Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-22
THE SUMNER QUEEN
AS SEEN THROUGH SENTIMENTAL
SPECTACLES.
Lovers Leap and It's Pines and Ccdars,
Rustic Benches, and Singing Birds
Germans aud suppers.
Correspondence Of tho Richmond Dispatch.l
WHITE SULPHUR SPH1SGs,

fccrrospondencc Of tho Richmond Dispatch.l
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS,
August 90, 1889.
The White is swarming with gay
multitude of cosmopolitan guests, drawn
hther by its sparkling waters, wild
mountain scenery. and the glory OF its
social prestige. 1t enjoys the proud dis
tinctlon of being the Summer Queen OF
the Land, and the celebrity it has won,
coupled with its natural and acquired
advantages, draws to it throughout the
season representative assemblage OF
wealth. culture, and high-toned society
OF every section of the Union. IL IS an
American scene with cosmopolitan actors
and is the best illustration OF the gay life
OF the people who possess the means and
leisure to make their summer daysa hap
py holiday.
August is the most enjoyable month
Of the season in the mountains The
weather is usually all that could be de-
sired and one has Il sense OF freedom
from social obligation that enables us to
throw aside conventioDalities and enjoy
the place for itself. What a comfort to
leave the heat and dust and busy care
OF the city behind US and pursue the
tranquil themes OF peace here IN the
sweet solitudes OF the wildwood, where
nature is spread out in green and quiet
beauty before us, where the sound OF in
sects is heard among the wild honey
suckle. the smell of the fern is delicious,
and cooling zephyrS are waited from
wild urcl-groyes, laden with sweetness
and fresh with glory Of perfume, balm,
and harmony. To those who delight to
hold sweet converse with nature III the
solitary seclusion of the forest, or in
dulge the imagination in the dreams of
an Elm ramble, Lovers Leap is a
source OF never-failing interest. Here
we listen calmly 10 the breeze signing
through pine and cedar and dream of Sc
curity OF body and serenity OF the soul.
Here, resting alone oil rustic seats, We
know not what most to admire-when
the sun from the zenith beams on the
earth, saturating the atmosphere with
CLEANS of glowing light and flood
ing all nature with dazzling
brightness no pen can describe.
Here in the midst OF the enchanting
scenes o! swelling slope and shady glen
and the inyigorating joys Of breezes that
have fingered through the woods We
luxuriate beneath widespread overhang-
ing branches OF beech and pine that
beckOn us to sweet refreshing rest, sur
rounded by mountain flowers, sweet and
delicate, golden orioles. and bright plu-
mayed birds, whose silver Threats are
qulvering with melody. dart in and out
among the green branches, their glowing
bodies like shreds of flame IN the cool
dusk of the leaves. Or when the twilight
hour approaches and the evening sha-
dows deepen, chasing each other through
the dreamy woodland. the spirit is sweet
ly wooed to the happy dreams Of the
past as we saunter musingly through
these hallowed grounds and dwell IN
reverie and sacred thought upon the nc
moues of halcyon hours and happy sea-
sons which can return to us, alas never
more, except as they may chance to
mingle with the dreams that steal
over us like the haunting tones OF some
sad and solemn requiem. Or still
again, when night wells the landscape,
when peace reigns, and above the dark
sky arches, studded with the "forget-
me-nots of the angels" then methinks
no hour is ike this, SO sweet to fancy,
80 conducive to gentle thoughts and
honest reflections Then the world is
not SO dear the false show OF wealth
aud fashion fade and one communes
with the sacred little things in nature,
with the quiet OF sylvan retreats, and re-
alizing His love and benign protection
We bless natures God for thus touching
with kiss this favored spot, where all
around is eloquence. poetry, and peace.
The past week has been period OF al
most uninterrupted festiyity, the great
crowd bent on the pursuit of mirth and
enjoying the quest with unalloyed plea
sure.