The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-26

NlCHY SPRINGS, FRANCE, August c.
The scene at the spring and in the park OF
the spring this Sunday morning was quite
an interesting and novel one. Before 5
O'Clock the tramping Of feet indicated that
the water-drinkers were in motion around
the spring, which is directly opposite our
rooms, being not more than forty feet dis
tant. Desiring to witness Vichv during
the most stirring hours of the morning, as
well as to partake OF the waters, we were
soon down among the throng. People
were coming in from the country-the
strong and the weakly, old and young; the
lame, halt, and the blind; priests and sisters
of charity-to partake OF the healing waters /;
and an hour later the visitors from the ho-
tells commenced TO throng around. Men and
women, with bottles, jugs, and buckets,
were also coming to the spring to carry
the water to those who desire to drink il
in their rooms, all combining to present a
very stirring scene. More than hundred
peddlerS, with long hand-carts, containing
principally cutlery, with notions and va
rieticS Of all kinds, were arriving and az
ranging their goods, and the drinkers were
walking in the park, making a round after
each glass of water-thc rule being to
drink five glasses OF water before break
fast. This was evidently the hour, and
sunday the morning, to see Nichy in all its
glory. IT is not in order to eat anything
here before 10 O'Clock in the morning,
when good, solid breakfast is furnished.
TIE SPRING.
The great spring boils and bubbles up
near the front Of Il large one-stOry build
ing, in which are located the baths. 1t is
surrounded by q circular iron railing, in
side OF which are stationed four young
girls, who dip up the water in tumblers, a.
at Saratoga. The surface OF the spring is
in a basin about three feet in diameter, and
the water bubbles up in it as il it were
pot under an intense fire, indicating a
large volume OF water. We waited our
turn, and were surprised to find that it Is
decidedly warm spring, the water being
about the temperature OF pleasant cup or
tea. 1t is lust about the same temperature
as the springs at Baden Baden. There is
very little mineral taste to 1t, and at first
taste it seems rs il there were
not more than there would be to
cup OF hydrant water from the
tea-kettle. AS to its great medicinal
qualities and virtues there is no manner OF
doubt. The salts OF Nichy are prepared
by condensation from its waters, and the
quantity of il sent to all parts OF the world
shows the extent of the mineral character
OF the waters. 1t is perfectly While pow
der. and half teaspOoniul Of it in a tum-
bier OF water Is the best possible remedy
! for heartburn, sick stomach, or Wind-collc.
Having compared little stone bottle pur-
chased OF MesSrs. Coleman Rogers with
the genuine article, / find that the article to
| be got ut home is perfectly genuine. IIeil
there are Nichy pastileS, made from the re-
siduum OF the condensation, which can D,
taken in the mouth and gradually men
away. cffecting the same results, but they
must lose some Of their virtue by exposure
DRINKING OF THE WATERS.
Having Joined the thrOng around the
snrinp and swallowed the first glass, whlcl
was not very palatable to an American
lover OF ice-water and cold drinks, we toot
position IN the promenade, occaSiohaii.
jostlinga a priest or sister OF charity, part!
~ French Zouaves, or coming In 1ull con
tact with turbancd Turk, large, ourN
and evidently in full Sunday costume
whilst the cleanly and tidy appearance o
the rural population, who had come 10 towl
For tbe day. indicated that they had their
best drv goods and stOre-clothes with thein
1The inevitable newsboy was shouting III
wares. and all was stir and bustle. W
made the five prescribed rounds anu oe
pan To like the water better Us we pro
crossed. or at least we imagined W
djd from the desire to put as muc
~ il as possible where ait will DO ID
most GOOD The avenues in the PARK Wer
pretty well thronged from ! 10 hal-Pas M
o o'clock in the morning, at when time ti,e
commenced to thin off TO prepare 10
breakfast. there being nothing to eat a.
Vichv hotel. unless specially ordered, d.
fore 10 O'Clock in the morning. AZ !
o,cIock precisely the springs are closea, ti
xicinity becomes suddenly quiet ana az
serted and the peddlers' wagons nave lhel
ou-cloth coverings drawn tightly owe
them From 10 o'clock until in the aitel
noon Vichy looks like Sunday IN a. siil,'
American town. Everything Is sun an
mniet. hut suddenly, when the clock strik'
> the springs are again opened, the M MVei
nrettv little girls are in the well waitiil
Tor callers. whilst the throng continues
1,otber The yenders' carriages are aii u,
Covered as il by magic, and the traihc aga'
oo,,,mances. no catables being sold, as IL
oe,ainst rule TO eat anything during drin
;n% hours. Everybody who is here lor al
time lives entirely under the direction
nhvsicians, Of whom there are great HUI
Der in Vichy.
CONCERTS IN THE PARh'
During the morning drinking hours
,nstrumental concert is in progress at I,
!. music stand in the park, and tnose w, w,
have finished their internal aDiutiohs .'
: nhairs and listen to excellent musl
There is no display OF toilets al this III
= concert. some Of the ladies being array
In rather negligent costumes, haNins ~
come from the baths. Occaslohaiiy Wv
hasten off to the Grand Grllie lor lnu
water to keep square with their aoGt4,
and return as rapidly TO their cnal,
Il A. the afternoon concert, wnich co..
mences me at half-past o'clock, tue vlc'i,, y,
% the kiosk Is said to turn III
Ts,s where ladies OF high taste strug,
fnr the palm OF elegance and beauty.
nxhihition. lO / am told, takes place eve
law at the same hour, which probably
y co;nts co., for the number OF hair-d'es,l ISL
l. couIy1 .ahS,0hments to be encountered ne
u Tbe lady who carries the day becomes ,e J,
,d mned,atelv nd G famous among the Vichy VI v
e. tors M until surpassed by some more pe,s' ,,s'
IS. @ ant rival. when the detbroned one pI1
of her her trunks and suddenly disapPearS. pPsarmoon
\. M we nropose to be there this aiteri,oo i,;.s
IN ace Tor ourselves, will strive 70 Ky XIV sc' /.
," soo Io' 80. a clear description OF tnc so'