Rev. Mr.. Maury, son-in>law of the lato
DIR. Andrews, recently rector of tho Episcopal
Church at Middleburg, three miles from where
write, and elected q short time since to serve
the congregation at Shepherdstown, resigned
his position here and withdraws from the
church. Heproposcs in letter to the Bishop
to give his reasons for his action. What his
purpose is, have not heard, possibly he may
take shelter under Bishop Cummings wing.
The Camp Meeting near Round Hill, in
this county, now in progress in connection
with Hillsborougt circuit, NJ. E. Church
South, was largely attended on yesterday,
Sunday-Dr. Rosser, the successful evangelist,
preached the morning sermon with his usual
ability. Rev. Mr.. Carson delivered the Mon.
day forenoon sermon in his happiest manner.
This camp is not large, tho number of tents
being about "a.
For the present adieu, with kind regards to
all cnquiring friends. Yours, &C.,
TIMOTHY.