R. F. Dearborn

“ The principal street is Broadway, miles in length, ample in breadth, and, for the most part, shaded with a double line of graceful elms. Its extremities are adorned with beautiful villas. The Fifth avenue of the place, where the handsomest residences are located, is Circular street, east of the Park. Beautiful dwellings may also be found on Lake avenue and Franklin street. The streets are thronged with a gay and brilliant multitude, engaged in riding, driving, walking, each enjoying to the utmost a facinating kind of busy idleness. ”

“ In places that can boast but few objects of interest, is usually one of the chief places of resort. In Saratoga there are so many "show places" and peculiar attractions, that the cemetery visitors are limited principally to the resident population, and those who arm in arm, or hand in hand, stroll through its meandering paths, or while away their hours in its shady seats nurturing the tender passion. ”

“ Gilmore opened his Peace Jubilee, a new mineral fountain—a spouting spring—gushed forth from its deep origin in mother earth to rejuvenate and bless mankind. The gas is so abundant that if the orifice of the tube is closed for a few moments sufficient force will accumulate to blow a steam whistle. It has not been christened at present. We suggest that it be called the "Gilmore Spring." The well is over a hundred feet deep, and the water rises about thirty feet above the surface. The water is strongly saline, and will probably be classed among the cathartic waters. ”

“ Old and young, sick and well, everybody, drinks, for the Congress fountain is as much the morning exchange as the ball-room is the resort of the evening.
Prof. G.F. Chandler, the leading chemist in America, says: "The peculiar excellence of the far-famed Congress spring is due to the fact that it contains very much less iron than any other spring, and that it contains, in the most desirable proportions, those substances which produce its agreeable flavor and satisfactory medicinal effects ”

“ If the Saratoga waters are really what they have the reputation of being—and certainly no one who has witnessed their effects can deny their wonderful power—the purity of the water which is supplied to invalids, at a distance from the springs, becomes a matter of the utmost consequence. ”

“ The walk through the woods to Excelsior Spring is by far the most beautiful in Saratoga. To reach the grove, pedestrians and carriages will pass along Lake Avenue a little past Circular street, when a small sign will be found pointing the way to the "Walk to Excelsior Spring." No tourist should fail to visit this place. A pleasant hour may be spent in the woods, after a stroll through which, the delicious water of the Excelsior will be refreshing indeed. ”

“ The water of this spring is very pleasant to the taste, being slightly acidulous and saline, but much milder than that of the other Saratoga springs. It is an agreeable and wholesome beverage. When mixed with still wines, etc., it adds the peculiar flavor only to be derived from a pure, natural Seltzer. It enlivens them and gives them the character of sparkling wines.
Saratoga possesses numerous objects of interest for the German population, surpassing even the famous Spas of Europe, and the discovery of the Seltzer will doubtless attract large numbers of this intelligent and genial people. ”

“ Is a question that will probably seem absurd to those who are at all familiar with mineral springs or Saratoga waters. Nevertheless, it is a not unfrequent and amusing occurrence to hear remarks from strangers and greenies who have a preconceived notion that the springs are doctored, and that a mixture of salts, etc., is tipped in every night or early in the morning! Strange that the art should be limited to the village of Saratoga! The incredulity of some people is the most ridiculous credulity known. ”

“ A few steps from Congress Spring, directly past the Saratoga Club-House, leads you to a wicket gate marked "Circular, Railway and, Indian, Camp."
The Indians are not such as figure conspicuously in the early annals of our country and in our favorite romances—as Eli Perkins says—"far different!" They are simply a Canadian Gypsy band, part low French and part low Indian blood. They come here annually with an eye to business, and open their weird camp to the public simply as a speculation, offering for sale the various trinkets to which their labor is directed. ”

“ At this time the spring became the property of the Pavilion and United States Spring Co., composed of enterprising business men, under whose management the grounds have been rendered quite attractive and the water is becoming celebrated as one of the leading cathartic springs of far-famed Saratoga.
Properties.
There is a liveliness and pungency to this water which makes it a pleasant beverage. An abundance of gas, so much desired in a mineral spring, is so intimately associated with the water, and is so well "fixed" as to hold the medicinal constituents in a clear and permanent solution. ”

“ But should we prefer the healthful exercise of walking, we may dismiss our carriage and stroll into those magnificent woods that border the hill and valley for half a mile between Excelsior Spring and the village. Through them there is a wide and shady path, well known to visitors who love the picturesque, and along its winding way is found the shortest walk to the center of the village. ”

