Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-07-23
Letter from StauntOn.

correspondence vi the AieSaQOrla UaZette. |
STAUNToN July 23.-As many of your read
ers are doubtless travelling, or sojourning in
this section of the State at present. it may not
be amss to give them some information as to
how they may proceed to visit those great nat
ural curiosities, the Natural Bridge and Wey-
er's and the Fountain Caves having had some
difficulty myself in 6uding my way to the for
mer, because few seemed to know the exact
route of reaching it. There is line of stages
from Salem, Roanoke county, which passes the
door of the hotel on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays, fare $500; but the easier way of
going is TO take the canal packets at Lynch
burg on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, at
$3.50 =. ~, for Gilmores Mill, fare 50 SO. By
| this route you reach the landing at a. 10. A
conveyance to the Bridge usually meets you
there, but if it should not do so, the walk is
only g miles, over a very pleasant mountain
road. The hotel is kept by Mr.. A. Lear, who
was clerk at the Mansion House from 1858 to
1855, and is delighted to see Acxaudruus
lie knows how to keep hotel and will fur
nlsh as good fare at as low rate as any man
in Virginia No one who stops there will have
cause to complain though many do OF the dol
|
matter with which Mr. Lear has nothing to do
personally, though he collects for the proprietor.
Some people say the charge is unlawful.
About that | know nothing, but 1t is certainly
we'll worth dollar to 70 below the arch.
There is certain suhlimity about it which en-
chants the spectator, and which must be seen
to be understood. Above, the road crosses it.
| have often heard that one might 90 over it
without knowing 1t was there, but scarcely be-
heved 1T yet, while actually looking for the
place, went over it unknowingly four or five
times. Visitors can return to Lynchbur the
| same night, or they can take the stage to Lex
ington and Stanton, fare IS 90, at II a. m.,
running the risk Of missing connection at Lex
iDgtoD, as [ did, This seemingly untoward
event, however, gave me an opportunity Of
visiting the graves of Lee and Jackson. The
former, with his wife, lies beneath fat mar
BILE slab, surrounded by light rail, 10 the
chapel of Washington and Lee University
Beautiful flowers are constantly being placed
upon and around the slab, and constant pill
simple the name and date of birth and death.
No epitaph is needed the exploits and the
virtues of our beloved chief are written in the
hearts OF his couotrymen. The tomb OF Stone
wall jackson is more difficult to find. 1t is
a simple grave, with scroll shaped stones at the
head and foot. The former bears the nscrip-
ton, General T. j. JACKSON the latter
simply the initials On each side is vase of
toWers and the grave and the stones are COW
cred with floral tributes. An iron railing sur
rounds the lot which is about the centre of
the cemetery, near the vault.
10 get to the caves is easy. You can hire
conveyance either in Stanton or Harlisonburg,
the distance being II or Is miles from the for
mer and Is from the latter, or you can stop at
Meyers Cave Station, Oh the Valley railroad,
distant four miles, with conveyance thence at
every train. think the charge for entering
Meyers Cave, including guide, candles, &c.,
Is but one dollar, and Mr.. A. Mochler, the pro-
pretOr, has excellent accommodations for man
and beast. The cave is about three quarters
of mile in extreme length, believe, and
somewhat over 800 feet under ground in its
deepest parts, but you travel mile and
:. quarter IN exploring its tortuous paths ] WAS
somewhat surprised to .f Ras thu there are but
rev columns and long, pendant stalactites, but
! there is far more drapery than had thought;
some of 1t so thin as to be quite translucent
What pleased me most was series of lncrus-
tations like the pi pes of an organ, which give
| forth, when struck, many different musical
sounds They are very clear and beautiful, re-
sembllng those Of the glass harmonicon, and |
have no doubt that skilful musician could
rlay tunes upon them. There are, also, some
what similar formations which can be sounded
like drums one, We were Informed, had often
been used as bass drum with brass band in
the ball room, splendid chamber sometimes
used for dancing AS most Of your readers
have, doubtless, read better descriptions of the
cave than | could give, [ content myself with
advising visit, it practicable. FIDELls