The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-12-27
Letter from Virginia.



SHAxsynLE, MONTGOMERY Co., Va. I
DEcENBER 10th, 1879.
Messrs. Editors Nearly four months ag'
/ left thu beautiful rolling country OF Western
MARYLAND for the tree covered hills and ter
tile valleys of Southwestern Virginia. The
poet Campbell tells US
s'Tis distance lends enehantment to the view,
And clothes the mountain in its azure hue
This is doubtless true, for ia landscape paint
ings the dim outlines of mountains in the
background, greatly enhance their beauty,
Ascending the hill at the West End o.
Westminster the eve is first struck with the
beauty of the country Immediately surround
ing il; theu the attention is called TO the city,
with its churches and spires on the lower
level behind il; but the last and, perhaps,
most permanent impression made upon the
mind, is on seeing the Blue Ridge Mountains,
stretching along the Western horizon as far
as the eve can reach. But mountains are not
only beautiful at a distance. Taking them as
one great whole, the mind is filed with won.
der at their immensely and impressed with
the thought of what great forces were neces.
sary for their upheaval. There is an attrac.
tiveness in the mountains, which, aside from
the cooler temperature, leads hundreds Of
people from Southern cities to flock to the
Virginia Springs during the summer season.
The railroad connecting Lynchburg and
Bristol, Tennessee, is q charming route, the
passenger always being interested in the
changing appearance Of the country through
which he is passing. Near this point the
Blue Ridge joins the Allegheny, and the in
dividual mountains impress one with the feel
ings of grandeur and sublimiiy, which we
always experience in viewing vast masses,
piled up in accordance with the laws of Ma
lures own architecture. Picture to yourself,
if you can, these hills, in the late summer or
early fall the trees still covered with green
leaves, with the exception OF tinted bough,
showing itself here and there, sure fogetaste
of the autumnal beauty that will quickly fol.
low. Then, come on few weeks later, find
these hillsides covered with every imaginable
color, from the dark, Interchangeable green Of
the pine aud cedar to the almost blood-Ted Of
F0ms 9sbs5. .lEsesr and these trees. extending
season, standing on a portion of rising ground
looking towards the east, we see skirting along
the foot of one of these hills the Roanoke
River, generally placid, limpid stream, but
at times so swollen by the rains that its turbid
waters rush heedlessly on, sweeping all before
il. Then, turning and looking towards the
base Of another hill, we see the engine labor
ing hard to pull its train Of ears up the grade.
SO you see we have almost at one glance the
mountains, the river and the railroad. You
must not think that all beauty departs when
the leaves fall. l call to mind, particularly,
two mornings Of the past week. One was
after night of rain and slest, so that nearly
everything was covered with ice Imagine
every branch and twig covered with sleet and
this icy forest extending from the valley up
TO the clouds, for they seemed to have started
down the mountain side and stopped about
half way, as though uncertain whether to
come on down and enyelop US in fog, or 10
return to their accustomed heights, and while
waiting there in this uncertain manner, the
frost had crept up to the mist until they
seemed bound together, and there was no
perceptble line between them. Yesterday
morning, about the time that the sun begins
to show itself, noticed light shower fall
ing, and looking towards the west, saw a
beautiful rainbow. II seemed to rest on the
submits Of two hills and was almost perfect.
| do not intend to attempt 10 describe it.
think it was the first one | ever saw in De-
cember, and don't remember ever having
seen one before in the morning. do not
think we have here the beautiful sunsets that
you have in Westminster IL is true that |
cannot judge impartially Of that for our view
of distant objects is cut Of by the hills, con.
sequently the sun goes out Of our sight when
1t is still some distance above the horizon.
In spite Of this pleasant country and the
pleasant friends / have made here, look
back frequently on Westminster life and West
minister people. / remember College enter.
tainments, Christmas masquerades, reading
circle, the valentine party oil nearly two years
ago, and they make me wish il was in my
power TO live that time over again. This
letter, Messrs. Editors, may be ioRger than
you care to publish, so / close it, but if il be
agreeable you will hear from me again.
Truly Yours, W.