on the extreme right, was unanimously called " Cocke's Tower" — in honor of one of
our party who ascended it. On the left, are two other isolated towers, — of which the
centre or smaller one was distinguished as the " Hy menial Altar ," — a name which had
its origin partly in ajeu d'esprit, and partly on account of a shady bower in its rear,
which seemed an appropriate shade to mantle maiden's blushes. The furthest and
tallest, received the title of the " Tower of Babel.' This is also the most perpendicular
of all these rocky structures; an archway passes through it, by v\hi:h there is an easy
ascent to the remaining two, which stand on the acclivity of the hill, — and though of
less altitude, are not of inferior beauty to the rest. One of them, which is of a round
form, and flat at the top, and on that account received the appellation of the " Table
Rock" — affords from its summit a splendid view of the whole; the other, and last of
the five, we distinguished as ' : Shelton's Rock" — from one of our party.

These rocks in their formation resemble the palisades on the Hudson river — but are
more regular in their strata, — which appear to have been arranged in huge masses of
perfect workmanship — with projections like cornices of Gothic architecture, in a state
of dilapidation. Those who are acquainted with the structure of the Cyclopean walls
of the ancients, would be struck with the resemblance, — which suggested the name at
the head of this article.

We pause to inquire why these primeval fragments of the world have remained so
long unnoticed! Why is it that men are so easily awakened to the liveliest interest
in distant objects, and yet neglect those which are nearer and more accessible'? " A
prophet" it hath been said on high authority, "hath honor save in his own country,"
and to that strange propensity of the mind to contemn whatever is familiar, must be
attributed the neglect of many of the richest treasures at our own door, which fre-
quently impart both wealth and distinction to foreign enterprise. For many years
these towers have been known in the surrounding country, by the homely appellation
of " The Chimneys," — but no one has ever stopped to examine them, or to inquire
how nature formed so curious a pile in such a spot. Imagination may indeed con-
ceive that this noble structure was once the Scylla of a narrow strait connecting the
waters of the N. and the S. until their accumulated pressure burst through the Blue
Ridge at Harper's Ferry, and left in their subsidence these towers, as a perpetual
memorial of their former dominion.



318



WESTERN VIRGINIA— AUGUSTA.



1 manufacturing flour mill (Whit
more's,) and 1 Methodist house of
worship. Population 50.

Mount Sydney, P, V. 131 ms.
from R. and 153 S. W. by W. of W.
situated on the main stage road lead-
ing from Staunton to Winchester, 10
ms. N. E. of the former. It contains
30 dwelling houses, 3 miscellaneous
stores, 1 handsome hotel, 1 house of
public worship, free for all denomina-
tions, a male and female academy, 1
tanyard, 2 saddlers, 2 boot and shoe
factories, 1 hatter, 1 milliner, 1 cabi-
net and chair maker, and 1 pottery.
Population 190 persons; of whom 2
are physicians

New Hope, P. V. 114 ms. from
R. and 152 S. W. by W. of W. This
little village contains several dwelling
houses, 2 mercantile stores, 1 apothe-
cary shop, 1 house of public worship,
free for all denominations, 2 taverns,

2 tailors and 1 house joiner. Popu-
lation 40 persons; of whom 2 ate
physicians.

Spring Farm, P. O. 151 ms. S. W.
by W. of W. and 122 from R.

STAUNTON, P. V. and County
Seat, 163 ms. S. W. of W. 121 N.
W. by W. of R. and 40 a little N. of
W.from Charlottesville; situated in lat
38° 9* N. and in long. 2° 03* W. of
W., on one of the extreme head bran-
ches of the E. fork of Shenandoah
river. It stands on the fine valley
between the Blue Ridge and Kitta-
tinny, or between the Blue Ridge and
North mountain chains, a little N. of
Madison and Weyer's cave.

With the exception of Winchester,
Staunton is the oldest town W. of the
Blue Ridge.

