Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-15
FROM Blue RIDGE SPRINGS.
Gay Season la Progress-Brillia Ger
mana Grand FnncI Ball In Prospectu.
Correspondence ofthe Richmond Dispatch
BLUE RIDGE SPRINGS,


August u, 1885.
Never did the distant mountains wear
a deeper tinge Of blue Than as we were
rushing through the country a week
ago Just after a heavy rainfall. We
had run through the fury of the
storm. and it was when the Peaks
Of Otter loomed up before us
that the rain ceased. Slowly the
mists rose, billow upon billow, cloud
upon cloud, till they reached and
gradually faded above the well-known
and well-beloved mountains, hovenng
over them. however, long enough to
intensity, if possible, the deep, solemn
still 6fie Of their heights. The refrain
Of Awerbach's great story seemed to
repeat itself oyersand over in my brain
as sat and watched the shadows chase
the sunlight till all faded away on the
summit" Upon the heights there
dwells repose r"
1t was fearfGily hot that July day of
our journey, and yet it seemed as we
gradually rose from the level of the sea
towards this the highest point Of the
Blue Ridge that (the thermometer to
the contrary hot though 1t certainly
was, the air had a frcsher, purer, a
more inyigorating effect upon us than
the heavy air Of the lowlands, albeit
sometimes stirred by the yagrant breath
of passing sea-breeze.
Oh the rest of the eternal hills. The
sea in its ebb and flow knows no re-
pose. The one with its crested bill
lows. the other in its sullen retreat !;
but still 10 rest But the hills, the
everlasting hills ! However, one cannot
BE- dreaming always, and these were
OF y the passing thoughts Of a weary
d rim fleeing for life from the dust
az turmoil Of the city to the quiet Of
IL country, SO that just as the sunset
pa nted these same hills with the glory
of the last glimmer Of the day and
heart and flesh were almost failing us,
in the longing for rest and darkness, we
find ourselves safely landed at the old,
familiar summer home " of 80 many
Vicinians and others from the far South.
The same warm welcome, the same
considerate care for the sick and the
travel-weary that we have always met,
was waiting for us now, and we creep
into our fresh and comfortable beds and
fall asleep half listening to the music
Of the merry dance at the hotel.
But to-day we wake up and wet our
sleepy eyes with the fresh spring water.
We instantly notice the various i'm
provements and renovations that have
taken place since we left the Blue Ridge
last fall.
Owing, no doubt, to the abundant
rains of the last two weeks, nature i:
looking her lOyeliest. The turf OF tx
lawn is like velvet carpet, and the
tennis-ground like fairy SPIDERS wei
drawn across it. At least so it looks
from the bridge.
The trees seem to have burst out int
as deep and fresh a green as if it were
MAY or June. The wild flowers flourish
and even the scorching suns Of the las
"hot wave cannot quench their bright
ness. All, underneath is the life-givinl
current Of water and moisture. Thel
most thorough and general renova
ton and repairing has been carried on
over the entire property, and the fresh
ness and perfect cleanliness of thes
"Springs I" is something that of itsel
gives a fresh zest to the change frou
the dust of city to the pure air Of tn
country.
] have just left the ballroom, wher
beautiful and brilliant german @
twenty-six couples is in progress.
/ am as yet too much of a strange
to the many guests assembled here t
attempt to particularize as to the va
rious and beautiful toilettes of th
lovely participants in the dance.
can only say that have seldom see
more grace and beauty on any hoor
and as they whirl by me in the merr
dance it seems like the varying con
binations Of a kaleidoscope.
Just now all the young heads al
busy in deciding what they shall be q
the grand fancy ball to be given by tn
generous proprietor on the 18th Of thi
month. 1t is to be opened with tn
"minuet" as danced by our grand
fathers and grandmothers, and in CO..
tune suitable to their date. 1t will b
followed by dances Of more moder
date, in which all can join and enjo
the general merry-making.
This ball will be the feature Of Ii
season, and we doubt not that man
whose friends are now here and Other
from distance will attend. Our ho
has spared neither care nor expense
make it complete success. Beautifi
programmes from New York and CO
tunes from Washington are only a pa
Of what be has done and is constant
doing for the pleasure and entertainer
OF his guests. Meantime, the your
people are practicing for a = fan drill.
I'm too old to know what it is, but yc
and were young once. Have you 70
gottens Well, l don't think you hav
BLUE RIDGE.