University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER X.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.

"Thirty-five miles from the Hot Springs
(Col. Perkins) are the celebrated White Sulphur
Springs, which are visited by those who
are in search of pleasure, as well as those who
are in want of the waters. The accommodations
for visiters to this place are much more
extensive than at any of the other watering-places
in Virginia; the views are more beautiful,
and visiters much greater in number,
than at the other Springs. The amiable
owner of this delightful spot, though he takes
no active part in the management of the concern,
has an excellent representative in his
son, Wm. B. Calwell, Esq., who has been
fortunate in selecting as his principal executive
aid, Mr. King, whose obliging attentions
and courtesy are acknowledged by all who
know him."

The accounts given of this establishment

have been so frequent, and so extensively
circulated, that minuteness of detail is unnecessary.
The accommodations are sufficient
for the entertainment of five hundred persons,
together with the usual proportion of servants
and horses. More than six hundred are said
to have been taken in, but when the guest
has to be crammed into a room with some
half dozen others, it is not so much accommodation
as making shift. We are informed
that the establishment proper, Mr. Mastin's
Hotel, and Mr. Rosser's, will all accommodate
seven hundred persons. When we first visited
this place in 1823, it was in a very rude
state, although entertaining at that time from
one hundred and fifty to two hundred and
fifty persons, principally lodged in comfortless
log cabins.

From 1834 to the present time the improvements
have been extensive, and many of them
beautiful; but there is such a glaring want
of design in the arrangement of the buildings,
that it is painful to a man of taste to observe
how nature has been marred by the want of
art. It is in a great degree irremediable, too,
for it would be now difficult to make any important

alteration without great expense and
destruction of valuable property. As, however,
a woman may be beautiful in spite of
her teeth, so is the White Sulphur, notwithstanding
the defect we have mentioned. The
many handsome cottages built by or for
certain individuals, have added much to the
interest of the landscape, and upon the whole
this charming spot may be considered as possessing
attractions which are rarely presented
to the traveller. So much has been said respecting
the fare at this place, that some allusion
to it will not be deemed irrelevant.

The keepers of watering-places are differently
situated from persons who entertain
company the whole year. They have to
make extensive arrangements for a short period,
and while their company is at its maximum
not more than one month, they are
obliged to keep in pay double the number of
attendants necessary for the average, many of
whom feel but little interest in their employers;
and they have, besides, to provide supplies
at great expense and inconvenience.
They are entitled to great allowances under
all the circumstances; but few persons, however,

receive less indulgence from a discerning
public. In the case of our friend, Mr.
Calwell, a thousand eyes are emphatically
watching, if not the fleece, certainly that which
was once covered by it: and after it has been
served up, for the equal participation of all,
Cæleno and her frightful sisters made not
greater havoc among the eatables of the
hungry Trojans than the sable sons of Africa
make upon the dishes at the White Sulphur:

As soon as the dishes are placed on the
table, the private servants and those of the
establishment that are bribed, seize upon the
best of the eatables and place them as private
property before their employers. It is a
shameful abuse, and may be remedied by excluding
all private servants, and allotting
certain servants to certain sections of the
table. Thus, under the ticket system, in a
company ever-changing, it is not probable
that one man would be waited on more than
one day by the same servant, and he would

therefore find it too inconvenient to be paying
a fresh bribe every day. This is the greatest
evil at the White Sulphur, and will ever
create confusion and dissatisfaction until corrected.
All acknowledge the supplies are
ample, though perhaps not so varied as at the
other Springs; but between the causes just
mentioned and the undignified impatience of
the guests themselves, the scene is often ludicrous
in the extreme.

The lodging-rooms are generally comfortable,
and well supplied with the requisite
furniture. The bathing establishment here
is fitted up with great neatness, and obviates
every objection hitherto made in respect to
that convenience.

Wm. B. Calwell, Esq., who has the sole
control of the establishment, is a bland and
elegant gentleman, and his manager, Mr.
King, trained to his calling, is in every respect
qualified, and uniformly civil and
obliging. We shall commence our notice of
the waters with an extract from Mr. Otis' description
of the Spring:

"The Spring bubbles up from the earth in
the lowest part of the valley, and is covered

by a tastefully covered Pavilion, being a dome,
supported by twelve Ionic columns, and surmounted
by a graceful statue of Hygeia, the
patron saint of healing, holding in her right
hand a cup, as filled with water, and in her
left a vegetable or herb. This statue was presented
to the establishment by Mr. Henderson,
a wealthy planter of Louisiana, who I
believe went from New England. The Pavilion
is surrounded by the grateful shade of
old oaks, locusts, and elms; and hither resort,
as to a common focus, the converging radii
of the crowd, intent upon banishing disease or
ennui, gaining health or admiration, displaying
personal charms or sacrificing to fashion.
The invalid, pale, emaciated, and wretched,
may be seen there at almost every hour, waiting
till the giddy dance of the gay and volatile,
who came there merely to gratify `a
truant disposition,' shall leave the waters free
for him to drink and be healed. The feverish
flush, the hectic of consumption, the tottering
gait of rheumatism, the wasted form of the
dyspeptic, may all be observed in contrast
with the ruddy glow of manly health, the free
elastic step of youthful vigor, the gay smile of
unpained hearts, and the loud laugh of mirth
that knows not even the check of another's
sufferings.

"At about an hour before dinner, the fashionable
lounge at the fountain commences.
Then also commences the playing of the musicians
in the ball-room, a fine band of performers,
who amuse the visitants to the
Springs an hour at noon, and divide with the
waters the attention of the promenaders."

For the analysis of the White Sulphur water,
as given by the Dispensatory of the United
States on the authority of Professor Wm. B.
Rogers, we refer to page 47. Whether we
consider it as a gaseous or saline water, we
find it falls greatly short of many of the waters
of Europe and this country. But does
this argue that it is inferior in curative properties?
By no means. There may be too
much of a good thing in mineral waters as
well as in other matters; and this is manifested
by all conversant with this class of
natural remedies. Harrowgate (England)
water contains, in a wine gallon, sulphuretted
hydrogen 14 cub. in., or 5⅗ as much as the
White Sulphur, and while the solid contents

of the White Sulphur in a gallon are 122 grs.,
those of Harrowgate are 859 grs. Is the
latter then a better water than the former?
We should more than doubt it. Saratoga
water (Congress Spring) contains, in a
wine gallon, gaseous contents 318 cub. in.,
and solid contents nearly 598 grs.; yet will
any one rank Saratoga water with White
Sulphur water as a curative agent? As we
have already stated, it is the combination
that makes the mineral water valuable. It is
because that combination is adapted by nature
in her mysterious laboratory to the animal
economy, that disease yields to its sway; but
let man endeavour to improve upon her work
by abstracting from or adding to her proportions,
and she will soon show which is the
better apothecary.

