The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-28
rur RraUTfrUI sHENANDOAH.
A Country which Grows on Acquaintance
The Bear Llthia.

The Bear i.iihia'
Ran TrrH1A SpR1NGs. Va. June H.-lSpe-
cial.l-The very favorable impressions OF tniS
section which are made on first sight OIL inc
country are only increased upon further &C
ouaintqnce with il. and II grows IL apPie0i"-
ton every day. .;..:o-
As one OF the first requisites 70 apprecia'l ION
of any place il comfort, 10 may DC uhueIs'0Ou
that here one is thoroughly comfortable.
Hotel Belyidere is destined % become uloIe
and more every year familiar ana iaYotlt5
inn 10 the great army of health rest and
Measure seekers. who are always searchlhS
for those places where the generosity oil ma
ture has combined with the talent oil man 10
build ND the weak body and refresh the l4reu
mind. Ine building. "a rectangular Slr"C1"ie'
with gabed roof Is three stores IN ne sht -
roonv we'll ventilated. well lighted con
venently arranged and well appointed. ia the
hottss- rart %. the warmest Gay II "a always
uleasant IN the rooms of the hotel. hen,
loo. there IS n nose The household dut as
of the place are carried0n IN aqulet, unoOtru-
sive manner which cannot tal 10 he agreeaDie
20 the guests. whose every Wish Is promptly
gratllied.
The motto of this place is not Ask. and
it shall be given unto you. INT III shah Dc
given unto you without asking,
Hotel Belvidere presents pleasing appear
ance as. nesting among shade-tree5 n ~
stands on the summit OF broad. rouuu mr.
| from which II faces IN tour directions, the
front looking 10 the southeast. Along tIiS
aide. extending the entire length OF the oulld-
mo * "a wide. breezy yeranda from
which the beautiful scenery can De
canned in every direction. Here, as
one lounges in an easy char. De ieels
pleasing sense of health ana lreeuOI
under the influence OF the iresh mountain an
and natural beauty all around HIM. 10 the
Ic,t mud only a few miles OIL, within walking
distance. rs the sloping Blue Ridge. AZ tne
eve turns from this range 70 the front l-e
far Valley Of the shenandoah stretches away
mile after mile Of SOFT green lneauo" nI9
waving green fields one great sheet OF Fliieb
tints. here and there some orchard forming
spot OF darker green. while through KS "noio
length and az tins point, only nali-mlle us
tonf from the hotel. the pictures ue and MS
torc Shenandoah river flows now broad an
peaceful between i, shady banks. now DASH
ing. with rvthmica. song and swift current
over its shadows.
To the right tie view again changes. ana
the LOFTY MassanuttOu mountains. a, II guard
ing their vast supplies OF ilcn minerals I'7e
up Steiner and more abrupt than the parent
Blue Ridge OF watch they form q spur
In the rear Of the hotel few hundred yards
OF is a long rolling. gIa,sgrown mi. forming
natural and treeless lawn. This is a tavOrte
walk with visitors who climb IL ID the cool
evening 10 see the sun as u sets oehln0 the
ragged SUBMITS of the distant Dlassanuttoh,
apparently enyelOping them ia sheets of flame
and max NJ thrm look with lts reflection on
the clouds, ike a ridge of volcanoes bursting
into sInultaucOus action.
This sight. So grand that no pen can DO 10
Justice. can here be seen every evening tor q
short walk and easy climb.
Tho bin on which Hotel Belvidere stands is
Immediately about the building lad ont ~
magnificent hve-acre lawn, at tie further emu
of which is a small apple orchard. Ati le
nearer a large cherry tree just now laden with
luscious fruit free to ALL and scattered
about few grand oaks one OF which Is salb
10 bee one HUNDRED and seyenty-nNe years Old
Under the shade Of these trees the visitor
may lounge all day lnhahng the sweet scents
OF the meadow lands everywhere dllused. and
idly watching the reapers az work iu the sur
rounding fields gathering the rpe rel-yelloW
Grain or gazing dreamlly on the eYer-chang-
ing clouds. and seeing whole panolanas III
their shadows on themoutains.
The Bear Llthla Nprngo are Wor'hN ~ par
ticular meation They arc among tho largest
possibly The largest springs Dbl THIS country.
The basin OF the spring rs. properly speak
ing. lake. oval M form, n.tf rect wide ara
one hund ed feet long. Wn se sides are
formed uy peculiar wall ot piled stones. and
uverhuug by dropping willow trees. fr .ln
three sides ut the circnm'erence plank walks
a
about 40 degrees no the common centre
Here the water may bee seen at all times buo-
bling up from the ground beneath at the estl-
mated rate of forty gallons per second. a
grand total OF ass 900 gallons every twenty
four hours. or enough O. supply city OF tO,O0O
inhabitants.
The water of the springs s. sparkling. clear
and cold. and As they are only 100 Yards from
tie hotel the guests may be seen going back
ward and forward at all hour, % take the de
hcous draught rs il rises from the ground.
The water has been analyZed by Professor }.
" Mailet. of the University of Virginia lie
found IL % contain only a5lJ grains ot solid
matter 10 the gallon, and Of a specific gravity
of 0006l. IL Is tasteless and - hight tnat
large quantities may be drank without the
slightest sensation of reDletlOn. us
many remarkable medicinal qualities and
It's full analysis are set forth in neat
pamphlet which may be obtained from the
genial manager Of the hotel here and secte-
tary of the Bear Lithia Water Company. hlr.
W.K. Compton. The beneficial effects obtained
by the Use of the water are very percepIble
within the short space of one week.
The Springs are primarily . resort tor rest,
and this may be taken either mentally or
physically. 10 this the quiet lounge under
the shade Ftrees, or IN the hotel veranda.
the wholesome fare. the pleasant
co0lness and quiet OF the days and
nights are ali conducive For those
who desire more active occupation there are
fishing bathing long walks. mountain climb
ing fine drives. and lawn splendidly adapt
ell 20 tennis crOQuet or ball playing. The
Luray and Viewer cayerus and the Natural
Bridge are all within easy reach. and parties
may be formed for trips 10 them at any time.
This place itself. through the family tradl-
tons Of its owners is not without an histor-
zeal interest. which will be touched on IN
later letter; and with its great natural adyan-
tages. will not disappoInt the VISITOR VINO
comes here expecting 70 md the Garden
Spot Of Virginia" W. ".