The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-06-28

able extent, and we felt much relieved When
We we're again In the open air.
one day during our stay IN ihe ollya
party oi seven Of 1a decided upon ylslt w
ihe great Natural Bridge, which Ia situated
In ROckbfidge county, about thirly mlles
from Lynchburg, by railroad. we accord
inply vent aboard the cars OF the Eoh,
mond e Alleghaney railroad, about
O'CLOCK In the afternoon, and were Boon
speeding toward the place of such interest
to the traveler--that wonderful structure
the Natural Bridge. As we rode along,
with the historic james river upon one side
and the Blue ridge mountains towering IN
beauty upon the other hand, our eyes
toasted upon the enchanting scenery pre-
scented to our view, and we felt desire that
our ride might be prolonged for hours
through this charming country. III Is saiu
that the scenery along Hudson river hardly
surpasses in beauty that OF the views along
this route. When we reached Balcony
Falls, a lovely spot, where the branch road
leads off toward Lexington, we cast our
longing eyes toward that little city. only
twenty miles distant, where repose the re-
mains of General Robert Il. Lee and Stone.
wall Jackson, and felt a strong desire to
change our route and visit the spot SO
sacred to every southern heart. But Cir
camstances forbade at the time, and on
ward we went to Glendale station; here
we alighted from the cars and a hack con-
veyed us to the hotel at the Natural Bridge,
within two hundred yards of the bridge,
are four large hotels. provided with every
| convenience and comfort tor the guests who
visit this historic spot by the thousands
every year. We tarried but few mo-
ments in our rooms at the hotel afler our
arrival there. but soon started forth, &C.
companied by guide from the hotel to
pr;A hn O.
pleasant, intelligent gentleman-.e led US
through the large park surrounding, the
hotel, down by lovely, sylvan path which
led under the bridge. We soon found our
selves in the depths of the COOL green
forest, our pathway lying along the rocky
pass skirting the rushing, roaring stream
which flows between the high granite cliffs.
We made our way along this rocky pass
way for some little distance into the forest,
then our guide suddenly paused and babe
us look up, and there we saw, spanning
| from cliff to cliff above us. the magnificent
arch of the great Natural Bridge.
| The arch is $50 feet above the water and
is solid rocky structure, about 1ifty feet
| in thickness.
AS we stood beneath and looked up at
| the grand, massive structure. placed there
by the almighty hand of the Creator OF the
universe, our hearts were filled with rever-
ent awe-words failed us to give expression
| to our emotions, and we stood looking IN
silence, with only the roar of the stream as
it leaped from rock to rock along its course
| beneath the arch breaking upon the still
ness of the scene. After viewing the vast
structure from various points OF opserVa-
ton, the guide led US father up the stream
| to a cave in the cliffs, then on through the
forest to the Whispering Well, " which is
an underground water fall, plainly seen
! from the grotto.like opening in the cliffs
rushing and foaming on to destination as
vet unknown. This cavernous well or
spring gets its name from the echoes which
at times are heard issuing in whispered
sounds from the watery depths, and 1t IS
indeed weirdly romantic spot.
The next morning our party, by our re-
quest, were aroused at o'clock, in order
to visit Mount Jefferson, an elevated point
near the hotel, upon which brick observa.
tory is built for the purpose of viewing the
sunrise over the mountains. we started
out and soon reached the desired spot, and
then scene of marvellous beauty burst
upon our gaze. The tops of the mountains
were covered with a mantle of thick white
mist, which, as the sun rose and cast Its
beams athwart, the scene gradually melted
away, and the peaks of the mountains
would appear atintervals through the melt
ing mist giving the appearance OF green
islands IN silvery sea:
In viewing this lovely panoramic scene
with the shifting lights and shadows OF the
early morning playing over 1t, we felt
amply repaid for the extra exertion we had
made to reach this exalted privilege, and
we felt that the scene is one which will lin
ger long in our memories.
BY Ii o'clock thai. morning we were once
more on the cars bound for Lynchburg.
Then short time longer with the kind,
hospitable friends OF this foarishing city,
Lola fhay
that the grand old state of Virginia is one
of surprising grandeur and beauty of
scenery and that her people justly wear
the honor of being the most hospitable, re-
fined and courteous people of any in all this
great Union of states. FLORENCE.