If the estimation in which the White Sulphur
water is held, in the United States, be
any evidence of its merit, it needs no other
eulogy; for it is well known that its fame has
spread to every portion of the nation. It is
indeed a noble fountain, destined, we hope
and trust, to be a blessing to countless generations.
It may be abused, as all other remedies;

but where it is the appropriate remedy,
and is correctly introduced into the system,
it is most valuable. Where it is not adapted,
it is no less productive of great and permanent
mischief.

Feeling deeply the great value of this water
to the public, and solicitous that its fame
may not be even temporarily affected, we feel
it a duty we owe to the worthy proprietors
of the fountain, as well as to the community
at large, to notice a theory which has been
lately sought to be established respecting it,
and which, if true, renders it liable to be successfully
imitated by any one who can mix
with common water the different portions of
saline matter discovered by its analysis. We
allude to the theory set forth in a pamphlet
by Dr. J. J. Moorman, resident physician at
the Spring. We disclaim any intention of
affecting the interests of Dr. Moorman. He is
personally unknown to us; but since we have
undertaken to present our views on those
mineral waters, we feel morally bound not
to sanction, by our silence, a theory fraught,
as we believe, with injury to the reputation
of this justly popular water, and with cruel

injustice to the poor invalids who seek benefit
from its use.

In the discussion of this subject we will
not impugn Dr. M.'s motives in propagating
this doctrine. With these we have nothing
to do. We are entitled to the privilege of
questioning the soundness of his theories, and
this we will do in good temper.

We subjoin the article of Dr. M. on this
subject, so that we may not incur the charge
of misrepresentation, and shall then comment
on his positions.

[Dr. Moorman.]—"The reputation of the
White Sulphur Water for its medical virtues
is now so well known in every part of
America, that it is thought unnecessary to
enter into a general detail of the peculiar
properties of the water and its applicability to
particular diseases. It is believed that a more
acceptable service will be rendered to the
public by exhibiting satisfactory testimony,
proving that those who are unable or unwilling
to perform a journey to the Springs may
use it at their own homes, and while in the
enjoyment of the soothing cares and attentions
of their families, with equally beneficial
results as if drank fresh at the Spring.

To prove this we do not intend to enter into
a scientific disquisition of the physical properties
of the water. The fact is now generally
admitted, that the medical properties of
the White Sulphur water reside mainly
in its solid contents; and as these solid contents
are not deposited, or otherwise lost by
exportation, the transported water must retain
as much strength as that which is used fresh
from the fountain. Numerous comparative
trials, made with the transported water and
the water fresh at the Spring, by intelligent
and observant persons, and with strict reference
to ascertain its strength in either way,
have abundantly proved the truth of this position;
not only establishing the fact that the
water, after it had been a long time removed
from the place, is equally as strong as that at
the fountain head, but also that it may be
used by the invalid with the same happy
results.

That the White Sulphur water, when removed
from the Spring and exposed even for
a few minutes, parts with a portion of its
uncombined sulphuretted hydrogen gas, is evident;
but long experience in the use of the

water has satisfactorily proved, that its activity,
far from being lessened, is ordinarily
increased when the gas is evaporated. This
fact has been so well ascertained, by those
who are familiar with the use of the water, as
to have established a common practice among
such at the Springs, to set the water in an
open vessel for twelve or eighteen hours,
until its gas shall have escaped, before using
it; others more expeditiously attain the same
thing by gently warming the water: and by
either of these precautions, the activity or the
system is almost invariably increased, while
at the same time, the water thus prepared
agrees better with a greater majority of the
patients, and may be taken with far greater
impunity by most invalids.

The escape of the gas, which soon takes
place after the water is taken from the Spring
and exposed to the air, causes it to lose its
sulphuric taste and smell; and one not acquainted
with this characteristic might be
induced thereby to believe, when using transported
water, that a fraud had been practised
upon him, and that, instead of sulphur water,
there had been palmed upon him either river

or rain water. We know of some individuals
who have been induced to decline its use
from suspicions growing out of this circumstance,
not being aware of the fact that it is
the gas alone which imparts to the White
Sulphur water its sulphuric smell and taste,
and that this gas readily escapes unless great
caution has been observed in the preparation
and security of the vessel that contains it.
But whether this gas escapes or not is a
matter of little or no importance, as the
water is equally as salutary without as
with it, and does not thereby lose its medical
virtues.

These facts, however, inexplicable as they
may be to the common observer, will not astonish
the intelligent medical man, who recollects
that the gas thus thrown off is an
active nervine stimulant, which, while it
often unduly excites the feeble and nervous
patient, delays by its stimulant effect the
operations of the salts of the water. Nor is
it singular that this particular stimulant
should produce this effect, inasmuch as we
witness the same thing, when any other active
stimulant is administered with our evacuant

remedies; for who does not know that
a purgative potion administered in wine,
toddy, or any other diffusible stimulant, will
ordinarily act less promptly and powerfully
than when administered in water."

To sustain the above statement Dr. M. gives
sundry certificates of respectable individuals
who had used the water at a distance from
the Springs. In denying the correctness of
Dr. Moorman's assertions, and of the opinions
of the gentlemen who have given certificates,
we disclaim a shadow of disrespect; but with
all due deference for their judgment, we believe
that the latter have not given themselves
time to consider that in proving too much
they have proved nothing; and that the Dr.
is naturally enough biased in favour of the
creation of his own imagination.

We understand the theory in question originated
in the following manner: Dr. M.
some years ago entered into an arrangement
with Mr. Calwell for transporting the water.
It was attempted in bottles, but that was
found too expensive, and the idea of barrelling
was adopted. But here was a difficulty,
the gas would escape. What was to be done?

Why, it must be shown that the gas was of
no use, nay, that it was a detriment, and like
"toddy or wine," an active nervine stimulant.
It became necessary to prove that the water
was better without gas than with it; and accordingly,
Dr. M. recommends to his patients
to let it stand in an open vessel 12 or 18
hours before use. Dr. M. tells you that it is
a common practice to pursue this plan at the
Spring; but we regret to perceive he has not
the candour to acknowledge that he introduced
the practice; and that no such practice
was known from the days of Adam until the
days of Dr. M.

