therefrom with a dread of encountering the weather of northern months. Boating, fishing, bathing, and the delights of Lynhaven oysters, may be enjoyed there almost the year round, and with the choicest, safest, and most pleasurable accompaniments. Old Point Comfort, as the place was generally known before the civil war, or Fortress Monroe, as it has since been designated, is 14 miles from Norfolk, Va., and from the historic Hampton, and may be reached by steamers from New York, Washington, Richmond, Norfolk, and Yorktown, and from Baltimore by steamers connecting with through trains from New York, Philadelphia, and all northern points. It is built on a sandy projection from the mainland on the western side of Chesapeake Bay, and its great hotel-the Hygeia --stands upon the beach at the head of the broad and substantial landing constructed by the Federal government. The unique defensive work, the only fortification in the country denominated a fortress, built in 1816-19 at a cost of nearly $3,000,000, and designed by the French engineer, Lieut.-General Bernard, for a fortified post like those of European countries rather than a fort as Americans understand the word, is close to the hotel, and offers many attractions to the tourist. It was the first landing-place in Virginia of the famous Army of the Potomac and the point of its departure for home four years later. It contains the chief artillery school of the army, and a notable war museum, and has a grand military band that plays morning and evening at guard mount and dress parade. The National Soldiers' Home, the National Normal and Agricultural College, and the quaint old town of Hampton, are a few miles away by an admirable shell road; and Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newport News, the scene of the momentous fight between the "iron-clads" Monitor (Union) and Merrimack (Confederate) in 1862, are points of destination for pleasant sails. From the balcony of the hotel or its two miles of sunshaded verandas, a grand view of Hampton Roads and Chesapeake Bay is obtained, and in the evening the glimmering lights of the lighthouses on Cape Henry and Cape Charles may be discerned. There is a constant panorama of vessels of all classes and every maritime nation passing to and fro in the offing; and nearly every day brings new scenes to divert the attention and relieve the eye. The evenings are one enjoyable round of social festivity. Army and navy officers in full or tasteful undress uniform mingle among the belles of the North and South, and add a vast charm to the german and other popular diversions. Life there seems a dream that, like all happy dreams, ends far too soon. THE WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. HE WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, known also as "The Old White," and "The Greenbrier" Springs, are located in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. This county is not far from the central portion of the State measuring from north to south, and it joins the State of Virginia on the east. The Springs are easily reached from Richmond, a distance of about 227 miles, by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. They are also readily accessible from other large cities, there being excellent railroad communication with all principal points throughout the country. The town is located in a valley which lies among high and beautiful mountains which are only a few miles away from the Springs. The valley itself is nearly 2,000 feet above the level of the sea. It forms an immense lawn upon which the grass grows luxuriantly and which contains hundreds of beautiful forest trees. Among the mountains in the vicinity are Kate's, and Alleghany, the latter a large and beautiful peak, and the Greenbrier range. The scenery, both in the immediate region of the Springs and as far as the eye can reach, is extremely beautiful. All around Nature has been lavish in the distribution of her charms. The medicinal spring, which has become famous the world over, was probably discovered in 1778. It is certain that its waters have been used with most gratifying results ever since that date. For about a century the town has been a fashionable resort as well as a sanitarium. Large numbers of celebrated people gather here every summer. They come from various portions of the country, but the South, is, as would naturally be expected, the most fully represented. On account of the wealth and high position of a large part of its patrons, as well as for the medicinal character of the waters, this region has been styled "the Saratoga of the South." The spring yields about thirty gallons of water per minute and the quantity is remarkably uniform during all seasons. It is subject to no special modification either by excessive rainfall or by long-continued drought. Neither does its temperature change, in summer or winter, from 62°. The water is used in a large class of diseases and is remarkably efficacious. This is especially true in cases of rheumatism, diseases of the liver, dyspepsia and malaria. The external use of the water is also highly beneficial in the treat ment of skin diseases. While the water acts as a cathartic and diuretic, its special excellence over the waters of other mineral springs is seen in its immediate and powerful effects as an alterative. The climate in the region of the springs is remarkably fine and does much for the restoration to health of the invalids and for preserving the health of the well. The mercury seldom rises much above 80° in the summer, and during the hottest weather the nights are cool. The air is very clear and invigorating, which, with the moderate temperature, makes out-of-door exercise very pleasant as well as highly beneficial. The hotel accommodations are ample and there are numerous cottages for those who wish to avoid the excitement and fatigue incident to fashionable life at a crowded watering place. The White Sulphur is located near the centre of a region remarkable for the number, variety, and importance of its medicinal springs. The Hot Springs, located in the Warm Spring Valley, some thirty miles north, prove very beneficial in many diseases. The temperature of the water at some of these springs reaches 110°. At only a short distance there are other springs in which the temperature of the water is only 50°. A few miles from these springs are what are known as the Warm Springs. They lie in a beautiful valley, nearly 1,000 feet below the surrounding region. The temperature of the water is 98°. The quantity of water yielded by these springs is immense. The water is used both for drinking and bathing and has effected many remarkable cures. From this point the Healing Springs are only a few miles distant. They are four in number and are most beautifully located. The temperature of the waters is 85°, and they flow throughout the year. It is claimed that both in the constituents revealed by chemical analysis of the water and in the effects of its use these springs are equal to some of the most famous springs of Germany and of this country. The water is used internally and for bathing. Some sixteen miles east of the White Sulphur Springs are the Sweet Springs, and the Sweet Chalybeate Springs. The water of the Sweet Springs has a temperature of 73° and it is strongly impregnated with carbonic acid. Its use is said to be eminently beneficial in cases of rheumatism and neuralgia. The Sweet Chalybeate Springs are two in number, varying principally in the proportions of iron which they contain. The temperature of the water is from 75° to 79°. The quantity of water yielded by these springs is very great. Like that of the other springs the waters are used both inter nally and externally. About forty miles southwest of the White Sulphur Springs are the Red Sulphur Springs, also celebrated for the curative effects of the waters. They are located in Monroe County, West Virginia, and have been famed for half a century, but until recently were not largely visited on account of the difficulty of reaching them. This objection has been removed. by the construction of a fine carriage road from Lowell Station. The springs are beautifully located in a valley lying several hundred feet below the road by which the traveller winds around the mountains on his journey thither. Reaching the valley the visitor finds two springs issuing from marble cisterns, some ten feet below the surrounding surface. Descending a series of steps he reaches the springs and finds himself under a beautiful pavilion built in the shape of a Greek temple. The water contains phosphorus as well as sulphur, and is said to be a specific remedy for consumption and diseases of a similar nature. With the exception of the Eaux-Bonnes in the Pyrenees, no similar spring is known in the world. In the same region as those which have been mentioned are numerous other springs of lesser note, but many of them having quite a degree of local popularity, their waters proving very useful in the treatment of diseases of various kinds. The natural scenery around some of these springs is also beautiful. Both on account of the number and the valuable character of the springs which it contains, this section has been very properly called "The Spring Region" of this portion of the United States. JEKYL ISLAND. LTHOUGH belonging to a private corporation, this new, yet famous, resort is entitled to a brief description. Its intrinsic charms and the unique principles upon which it is managed, combine to make it an object of popular interest. Jekyl Island is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, about eight miles from Brunswick, Georgia, itself not unknown to fame. The town was laid out in 1735 by no less a personage than General Oglethorpe, and under one of its oak trees, which is still standing, the illustrious preachers John Wesley and George Whitefield delivered some of their powerful discourses. The Island, too, was noted in "the olden time," not, however, for the eminence of its settlers or its visitors, but for the high quality and great value of its cotton |
