Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-03-07
Staunton as viewed by Northern Lady
Thirty Years Ao0

Staunton as viewed by Northern Lady
Thirty Yeas Ago.
The following letter written by North.
ern lady visiting Staunton thirty years ago
will read curiously at this day. We give
it in full with the heading which the editor
of that day put to it:
STAUNToN, VA, August 80, 1860.
A Primitive City of the Soaah-Homcs for PoetS.
cal Minds-Ab1ndaace Of Aant Juleps ana
Pretty Women-Public Schools Of Staunton-
Some Elegant Pirate Mansions, dc.
One of the most charming spots known in
all Western Virginia is the little town OF
Staunton-a town, even at this period of the
nineteenth century so delightfully."- primitive
and free from city innovatiOns-1,3 300 inhabi-
tantS and Seventy-tWO miles above tide water,
nestled in valley surrounded by hills, and
in the direct route to the famous Virginia
Springs. / have seldom visited a more lovely
or romantic spot. After the frivolities of
Saratoga, how delicious to turn to the hospi-
table, warm hearted and cordial entertain
ment of the genial Southerner. Here, sur
rounded by every beauty Of nature, is life for
the poet and for the epicure-for who has not
heard of the mountain mutton" and veniSOn
Of this region, the delicate fried chicken-a
dish peculiar to the mountains, and once
tasted never forgotten-and the silver colored
trout, speckled with crimson, dying with all
its gorgeous beauty, like an expiring sunset.
How cOngenial to the spirits is this rarifed
air. AS distinguished Marylander remark
ed, at party here, that he chad travelled
but never had he tasted better brandy or seen
prettier women" and, aprOpos OF the former,
| must speak of that peculiar institution of
this State (the state of sin and misery, the
k1Nn.1 .,,lo sot,
comes to you CONCEALED in its own frostwork-
the icicles hanging pendant from its rim in
the most tempting manner, with just mint and
good brandy enough to make one, like Oliver
Twist, constantly sigh for s'more,' after the
accustomed sized goblet has been drained.
This place is distinguished, too, for its
schools. There are several female seminaries
of note, a hospital for the insane, and the
popular institution for the deaf, dumb and
the blind under the charge of the scientific
to none in the country. The principal, DR..
Merilat, and vice principal, Mr. Covel, have
nourished the institution with fostering and
parental care, and to them must accrue the
ularity of the object of their idolatry.
Upon the oak gemmed summit of neigh
boring hill stands the villa of DR.. Merilat-a
peculiarly picturesque spot. The taste OF its
occupants has left nothing undone to make it
most enchanting. Here the grand oak rears
its stately head and willow waves in melan-
choly beauty-here the lily rises in aristocrat-
ic pride and the rose vines bend their branch
es, Wreathing lattice and trellice with their
clustering beauty. This is, indeed, a vine
clad bower, at whose door the graceful ivy
twines in its clinging affection to the mighty
oak, upon which the bird nestleS and gives
forth its daily matin from its luXuriant
bough.
Beyond the western extremity of the town
and commanding one of the finest views
have ever seen, is the residence of Commodore
Skinner-one of the remaining gallant vete
rams of 1S12-and called the Sailors Rest. -
Near by stands Montgomery Hall, the former
residence Of Howe Peyton, one of the most
brilliant luminareS of the legal world known
to the State, and of whom the distinguished
Preston, of South Carolina, is the descendant
Not far off stands Spring Farm, or Donaghe
Hall, portion of which was built by the
stands, which was used by them as banquet
ing hall, and in which, undoubtedly, was
filled many glass toasting the merry lass
This is, indeed, one of the landmarks of this
ancient country.
Leaving the environs, my eye rests upon
the elegant site of Judge Thompson, of mos
extended prospect; the Birds Nest of Hen
derson Bell and welded loves first home, the
contest nook of creation; the fine residence Of
ex-senator Kinney, one of the wealthiest mer
Mr.. Edwin Taylor, considered the handsom
est in the valley, and called the New York
House. from its northern style.
The taste OF the StauntOnianS extends also tC
its churches, of which there are six in number
among which the Episcopal and Lutheran
stand most prominent for fine architectural
proportions. The latter is at present inter
esting in its association as being the first
charge of Mr.. Gilbert, young clergyman OF
devotion to it's interests, whose soul is in his
work, and who while he charms the ear by
his eloquence as preacher, is beloved as pas
tor. The cemetery, called "Thornrose, y
possesses great natural beauty. Here lie the
many noble mothers and proud sons; here rest
the dead-the descendants of a Washington, a
Writ and Patrick Henry.
But why live in the past of this time-hOnOr-
ed time GLOWING State, While here still live the
''pure minded Stuart" the whole souled
Baldwin, Thomas j. Niche, James II. Skin
ner (son of the commodore), and others, with
altogether live in the lives of those that have
gone before? With such attractions of the
animate and inanimate, who would not visit
the Valley of Virginia To the lover of lions,
here is the celebrated Weyer'S cave, just sew
enteen miles from Stanton; EliOt's Knob
mountain commanding the most extensive
view in the State, and almost Alpine in its
Enthusiastically fifteen miles; the Natural
Bridge, one of the greatest curiosities in the
world, fifty miles, and the Cyclopean Towers,
twelve miles, and most wonderful in theiI
curious structure.
Within day or two of all the springs. both
sulphureous and chalybeate, in whose invig.
Grating waters may. almost be found the
Fountain of Youth''-for which Ponce dc
Leon so sighed
Gazing from such spot as this,
At such a time
Well may our hearts believe
Earth has no fairer cline.