We have already shown that, in mere saline
matter, the White Sulphur is immeasurably
below Saratoga, and hence the conclusion
is inevitable, according to Dr. M.,
that Saratoga water is immeasurably superior
to the White Sulphur. Nay, it is known
to Dr. M. that the White is below the
Salt Sulphur in saline matter; and does he
therefore imply that the former is inferior to
the latter? Would he directly concede this?
No: yet it is plainly deducible from his theory.
But the absurdity of the proposition is

self-evident, when the reader reflects that, if
true, the great White Sulphur water is no
better than may be made by any apothecary's
apprentice behind his counter.

But we will prove to a demonstration that
the positions taken by Dr. M. are in direct
opposition to all experience and to the discoveries
of science. Dr. M. says it is generally
admitted that the "medical properties
of the White Sulphur water reside mainly in
its solid contents." Now we assert that no
such thing is admitted; but just the contrary.
We quote from that great chemist, Dr. Hare,
the following paragraph bearing directly on
this subject.

"Of sulphydric acid or sulphuretted hydrogen:

"Few persons are unacquainted with the unpleasant
odour which results from the washings
of a gun-barrel, made foul by the explosion
of gunpowder, or that produced by
putrid eggs. This odour arises from a compound
consisting of one atom of hydrogen
and one atom of sulphur. The celebrated
Sulphur Springs of Virginia are indebted
for their odour, and mainly for their effi-

cacy, to this compound, to which the celebrated
Thenard has given the name of sulphydric
acid."—(Hare's Chemistry.)

But Dr. M. says sulphuretted hydrogen is
a nervine stimulant. We beg leave to quote
the opinions of Dr. Armstrong on this subject.

"The first thing which struck me in regard
to the operation of the Harrowgate sulphurous
water was, that the bowels might be opened
by it day after day, week after week, without
debility being produced; nay, on the
contrary, most of the patients gained both
strength and flesh, notwithstanding they had
daily and copious evacuations. This circumstance
alone seemed to give the sulphurous
water a most decided advantage over the purgatives
in common use; for it must be admitted
that they cannot be long continued in
chronic diseases without diminishing the
strength. For some time, therefore, I solely
attributed the efficacy of the sulphurous water
to its purgative property, together with the
peculiarity that its long-continued exhibition
caused no debility; and for a considerable
period the complaints on which I prescribed
were chiefly stomachic and hepatic, I was

the more confirmed in this opinion as to
its operation. But cases of chronic disease
fell under my observation at various times, in
which the sulphurous water was most decidedly
beneficial, and that too where the bowels
had been but scantily moved; and as the
effects in these cases could by no means be
purely attributed to its action on the intestines,
I was led to inquire whether it might
not have some other agency which had escaped
my observation. In attending more closely
to the changes which the water induced, I
found that it acted most powerfully on the
secretory glands of the body, but more especially
on the liver, on the kidneys, on the
mucous coat of the intestines, and on the skin.

"Here a new operation was presented to my
inquiry. In reflecting on all the facts which
had come before me, I ascertained that this
water had removed chronic affections of various
internal and external parts: and hence at
length the inference followed, that it was
really beneficial as a very powerful alterative,
and that it had a direct influence over chronic
inflammation, wherever it be seated, whether
in the viscera or upon the surface of the body.

In still further pursuing the consideration of
the subject, I was fully satisfied that I had
arrived at a general principle in the operation
of the sulphurous water: for, some time afterwards,
on trial of that at Dinsdale, near Darlington,
I found that its effects were also very
powerful in chronic inflammations, though it
be but slightly laxative. It at once, therefore,
occurred to me, that the chief efficacy of
the sulphurous waters of Harrowgate and
of Dinsdale depended upon the sulphuretted
hydrogen gas which they both contained;
and indeed the principal difference between
the two waters is, that the first contains less
of the sulphuretted hydrogen gas, but more
of the saline ingredients than the last, so that
by adding very small doses of purgative salts
to the one, it may be made to operate like the
other in many cases."

Again: "Chronic rheumatism and gout,
and almost all cutaneous affections, will yield
more readily to the continued internal exhibition
of the sulphuretted hydrogen gas than
to any of the means now commonly employed;
not only in these, but also in most chronic
complaints of the viscera, the recovery will

be considerably expedited by the frequent use
of tepid baths which contain the sulphuretted
hydrogen gas. At the same time, it is to be
recollected that it is not upon one, but upon
all the secretory organs, that it exerts a special
influence; but certainly to the skin, as it is so
capacious, a large portion of that influence is
directed, and next in degree it is generally
spent upon the kidneys, both of which circumstances
make it so beneficial in cutaneous
diseases, and in those of the urinary organs."

Here, then, is the opinion of Dr. Hare sustained
by Dr. Armstrong, that the virtues of
a sulphurous water mainly depend on the
sulphuretted hydrogen gas; but Dr. Moorman
throws it overboard without ceremony,
as a worthless article. "But (says the learned
Doctor,) whether this gas escape or not is
a matter of little importance, as the water is
equally as salutary without as with it, and
does not thereby lose its medical virtues."
Whilst he asserts that the water is as good,
nay better, without the gas, he tells us, "that
it is the gas alone which imparts to the
White Sulphur water its sulphuric smell and
taste."

He recognizes the presence of the sulphur
in no other form in the water—he acknowledges
that the gas escapes wholly by exposure
to the air, and yet he recommends as
a sulphur water that which is no more the
same article it once was, than any plain well-water
that may be obtained in the same geological
district.

Had Dr. M. contented himself with claiming
for his transported water some degree of
excellence approximating that of the genuine
water from the fountain, the tax on our credulity
would not have been so severe; but
when he admits the water has sustained a loss,
and yet insists that it has benefitted by that
loss, we cannot pass over in silence so monstrous
a proposition. We can understand how
half a loaf is better than no bread; but it will
take better logic than that exhibited by Dr.
M. to convince us that half a loaf is better
than a whole loaf.

Before we quit this subject, we desire to say
a word respecting the certificates given by
gentlemen, many of whom we know and respect,
to Dr. Moorman. They no doubt believed
what they stated to be correct. They

meant to state that the aperient quality of the
water was not impaired by the loss of the gas,
but probably increased, in which we perfectly
agree with them; but those of them who have
used the word alterative, have probably used
it as synonymous with mildly purgative, and
have, therefore, said more than they intended.
That the word alterative is thus restricted by
some persons is well known, but it is not the
legitimate signification of the word as used by
medical writers.