Sometime previous to the laying
off of Augusta from Orange, a grant
of 120,000 acres of land was made to
Wm. Beverly ; Esq. comprising the
greater part of the present county.
Beverly gave to the county when it
was formed 25 acres, situated upon
Lewis' creek, on which to build a C.
H, and found a county town. Here



the first court was held in 1745, and
this was the beginning of Staunton.
It was not legally recognized as a
town until 1761.

The grant of Beverly was divided
off into lots by the county, and soon
became settled ; more being required,
Beverly .caused several lots to be sur-
veyed, adjoining this grant, which
survey bears the date of 1749, and
shows the early increase of the place.

Staunton originally occupied only
the level land upon the borders of the
creek, but it has become gradually
extended, until it has surmounted the
surrounding hills, and now resem-
bles an amphitheatre in form. The
streets are quite regular, running at
right angles, and have specific names,
but like many other old towns, they
are too narrow. This probably arises
from the necessity that existed when
they were founded, of living as com-
pactly as possible, that the inhabitants
might more easily repel the incursions
of a savage enemy, who dwelt in the
surrounding forests and mountains.
It became a corporate borough in
1801, having a mayor, 6 aldermen
and 4 common council men.

At present it contains about 200
dwelling houses, exclusive of stores,
shops, offices, &c. and its population,
according to the census of 1830, is
2,000. There are 1 3 dry good stores,

1 book store, 1 druggist's store, 1
confectioner, 4 groceries, 2 carriage
makers, 2 wagon makers, 2 saddlers,
7 blacksmiths, 3 tanyards, 3 hatters,

2 chair makers, 4 tinners, 1 copper
smith, 1 gun smith, 1 threshing ma-
chine maker, 3 cabinet makers, 2
watch makers, 1 pottery and 5 tailors,
besides the various other trades usual-
ly followed in a place of this size.
There is 1 printing office, from which
issues a valuable weekly paper ; and
which is occasionally engaged in the
publication of books and pamphlets.
There are also 12 attorneys, 6 regu-
lar physicians, and 3 ministers of the
gospel. The churches at which



WESTERN VIRGINIA— BATH.



319



these ministers officiate belong to the
Presbyterian, Episcopalian and Me-
thodist denominations, and are all
handsome brick buildings. The pub-
lic edifices are a C. H.* and jail, built
of stone, a Chancery C. H., a county
clerk's office, and a market house, all
built of brick, and there are also 4 ex-
tensive hotels.

Much attention is paid to education
in this place, and many young per-
sons of both sexes, are sent here from
all parts of the country, to attend the
various schools. There are 2 female
seminaries, and a male academy; all
of which employ respectively several
teachers, and are in a flourishing con-
dition, besides 4 primary schools.

The Western Lunatic Hospital is
located in Staunton, and is a noble
pile of buildings : it is sufficiently com-
modious to accommodate 37 lunatics,
but is at the present time, being en-
larged, by the addition of two exten-
sive wings, which, when completed,
will accommodate 40 more,

An act has passed the General As-
sembly, authorising the establishment
also, of a Deaf and Dumb Asylum as
soon as funds can be procured for
that purpose.

Lewis' creek runs through the cen-
tre of the town, and has sufficient fall
to turn a chopping mill, a grist mill
and a cardinsf machine. There is
still sufficient unemployed water pow-
er to drive a cotton or woollen facto-
ry of considerable extent, and an en-
terprising capitalist might profitably
invest some portion of his capital in
that business.



County Courts are held on the 4th
Monday in every month; — Quarter-
ly in March, May, August and Oc-
tober.

Circuit Superior Courts of Law
and Chancery are held on the \0th
of June and November, by Judge
Thomspon.

Steel's Tavern, P. O. 138 ms.
from R. and 180 from W.

