In the county of Monroe, in one of the most beautiful valleys _by
nature_ in Western Virginia, seventeen miles southeast of the White
Sulphur, are the Sweet Springs. The improvements here are extensive and
comfortable, but not so handsome as some of the other watering-places.
Dr. Bell, in his work on Baths and Mineral Waters, describes the
medicinal properties of these waters as follows:
"The water of the spring rises into a large cylindrical reservoir, from
opposite sides of which it flows out by small pipes; one conveying
water to the bath for the men, the other to that for the ladies. The
men's bath is of a quadrangular form, surrounded by a wall, and open at
the top. It is of tolerable extent and clear--the bottom being of
gravel, and the water constantly flowing in, and as constantly passing
out, after it reaches a certain height.
"The temperature of the Sweet Spring is 73° Fahrenheit, the same as
that which, in England, by a strange blunder, is called Bristol Hot
Well. There is considerable resemblance between the two in other
respects, as well in the evolution of carbonic acid, as in the earthy
and saline matters held in solution. In the Virginia Spring, however,
iron has been detected, whereas the Bristol Hot Well has none in its
composition.
"One quart of this water by Rowelle's analysis contains:--
Saline substances in general, 12 to 15 grains,
Earthy substances, 18 " 24 "
Iron, 1/2 " 1 grain.
"The saline substances are; sulphate of magnesia, muriate of soda, and
muriate of lime, with a little sulphate of lime. The earthy matters
consist of sulphate of lime, a small portion of carbonate of magnesia
and lime, with a small portion of silicious earth.
"This water is serviceable in dyspepsia, dysentery, diarrhoea, cough,
and all calculous and nephritic complaints."
The following is from a writer who describes a morning's ride from the
White Sulphur to the Sweet Springs: "We left the White Sulphur long
before the inhabitants of Paradise Row were stirring, and in a little
while our dapples were winding their way through some of the finest
scenery romance or poetry had ever pictured. Over a smooth beaten road,
which seemed to have been carved through the mountains, like the pass
of Mount Athos, we went on, with woodland steeps on each side of us,
and afar for many miles in front, we had a refreshing perspective in
the high green hills. Occasionally, in coming to a turn in the road,
some new wonder would open before us. At one time we were bordered on
each hand by a rocky palisade of some hundred feet in height. And
again, where the road was more narrow, we passed under natural arbours,
formed by the meeting of the tops of the bending trees from each side
of the way, and where the laurel was twining its own laurels on the
branches.
"A ride of ten miles brought us to Crow's, with a relish for breakfast,
or anything else that might be offered us.
"This is the place where so many excursions are made from the Springs,
for dinner parties and picnics. The tavern stands on the corner of the
road at the foot of a mountain, and the sign-board swings out in front,
after the manner of Nicholas Vedder of old, and many a Rip Van Winkle
can be found in the whereabouts, who knows the legends of the
neighbourhood." Leaving Crow's, he continues:--"We left the picturesque
behind us, and for the next six miles of our journey, we passed through
a more cultivated country, with many large fields of waving wheat tops
and corn blade. Within a mile or two of the Sweet, we came to what is
called the Red Spring, an old dilapidated building, gray with age, and
all its windows shattered.
"Before 12 o'clock we entered the smiling valley of the Sweet Springs.
Whoever comes to the mountains, should make a visit to the Sweet
Springs, if but for one day. Much of the scenery in the neighbourhood
is of the most beautiful and refreshing kind, and the whole place is
redolent of life and animation, particularly at a time when thronging
with company."
The accommodations at this place are sufficient for about 400 persons.