Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 February 1887 — The Natural Bridge of Virginia. [ARTICLE]

The Natural Bridge of Virginia.

A sudden turn to tbe right, and directly ahead loomed up the natural bridge in bold and nigged outline against the western sky, lightened with the glories of a Southern sunset. Imagine an immense mass of solid rock, some forty feet thick and fifty feet broad, spanning a chasm seventy-five feet in width at a height of 210 feet. On the eastern Bide is a jagged place where an immense mass of rock has fallen. When it fell it is impossible to say, but it must have fallen centuries ago, as not a particle of debris remains in the chasm below. The rock is bluish limestone, streaked with faint lines of white. The grain is fine and firm, and one loses at first the impressiveness and majestic grandeur of the bridge in speculating on the tremendous forge-, that scooped out, as it were, tlie immense mass of rock and earth that at some time filled the glen. On the under side of the bridge, and about in the center, the lichens and mosses have so grown as to almost perfectly represent the American eagle, with outstretched wings, clasping the shield in its talons. Well-authenticated records state that this peculiar growth existed in the middle of the eighteenth century. Standing about 100 feet west of the bridge, and looking back under it, a well-defined profile likeness of a young woman may be seen. From the road above the bridge cannot be seen, nor is there any indication of its existence unless one leaves the roadway and goes about twenty feet to the west. From this point the small stream rushing through the glen and under the bridge may be seen some 250 feet below.

Even seaweed has a certain value, and some day may be in considerable demand. A new English method of utilizing it consists in boiling it with carbonate of soda filtering, and treating with sulphuric acid. Thus is obtained a substance, to be known as "alguina,” which has more viscosity than starch, or even gum arabic, and may be profitably used m stiffening textile fabrics. It is said to be also adapted for the making of syrups and for culinary purposes. From the matter left after extracting this substance a very good writing paper may be ■cheaply made, - - Engineers are’frequently troubled by the oil sticking to the inside of the glass tu light feed oil cups. A simple remedy is said to be found in coating the inside of such Cups with glycerine, taking care that every part is covered. The surest way is to fill the glass with glycerine, and then carefully drain it. Like many other virtues, hospitality is practiced in its perfection by the poor. If the rich did their share, how would the woes of the world be lightened.