An alterative is a remedy that by a scarcely
perceptible disturbance of the excretory organs,
alters some morbid function of those organs to,
or towards, a normal condition. Whether the
mucous membrane of the intestines, or bronchi,
or the skin, or the kidneys, or the liver,
or any other gland or surface, be concerned,
we apply the word alterative to their gradual
change from diseased to healthy action. From
this view of the term it will be seen how improperly
it is sometimes applied, and the instance
now before us proves how, by the misapplication
of a word, much mischief may be
done. The explanation we have given proves
satisfactorily that the worthy gentlemen who

have testified to the value of the transported
water, meant only to vouch for its visible
effects on the bowels, without once considering
that the most important alterative effects
are frequently invisible.

"The White Sulphur Springs (Bell) have
been much resorted to by invalids suffering
from dyspepsia, chronic hepatitis, the slow
fever following remittent, bilious, or ill-cured
intermittent fevers; chronic rheumatism, cutaneous
diseases, uterine derangements, such
as obstructed menstruation and fluor albus.

"In dyspepsia, unconnected with chronic
inflammation and fixed pain of the stomach,
these waters will have an excellent effect;
and especially if, as is often the case in the
middle and southern States, the disorder be
connected with obstructions of the liver and
enlarged spleen. Persons who have brought
on dyspepsia by excess in eating too much
mixed food, and drinking distilled and fermented
liquors, if they restrict themselves to
simple food in moderate quantities, and use
no other fluid than the mineral and common
water, have every thing to hope for by a residence
of a few weeks at the White Sulphur

Springs. The jaundiced skin will here often
receive its natural hue, the temper its wonted
evenness, and most of the other unpleasant
bilious symptoms, as they are called, will disappear
by a suitable hygeienic course at this
favoured spot. That state consisting in peculiar
debility and nervousness, and cutaneous
eruptions from the excessive use of mercury,
will be removed by the same means."

We have little to add to the enumeration
made by Dr. Bell of the diseases to which the
White Sulphur water is applicable. It may
be used with great advantage in most cases of
visceral disease, and will be found useful in
some cases of neuralgia dependent on dyspepsia.
Nephritic disease produced by acidity
will be benefitted by it, especially if combined
with a small quantity of bi-carbonate of soda.

As it is highly stimulant, it is inadmissible
in actual pulmonary disease, or in strong predisposition
thereto, and has never failed to do
mischief in those conditions of the system.
In hepatic disease, its alterative power is
much aided by occasional use of blue-mass in
small doses.

We have already given such hints with regard

to the quantity of water proper to be
drunk, and on diet and exercise, as we thought
might be useful; we cannot profitably add
any thing on these subjects, but to remark
that they must be modified to suit the wants
and condition of each individual.

Soon after the publication of the first edition
of this work, a pamphlet was put forth by Dr.
John Moorman, and gratuitously distributed,
entitled "A Brief Notice of a portion of a
work by William Burke, entitled `The Mineral
Springs of Western Virginia,' with preliminary
remarks on the relative virtues of the
Saline and Gaseous contents of the White
Sulphur Water, by John J. Moorman, M.D.,
Resident Physician at the White Sulphur
Springs."

We have heard that Dr. M. has chuckled a
good deal at the fact, that we have never replied
to his attempt to vindicate his "theory,"
and to ascribe to us selfish and unworthy motives,
in attacking that theory.

Having placed before that worthy and discriminating
gentleman, denominated "The
Public," our view of the matter in question,
and clearly, as we imagined, exposed an impudent

imposture, we saw no reason why we
should take any farther pains to deprive the
aforesaid personage of the exquisite pleasure
of being humbuged. His attempt to fasten
upon us unworthy motives, has fallen as harmlessly
as the yelping of little "Tray," and we
should not, at this distant day, have noticed
his absurd and silly "Notice," but that we are
called upon for a second edition of our work,
and have therefore determined to amuse our
readers with a few of his eccentricities.

His pamphlet thus begins:

"CHAPTER[1]

"On the relative virtues of the Saline and
Gaseous contents of the White Sulphur
Water.

"Speculation has existed as to the relative
efficacy of the different component parts

of the White Sulphur Water in the cure of
disease, and while some have supposed that its
gaseous contents are essential to its sanative
virtues, others, and we think the best informed
observers, attribute its medicinal virtues
mainly to its solid or saline contents. To the
latter opinion the able Professor of Natural
Philosophy in the University of Virginia, who
has carefully examined the water, and other
distinguished chemists and physicians, decidedly
incline.

"It certainly is a question of no little interest
to the valetudinarian, whether he should
use this water fresh as it flows from the spring,
and abounding in all its stimulating gas; or
whether he should use it after it has partially
or entirely parted with this gas. To this subject
we have, for the last several years, devoted
the most laborious and particular attention,
having instituted, with great care, various
and diversified experiments, in order to
establish something like definite and positive
conclusions.

"Although the value of this water in what
is usually termed its non-stimulating form,
or, in other words, when deprived of its gas,

has long been known to many who are familiar
with its use, it was not until the last few
years that it was commonly used from choice,
after it had been long removed from the
spring, or from any cause had parted with its
gaseous contents; an opinion, the correctness
of which had never been examined, prevailed
in the minds of many, that in losing its gas,
it lost its strength and efficacy.

"Having settled at the `White,' as the resident
physician of the place, it became alike
our duty and our interest to investigate the
character and operations of its waters under
every possible form and modification in which
they could be presented. In the pursuit of
this duty, we resolved to take no opinion upon
`trust,' but carefully to examine and investigate
for ourselves. A prominent question immediately
presented itself for inquiry, involving
the relative merits which the solid and
gaseous ingredients of the water possess as
remedial agents. It would be tedious, and, to
many, uninteresting, to detail the several steps
and multiplied experiments which led us to
conclusions upon the subject, satisfactory to
our own mind, and upon which we have established

certain practical principles in the use
of the water, which have enabled us to prescribe
it, especially for nervous and excitable
patients, with far greater success than heretofore.
It is sufficient for our purpose at present,
to state, that while we freely admit that the
sulphuretted hydrogen gas, which abounds
in the water, is an active nervine stimulant,
and therefore may be a most potent agent in
some cases, we are fully impressed with the
belief that either in its direct or indirect
effects, we must look mainly to the solid contents
of the water for its alterative power as
well as for its activity manifested in its operations
through the different emunctories of the
human body.