“ On dit that the proprietors of the Geyser Spring were offered $175,000 for their fountain, and probably the Congress could not be purchased for quadruple that amount. It would not be a very profitable bargain if some of the springs could be bought for a song, even, and yet there is not enough mineral water in all the springs now discovered in the Saratoga valley to supply New York alone, if artificial waters were to be abandoned. The only profit of the springs is in the sale of the water in bottles and barrels; and as the method of bottling requires great care, and is expensive, the per cent. ”

“ The tube extends down thirty-four feet to the surface of the foundation rock. The crevice in the rock through which the water issues is about twelve inches by five. The column of water above the rock is thirty-seven feet high. The flow of gas is abundant and constant, but every few minutes, as the watchful visitor will observe, there is a momentary ebullition of an extraordinary quantity which causes the water in the tube to boil over the rim. When the sunshine falls upon the fountain it presents a beautiful appearance.
This is a genuine Seltzer spring. ”

“ A grave philosopher of the famous watering-place, remembering that botanists determine the age of trees by counting the rings on the section of the stems and noticing the layers in the tufa rock, polished a portion of the surface, and counted eighty-one layers to the inch. He forthwith made the following calculation:
"As I have seen half an inch of tufa formed in two years on a brick which received the overflow from a spout of water containing only twenty grams of carbonate of lime in a gallon, I am inclined to think our antiquarian's estimates are not entirely reliable." ”

“ The spring is at some little distance from the business part of Saratoga, and, since the bottling-house was destroyed no special efforts have been made to attract a crowd of visitors, though many who know the virtues of the water take the pains and trouble to go out of their way to obtain it, fresh from the spring in all its purity, as it is held in the highest estimation by all who have used it. ”

“ The track is open to all who wish, both pedestrians and carriages. At the base of a steep bluff, shaded with numerous trees, and directly facing the race-track, is the Glen Mitchel hotel. The grounds are maintained at great expense by the proprietors of the hotel, and when this and the short season of patronage is regarded, the prices for ordinary refreshments will not be considered as extraordinary as they might otherwise seem. The drive may be extended by turning to the east and driving round a small lake—Excelsior—and past the water-works, returning by Spring Avenue. ”

“ Where nature in her subterranean laboratory obtains all the elements, and how she can manage that from one crevice shall issue a water whose ingredients shall never materially differ, and whose temperature shall remain constant throughout the year, while within a few feet she sends up an equally unvarying, and yet widely different spring, is indeed a problem, and the oftener one reflects on subjects of this kind, the oftener is the old fashioned observation repeated, that "let a man go where he will, Omnipotence is never from his view." ”

“ STORE-ROOM, CONGRESS SPRING.
Very little of the water sold on draught by druggists is genuine. Several instances have fallen under the immediate notice of the writer, in which druggists have obtained the photographs and trade marks of a certain spring, by the purchase of a small quantity of water, and then manufactured that which they sold on draught; and instances are numerous in which druggists have overcharged consumers for the bottled water.
We cannot too strongly urge those who wish to obtain Saratoga water pure and fresh, to send direct to the spring whose waters they desire. ”

“ The mother of all these spouting wells—the Geyser Spring—is rearing quite a family of interesting children. We have heard it predicted that the time is not very distant when every citizen of Saratoga will have a mineral fountain in his door-yard. At present no successful efforts have been made to obtain a spouting spring in the village. We know of no reason to render success impossible or improbable. ”

“ The recreation requires the expenditure of no little strength, and is only accomplished by the sweat of some one's brow, but it is preferable, doubtless, to "swinging round the circle."
Within a few feet of the Circular Railway is a spring of pure soft water. The water is quite drinkable, and is esteemed unusually pure and wholesome. The well water of the town is good, and the water from Excelsior Lake, which has lately been introduced throughout the village by the Holly system, is considered superior. ”

“ Abundant opportunity is afforded those who have occasion to visit emporiums of art and fashion on shopping designs intent. The flashing establishments under the large hotels, as well as several others in the village, cater entirely to the fashionable visitor. Everything desirable in the way of laces, feathers, diamonds and ornaments, and elegant dress goods are obtainable. It is the custom of many of the fashionable merchants and modistes of New York to open here during the summer, branch establishments for the sale of their specialities. ”

“ Some one has said that the amusements of Saratoga life are dancing and drinking, the one exercise being the Omega as the other is the Alpha of its butterfly life. Saratoga, however, abounds in amusements. There are the races at the race-course and on the lake; there are balls and hops every night; there are the Indians and the Circular railway, and drives in all directions ”

“ The solvent power which holds all these solid substances in solution, and which contributes to their agreeable taste, is the carbonic acid gas with which the water is so freely charged. This free carbonic acid gas is probably formed by the decomposition of the carbonates which compose the rock. The water, impregnated with it, becomes a powerful solvent, and, passing through different strata, absorbs the various mineral substances which compose its solid constituents. ”

