The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-09
Letter from Healing Springs, Va.
AUGUST 7th. Is

AUGUST IIn, 1907.
Nessrs. Editors, From the Chesa
peake & Ohio railroad at Covington,
Va, comfortable carriages convey pas
sengers to the Healing and adjacent
Springs. The journey of fifteen miles
here abounds in picturesque and cap
tivating scenery. The road curves grace
fully around the mountain slopes, unfold
ing at every turn enchanting features
The deep ravines lie mute and passive in
their verdant recesses. The pure un-
contaminated atmosphere is fragrant with
an inimitable distillation from natures
vast laboratory of forest trees, in which
the odorous chesnut and pine trees have
their distinctive place, with delicate
wild flowers and ferns in infinite variety.
a fine cascade-a miniature Niagara-far
up the elevation, has also a distinctive
place, completing the sublimity of the
scene.
This little mountain Journey is a rare
episode in travellers life, one seldom met
in these days of rapid transit. The friend
ly telegraph wires that stretch along the
roadside and terminate in the hotel con-
stantly reminded us that we were not 90
ing beyond communication with friends.
The hotel is a comfortable three-story
brick, with ample piazzas. The table
dhote IS bountifully supplied, the service
and cuisine frst-class The proprietor
ii. Carter Eubank, is an attentive and
experienced host, his father being J. L.
Eubank of the Warm Springs DR.. Lang.
horne, resident physician, is gentleman
OF culture and skill in his profession, and
his estlmable wife is model for physi-
clans wife. The location of the springs
and baths is rural and romantic. one
never tires of the restful quiet and beau
ty of the surroundings. It might snfice
to state that the analysis of the waters is
almost identical with that of Schlagenbad
and Ems in Germany, but to come home
to facts there are those persons here pre-
sent and elsewhere In other localities who
attest to the remedial virtues of these
waters, which are sedative and Alternative
and pleasant to the taste. Where are the
pharmacists who could compound with
such unerring skill this rare elixir? never
varying year after year in quality or
temperature; and where is the great sub
teranean retort with its inexhaustible re-
posltory OF minerals and caloric? In the
words OF good old colored uncle, "that's s
a mystery cant be dissolved"
1t is said that a change Of climate for
a week or more during a year is promo
tive Of longevity. So this fine altitude
with home comforts in these mountain
Businesses, presents to the vacation seeker
a most desirable change. Although the
frequent rains make it much more a 7go-
t@7ng place than usual, yet when the
clouds take wings from the mountain tops.
the sun is reflected from an expanse Of
living green, and we feel the inspiration
from nature impaired by her great au-
thor. There is little chapel lust out
side the grounds where we are privi-
legged to hear sermon on Sunday. from
some clergyman guest kindly, or from
some one having stated appointments.
So the little spire points upward too "to
,he hills from whence cometh help" Ad-
olning the chapel resides quaint pio-
leeT lady, who brought an invalid and
pitched their tent before any buildings