There are, doubtless, also, many other great natural curiosities beside those of which we have given a description; but as we lay no claim to authorship,—merely being a compiler,—and having no information concerning them, we will have to leave them as we have done the Springs referred to in our last paragraph.
February, 1851.
GUIDE
TO THE SPRINGS.
ROUTES TO THE VIRGINIA SPRINGS.
From Washington City to the Virginia Springs there are two main leading routes. One is down the Potomac River (passing in sight of Mount Vernon) to Acquia Creek, forty-five miles; thence by railroad to Fredericksburg, fourteen miles; to the Junction, thirty-seven miles; to Louisa Court-House, thirty-seven miles; to Gordonsville, thirteen miles; and to Charlottesville, twenty-one miles. One mile west of this place is the University of Virginia, one of the most flourishing institutions in the Union. The buildings are fine, and in full view from the road.
Three miles southeast of Charlottesville is Monticello, the seat of Thomas Jefferson. The railroad not having, as yet, been completed beyond Charlottesville, we proceed thence by stage via Cox, Brookesville, Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, and Fishersville to Staunton, thirty-eight miles. In this place are the Western Insane Asylum, and the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, two noble state institutions. Staunton is much resorted to during the summer by persons from the tide-water region of the state.
Stopping here, we have an opportunity of visiting Weyer's Cave and the Chimneys, two natural curiosities of this county (Augusta). Weyer's Cave, the most celebrated of these curiosities, is 17 miles northeast of Staunton. "This is the most remarkable cavern at present known, surpassing the Grotto of Antiparos, Fingal's Cave in Staffa, and the far-famed Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, which are remarkable only for dimensions.