DAGGER'S, OR DIBRELL'S SPRING.
Dagger's, or Dibrell's Spring, is situated in
a glade near the western base of the Garden
Mountain, on the main road from Lynchburg
to the White Sulphur, via the Natural Bridge,
from which it is distant about 14 miles.
We were informed by the worthy proprietor,
Charles L. Dibrell, that the number of
visiters sometimes reached 200; but we should
think 150 as large a number as could be accommodated
with any degree of comfort. The
buildings are well arranged for convenience
and effect. The lawn is a very beautiful
slope, descending from the Hotel to the Spring
some 300 yards, and is well shaded by fine
indigenous trees. Altogether, it is an interesting
spot, and affords to the weary traveller,
after a long day's journey, a sweet haven of
repose and quietude, from whence he may retrace,
with his mind's eye, the magnificent
scenery he has just passed, and especially that
most sublime of all the creations of Nature in
Virginia—the passage of the James River
through the Blue Ridge Mountain. This
scene is incomparably finer than that at Harper's
Ferry; but magnificent as it appears
from the road, it must be inconceivably more
so from the bed of the river. It is through
this wonderful gorge that the great James
River and Kanawha Canal is to pass, and we
venture to predict that this scene alone will be
worth to the company tens of thousands.
In our enthusiasm we had almost forgotten
the Natural Bridge. Of the latter it is impossible
to convey any adequate description; it
must be seen to be appreciated; but let the
reader loiter under or over this great arch for
an hour or two, and after partaking of a substantial
dinner with the Pontifex, if so we
may call the important personage who supplies
bacon and beans, let him wind his onward
way under the cone of the Garden Mountain,
and our word for it, he will find the kind
attentions, the delightful fare, and comfortable
lodgings of our friend, Mr. Dibrell, irresistible
inducements to rest for a few days.
The Sulphur water at this place is said to
be efficacious in several diseases, but on this
head we have no information within our reach
on which reliance may be placed. It bears
some similarity to the White and Blue Sulphur
waters, and is probably in some degree
applicable to the same class of diseases.
Within the last three years, this Spring has
reverted to Mr. Watkins, from whom, we believe,
it was purchased by Mr. Dibrell. We
hear it is well kept, and attracts a due share
of custom.
