White Sulphur papers; or, Life at the springs of Western Virginia

JOURNAL OF A LAD r. 99
Wednesday^ .
Our kind friend, Mr. , has been to visit ug
this morning, bringing with him his rods and fishing
tackle, and leaving for us a basket of little deHcacies
which he had caught in the creek. He says he
eame to the Springs, determined to enjoy himself in
his own way, and he spends his mornings in rambling
and angling, and collecting shells and fossils
from the banks of the many streams, and exploring
the curiosities of the neighbourhood.
He says there
are glades, and tumbling cataracts, and cascades,
and shady retreats all around, that none of us gay
people ever visit or hear of,
and that on the top of
one of the mountains directly over us, is a glassy
lake where the wild deer come to drink at all hours.
He visits the old men in the mountains, some of
them the original settlers, who give him the history
of the country, and he learns from them many
curious stories.
He has been prevailing on us to accompany him
in one of liis morning tours, and gather wild flowers,
and has promised C to make her a collection
of pretty butterflies. He says he hears that we are
great Belles, and while other gentlemen dance with
us, he'll fish for us. He tells us, moreover, that the
White Sulphur water is very serviceable to the
teeth, and that the frequent use of it has a wonderful
effect in improving the complexion.