"Whether the efficacy of the solid contents
of this water be owing to the specific character
of any one, or to all of the thirteen different
salts of which it is composed, and which
exist in the water in the most minute form of
subdivision, and in this condition enter the
circulation, and course through the whole system,
applying themselves appropriately to diseased
tissues; or, whether its efficacy depends
upon the evolution of sulphuretted hydrogen

gas after the water has reached the stomach,
is a matter of curious and interesting inquiry.

"The distinguished chemist, Mr. Augustine
A. Hays, of Rocksbury, after having bestowed
much pains in analysing the white sulphur
water, and in studying its peculiar character,
comes to the following conclusions as to the
source of its medicinal power. After describing,
at considerable length, a certain matter
which he found to abound in the water, and
which he terms `organic matter,' in the
course of which he says, it `differs essentially
from the organic matter of some thermal waters,'
he proceeds to say, `In contact with
earthy sulphates, at a moderate temperature,
it produces hydro-sulphuric acid, and to this
source, that acid contained in the water may
be traced. This substance does not rapidly
attract oxygen from the atmosphere, and from
coloured compounds, as some other organic
compounds do,—the medicinal properties of
this water are probably due to the action of
this organic substance. The hydro-sulphuric
acid resulting from its natural action, is
one of the most active substances within the

reach of physicians. There are chemical
reasons for supposing that, after the water
has reached the stomach, similar changes,
accompanied by the production of hydro-sulphuric
acid, takes place.'

"Before Mr. Hays had communicated the
above opinion, growing out of his chemical
examinations, we had again and again been
much interested with certain phenomena
which we have termed the secondary formation
of gas in the white sulphur water. Instances
had frequently been reported to us of
the water having been put into bottles after it
had lost its gas entirely, being void both of
taste and smell, and yet, after these bottles
were kept for some days in a warm situation,
and then opened, the water appeared equally
strong of the hydro-sulphuric acid, as it is
found to be fresh at the fountain.

"In a shipment of this water to Calcutta,
some years since, the `transporting company'
had the water bottled in Boston, from barrels
that had been filled at the spring six months
before. This water, although tasteless and
inodorous, when put into the bottles at Boston,
was found, on its arrival at Calcutta, so

strongly impregnated with the hydro-sulphuric
acid gas as to render it necessary, under
the direction of an intelligent gentleman of
Boston, (who had witnessed this secondary
formation of gas before,) to uncork the bottles
for some time before using, that the excess of
gas might escape."

We have given Dr. M. thus far "chapter"
and verse, and as, hitherto, he has been obliged
to give himself away, he should be obliged
to us for setting a price upon him. A most
estimable acquaintance of Dr. M. and ourself
—a genuine laughing philosopher—some
years ago, wrote a book to prove that there
was no such personage as the Devil; and he
did prove it, entirely to his own satisfaction;
but unfortunately for his ingenious disquisition,
the learned divines would not countenance
his "theory," and have continued, to
the present day, declaiming against the old
gentleman's horns and cloven foot. We fear
it will be so, with Dr. M. and ourself: he will
continue to recommend "stale water," and
we shall continue to prefer fresh: he will continue
to urge that—"This water, although
tasteless and inodorous, when put into the

bottles at Boston, was found, on its arrival at
Calcutta, so strongly impregnated with the
hydro-sulphuric acid gas, as to render it necessary,
under the direction of an intelligent
gentleman of Boston, (who had witnessed this
secondary formation of gas before,) to uncork
the bottles for some time before using, that the
excess of gas might escape." (Good reader,
refrain from laughing, if you can.) And we,
poor ignorant boor! shall continue to believe,
that the water was putrid, and . . . . .!

Our transmontane Galen gives a quotation
from a learned chemist, and after making him
father deductions which must have made
that gentleman smile, he says: "Whether
the efficacy of the solid contents of this water
be owing to the specific character of any
one, or to all of the thirteen different salts
of which it is composed, &c., or, whether
its efficacy depends upon the evolution of sulphuretted
hydrogen gas after the water has
reached the stomach, is a matter of curious
and interesting inquiry." Mark this, good
reader! The gas as it comes from the fountain
is a "nervine stimulant;" but, as
"evolved in the stomach," it may be the

sweetest gas imaginable. May fate protect us
from Dr. Moorman's stomachic gas!

"We had also known that in the process of
thawing sulphur water in a warm room, that
had been previously frozen, sulphuretted hydrogen
gas is evolved; for although the ice
has neither the taste nor smell of sulphur, a
strong smell of sulphuretted hydrogen gas is
manifest as the ice is returning to water.

"We had often observed that individuals
who drank the water entirely stale, and void
alike of taste and smell, were as liable to have
eructations of sulphuretted hydrogen gas as
those who drank the water fresh at the fountain.
These, and other facts connected with
the peculiar operations and effects of this water
when used in its ungaseous form,—operations
and effects which we cannot here with
propriety refer to, but all going to prove the
secondary formation of gas under certain circumstances,—had,
in our investigations of this
water, interested us exceedingly, and consequently,
we were not a little pleased that Mr.
Hays' chemical examinations so fully sustained
the opinions we had been led to entertain
from our personal observations."

The Dr. says: "We had often observed
that individuals who drank the water stale,
were as liable to have eructations of sulphuretted
hydrogen gas, as those who drank the
water fresh at the fountain." We know not
what effect the Doctor's observation may have
upon the reader, but we declare our sides fairly
ache from laughing at the discovery, that
stale water makes the Dr. and his patients
belch. Thanks to our stars that we are not
near enough to appreciate "the operations
and effects all going to prove the secondary
formation of gas under certain circumstances."

The Doctor proceeds: hear him!

"The interesting opinion of this distinguished
chemist, in connection with the numerous
proofs, derived from analogy and observation,
of the secondary formation of sulphuretted
hydrogen gas in this water, would
seem to be well calculated to harmonize the
opinion advanced by us of the equal efficacy
of the water when deprived of its gas, with
the sentiment entertained by some, that the
hydrogen gas is essential to its sanative operations.

"The phenomena of a secondary for-

mation of sulphuretted hydrogen gas in
mineral waters, has not, that we are aware
of, been noticed before; it certainly has
not in relation to the white sulphur
water, and we sincerely hope that medical
gentlemen generally, who may have occasion
to use the water, will direct a careful attention
to this singular fact. For ourselves, we promise
still further to investigate this interesting
subject, and may, at some subsequent period,
lay the results of such investigation before the
medical public."

