Bedford and BafJi or Berkeleij Springs. 101 



accident, I had not an opportunity of examining it. I however gained 

 access to the lower part of the vein near where it was covered with 

 earth, and from which I obtained two or three specimens. At the 

 foot of this precipice, and by the road side may be found many in- 

 teresting specimens that have probably rolled down from the heights 

 above, but many of which have been mutilated or broken for the pur- 

 pose of repairing the road. The rocks, from the mill to about a 

 quarter of a mile above, run into a perfect slaty limestone. 



I will now offer a few remarks on the various advantages which 

 recommend this as an agreeable watering place. 



I have observed that at the distance of one mile south of the town 

 (or borough) of Bedford, we enter between two elevated hills. The 

 road leading to the springs has a serpentine course on the eastern 

 slope of Federal Hill and on the west side of Shover Valley. At 

 the distance of one mile and a half from Bedford, we arrive at the 

 springs, or at the several places of accommodation provided for visit- 

 ors. These are situated at the base of Federal Hill and consist, in 

 the first place, of two buildings, each two and a half stories high, 

 and one hundred and thirty feet in length. 



These buildings, although ample and convenient, having comfort- 

 able rooms, both for private families and for individuals, are not in 

 the best taste, either in form or location ; but when filled with good 

 society, they will please even the valetudinarian ; for in addition to 

 the conveniences already mentioned, the north building has, in front, 

 upon the valley and Constitution Hill, two spacious covered balconies, 

 for ladies, and extending the whole length of the building ; and the 

 southern building has a similar covered balcony, for gentlemen j, 

 there is also a drawing room, of about twenty by twenty five feet 

 square, besides a ball and dining room, nearly one hundred feet in 

 length, where, through the liberality of the incumbent, Mr. Black- 

 wood, every thing, whether useful or agreeable, is provided. 



In front of this building, in the valley below, and enclosed withiri 

 a handsome Chinese railing, there is elevated, upon a pedestal of 

 rough masonry, a female figure, representing the goddess of health.. 

 From the stock passing through this statue, there issues a fountairt 

 of pure water, brought across the valley in pipes from the main 

 spring, and which, when not disturbed by wind, falls into a bowl held 

 in the hand of the goddess. This embellishment, although not in ex- 

 act proportions, adds a pleasing and not uninteresting object in the 

 midst of the surrounding scenery. 



