Year: 1871

L
which was much to our joy, as we were
fearful Of rain. having just had rainy
spell. The sky was bright. with light
airy clouds floating here and there. The
balmy air and the merry morning notes Of
the sweet songsters made us almost un-
mindful of the rough roads aud many steep
bills we were passing over. The winding
streams gave music as we passed Nature
was indeed dressed in her loveliest robe
May is truly the season of birds. buds
and poets. the festival Of flowers and song
1t is in these budding days. when the song
of Solomon is sung again and the profound
beauty of that earliest and most exquisite
poem is everywhere suggested, that we
are reminded of the fragrant words:-


s'The fig tree putteth forth her green figs,
and the vines with the tender grape give a
good SMELL


The mountains tower on the right, with
a narrow public road along its base. the
railroad next. with the canal just on the
opposite side Then comes the Potomac
dashing over its rough bottom. washing
also the shore Of Virginia; but little does
itlook like the majestic river we steam
down from Washington to its mouth.
Strange is the sight to see SO much going
on 10 this small space; all seems life and
energy. Would that some counties [
might mention. but do not care to. could
imbibe The energetic spirit SO manifest in
the people of this section of our beloved
State. But to my trip. Cascades were
aowing down the mountains and rushing
over The Undiscovered rocks Oh, how |
love the grand old rocks! Flowers were
peeping DIP their little heads. which were
covered with dew sparkling in the suns
rays ike diamonds The bridge across
the Potomac Is indeed fine piece of ar
chitecture. probably the finest of the kind
IN the coantfy. The Blue Ridge ends
abruptly At the river, looking like it had
been rent asundef by the dashing waters.
It makes one stand awe-struck when gaz-
ing at the grandeur around the Ferry
The rocks, which are of such singular
shape, Beem to be helping to prop each
other ap, and project out such distance
that. they appear hardly balanced The
Shenandoah rolls along with power, max
ing noise almost like that OF cataract.
The bridge which formerly crossed the
river has been swept away, leaving no.
thing but its pillars to remind one of its
former use. A ferry boat has taken its
place Most Of the buildings are erected
under the hills, some just up to the very
rocks edge. A fine Catholic church
II
tiresome to ascend. It struck me as be-
ing singular spot for church ! The
bare walls Of the shamefully treated Epis-
copal church painfully show the ravages
of war; little does it look like consecra-
ted spot For shame, to treat Gods house
so! Still farther on the hill. stands the
iong-to- be- remembered Jeferson's Rock.
situated on very high point. from which
q fne view of the country around can be
had. This rock is resting on several
large ones for its base, all seeming to sup
port it with pride. The top rock is sup
ported BY pillars prepared by man. but it
was formerly balanced on one rock near
its centre; being fearful of time making
changes in its frmness, these four pillars
were placed. The highest part of this
rock Is Just high enough for one to sit
comfortably under, and slopes gradually
down to about foot and half high.
we found shelter under this Table" FROM
the warm rays of the sun. Nature has
made small steps on the side of the large
rock On which one can easily ascend, but
not so easily descend. These rocks are
on the edge Of very steep hill. Persons
passing in the streets below look like
small children. Well may this be a fa-
vorite place for tourists, for its grandeur.
its startling sublimity cannot be surpassed.
AAthiugs around speak in loud tones Of
Gods power. Jefferson said. it is worth
"trip across the Atlantic ocean to look
npon the handiwork Of God displayed at
this romantic spot"


We were kindly invited out on Camp
Hill to dine. was surprised to find it
such a neat looking villa. We did ample
;,,stieo IN tho dinner uhioh or,r foir hnctacs