“ Here, too, men mingle and learn from contact and sympathy, a sweeter temper and a more catholic consideration, so that the summer flower we went to wreath may prove not the garland of an hour, but a firmly linked chain in our American Union. ”

“ Since last season a handsome brick bottling-house has replaced the ancient wooden structure. Entering this bottling-house we find our way to a capacious and well-lighted cellar, in which we discover a perpendicular opening some ten feet in diameter; this proves to be a circular brick vault, in whose depths the process of filling is performed. Twelve feet below the surface of the spring a block tin tube conveys the water into reservoirs placed at the bottom of this vault. ”

“ If the person is dyspeptic the non-gaseous water should be used in small doses. It may be as well to add that such waters should not be used if there is a tendency to cerebral disease, or in cases of consumption and cancer.
CONGRESS SPRING BOTTLING-HOUSE.
The water of this sulphur spring is remarkably pellucid. The fountain discharges upwards of 20,000 gallons per day.
A large and commodious bathing-house, containing fifty bath-rooms, with excellent and ample accommodations and superior facilities, affords warm and cold sulphur water baths. They are a real luxury. ”

“ The water is very concentrated, and small doses are all that is required. It will bear dilution with fresh water much better then milk. It seems to have not only strong cathartic properties, but a special action upon the kidneys and liver. For medicinal purposes it promises to equal any in Saratoga.
As an object of curiosity and interest, the Glacier Spring is unequaled in Saratoga, and it will doubtless speedily become a popular resort. ”

“ The value of real estate is enhanced very much yearly; the average rise, for several years, has been about ten per cent per annum. The size of the village and the number of the resident population—now about 9,000—is constantly increasing. Numerous and costly dwellings are being erected on almost every street. The village thrives, and it may be confidently hoped that, with its numerous and peculiar attractions, this beautiful valley will ere long become the center of a vast population. ”

“ That it will be a popular and well patronized resort is unquestionable. In its elegant furniture the house surpasses all others, and it has the further advantage that every room has a spacious clothes press, and is supplied with hot and cold water.
The Clarendon.
Is patronized by a very aristocratic and select class of guests. Its location is very picturesque; and within its inclosure, magnificently circled by elms and covered with a superb pagoda, is the celebrated Washington spring. ”

“ We take pleasure in speaking of this house because it is unique in its character, and is one of the features of Saratoga. A guide book is not the place to discuss systems of medicine. Suffice it to say that the doctors, while regularly educated physicians, make use also of the varied resources of hydropathy, and of a wider range of remedial appliances than can be found in any similar institution on the globe. ”

“ The use of mineral water, both as a beverage and for medicinal purposes, is increasing, and there may be "a good time coming," when these springs will bring wealth to the owner as they give health to the drinker. ”

“ It is worth the while of every tourist in Saratoga to visit the elegant Institute, and examine its Vacuum Cure and Movement Cure, and its superb bath-rooms and enjoy the luxury of a Turkish or Russian bath. ”

“ It should be made a staple article, and its merits as a beverage and a preventive of disease brought to public notice. The use of the water increases the appetite, and grocers would find its extended sale would be an advantage to their business.
We believe our country would be better, and biliousness, dyspepsia, fevers, and a long range of diseases more rare, if the natural waters which God has provided were to become a standard article in our groceries.
Special Notice.—The subscriber is desirous of making a special study of the mineral springs of Saratoga. ”

“ The Indians had a tradition, however, which was undoubtedly true, that the water formerly flowed over the rim of the opening. A few years ago (1866) the property changed hands, and the new owners, convinced that by stopping the lateral outlet they could cause the water to issue again from the mouth of the rock, employed a number of men to undermine the mound, and with a powerful hoisting derrick to lift it off and set it one side, that the spring might be explored. ”

“ As the water is forced to the surface, the pressure diminishes, and a portion of gas escapes with effervescence. The spouting wells deliver, therefore, enormous volumes of gas with the water, a perfect suds of water, carbonic acid and carburetted hydrogen.
"The common origin of the springs is shown by the analysis: all contain the same constituents in essentially the same order of abundance; they differ in the degree of concentration merely. Those from the deepest strata are the most concentrated. ”

“ It is a tasteful and elegant structure, adding very much to the beauty and attractiveness of Saratoga. The citizens may well be proud of it.
The exterior of the house is most imposing. It is five stories in height, with a French roof, and has a front of 340 feet on Broadway, and 200 feet on Congress street, and by a far-reaching wing in the rear incloses quite a little park.
The building contains 650 rooms, with bowling alleys and billiards, and twenty-two stores in the basement. It is built of brick, with iron trimmings. The dining room is 200 feet long. ”