Waynesboro' P. V. 109 ms. from
R. and 150 from W., situated at the
western foot of the Blue Ridge, on
South river. Waynesboro' is an in-
dustrious and wealthy little village,
located in a beautiful and picturesque
situation, in a fertile and w r ell watered
country, on the main stage road lead-
ing from Charlottesville to Staunton,
30 ms. N. W. of the former, and 12
E. S. E. of the latter. The present
town is called Waynesboro', junior,
(Waynesboro', senior, lying a little
N. having fallen into ruins.) It con-
tains 70 dwelling houses, 5 mercan-
tile stores, 2 houses of public worship,
(1 Methodist and 1 Presbyterian,)
I incorporated academy, 1 common
school and public library, 1 extensive
manufacturing flour mill and a wool
carding machine, 1 hotel (kept in the
best style,) 2 tanyards, 2 saddlers, 3
tailors, 1 hatter, 1 silver smith and
watch maker, 1 wagon maker, 1 chair
maker, 2 cabinet makers, 3 boot and
shoe factories, and 3 blacksmith's
shops. Population not less than 500
persons; of whom 4 are regular phy-
sicians.



BATH.

Bath County was created by the Legislature in 1791 from a portion of
Augusta, Bottetourt and Greenbrier. It is bounded by Augusta on the E.
— Rockbridge on the S. E. — Alleghany on the S. and S. W. — Greenbrier
on the W. — Pocahontas on the N. W., and Pendleton on the N. Its ex-



* Since this was written, the court has contracted lor the erection of a new C. H.
whichwill be unquestionably the finest building of the kind in any county in the
state.



320 WESTERN VIRGINIA— BATH.

tent, from a ridge of the North mountain on the S. E., to the main Alle-
ghany ridge on the N. W. is 25 miles, and from Pendleton on the N. E.
to Alleghany on the S. W. 40 miles ; and area 756 square miles. Ex-
tending in lat. from 37° 50' to 38° 25' N. and in long. 2° 18' to 3 C W. of
W. C.

The face of the country is very broken and in great part mountainous,
being situated at the eastern base of the great Alleghany ridge : about
one-eighth of it may be considered arable land, the mean elevation of which
is 1200 feet above the ocean. It is well watered by Jackson's river, and
its tributary, Back creek, (the latter washing the base of the Alleghany
mountain,) and by the Cow Pasture river, and its tributary, the Bull Pas-
ture, all of which have their sources in Pendleton county. Jackson river
and the Cow Pasture, afterwards forming a junction in Bottetourt county,
their united stream is styled James river. Into these streams descend from
the mountains numerous branches and rivulets,* affording innumerable
sites for mills and machinery. Each of those streams are separated by a
mountain running parallel thereto, none of which are considerable or
known by any name, beyond the limits of the county, except Jackson? s or
the Warm Spring mountain. They are not remarkable for their height,
and excepting the one already mentioned do not exceed from 300 to 500
feet from their base, and are by no means sterile: the soil on them being
tolerably good, and neither too rocky or too steep for tillage ; producing
the most valuable kinds of timber, an extraordinary variety of shrubbery
and herbage, and abounding in limestone, iron ore, and springs of excel-
lent water. But it is as a grazing ground that they are chiefly valuable.
Large herds of cattle, ranging on them in the summer months.

The vallies between the mountains, which are from 2 to 5 miles wide,
are very fertile, a considerable portion entirely level, and in a fine state of
cultivation, producing abundant crops of grain and hay. The average
produce per acre, being as follows, to wit. wheat and rye 20 to 30 bushels;
Indian corn 25 to 40; oats 20 to 30 ; buckwheat, and barley 25; potatoes
and turnips 100 bushels: flax, 200 lbs.; hemp 800 lbs.; and hay one to
two tons. The meadows are particularly fine, and the kinds of grass cul-
tivated are, timothy, clover, and blue grass, all of which flourish exceed-
ingly. A soil so well adapted to grain and grass, naturally induced the
proprietors to turn their attention to live stock. Accordingly, horses,
mules, cattle, (of the finest breeds) sheep and hogs are raised, and a con-
siderable number of them annually driven to market. Connected with the
management of live stock, is the dairy, which is here well understood.
Large quantities of butter are made and sent to market. Wool also is an
article of which the quantity made is greater than the consumption, and is
increasing. Out of the flax and wool which they grow, the inhabitants of
this county manufacture all the clothing worn by themselves and the

