The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-28
~.,r NATURAL BRIDGE.
r,>vrsssfons or Two wcil-Knowp
writers.
Nice BIts Of History aud Descrlption-lc-
gends Pleasantly Retold.

Bridge and the work that Is beng done
there. From our exchanges we reproduce
two extracts from well-known writers,
which, we think, viii prove Of interest TO
our readers. The first was written by Dr.
Prime, editor OF the New York Observer.
The other Is from the pen OF Charles qua.
lev Warner, and appeared In the Hartford
Co,ridnt. DIR. Prime says:
IL Is one of the wonders OF the worid.
Certainly In the world OF nature there is
no object except the Falls OF Niagara more
remarkable and impressive. picture or
description conveys any adequate idea OF
the sublimity OF this structure. In ages
mast the water has worked its way through
n ridge. and has carved out OF the solid
rock a vast tunnel. From the base to the
road-bed above the distance is 2l5 feet (;
the bridge Is so feet wide, and the span
100 feet long. Legendary tales are told
that connect II with romantic events, and
the names Of statesmen, heroes, and great
travellers who have been here invest the
region with interest.
Mr.. Warner says
NOT PREPARED FOR ITS MAJESTY.
The writer is glad TO be able to report
for himself that a visit TO 1t did not dispe
single boyish Illusion, and has to confess
that picfures utterly fail TO give any ade-
auafe idea OF the grandeur OF this freak OF
nature. or the noble beauty OF the region
of which II Is only one OF the attractions.
We left the railway ut way-station one
sparkling, exbilaratlng morning, ana
mounted the top OF coach for the drive OF
three and half miles. The road, rising
and descending, follows small stream
through cultivated hills up gradual ascent
that at length brings us to an elevation oil
about 1000 feet above tidewater. Here,
in slight depression among the bills,
but commanding an extensive view. are
the clustered buildings OF the old and new
hotel, capable OF accommodating 800
guests. Above the hotel on one side is the
splendidly.wooded Mt. Lincoln, and on
the other the open summit OF Mt. Jeffer-
son, from both OF which the prospect is
very extensive. Aroad crossing the stream
before the hotel ascends slight hill and
passes over the bridge, which is not visible
from tins point. The roadway is ninety
feet wide, and protected by low bushes and
eyergreens on each side. so that the travel
Ter could pass over il without seeing it,
though the chasm is visible on either hand.
GEORGE WASHINGTON AND HENRY PIPER.
The bridge is in fact thrown over mar
row, deep chasm, something like a mile in
length. We descended to it by steep
path in the forest. passing on our way Il
very pretty cascade, and two of probably
the largest arbor yite trees i'm the world.
Both are superb veterans, fluted and twist
ed, with branches broken and beaten in the
storms Of centuries, and the larger has a
circumference OF eighteen feet. Their age
is estimated at fifteen hundred years.
Reaching the bottom of the ravine, we
came to the rocky bed Of another stream,
clear and shallow, and turning TO the
right the gigantic arch burst upon
our sight, giving us a genuine shock OF
surprise. 1t Is so massive, so high. so
shapely. the abutments rise so solidy and
spring into the noble arch with such grace
and power. We were not prepared fol its
majesty. The impression deepens as we
advance and stand under it. Through the
arch is the blue sky, over the top is the
blue sky; great trees try in vain to reach
up to it, bushes and vines drape and soften
its outlines, but do not conceal its rugged
massiveness. 1t is still in the ravine, save
for the gentle flow Of the stream, and the
bridge seems as much an emblem OF ST.
lence and eternity as the Pyramids.
A description says that it is wide
enough to span Broadway and high
enough TO throw a shadow over the
spires of Trinity church. Its span is. l
believe, about sixty feet, and its height, in
Guiding the thickness OF the arch, is 215 !!
The arch is quite regular, and both arch
and abutments are smooth as II cut with
chisel. On one side, about twenty-five
feet above the stream, are natural tablets
or smooth surfaces. upon which are cut
and scratched with sharp instruments hun
dreds OF names. Among them is that OF
G.. Washington. To ascend to this place
seems a perilous and almost impossible
feat. To reach it up the smooth rock from
below is impossible. 1t was gained
by working along from the side, wnere
certain inequalities in the rock afford
precarious holding. confess that this
exploit gave me new feeling about the
Father OF his Country. as l saw him in im-
agination, in his stocking feet, clinging by
his finger nails and eyelids, working along
that perpendicular ledge, riskiug his life &c
carve in an inaccessible place his immorta
name. But then he was not the Father o
his Country when he did it. On the oppo
site face are names also, and very high vi
is the slight ledge which Henry Piper. tn
student whom Burritt has immortalized
attained in 1918, and from which he res
cued himself by an almost incredible fea
OF climbing.
THE EAGLE AND THE LION.
The rock of the bridge and Of the iuttin
buttresses above is superb study OF color
scarcely equalled IN any rock-coIor know
for variety and beauty OF tone. But on
singular freak deserves special mention.
Exactly overhead on the highest sprin
of the arch is the figure of gisanti
spyead eagle. II is the eagle OF on
coat-oi-arms. The mead, the sprea
wings, the claws, with the arrows, al
all perfect. 1t seems TO be forme
by discoloration OF the rock rather tina
by lichen. However 1t is made and
could not be more striking il II were pain
edit Is ancient. The French engineer
who made survey and measuremel
of the bridge during the Revolutionar
war noticed IL with wonder, and in the
printed report they drew from 1t happ
augury OF the success Of the Americans
the struggle. What makes the figure itse
more remarkable is that discolored pate
under 1t is very fair representation OF
crouching lion.
IMPROVEMENTS.
We followed up the ravine for a mi
through pine forest, in which is an a
tonishing variety Of evergreens. TO roe
basin filled by the foaming waters Of yer
pretty cascade. Returning 10 the unne
air and the hotel, Mr.. III. C. Parsons. IN
owner OF the bridge. drove Ills for an hon
or two about his domains. TINA
safely be called one Of the most magpif
cent estates 10 existence. He has laid ON
walks and built roads through the forest
and over and around the hills, form
ing extensive drives which i'm tbei
winnings lead amid lovely wood scene
ry and give lovely rs well as far
reaching and mannifnan4 ..ia...- nv,