Among some of the natural curiosities, not immediately on the route to
the Springs, we find in Hampshire County, within reach of visiters to
the Capon Springs, the "ICE MOUNTAIN."
"It rises from the eastern bank of the North River, a branch of the
Capon, and is 26 miles southwest from Winchester, and 16 miles east of
Romney. It is about 400 or 500 feet high.
"The west side of the mountain, for about a quarter of a mile, is
covered with a mass of loose stone, of light colour, which reaches down
to the bank of the river. By removing the loose stone, pure crystal ice
can always be found in the warmest days of summer. It has been
discovered even as late as the 15th of September; but never in October,
although it may exist through the entire year, and be found, if the
rocks were excavated to a sufficient depth. The body of rocks where ice
is found is subject to the full rays of the sun from nine o'clock in
the morning until sunset. The sun does not have the effect of melting
the ice as much as continual rains. At the base of the mountain is a
spring of water, colder by many degrees than spring water generally
is." There are several other natural curiosities in this county.
"CAUDY'S CASTLE, the fragment of a mountain in the shape of a half
cone, with a very narrow base, which rises from the banks of the Capon
to the height of about 500 feet, presents a sublime and majestic
appearance. The 'TEA TABLE' is about 10 miles below Caudy's Castle, in
a deep ragged glen, 3 or 4 miles east of the Capon. This table is a
solid rock, and presents the form of a man's hat standing on its crown.
It is about 4 feet in height and the same in diameter. From the top
issues a clear stream of water, which flows over the brim on all sides,
and forms a fountain of exquisite beauty. The HANGING ROCKS are about 4
miles north of Romney. There the Wappatomka River has cut its way
through a mountain of about 500 feet in height. The boldness of the
rocks, and the wildness of the scene, excite awe in the beholder."