We have thus far quoted from the "Preliminary
Chapter" of our learned contemporary,
which he informs us is part of "a work in
manuscript, on the Mineral Springs of Virginia,
which has been lying by us (him) for some
time, nearly ready for the press."

The Doctor's bantling has not yet been made
public, though nearly ready for the press three
years ago: we hope it has not gone upon a
voyage to Calcutta, or, if it has, that it has
been given in charge to that same "intelligent
gentleman from Boston" who was so considerate
as to save the poor Hindostanese from the
"secondary formation of gas;" for we are sure

that after three years, it must be a little stale,
and, judging by the first chapter, tending to
the "odour of rotten eggs." A writer in the
Literary Messenger of May last, whose article
on the qualities of the Warm Springs we
have inserted in a previous chapter, has asserted
that "some persons faint at the fragrance
of the damask rose."

Blessed fainting this; "a little of thy civet,
good Apothecary," for we and our readers have
had so much of Dr. Moorman's "nervine
stimulant and gas evolved in the stomach,"
there is danger our olfactories will become so
stimulated as to make us sneeze to death.

But we think we have given enough of the
"Chapter" even to satisfy Dr. M. What say
you, Dr.? If not, we will do you more ample
justice in our third edition. Now to the
Doctor's facts.

"In this work, the author has arraigned us
before the public in a manner so unjust, and
at the same time so virulent, that however reluctant
we may be to enter the arena of controversy,
we feel that he has left us no alternative.

In the defence, however, of our character
as a man, and of our views as a physician,
we shall endeavour to curb those angry feelings
which malignant aspersions are so well calculated
to arouse; content to inflict no wound
more severe than will follow the recoil of a
futile effort to effect a sinister and selfish end.

"That the public may be enabled more readily
to appreciate the merits of the issue between
Mr. Burke and ourselves, we deem it
better at once to lay before them a few prominent
facts—which facts, we believe, will not
only afford a key to the controversy, but shed
much light upon the motives by which Mr.
Burke has been actuated in dragging us before
the public, at the expense alike of justice
and the common courtesies of life.

"In the first place, he and ourselves are entire
strangers to each other, and have had no
intercourse which could possibly have engendered
the slightest degree of personal hostility.
In the second place, Mr. Burke is the Proprietor
of the Red Sulphur Springs, the water
of which, he contends, is not only destitute of
stimulating properties, but even sedative in its
effects; a peculiarity, whether real or imaginary,

upon which rests solely, or in an eminent
degree, its medicinal reputation. Thirdly; it
is generally admitted that the white sulphur
water, in its natural state, and as recently
taken from the spring, is decidedly stimulant;
and further, that its stimulating effects depend
upon the sulphuretted hydrogen gas contained
therein. Fourthly; it is well known that the
sulphuretted hydrogen gas, or stimulating constituent
of the recent white sulphur water, escapes
upon suffering that water to stand for
some hours in an open vessel, or is driven off
by heating it. And fifthly; it follows, from
what has been said relative to the stimulating
effects of the gas, its escape, &c., that if the
medicinal properties of this water reside mainly
in its saline ingredients, by suffering its gas
to escape, the water may be so modified as to
adapt it to those cases wherein a stimulant is
contra-indicated, and in which the aperient
and alterative effects of the water would prove
essentially beneficial.

"If, in connection with what has been said
above, the reader will take into consideration
the further fact that, in times past, many valetudinarians
were in the habit of leaving the

White Sulpur Springs because of its stimulating
property—and for that reason alone—to
seek relief at the `Red,' he will have, we believe,
a clew by which he may readily be conducted
to the source whence Mr. Burke's assault,
upon what he is pleased to term our
theory, has emanated. Suppose, for a moment,
that `our theory' be correct, and that
indisputable facts can be adduced, sufficient,
in number and character, to show that the
water in its modified form, and divested of its
stimulative property, retains not only its aperient
but its alterative agency, and thus becomes
adapted to those cases wherein, but for
its stimulating character, it would, in its natural
state, have been indicated,—what then becomes
of the patronage which the `Red'
once received from cases of this class? Can
any one suppose that, under such circumstances,
a preference would be given to the
Red Sulphur? The idea, to one acquainted
with the relative alterative value of the respective
springs, is preposterous; and those not
familiar with the subject may readily infer,
from the extreme sensitiveness of the `Proprietor
of the Red,' that he regards the grounds
of alarm as by no means trivial.

"After having carefully examined the work
of Mr. Burke, and maturely reflected upon its
general character, we are forced to the conclusion
that the attack which he has made upon
ourselves should be regarded in no other light
than as incidental to the general scheme—as
a mere tributary towards the accomplishment
of the end for which his book was written.
What was that end? To elevate in public
estimation the medicinal virtues of the Red
Sulphur Springs. Our humble self and our
`theory' stood in his way, and must be removed.
The obstacle thus opposed may have
been trivial, yet its suppression was deemed
necessary. How was it to be accomplished?
To charge our `theory' with injuring his
Spring would not answer,—his motives might
then have been suspected; he assumes a virtue
not his own; he hearkens to the dictates
of `duty,' and impelled by the irresistible
spirit of philanthropy, steps forward to the rescue.
Over the deluded victims of our `theory'
he stretches the broad ægis of his protection,
dispels the darkness that envelopes them, and

rejoices in the hope that they will yet quaff
the waters of his health-giving fountain."

Any one who reads the paragraphs just
quoted can see that the object of Dr. M. is to
invalidate our attack upon his "theory" by
representing us as the "Proprietor of the Red
Sulphur Springs," and thereby convicting us
of unworthy and selfish motives. There is
one important ingredient deficient in the Doctor's
statement, and that is truth. When we
wrote the little work of which he complains,
we had no more interest in the Red Sulphur
than he had, or than we have at this moment.
The facts were these: In the spring
of 1841 we surrendered possession of the property
by a deed or contract recorded in the
County Court of Monroe, and in the autum
of that year removed to Richmond. In February,
1842, we divested ourselves of every
residuary interest in the estate, and the work
impugned by Dr. M. was written and published
between that time and July, 1842. So it
will be seen that the charge of selfishness and
base motives falls to the ground, and with it
all the fabric raised by Dr. M. on this sandy
foundation. The truth is, that, having on

