The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-30
NATURAL BRIDGE, !
RoCEBRIDGE COUNTY, Va,
August &c, 1882,

August 26, 1882. \
To the Editor Of The Dispatch:
That no letter from this attractive point
has been addressed to Won this season
caused an expression Of indignation 20 re-
sound along the ranks of 1" fair ones ~ as
scmblcd here this morning, and was an
pealcd 10 10 contribute something 10 vour
columns in regard 10 IT, To do Justice 10
the subject would require more time than
can give It. greater space than YOU can
accord il, and less feeble pen than is mine
10 write il.
This is my first visit, so that cannot a
fully appreciate the many improvements
made since last season rs those who have
been here before. a new dining-room and
many chambers have been added TO the
hotel. which is most delightfully."- kent.
The Oro0riCtOrS are rs accommodating rs
Ills pos>iblc for them 10 he. and the walters
and maids prompt and pleasant in their at
tendance. The hotel is always full. and
oftcntimeS 10 overlooking. II can accom-
mediate 100 guests; the aversge arrivals
per dav arc between sixty and scventy-five.
One dav recorded the presence Of five hun
drcd persons. and from the beginning OF
the season till now the visitors have num-
bered five thousand. The accessibility OF
the Bridge 10 three railroads brings spect:-
dined At the same table two families who
came from the extremes OF Name and New
orleans. The Shenandoah Valley railroad
station is only two miles below this point.
and over that route passengers are brought
from the East. The Richmond and
AIeghany Company brings YOU within
two and a hail miles 81 this place.
,.iq the Chesapeake and Ohio they come
from The West 10 Clifton Forge. and from
tlc south ria Richmond they are borne
over the Richmond and Allegheny railroad
with 80 much OF comfort and easy move
mcnt that there is no reason why the num-
bcT Of visitors to this place 10 see "the
Bridge" should mol be equal to the count
lts, multitudcs that Journey from all points
wear after year TO witness the "ruSh OF
nn,htv waters" 1t Niagara Falls.
There are some here now who are
"booked" for n month, and even for
LONGER time, hut the large maj ority of visi-
tors have been very appropriately likencd
bv a lady here TO the 'tide that Gibbs and
flows" for they come solely to see the
wonderful Bridge, "whose architect is
God" and alter they have viewed the
magnificent structure, and refreshed the
inner man. they are OF again. Whilst the
grandeur II this arch and its wild and
beautiful surroundings cannot be de-
scrihed. there are inducements beyond the
sight 81 il for longer Soiourn than the
pa>.ing traveller makes, for every day
parties are forming who arc on pleasure
bent" Quite number of gentlemen went
forth this morning armed with rods and
line, to indulge in the delights (;) OF
fishing. \ iaunt Of only TWO or three miles
brings them 10 water teeming with the
"fDny tribe" and they will return dis
APPOINTED crowd if "they have tOiled all
The day long and caught nothing" The
livery abounds in fine and fast horses. and
anumber 81 ladies and gentlemen, whom
Colonel Parsons has dubbed the Wilde
ridinl party." started early yesterday
morning to ride seven miles and then to
Chamber M the mountain to the Hanging
Rock" which i regarded rs one OF the
phenomena Of this county. They spent
= charming day. and were surprised
TO find at this great emnencc flowers
blooming and corn 1lourishing. Pulling
some Il the latter. they built FIRE, and
added TO the lunch they had carried with
them cars roasted in the shuck, which they
thought. OF course, the sweetest corn they
had ever eaten. They possessed tncui-
,elye, each Of a double unfiOwcr, which
they found growing there, ana adoptcu II
aS the badge Of the party. The flower was
much admired bv us of the lower country,
70 whom this Improvement upon our ola
sinqle friend was novelty; and we Won
dercd il Oscar Wide was also stranger 10
fiji, variety Of his fayOTite blossom.
Asa healthful and pleasant resort Tor the
little folk. this place cannot be surpassed
In All OF their little innocent pleasures
they are aided and allotted by both pro-
prictors and guests. Last night one OF
iheir plans "for fun" proved to Us older
ono. a rare and beautiful sight. During the
davthe "young idea" was busy gathering
I'D all the brush, old paper, ana deUtS
from picnic OF the day before, TO lliahe
4 bonfire when darkness covered the
earth. They had also secured nllteflal Aoi
blue and red lights, and numerous EOch,'S
and Roman candles. The walk from the
hotel 10 the Bridge is about three h'lluiIu u
yards They had distributed along lno
Wv q Number Of Chinese lanterns OF the
very prettic,t designs. Every gues Il IN NV
hotel who VA. able To walk that distance
repoircd 10 the scene Of action, ana Wheh
he ire was lighted and the dliitrehl-cVl-
orcd LIGHTS thrown upon the Bridge Ihe
effect was simply gqnQ! ,n.o;ro ,,.
After the bows had "eXhausted their am
munition.v we still gazed in admiration
uuoD the scene, DER which the moon I''''
cast her mantle. and 50 alter seeing cue
Bridge hv sunlight, moonlight, ana c"'1 ,
clum-llghf. we still say to all, " Come anu
sec for Yourself this wonderful thipg thal
no rem can portray nor artistic brush re re-
produce" though we have here our aitis y,
Mr. Fisher. Of whom the state ha: caIlsc " "
be proud, who Is busy upon palhliHs 80 VI
the Bridge, which promises to be as Dtiu,
tiful and perfect as any represehIa!.iiootn,
mon canvass can be. Our aspiring;
young amateur painters OF the Guy Saou d y
all come here, for they could not ma Ia
talent The Bridge is said to be TWO nun
dred and seventy-iive feet high. Iona
The representatives from our city mere
are Mr.. John F. Allen, Mrs. Howe anu
Mis- Virginia Allen, MIS-. Blankenship ahu .
family. Mrs. Robert Snead ana nicIes ~ va
and Mrs. Ecker, Mr.. and Mrs. JACK ten i
Die. Mrs. James T.. Wertb, and MIS- Nan
ME ID. ". HOunshell. a., rost
We have had heavy rains ior thc pc pa,
few DAYS. Notwithstanding which IL Is Nei'
warm. even here in the MOUNTAINS =.
Very truly yours,