The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1878-10-30
THE NATURAL BRIDGE.
Description of "A visit 10 Sirsihia C"ri-
0sity-The snrF0unafHgR' she bFA"se
and Some Rncldents of the Trip.

In THE HAPPY VALLEY.
Dear Old Democrat Having just returned
from a. trip to tho Natural Bridge" | feel
like telling some of my felow-citlzens that II
they go Virginia and do not visit this wonder
their trip Is incomplete There is no railroad
to within thirty miles-you must accept
more primitive mode Of Conveyance-bu no
matter how ungainly may be the vehicle, or
how rough the road, you pass through SO
lovely country, in sight of such magnificent
mountains, you are more than repaid for fore
going bodily comfort.
We arrived after dark; tho harvest~moon
was rising grandly, and the weird shadows
from the forest trees fell obIiquely on the
cbasm as we crossed the bridge. It was q
mystic light which We felt was quite apDro-
pirate. It did not penetrate the abyss, SO our
minds were thus filled with awe, and some-
what prepared for the gigantic splendors
which met lis by daylight.
Our party was unexceptionable. and neither
large nor small, so when we started on our
excursion next morning VIC soon paired off
most amicably,
By climbing down steep hillside and fol-
lowing O. circutous path you get into the
gorge about 100 yards from the bridge. Az
Won WniR LDWHIuS LlS Dh6b VI bil6 dL Gll. JpA
cannot but be impressed with the grandeur
of the scene; you can fancy that before you
stands an old baronnial castle, with ivied
windows and vine-covered turrets. The
tangled underground conceals the approaches,
but the unreachnbe battloments frown down
upon you, and the silent walls have an un-
written history of their own.
Still, why imagine anything-why take
pleasure in fancying? When you draw near
and stand beneath that lofty arch, rising per-
pendcularly 100 feet from the rocky ground,
fancy fits away imagination is spel-bound,
and you gaze in silent wonder, about YOU, Ii
c.. a word tremblcs on your lips, it IS I'M
mensty." It Is all so large and magnificent,
Of such gigantic proportions, you cannot
realize it's true size, and / think you would do
as T did--sink down on the rocks sighing,
every nerve thrilling with emotion -,
Cedar creek comes booming along from the
mountains with rpples and falls to join the
lordly James. It looked innocent enough as
L saw. lta gushing stream hasklng IN the
sunlight; one could scarcely believe it was
the same element which had worn a way
through these mighty rocks, formed this
rough, deep gorge, then tunneling through
this limestone barricade, made d Natural
Bridge but it is even SO. sat under that
grand arch. towering In strength and beauty
SO for above me. [ looked up at the far blue
sky-at the solid walls that neither man nor
beast will ever climb, and thought o. how
great is our God and the wish in my heart
was to sing the "Gloria in Excelsis!
A sensation OF unutterable awe comes over
one when surrounded by such stupendous
display Of natures handwork, and you must
gaze In wonder on this evidence OF OmnipO-
fence. 1t is fearfulIy grand. "Illimtable,
without bound, without dimension; where
length, breadth, and height, and time and
place are lost
The finite grows weary, and instinctively
we look down on the diminutive stream, to
watch the little cascades and rapids, and to
listen to their echo.
AS we had poet in our party, he now came
Thn rirr hi To
to write letter under the bridge" and he
perched himself on high rock in the midst
of the stream, hoping to be inspired. sat at
his feet to catch inspiration. Alas! prox-
unity to one of natures favorites was USE
less. In vain tried; thoughts came not, and
words seemed such little things to describe
such scenery. | was lost in contemplation.
A native tourist told Of an event which Oc-
Cured here o. few years since 1t was the
ceremony Of baptism, administered under the
arch by nu old minister. Que evening when
the sun was near its setting, the shadows
very long and the light subdued, o large
and female voices sang praises to God III the
good old fashioned hymns Of long ago, the
rite Of immersion was performed. The scene
was impressive and the rocks echoed the hui
man voices, until far and wide the harmony
resounded. Up and down that fearful chasm
the music was re-echoed, and II never before,
then was God worshped in this natural
cathedral
The time passed rapidly admiring these
beauties. Hours were like moments, but per-
haps the supreme second OF emotion was
while standing on the apex Of the bridge,
looking down two hundred and fifteen feet.
Most sublime was the sight. SO far were We
above the vale that trees down there were like
plants, and the shrubs and ferns without
form. Dizziness came over many and none
fingered, but all came away feeling glad they
The ride back to the railroad was long. A
shower from the mountains overlook us after
nightfall, but no. murmurs were heard and
we reached our destination without accident. |
can only hope II you ever take the trip
you will have as pleasant party, be blessed
with as charming weather (minus the shower,
did. Remember, the time most favorable for
this iaunt is late in the month OF falling
leaves Yours, A.
The Black Hills mines are said to be more
profitable in proportion to the capital invest |
ed than those of the COmstOck lode. There |
are Fat present invested in the Hills about
$80O,000 In mills and mining machinery,
about the same in labor and materials, and
$1,5O0,0OO In mines-a total OF So, 100000. This
sum Is divided between seyenty-fiye mines, !
now being worked. One of them, the De
Smet, has produced S174,0oO In sixty days
which is at the rate OF S87O0,00O per year;
Another, the Homestake, crushes 27O tons OF
$1,21506o per annum. Ore yielding 81 per ton
Is paying that of the Homestake averages |
2S15 ton and the De Smet S12 Thus far only
the gold quartz mines have been worked, but
the region IS full of silver mines that have as
yet been only located.
= g.
The Chicago Times is Of the uncompromis-
ING Opinion that the election OF congressman |
in Iowa was illegal, for the reason that No
yember 5 was the day set apart by law for
that purpose. 1t closes a long ARTICLE on this
subject with the observation that Congress
cannot lawfully admit to membership persons |
that have not been elected according to law"
It does not seem probable that the Iowa autho-
tion. and, II they do not, there may be trouble
ahead for Iowa.
A CHANCE For A11-Otto sohwanehr III the i great at
pawnbroker king announces that h lnar9 VII to De
est has not been paid. This will take place No
vember ?, at the loan office No = =, bheonne ha Trn
1890 to otrar to die IN bic will be found some