our hands many hours of solitude, in the absence
of our family, and believing that we
might do good by directing public attention
to hygienic agents of great importance in our
estimation, we determined to devote our leisure
to a treatise on the subject. We have never
derived one dollar's profit from it, having given
our manuscript to the publishers; and as to
literary reputation, the theme was one too
unpromising, even had we the vanity to aspire
to that distinction. But there is a gratification
beyond all other considerations, which has
made our heart throb with pleasurable emotions,
and that is, that many an invalid has
expressed to us deep gratitude for the publication
of our little manual. To have put in the
right way one unfortunate sufferer would be
payment enough for all our trouble; but, we
thank God, the acknowledged benefits have
exceeded our most sanguine expectations; if
the drinkers of Dr. Moorman's stale water
have proved as grateful as our readers, we
shall be pleased to hear it; but we fear he
gets more curses than blessings. But he says
our sole object in attacking his theory, was,
lest the White Sulphur water, by being deprived
of its stimulating properties, should rival
the Red Sulphur in the sedative effects claimed
for it, and thereby jeopard our interest.
The absurdity of this allegation is manifest
even to a half-idiot; for even Dr. M., obtuse as
he seems to be in such matters, must see that
the large portion of saline ingredients in the
White Sulphur must, primarily, act altogether
as a stimulus to the peristaltic motion of
the intestines and to the intestinal surfaces,
and to the circulation, whilst the claim set up
for the Red Sulphur rests upon an opposite
composition. Those waters therefore never
have been, and never can be rivals.

It is true enough that Dr. M. has duped
some unfortunate invalids by advising the use
of an agent which, however valuable when
properly applied, is, when misapplied, exceedingly
deleterious, and it is equally true he may
do so again; but for that he will have to answer
at a bar where no special pleading will
avail him. As to our interest, whatever misunderstanding
may have existed on that head,
even he will not say that we have any interest
now. Surely we cannot be suspected of any
peculiar interest for the present proprietors;

yet, we re-assert all we have said in praise of
that remarkable water; and no circumstances
that have arisen can ever cause us to withhold
our real sentiments respecting an agent which
we consider important to a portion of our fellow-beings.

We shall make no further quotations from
Dr. M. His facts are without foundation in
truth; his arguments puerile and shallow; his
theories untenable; his absurdities ridiculous;
his motives palpable and culpable; and his efforts
to bolster up a selfish practice, a gross imposition.

Now who would have thought that a grave
physician could have relied on the fact, that
his putrid water, at Calcutta, emitted a noxious
gas, to prove that this water had been divested
of its nervine stimulus, when the truth
probably was, that any poor wight, who might
be so imprudent as to hold his nose in contact
with it, would encounter a knock-down argument?
He urges, too, that this stale water,
as he aptly calls it, is better than fresh water:
"Credat Judæus Apella, non ego."—Swine
may believe him, men cannot. An Englishman
prefers stale bread to fresh, but we opine

John Bull would turn up his nose at stale water,
even though capable of "evolving gas
in the stomach." By the way, we always
thought it was a grand object with the physician
to prevent the "evolution of gas in the
stomach;" but it seems Dr. M. has an especial
penchant for this secondary formation,
and perhaps, having experienced the comfort
of it in his own abdominal apartments, desires
that his patients should enjoy a similar blessing.
In conclusion we offer the following
Bagatelle as our reply to the remainder of Dr.
M.'s pamphlet.

SCENE—THE PAVILION.

Dr. Moorman seated with copies of his pamphlet
in his hand—enter two visiters.

1st Visiter.

Good morning to you, Sir! We
are just arrived, and will thank you to inform
us where we may find the resident physician,
Dr. Moorman.

Dr. M. (rising and bowing).

I am your humble
servant, gentlemen, and the person whom
you seek.

1st Vis.

We have fallen in with you very
apropos, sir, and desire to consult you on the

waters adapted to our cases, which we will individually
explain.

Dr. M. (aside).

I saw them coming, and
judged curiosity would quickly bring them
hither. (aloud) Well, gentlemen, I shall be
most happy to hear your cases, and to counsel
you on a matter of so much importance as the
use of the waters.

1st Vis.

My case, Sir, is supposed by my
physician to be irritability of the nervous
tissue of the stomach and intestines, and my
instructions are to visit the Red Sulphur, and
then use the Sweet Spring Bath.

Dr. M.

It is altogether unnecessary for you
to visit that dismal place, where the solar rays
do not penetrate, until that luminary reaches
its meridian. I have learned to make this
water exactly similar to the Red Sulphur, and
equally efficacious. I have discovered, gentlemen,
that the sulphuretted hydrogen is "an
active nervine stimulant;" I divest it of this
stimulant and its saline matter by boiling,
while I am procuring material for my celebrated
White Sulphur pills, and then, on cooling,
I add to a gallon of distilled water half a pint
of water from the fountain, just, you know, to

give it a little odour, and it is Red Sulphur
water.

1st Vis.

Well, but what substitute do you
propose for the Sweet Springs?

Dr. M.

My dear Sir, nothing in the world
easier! just let this water stand in an open
vessel 24 hours and add a little lemon juice!

2d Vis.

Mine, Sir, is a case of habitual constipation,
and my physician directs I shall use
the waters of the Salt Sulphur.

Dr. M.

My dear Sir! is it possible your medical
adviser did not know, that my concentrated
White Sulphur pills had superseded the
use of the Salt Sulphur? No, no, Sir, remain
where you are; let the sulphur water stand in
your pitcher 12 hours, (for you are aware that
taking it with the gas would be like taking
"a purgative potion administered in wine,
toddy, or any other diffusible stimulant,") and
drink a dozen glasses in the 24 hours, taking,
morning and evening, four of my concentrated
pills.

2d Vis.

Well! but, Dr., a very distinguished
physician of Philadelphia declares he has detected
corrosive sublimate in your pills, and

that their being made altogether of White
Sulphur residuum is—

Dr. M.

Is what, Sir?

2d Vis.

Why, a humbug!

Dr. M.

(aside). The deuce! so I am found
out, am I? (aloud) The fact is, gentlemen,
ahem!—(aside) alas for my modesty! ahem!
—the fact is, the gentleman, whoever he may
be, envies the high reputation I have acquired
by my White Sulphur pills. Mine, gentlemen,
is a character above suspicion, and if you investigate
my whole course, through life, you
will find it to be characterized by disinterestedness
and a contempt of PELF.

2d Vis.

That may be all true, Sir; but, Dr.,
look me straight in the face now, and answer,
upon honour, have you never put that innocent
ingredient above mentioned into your pills?
(The Dr. hangs down his head.) Come, Dr., I
ask you again to look me straight in the face,
and answer my interrogatory.

Dr. M.

Any fool may ask questions, but it
takes a wise man to answer them.

