Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-09-13
A LEXINGTON BELLE ABROAD.
Natural BridHe-Lcxington-
of Lee aud StOneyyall Jack.
s0n-Sights I'm tho Old
Dominion.
Extract from II Private Letter.]

Extract from Private Letter.l
Picture an old-fashioned
stage coach and four, merry six in-
side and a merrier nine outside and
you'll be with the party from Rock
bridge, Alum Springs, to the Natural
Bridge on Thursday, August %. Thus
we started amid the blowing Of bugles,
loud huzzahs and best wishes for q
pleasant trip, not forgetting the 'sinner
man" in the shape of n substantial
lunch and plenty of fruit.
The morning Was bright, the air so
delicious and the party 80 free from
care that We anticipated much and re-
allied more. A drive of two miles
across mountain streams, under railroad
bridges, by spreading l'oushs far too
generous with the early dew, brought
us to the top of the mountain, from
which could be seen our valley home
and surrounding steps and crags that
stretched as far as the eve could reach.
Tho opportunity for sight, seeing from
the top of the stage was highly appre-
ciatcd by the nine, and an attempt to
enjoy and see all can be proven by the
stiff mecks that necessarily followed.
Seventeen miles of unalloyed deli ight
brought as to Lexington, and that
city had sufficient reason to think that
tho Stanton Insane Asylum patients
had come on an excursion. Resting
awhile at the Irvine house, there meet
ing Prof. Nelson, of Washington and
Lee University, and his daughter, we
made another start for Natural Bridge
a distance of II miles, and reaching
there at six o'clock alter shower, we
went under tho bridge which must be
seen to be appreciated. II is single
block of limestone in many shades of
color and rises TO the height of $50 feet.
The late hour hurried It's on and fol-
lowing tumbling cascade, we reached
Salt Peter Cure, which is said TO have
been worked for nitre during the war
of 1872. Still further on is the Lost
river, which comes and goes and hides
its secret from all. On and Oh we
pushed our way and came to the Lace
Waterfall that shiimnered beautifully
i'll the moonlight. We retr;lccd our
steps and came again to the bridge SO
lofty and SO beautiful, to be kept in our
minds as one of the grand things OF
earth. Partaking of an elegant supper,
visiting the full-rOom for brief sea
son, we retired to suite of lovely
rooms to rest for our return trip. Early
next morning We crossed the bridge,
standing in a few minutes time OH two
different mountains that rise from the
valley of Virginia near the confluence
OF the James and North rivers. We
walked TO the edge of rlrhpct rock aud
Cedar Cliff, from which good view is
had Of the bridge aud glen. Finding
the morning stealingaway we left with
much regret for home, feeling repaid
for the long trip. We did not mind tho
shower that overlook us, nor did We
rclinquish our seats for those below.
The next visit was to the grave OF
the immortal jackson that stands il
the center of the enclosure. AT the
hotel VIC met Mr.. and Mrs. j. w
Barclay, relatives of Mrs. DIR. Atkill-
son, who extended to us u most cordial
invitation to spend un evening at their
elegant home. We were unable to &C
cept this for Prof. Nelson was there tC
escort us to the University and his
home. Just as you enter the grounds
there stands church, ''To the memory
of II. E. Lee, 1SO7-lS70." Beyond this
is the chapel where hang the portraits
of Washington, jefferson, Cochran,
Bradford and others. At the back is a
pipe organ and below slab to the
memory OF one who was drowned on
rescuing fellow student. In front,
beyond the chapel is the mausolcunl
where can be Oh through the grating
the recumbamt statue OF Lee. 1t is life
size, the flce wears Il calm and peace.
full expression and in its silent grandeur
impresses one with awe and sOlemnity
Below is the crypt h",ing the noble
dead (witc and lau:;hter) with places
for each member of the family. Across
the hall is the study arranged as the
late president left this pen. manu-
scripts, piles of letters and visitors
cards on the center table-the secretary
and cabinet OH either side. After reg.
istering we went to the University and
enjoyed kcenly the sights of its museum
Skeletons of the most enormous ami.
mails of prehistoric times, with speci-
mems of every variety of animal life
from its lowest forms. A golden cur
the prize in boating race, was u thing
OF beauty and elegance.
| We were delightfully."- entertained by
PROF. Nelson and wife, aud the fine