* Among these, Falling Spring Creek deserves notice. It rises in the Warm
Spring mountains about 20 miles S. W. of the Warm Springs, and flows into that
valley. About three-quarters of a mile from its source, it falls over a rock 200 feet
into the valley below. The sheet of water is broken in its breadth by the rock in
two or three places, but not at all in its height. — Between the sheet and rock at the
bottom one may walk across dry. This cataract will bear no comparison with that
of Niagara as to the quantity of water composing it — the sheet being only 12 or 15
feet wide above, and somewhat more below, but it is half as high again. The latter
being only 156 feet according the mensuration made by order of Mens. Vaudreuil,
Governor of Canada, and ISO according to a more recent account.



WESTERN VIRGINIA— BATH.



321



slaves on their farms. The soil and climate are particularly favorable to
fruit trees, and produce, apples and peaches in great abundance; every
farm having an orchard. Gardening is also practised to an extent equal
to the demand for family use

In a section of country so much diversified with mountains and vallies,
abounding with mineral 12nd other springs, pure air, and a temperate cli-
mate, health and longevity may be expected. This is actually the case,
and in this respect it is not surpassed by any part of the United States.

In this county there are 2 attorneys, 2 physicians, 4 stores, 3 merchant-
mills, 18 grist mills, 16 saw mills, 4 carding machines, 3 tan yards, 2 tilt-
hammers, and 1 distillery.

Population id 1820, 5,237— in 1830, 4,002. Bath belongs to the 17th
judicial circuit, and 9th district, Tax paid in 1833, $837 24— in 1834,
on lots, 86 cts.— on land, $463 69— 634 slaves, 8158 50— 2,117 horses,
$127 02—10 studs, $73 00—6 coaches, $14 00—5 carryalls, $5 00—2
gigs, $1 00 — Total, $848 07. Expended in educating poor children in
1832, $142 53— in 1833, $203 75.

TOWNS, VILLAGES, POST OFFICES, &c.



Bull Pasture, P. O. 164 miles
from R. and 206 from W. This is
the local name given to the higher
part of Cow Pasture river, or the
middle constituent of the James. It
rises in Pendleton and flows S. 20°
W. to its confluence with the Cow
Pasture in Bath. It is about 20 ms.
in length, 10 of which distance is in
each of the two counties. In that
portion of the Bull Pasture valley,
which lies in Bath, there are located
37 dwelling houses, 1 Presbyterian
house of worship, 1 school, 1 mer-
cantile store, a saddler, tailor, tilt-
hammer, and manufacturing mill;
and a population of about 370 persons.
The principal occupation of the in-
habitants is agriculture. In this
neighborhood there is a large spring
of iimestone water, to which no bot-
tom has as yet been found. It rises
between two laree rocks, from under
a bank covered with spruce pine, and
is called the B\u.6 Spring. After
running about 40 yards, it discharges
itself into the Bull Pasture, on the
west side, about 3 ms. from its junc-
tion with the Cow Pasture.

On that part of the Bull Pasture,
which lies beyond the Bath and Pen-
dleton line, are situated 63 dwelling

41



houses, 2 houses of public worship
(1 Methodist, and the other free for
all denominations,) 1 mercantile
store, 1 tanyard, and various mechan-
ics ; the whole population is 630 per-
sons, one of whom is a physicians.

