The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

From the PETERSBURG INTELLIGENCER.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman, now travelling for the purpose of viewing the natural curiosities in the Western parts of this state, to his friend in Petersburg, dated Lee courthouse, 26th July, 1804.

"I accomplished on Monday last the most laborious job I ever undertook: this was, the measuring the Natural Bridge in this county, 'the most sublime of nature's works.' This bridge is 154 feet higher than the Natural Bridge in Rockbridge county; being 339 feet in perpendicular height, its summit projects 87 feet over its base. It fronts to the south-west, and is arched as regular as could be by the hand of art; the arch in front is about 200 feet high, and slopes off to 60 feet at the distance of 106 feet from the entrance. From its mouth in a straight direction measures 406 feet—thence at right angles 300 feet, thence crossing the second line at 80 feet from the wall to the other end 340 feet; the roof is regularly arched, and gradually descends to 18 feet, which is the lowest part at the intersection of the second angle; it then rises to 20, 30, 40 and 75 feet, which is the height of the north east entrance. The stream of water which runs under this bridge is from 35-40. to 55 feet wide, at its common height—The head of this stream (Stock creek) is from three to four miles above the bridge, rising out of a knob or spur of Clinch Mountain, and empties itself three miles below into Clinch river.—this creek is utterly swelled by rains sometimes to 10 and twelve feet perpendicular, but is soon run out. There is a waggon road over the bridge, which is only used in time of freshes, and that is the only part that can be crossed—on approaching it to the south-west front, it produces the most pleasing, awful sensations; the front is a solid rock of limestone, the surface very smooth and regular, formed in a semi-circle, the rock of a bright yellow colour, which colour is heightened by the rays of the sun, the arch is partly obscured by a spur of the ridge which runs down to the edge of the creek in front of the arch. Across the creek stand several beautiful trees; the most elegant and luxuriant is a Cucumber tree, teeming with fruit; the leaves are from 2 to 2 and an half feet in length, and one foot in width—this, with two white cedars, and three white walnut trees, adds very much to the beauty of the scene—to describe it, would be a vain attempt, and can only be done by the skilful limner.

"If the scene below creates such pleasing sensations, what must that from above be? It fills the mind with horror. From the level of the summit of the ridge where the road passes, to the verge of the figure, the mountain descends abruptly at 45 degrees of an angle, and is from 45 to 50 feet perpendicular height—you involuntarily slide down feet foremost, holding on to every twig you pass, until you reach the verge, which is for 6 or 8 feet less steep; the rock is covered with a thick stratum of earth, which gives growth to many large trees; from this landing place to the verge is a descent of 9 feet, so steep that it cannot be approached near enough to look over—to the west of the arch about 400 yards, the ascent to the verge is much leveller, where you may look into the abyss below. My guide was an old hunter, who had for many years been accustomed to clambering over the steepest mountains—on approaching the verge, the horror of the scene below intimidated him for a few moments, but he could presently walk along the verge with composure. This bridge may be passed by thousands, without a knowledge of it, unless attracted by the roaring of the water below."