THE CYCLOPEAN TOWERS.

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whose bitter sarcasm few could withstand, a severe retort. In commenting upon a speech of Sheffey's the eminent statesman observed, that "the shoemaker ought not to go beyond his last." In an instant, with a heart beating with pride and indignation, Sheffey retorted :

"If that gentleman had ever been on the bench he never would have left it."

A very singular natural curiosity is observed near the celebrated Augusta Springs in this county, called the Cyclopean Towers. For many years they were known only in the immediate vicinity, and bore the rude appellation of "the Chimneys." They are about seventy feet in height. Passing over a hilly and somewhat picturesque country, the road opens upon a fertile valley, which, though narrow, is of considerable length; and, when seen from an elevated position, resembles the bed of an ancient lake, or, as it really is, the alluvial border of a flowing stream. A strata of limestone hills follow their usual order of parallel lines to the great mountains of the American continent, as though a strong current had once swept through this magnificent valley, forming in its course islands and promon

* These waters are strongly impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen, and are said to equal the renowned springs of Harrowgate.

tories, which are now discoverable in numerous short hills and rocky bluffs, that are either naked and barren, or covered with a growth of stately trees. At such a projection the traveller first descries the grey summits of what seems a ruined castle, resembling those which were raised in feudal times to guard the passes of the Rhine, or like such as are still to be met with in mouldering majesty, on many an Alpine rock.

These towers-of which there are seven-lift their heads above the lofty elms like so many antique chimneys in the midst of a grove; but, on a nearer approach, they are observed to rise almost perpendicularly from the bed of a stream, which, winding around their base, serves as a natural moat to a building not made with hands. These rocks in their formation resemble the Palisades, on the Hudson, but are more regular in their strata, which appear to have been arranged in huge masses of perfect workmanship, with projections, like cornices, of Gothic architecture in a state of dilapidation. Those who are acquainted with the structure of the Cyclopean walls of the ancients would be struck with the resemblance. Gazing upwards from their base, they seem, although not stupendous, yet grand, and enable the observer to realize an impressive sense of the Sublime in Nature.

In the same county, and about seventeen miles to the north of Staunton, is a still more remarkable phenomenon, called Weyer's Cave, after a person of that name, who, in 1804, discovered it while hunting. A few yards distant is Madison's Cave, but the former possesses infinitely greater attractions. No language can convey an adequate idea of the vastness and sublimity of some, or the exquisite beauty and grandeur of other of its innumerable apartments, with their snowy-white concretions of a thousand forms. Many of these, possessing striking and picturesque objects, have names exceedingly inappropriate, which degrade the association of the Sublime and Beautiful by vulgar appellations. Washington Hall, the largest apartment, is two hundred and fifty feet in length. Weyer's Cave may well compare with the celebrated Grotto of Antiparos. In one room there is a beautiful concretion, which has the form and drapery of a gigantic statue. It bears the title of the Nation's Hero. If the interesting and the awful are the elements of the Sublime, here sublimity reigns as in her own domain-in darkness, silence, and in deeps profound!

The white (or red) clover is said to have been of indigenous growth in this region, and to have abounded on the banks of the river. The

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red was introduced by the early settler, John Lewis, a native of Ireland, who descended from a family of Huguenots who took refuge in that land from the persecutions that followed the assassination of Henry IV. of France. It was generally believed by the Indians that the blood of the red men slain by the Lewises and their successors had dyed the trefoil a sanguine hue.

On the following morning, July the 14th, having enjoyed a good night's repose and a comfortable breakfast, I took the "cars" and started for Richmond.

CHAPTER X.

MY VISIT TO MANASSAS-THE BATTLE OF BLACK

BURN'S FORD.

A Second Joan of Arc-The Fortifications-History and Character of General Beauregard-Forces under Generals Beauregard, Johnston, and Bonham-Condition of the Camps The Culpepper "Minute Men"-Washington Artillery of New Orleans-A Skirmish-Death of Lieutenant Ashby-The Village of Romney-Caudy's Castle -General Floyd's Brigade-Life in Camp-Attack and Defeat of the Federal Troops.

UPON my arrival at Richmond, and having provided myself with the necessary "pass" from the Secretary-at-War, and introductory letters to Generals Beauregard and Bonham, I ran over to Manassas Junction, the head-quarters of the army of the Potomac (about one hundred and thirty miles from Richmond), to view the entrenched encampment and inspect the troops located there.