Flowing Spring, P. O. 206 ms.
S. W. of W. and 164 N. W. of R.,
situated in the valley of the Cow
Pasture, 16 ms. N. E. of the Warm
Springs. There is no town or vil-
lage at the place, and the spring is
private property. This spring inter-
mits, or ebbs and flows, affording
when the tide is up. sufficient water
for a grist mill, and when it ebbs,
leaves a stream large enough for the
supply of a distillery and a tanyard.
The water is of the purest and best
quality, equal in temperature to ice
water. In the dryest weather in sum-
mer, the water flows out in a bold and
majestic stream, that astonishes those
who have witnessed the spring which
is left after it falls away. When the
flowing commences, the water comes
in a body as if let loose from a darn.
Issuing from the rocks at the foot of
a hill, it continues to run for ten or
twelve hours, then gradually declines.
There is no regularity in the flow-
ing : in the same kind of weather it



322



WESTERN VIRGINIA— RATH



will vary from two to three days, —
sometimes flowing every day — at
other times at intervals of two or
three days. Neither is there any
particular period of time at which
the water rises. This irregularity
has created the greatest difficulty in
accounting for it. A mill, a distillery,
and tanyard are supplied with water
from this spring.

Green Valley, P. O. 157 ms.
N. W. by W. of R. and 199 S. W



dressing rooms attached. The ac-
commodations though considerably
improved in the last two years, are
still very defective. The property,
however has been recently purchased
by Dr. Goode, who has commenced
its improvement on an extensive scale,
and will probably in the course of
two years have a sufficient number
of buildings erected to accommodate
all who are desirous of obtaining re-
lief from the waters. These waters



by W. of W.," situated on Stewart's are principally celebrated for their
creek, a branch of the Cow Pasture; efficacy in cutaneous, rheumatic,
river, 12 ms. E. of the Warm Springs,; dyspeptic, and liver affections. They



S.



on the main post road.

Hot Springs, P. O. 217 ms
W.by W. of W. and 175 N. W. by
W. of R. — situated between the Cow
Pasture and the eastern branch of
Jackson's river, at the base of a lofty
mountain of the same name, 5 ms. S.
S. W. of the Warm Springs, and 57
S. W. by W. of Staunton, on the main
post road leading from Richmond to
Guyandotte on the Ohio. These
springs are numerous, probably
amounting to twenty, issuing from the
hill upon which the hotel is situated,
and all varying in their temperature,

presenting every variety, from 51° to the Healing Springs. They have
107°. As yet however there have! not yet come fully into notice, but
been only three baths constructed. J have of late met with considerable
One called the hot bath or boiler, \ attention, and it is confidently believ-
over which there has been erected a ed by those who are acquainted with



are however resorted to for every
species of disease, and perhaps there
is none in which one or the other of
the baths have not proved beneficial.
There are no local imnrovements at

1

the Hot Springs, excepting those
mentioned. The country around to
a considerable extent being the pro-
perty of an individual, it has pre-
vented the settlement of mechanics,
merchants, or professional men. The
proprietor, Br Goode, is himself an
eminent phvsieian.

Three miles S. W. of the Hot
Springs, are situated what are called



large and handsome building, con-
taining fifteen rooms ; a portion of
which together with one* half of the
Bath, is appropriated exclusively to



the efficacy of their waters, to be the
best in the United States. They consist
of several small warm springs. They
have never been analized, but have



ladies, and the residue with the other; performed some very extraordinary
half of the bath to srentlemen. The cures where the other mineral springs

have failed.

