The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-08-14
JORDAN ALUM SPRINGS.

THE ATTRACTIONS OF ONE OF THE VIRGINIA
spRIyGs-UoWTo SPEND APLEAsANT TINE
ANTE. BELLUM AND POsT-BELLUM SOCIETY,
&C, &C.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dspatch.l
JORDAN ALUM SPRINGS, August u, 1878.
1t is only appropriate that the daily life,
the amusements, and the general going.-on
at this well appointed mountain resort
should be chronicled in a paper like the
D,spntch. Our assertion that this is one OF
the very best appointed waterng-places in
the State needs only visit for entire Yindl-
| cation.
The standard amuSements are, OF course,
in full blast bere-bowling, riding, driving,
and flirting. The last is being done with
an elaborateness and finish, with truly
artistic touch, that is very remar liable in
deed, and Will make the year 1878 long to
be remembered at the Jordan Alum. A
goodly number OF badly wounded birds
(males) have already winged their flight
from here, and are now TO be seen hobblinS
around the White, the Old Sweet, The Warm,
and other resorts, earnestly endeavorln% by
change of scene and charmers, by profuse
Use OF the waters, and other designations, to
to effect lasting cure; but in VAIN.
Let them know, once for all. that they
have been transtNed by an aim that Is
unerring; that the wound is utterly lncura-
bic save by prompt return ana more sue
cessful effort This we decidedly recon-
mend. as we do not wish to see them carry
the fun1nedicqbiLe uuir,tS OF the Jordan Alum
bellies to an early grave, or that these latter
should forever establish for themselves the
deadly reputation with which they arc i'm
miucntly threatened. Every Friday night
we have dress ball. ut which the ladies are
especially charming, and the gentlemen, IL
possible, more devoted than ever. One
night last week Il 'phantom ball" passed
of in the gaycst munncr imaginable, and
was productive OF MANY laughablc incidents
and mistakes. Hem. Let every gallant be-
coming involved in the meshes OF Il particlI-
lar fair one beware OF "phantom balls" y;
they are wonderfully illusive-amazin' de-
ceivin'. A grand fancy-dreSs ball Will mark
the height OF the season here.
Since the war Virginia SUMMER resort
and its company afford abundant food for
moraliZin9 thought. Between the ante
bellum and the post-belum society there
rolls an almost impossible gulf. Those who
have crossed from one shore to the other
scarcely recognize where they are, or the
conditions which surround them. The
wealthy planter, with his charming family
and his perfect establishment, touched by
magician's wand, has vanished from the
scene. With him has either entirely or
measurably disappeared much that can Ill
be spared by people who set high value
upon polished manners, upon undertaking
courtesy, upon chivalrous bearing and
conduct, and upon lofty and enduring
civilization. We have heard from certain
quarters, and in the same direction we con.
tinue to hear great deal too much about
. plantation manners" We can never forget
that on those very manners wee based
phase Of society and 4 condition OF life which
came very much nearer the ease and cul-
ture, the breeding and the bearing OF the
pest European circles, than anything this
continent has ever produced. Prairie man.
ners and those OF the mandatory do well
enough for the people who like them, but
it will be sad day for the land OF Wash
ington and OF Madison, Of the Hamptors
and the De Saussures, when the last yestige
OF " plantation manners" takes unto itself
wings and is seen no more. Let us rather.
in their best sense, by all means encourage
them, and what was meant for a mark Of
reproach let us convert into the insignia OF
honor.
1t is with great satisfaction, therefore,
that we recognize at the Jordan Alum. In
the persons OF SeVerdi young laQleS, all oi
that old civilization, all OF the old South,
which was so charming in the days that
''are wild with all regret, the days that are
no MORE" In the devoted, considerate
conduct, in the gentle bearing, in the soft,
low voice, in the high but quiet air OF
breeding on the part OF the young lady from
Accomac, surely there is nothing wanting
to remind one Of those olden, golden times.
And, looking on the refined, etherealized
face OF the daughter OF an eminent divine
from Richmond, it is not necessary TO go
back for type Of perfect womanhood to
those fondly-remembered days. In young
ladyhood South Carolina has but one dele
gate here; but well does the high.spirited
girl represent the proud little State. In
dignity of bearing, in elevated sentiment,
in lofty scorn for all that is ignoble, In gra-
cious courtesy, in anerring sduoir fare, It
is old South Carolina that stands before us
to-day. Looking at these mementoes OF the
past, let us not despair OF the Soutl-let Us
not give up our country. VIAToR.
Mr.. Moody, the evangelist, went to his
home, at Norfield, Mass, to rest, bnt got