Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-10-07
THE NATURAL BRIDGE.
Virginia Still Claims One of the Seven Won
ders of the World.
Doet

1.-THE Natural Bridge OF Virginia" says
Colonel Ii. L. Parsons, must pay the
usual penalty Of greatness. In former
century, in naming the seven Wonders OF
the World, three were conceded TO
America-Niagara Falls, the Natural Bridge,
and the Mammoth Cave. Greater objects
then existed, for. although Arizona had
not been discovered, the Andes and tho
Himaiayas gave amazing proportions, but
wonders wers not measured by size.
The first great disaster that befel the
Natural Bridge was when IL was buried IN
1871. The white columns OF smoke were
seen at Lexington. fourteen miles away,
and the powdered fragments were scat
tered over wide country. The cause
was soon scientifically given by a professor
in one of our colleges. The forests below
had taken fire, the draft had drawn the
flames under the limestone arch, and, act
ing like a kiln, the mighty structure mad
furnished the fuel for its own destruction.
While this destruction was IN the lmagi-
nation of o lying student, there are some
who yet believe IN II.
Again in 1881 the Natural Bridge had
fallen. 10 was telegraphed across the con-
tlnent. A stone estimated &C thirty tons
fell from the top and alarmed the neigh
borhood But when IL was found that the
single block above the abutments con-
tanned 27.000 cubic yards, and this was the
first fall III tho century, II was estimated
that it might yet stand 100000 years, and
the property was not insured.
Again, III lSSb the Star Du Dlished state
ment of the Natural Bridge OF Arizona,
which reduced that of Virginia to con-
tempt, bat when 1t atterward gave the
proportions il was found that the former
was really tunnel OF dlsproportlonal
parts. and only one third as high as that Of
Virginia. 90,
But now the famous structure. which
is so perfect that II seems cut by design.
aud yet the cause Of which has never been
discovered. a monoEth of black marble
without a single seam or even sign or
qualification OF displacement, rising to
within FIVE feet of the height of Bunker
Hill monument. and fifty feet higher than
Niagara Falls. under whose graceful arch
Washngton's three largest churches, the
Metropolitan, the New York Avenue, and
the Covenant, could DO piled upon each
other, yet bearing the exact width OF
roadway and carrying one across an other
wise impossible canyon, Is crushed under
the giant heel Of the man with the kodak.
In your issue OF Sunday you quote an artl-
Gle from 81. Nicholas, of which the follow
ing Is an extract:
1.-The Natural Bridge, Of Pine Creek,
Ariz.. Is to the worlds natural bridges
what the Grand Canyon Of Colorado Is TO
the worlds Chasms-the greatest, the
erandest, and the most bewildering. 1t Is
truly entitled TO rank with the great
natural wonders OF the earth, as the
Natural Bridge in Virginia Is not. No
photograph can give more than a hint OF
ITS majesty, no combination of photo
graphs more than hints
The real description shows au immense
cave with an orchard on top, the middle
and both ends OF which have fallen in. and
which is piled under the wreck of a great
CONFUSION, which may be classed as a
tunnel. but in no sense a bridge at all.
There is a real bridge in the Andes. 5000
feet high, formed by the falling Of rock
in an earthquake assure, but no one has
described IL a. great wonder, and the
Old Dominion may yet speak without vain
Boosting and quote again the simple words
Of Thomas jefferson:
The Natural Bridge, the most sublime
of natures works, though not compre-
hended under the present head, must not
be pretermitted. Though the sides of this
bridge are provided in parts with para
pet Of fixed rocks. yet few men have resO-
luton to walk 10 them and look into the
abyss. IL the view from the top be pain
full aud intoerable that from below is de-
lightful III al equal extreme. 1t Is lmpOs-
sible for the emOtlohs arising from the
sublime TO be felt beyond what they are
here-so beautiful an arch. so elevated, so
light. and sprlngi4g, as IL were, up TO
Heaven! The raptdre of the spectator Is
really understandable