flO Tour to the Caves in Virginia. 



The specimens we obtained in our researches, demonstrate 

 that the gold region here resembles in every important particular, 

 equivalent formations, both in S. America, and in Russia, on the 

 east side of the Ural mountains. The true mineral structure of 

 our gold formations, I first learned at the geological lectures you 

 delivered in Philadelphia, this last spring. 



Much rain fell, and we were exposed to a hurricane, accom- 

 panied with thunder, lightning, hail, and rain. The mountain 

 torrents on these occasions, swell the streams, and soon render 

 the fords impracticable. The country people not being accus- 

 tomed to rely upon bridges, are careless in the directions they 

 give to travellers, and fatal accidents frequently happen. We 

 were upon one occasion of this kind benighted, and compelled to 

 take refuge in the house of a respectable widow, but she receiv- 

 ed us cheerfully, and entertained us after the best manner she 

 was able. Most of the slaves were poorly clad, whom we noticed 

 in the fields ; some females were ploughing and harrowing ; they 

 looked squalid, and unhappy. 



Friday 20. Arrived early in the morning at Orange court- 

 house, where we breakfasted. We deviated a little from our 

 route, in order to pay a visit to Mr. Madison, at his seat, Mont- 

 pelier. On presenting a letter of introduction from General P. 

 we were received with true Virginian hospitality, and with a 

 cordiality that charmed us. The farm of Montpelier is under 

 excellent cultivation, and repair. The clover and maize crops 

 are thriving, but the wheat fields, like most of those we have 

 seen, have suflTered from the fly. The mansion-house is in a fine 

 position, on an extensive and elevated plain, almost mountain- 

 locked. The distant views are very grand. The venerable 

 patriot, dressed in the garb of by-gone days, was an object of 

 great interest to us ; his conversation was that of a very high 

 bred man, dignified and easy, and appearing to seek information, 

 rather than to convey it. The slaves here wore a very different 

 aspect, from those we had before seen. Pursuing our journey, 

 we arrived at Charlottesville, at 7^ P. M-, after a fatiguing day's 

 journey of forty-five miles, over bad roads. After tea, we walked 

 about a mile to the university, to pay our respects to some friends; 

 here we met with a very pleasant society, consisting chiefly of 

 the families of the professors. 



Saturday, 21. Charlottesville is rather a superior place. It 



