University of Virginia Library

INTRODUCTION.

The writer sincerely wishes that some
more competent person had undertaken the
task which he proposes to himself in the following
pages. As it is the opinion of many
of his friends, however, that his position has
given him advantages for observation of the
properties and correct application of the Virginia
Springs, which few have possessed, and
those friends have urged him to lay those
views before the Public, he will essay to treat
the subject in as clear, impartial, and common
sense a manner, as his capacity will admit.
The writer will neither wilfully exaggerate,
nor aught set down in malice; nor will he
make any statement of facts, of the truth of
which he is not personally assured, either
his own knowledge, or on information derived
from sources worthy of credit. His opinions

on many points may possibly be controverted,
and will, of course, receive just that amount
of attention to which the reader may deem
them entitled; but they are honestly entertained,
and will be freely and candidly expressed,
without prejudice or prepossession,
and with becoming diffidence.

There are detached accounts of several of
the Virginia Springs, which have been extremely
useful in directing public attention to
those valuable agents; but there is no work
that treats of them as a group, except, perhaps,
the very valuable work of "Bell on Baths and
Mineral Waters," some facetious epistles indited
by "Peregrine Prolix," and a brief notice
of each Spring by Col. T. H. Perkins of Boston,
in his Introduction to the pamphlet on
the Red Sulphur Springs by Dr. Huntt, of
which, with characteristic benevolence, he
caused two thousand copies to be printed at
his own expense, and circulated at the North.
On no subject is there, indeed, greater ignorance,
whether as regards the distinguishing
characteristic of each Spring, its properties
and proper use, or as regards the accommodations
and other subjects of inquiry. In

most cases, the visiter leaves a distant home
either for the "Virginia Springs," or some
particular Spring; but in either case with very
indefinite ideas about them. He very naturally
supposes that, when he gets into their
vicinity, he will be enabled to procure all the
information he desires; but here, alas! he is
doomed to disappointment; and he will be
fortunate if he be not made the dupe of some
designing knave, who is interested in misleading
him, by exaggerated commendations of
some particular establishment, or by injurious
and false statements with regard to others.
Misrepresentation seems reduced to a system,
and reports are set afloat, which, though often
evidently absurd, gain credence for the time,
and answer all the purposes of the unprincipled
propagators. This partisan warfare is carried
on, not by the proprietors, who are too respectable
and intelligent to pursue so impolitic and
unwarrantable a course, but by underlings and
loafers, who are irresponsible, and utterly regardless
of the consequences of their imposture.

Nor can the stranger always rely on the
professional advice which is so freely obtruded

upon him. We have known invalids persuaded
to submit themselves to a course of medical
treatment by boasting promises of cure, and
who absolutely have not been permitted to
touch that for which they came hundreds of
miles; but have been blistered and cupped,
and leeched, and depleted both of circulating
fluids and circulating medium. These remarks
are made not with a view of affecting
the character of any individual, but as an act
of justice to the stranger, who may thereby be
induced to make a more strict inquiry before
he commits himself to the advice and directions
of a man who may either be incompetent
or unprincipled.

There may be in other states and nations
mineral waters analogous to most of those in
Western Virginia; but they are usually "few
and far between;" and it may be asserted, that
in no section of the civilized globe is there
such a variety in the same space. They may
and will be temporarily depressed by the universal
declension of prosperity; but should
that prosperity again revive, and the legislature
prove alive to the true interests of the
State, and connect the different Springs with

each other, and with the James River improvement,
by fine macadamized roads, and extend
those roads to the boundaries of Tennessee
and Southern Kentucky, and also to Guyandotte
and Parkersburg, those Springs will not
only become intrinsically of immense value,
but it is difficult to estimate the increase of
revenue and wealth which that portion of the
State, now comparatively unprofitable, will
produce. Many years will not have elapsed
before England and France will annually send
multitudes of invalids to those unrivalled fountains,
and we shall see those beautiful valleys
teeming with living beings from every quarter
of the globe. They only want to be known
to be appreciated, and it is scarcely possible
that some man of capability and reputation
will not illustrate their superiority, and attract
to them universal attention. The ambition
of the writer moves within a more circumscribed
sphere. If a solitary individual, whose
eye may rest on these pages, shall chance to
bless his labours, they will be amply compensated.