Milboro' Spring, P. V. 157 ms.
from R. and 199 S. W. by W. of W.
Milboro' is a small village situated
on the free turnpike road, leading
from Staunton, through Panther's
Gap, to the Warm Springs, — 6 ms.
W. of the Gap, 13 E. of the Springs,
22 N. W. of Lexington, and 1| from
Cow Pasture river, which is naviga-



half of the bath to gentlemen.
second bath is called the Spout, from
a pipe of water of the temperature of
106°, which falls into the body of
the bath, from a height of 7 or 8 feet
from its bottom. The third is called
the Temperate Bath. Its tempera-
ture always corresponding with that
of the blood of the human system ;
over this spring is now in progress of
erection an octagonal house, nearly
120 feet in the clear, with convenient 1 ble from this point bv boats for three



WESTERN VIRGINIA— BATH,



323



months in the year. It contains 25
buildings, several of which are of
brick, a mercantile store, tavern,
manufacturing flour mill, blacksmith
and tilt-hammer shop, (on an exten-
sive scale,) 1 wagon maker, and 1
hatter. The situation of this village
is pleasant and eligible, — near a sul-
phur spring, which has been famed
for the medicinal qualities of its
w r aters, and was formerly much fre-
quented. This is a place of consi-
derable business, being located in a
thickly settled neighborhood, sur-
rounded by handsome and fertile
farms, producing all kinds of grain
and stock. One mile from this vil-
lage, on the right hand side of the
turnpike leading to the Warm Springs,



ing in abundance, grass, corn, wheat,
rye, oats, potatoes, buckwheat, flax,
&c. The timber is, sugar maple,
chesnut, beech, various kinds of oak,
sycamore, locust, hickory and wal-
nut. The neighborhood is thickly
settled with industrious and wealthy
farmers.

WARM SPRINGS, P. V. and
seat of justice, 170 ms. N. W. of R.
and 212 S. W. of W. This village
is situated in a narrow valley, between
two high mountains, which run pa-
rallel from N. E. to S. W. The
view from many points of these
mountains is grand and picturesque
in the extreme. The beauty and
grandeur of the scene from the Warm
Spring Rock, has become very cele-



is situated the Blowing Cave. Nearjbrated; but must be seen to beappre



the north bank of the Cow Pasture
river, between the cave and Milboro',
stands a house of public worship,
called the Wind Cace Meeting



ciated. This village contains besides
the ordinary county buildings, about
14 dwelling houses, 2 mercantile
stores, 1 saddler, 2 tailors, and 3
House, which is free for all denomi- [blacksmiths. The ordinary popula-
nations. A turnpike road is being |tion, consists of about 137 persons, of
made from this place to Lexington, a whom 1 is a physiciam. The ac=
considerable portion of which is al- commodations for visiters to the vva-
ready in operation. tors are also very extensive, consist-

Ruckmaxville, P. O. ISO ms. ing of about five and twenty cabins,
from R, and 222 S. W. by W. from [most of which are of brick, besides
W. Ruckmanville, though called a 'the new Thermal Hotel, which has
village
lished



, is simply a post office, estab- [lately been erected, at great cost to

in 1827, and called after the the proprietors, and which is a large

proprietor of the place, who resides brick building, about 135 feet long



here and keeps a house of entertain
ment. It is situated 27 ms. N. of
the Warm Springs, on the main post
road leading from Franklin to Hun-
tersville, and 25 ms. from the mouth of
Back creek. This creek rises in



containing a dining room for 200
persons, a drawing room, a ball room,
and about five and twenty comfortable
chambers. The front is adorned by
a large portico, the whole length of
the house, supported by fourteen Do<



Pendleton county, and after running ric columns, which affords an agree-
40 or 50 ms. along the eastern base able shade during the heat of the day,
of the Alleghany mountain empties and a fine promenade, as well for the
into Jackson's river, a branch of the 'invalid, as for the beaux and belles.
James. Its principal branches are! Any one who has ever taken the
the Valley branch, which intersects bath here wi I never forget Is luxu



the same at Ruckmanville, and Little
Back creek about 20 miles below at



ry, and to those who have not, it is
impossible to convey a just idea of



Gateswood. — The surrounding coun-| the delicious sensations it causes.
try is mountainous. The upland is It is much to be regretted, that ail
uneven, but the soil is good, produc- our valuable mineral waters have not