Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-03
A Land of Life and Beauty.

1t was my privilege o short time ago
to spend a week in the town OF Wash
ington, Rappahannock county. and en-
Joy the kind hospitality of its warm
hearted people, who, except when expe-
riencing the JOY that flows from the
fellowship OF friend with friend, seem
never so pleased as when their guest par
takes heartily of the palatable food with
which their tables are loaded.
This county, like the others Of the
Piedmont region, is very fertile, pro-
ducing good crops OF grain, hay, and
dixie upper Fauquier and Loudoun) fine
bluegrass. At the time that was there
the grass was just far enough advanced
for the cattle to be turned upon IT, and
gave evidence of the new life of the
spring time, which was very refreshing.
But this was far short OF that feeling of
satisfaction that impresses one at more
advanced stage of the season-when the
fields are white with the harvest, and
the ploughman speaks cheerily to lis
horse while he ploughs the rank-grOwn
corn, and upon the green hills are seen
numbers of white-horned cattle quietly
feeding or lying in the cool shade of the
widespread branches of the chestnut
trees Gt may be- that dot the pasture
lands. One cannot visit this country at
this season without feeling that it is
a land of life and Joy. The young men
show that the influences of this land of
delight have not been unfelt by them,
but has awakened in them that Hottest
quality OF a reasonable soul-the love OF
masic. The first night l spent on this
visit | was awakened at midnight by the
strains of sweet music floating out upon
the stiffness of the night. On going to
the window saw the torchlights of the
"Miller Band " as they marched through
the streets serenading the town. This
band is composed of the young men Of
the town and country, and have been
trained by Professor Zimmerman, OF
salem, Va. The quality OF their music
speakswell the praises OF the Professor.
This Is also land of health. People
who have heard of it from the lips OF
those who have been the beneiciaries Of
It's invigoratipg atmosphere have come
from different parts OF the United States
and spent the summer season, being re-
Moved in health thereby. Numbers can
DO accommodated who wish to spend a
quiet summer here, as many OF the peo-
pie are prepared to take boarders.
The phases Of this country which have
been mentioned may be the most at
tractive to the agriculturalist or the sick
who are seeking relief, but TO the lover
OF nature the most attractive If yet to be-
told.
At abort distance from the town the
grand old Blue'Ridge rises in its majesty
and beauty TO the height of 1900 feet.
In the morning can be seen the soft,
fieecy clouds that float little below the
summit Of its lofty peaks, leaving the
blue heads OF the mountains bright with
the light that ever shines above the
clouds.
Among these mountains there are
many wonderful and romantic scenes.
one OF which is chasm running from |
the tor. TO theNbase of the mountain. 1t
as over hundred feet deep. It's granite
walls arc covered with beautiful ferns
and vines, while q stream winds its way |
among the huge rocks that were dis
lodged when the awful throes OF nature |
rent the mountain in twain.
The mountain in this section is very |
broken. Many are its peaks rising TO a |
lofty height which give Q neyer-ending
variety TO the beautiful scenery that can |
DO seen from the many different points
70 which one MAY. stroll Tszson