Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-09-03
LIsHhIENT.

EASTERN ExTENsIoN--THE PARK EMBEL-
LIsHMENT.
IL the midst Of the laud for the Eastern
extension Of the town, which comes square
up to the vide lawn of the Inn, is q large,
old forest, providentially preserved at the
point it is needed for park that will be an
adornment which might be desired thou
sand times, and labor and outlay employed
accordingly 10 accomplish the wish, but
fall short Of what this will ba when wrought
out OF its natural elegance and advantages.
After Mr.. Lse's skill and taste are through
with it, the enchanament Of its dark shades
and winding drives and.pleasant wslks will
be of inestimable value to the spacious
Inn which has the capacity for dispensing
its bounSsous hospitality to five hund red
guests at q time. It's fountains ana its
silvery lights. and aEbors and rustics for
rest, the great old mountains above, with
the hum of the wheels of industries below,
will be no picture OF fancy, but reality al
Luray, and its gates will be opened wide
for the reception of the pecple.
With tho commencement of improvement
at Luray, especially in association with the
opening Of Tho railroad line. embeliehment
was the order Of the day. Tbs sides of the
cuts wers s;aooshed down, and carpets of
green cover the surface which is ordinarily
left as it was VIXEN the pick and shovel
were withdraw. Banked on tho sides and
elevations are cultivated beds Of fl overs of
many colors and varieties, and evergreens
and shade-trees fill up the outward lines
AID intervening space. Whether entering
or aIighting from the cars Or passing by,
these pleasing evidences of taste and refine
ment attract the eye, and the largo raised
LETTERS Luray''-of living flowers receive
the watchful care Of tho gardener ia charge
Of the station grounds. The railroad tracks
at that point are thus borGerad on both
sides; and on the sido adjoining this lawn of
tho Inn tho attTac5iVeDess is continued with
similar display On those grounds.
Here this Inadequate skotch of Lur,,y
aad its surroundings, lis resources and
advantages for tha grandest Development in
iron and other nduBtries-omitting auy vain
attempt to describe the Understandable won
ders and sublimity of IFS spacious, sublime,
and world famous caverns-might end
There is, however, in tie near future for
this favored locality another Development
another theme to take its place in history
and excite The admiration of the thousands
who will annually turn their faces towards
that historic valley and re- kindle the love
Of the native and resident people for the
land Of their homes.
Luray was the birth place. and there the
elder Barbee worked out by bis own genius
and self instruction in art bis first and
classic subject in sculpture. 1t would be
appropriate to dwell upon the romance and
the reality Of his fame as fair Italy
nurtured it in her archives, and as it
blended its distinction with the American
names who worsbiped at and 1abored under
the inspirations Of the same shrine
Doubtless, IS his sands Of life were run
ming down and his eyes were closing on
the scenes of time, be cherished holy de-
sire that the home of bis nativity and tie
people and the land he loved might End
successor il his own son. Herbert Barbee
son worthy of the father, inberitipg the
gifts Of genius which won for his sire bis
eminent fame, cultured them at home, and
found, as his father did, That the best
place for their finished cultivation was
where the cid masters dwell in the sunny
land beyond The Atlantic shores. In bis
studio in the building of the Young Mems
Christian Associa tior are evidences of his
cultured talent ard his love fer the art
which claims his toll through day and
sweetens the repose of dreamy sleep. His
plaster figure of the typical
CONFEDERATE SOLDIER,
as he appeared in infantry service on out
post duty that memorable Sunday morning
as the first battle of Manassas Yves coming
Cd, is almost ready for the, mould, to be
re produced in bropze. It is ten feet
high and will stand on pedestal twelve
feet high. Description Of the design would
be cut of p,ace-suffice it to say, that many
competept to tie task visit the studio and
leave it with the most gratifying impress |
,;ons of what it will be when the artist |
shall have completed his work.
Pare county contributed largely of men
and material for the Confederate csuse.-
Many of her sons sleep fn deatb as their
preeious lives were offered rs a sacrifice on