1st Vis.

It appears, Dr., that it takes a
wiser man, not to answer them.

2d Vis.

I hold in my hand a work entitled

the "Mineral Springs of Western Virginia,"
in which the writer attacks your theory, that
sulphuretted hydrogen is an "active nervine
stimulant," and asserts that your attempt to
substitute decomposed sulphur water for the
genuine article is a gross imposition.

Dr. M.

And I hold in my hand, Sir, a complete
refutation of all the positions of the author
of that flimsy production. I have demolished
that Burke, Sir. Have you never
seen my reply, gentlemen? Allow me to present
you each a copy. (Hands the pamphlets.)
There, gentlemen, there you will find "multum
in parvo."

1st Vis.

Dr.! what does that mean? my
old schoolmaster used to translate it, by transposition,
a big head and little wit; perhaps,
however, this is great wit in a little book.
But, Dr., if this water be better in Boston than
here, why do we leave the comforts of home
and incur the labour and expense of so long a
journey? Mind now, Sir, like all Yankees, I
am a utilitarian—I go for the common sense
of the thing.

Dr. M.

In truth, gentlemen, the water is
better, as I have abundantly proved, by the

certificates of respectable men; but there are
advantages to be derived from rusticating, during
the summer months, in this charming retreat;
and moreover, if I may not violate modesty
in saying so, it is not the least of those
advantages that you may have the benefit of
your very humble servant's experience and
counsel.

2d Vis.

We appreciate your genius, Sir, as
much as we respect your modesty. Both are,
beyond question, sui generis. We acknowledge
your profundity, admire your disinterestedness,
and venerate your candour and fairdealing;
but gold may be bought too dearly,
and to use a vulgar expression, it is "paying
too dear for the whistle" to come from Boston
for Dr. Moorman's advice, pills, and stale water;
so good morning, Sir.

Dr. M.

Oh! But stop, gentlemen, I charge
for advice—ten dollars.

2d Vis.

The deuce! you do: well, and what
advice have you given us?

Dr. M.

Why, gentlemen, I have advised
you to take my pills and drink stale water,
and I have, moreover, instructed you how to

make Red Sulphur, Salt Sulphur, and Sweet
Spring water.

1st Vis.

Oh! but, Dr., if we drink your stale
water, we shall have evolutions of gas in
the stomach.

Dr. M.

My dear Sir, it is the most comfortable
thing imaginable—only think, I have experienced
its operations and effects for years,
and I aver it is delightful!

2d Vis.

Dr.! I am afraid you are playing
the part of the fox in the fable; and after all,
that gas in the stomach is any thing but comfortable.

Dr. M.

Such has been the opinion; but,
Sir, I claim the merit of first having made
this discovery in medical science.

1st Vis.

Well, well, Dr., there is no disputing
about tastes. Upon the whole, however,
we must study a little, before we take your
advice. Pray, Sir, what did you say your
fee was?

Dr. M.

Only ten dollars, gentlemen, and I
give you, each, my pamphlet gratis. The
pills will only cost you 50 cents a box. And
I shall be most happy to get your orders for a
few bbls. of water; I assure you it will be better

in Boston than here, for it loses its stimulating
gas.

1st Vis.

My good Dr.! I perceive your theory
is, that a part is equal to the whole; now,
it exactly suits our own views on this occasion.
I have a ten dollar note of the Pigeon Roost
Bank; the discount is only fifty per cent.:
call that the gas, and persuade yourself it is
better than Virginia money.

Dr. M.

There is no analogy whatever between
the two cases: I go for current, good
money, Sir; no rotten Banks!

1st Vis.

We think there is a palpable analogy,
and wonder you don't understand Logic
better.

Dr. M.

Oh! that is Burke's Logic; you
cannot mean, Sir, to palm this note upon me
for good currency.

2d Vis.

Yes, but indeed we do: I guess
half a loaf is better than no bread; Eh! so
good morning! [Exeunt Visiters.

Dr. M.

(solus, reads): "The President and
Directors of the Pigeon-Roost Bank, Georgia,[2]
promise to pay"—faugh! it smells of guano!

Deuce take the Yankees! Utilitarians! manufacturers
of wooden nutmegs! Pigeon-Roost!
indeed! Ha! Ha! Ha! One of the impudent
fellows, too, asked me to look him straight
in the face. I see Burke's finger in all this.

[Enter B.

B.

"What, are you hurt, lieutenant?

M.

"Ay, past all surgery.

B.

"Marry, heaven forbid!

M.

"Reputation—reputation—reputation!
Oh! I have lost my reputation! I have lost
the immortal part, Sir, of myself, and what remains
is bestial. My reputation, my reputation—

B.

"Reputation is an idle and most false
composition; oft got without merit."

We now turn from Dr. M. to a more agreeable
and interesting subject, the virtues and
properties of the White Sulphur Waters, and
we do so with the greater pleasure, because we
desire to assure our readers that, whatever has
been said regarding the course of that individual,
we have never, in the most remote degree,
disparaged those valuable waters. So far
from it, we have always acknowledged their
pre-eminent virtues and the capacity of extension

which that favoured locality possesses over
all the other Mineral Springs in Virginia.
There is not at present known, on the broad
surface of the United States, any Sulphur water
which, in our estimation, ranks with the
White Sulphur. It possesses a happy combination
of properties, and is peculiarly adapted
to the sequelæ of those diseases which prevail
in Southern latitudes. Public opinion, which
in the end seldom judges wrong, has stamped
its value, and he is its worst enemy, who
would deprive it of a single ingredient for the
purpose of impudently palming it, in an altered
state, as a panacea, for all diseases.

These waters are the true remedy, or they
are not. If they be, let them be applied; if
not, no man, with either a feeling of humanity
in his bosom, or proper professional pride,
or a sense of justice to the agent itself, would,
under false pretences, persevere in administering
them.

We have learned with no ordinary pleasure,
that the late season was profitable. The company
is said to have been the largest since
1839, and afforded a better average. The establishment
continues under the control of

Wm. B. Calwell, Esq., whose manager during
the last season was Mr. Edwin Porter, so
well known as stage contractor. In an establishment
so large and unwieldy, there will,
and must be abuses; but it has been universally
acknowledged that the comforts of the
place were greatly enhanced during the last
season. We learn that the Springs, with the
great landed estate attached to them, are offered
for sale at three hundred and fifty
thousand dollars, and it is stated that some
years ago, the proprietors refused half a million
for them. They are well worthy the attention
of capitalists.