The cool breath of the mountain, which constantly kisses this little paradise during even the sultry months of summer, together with the beautiful surrounding scenery, are _alone_ enough to delight the heart, banish the dull feeling of affliction, and tune the aching heart with health and happiness. The large, fine _hotels_ at _this place_ and at _Colorado Springs_ are principally occupied by _invalids_ who come with _fortunes_; while there are hundreds of _wagons_ standing among the trees, with _tents_ by their sides, in which _they_ stay who come with spare frames and sparer fortunes. I have gone among these many wagons; and while I found some comfortably located, with all necessaries and conveniences, I also found some wretched families, with scarcely enough to eat and not sufficient clothing to hide their wasted frames. Some are stretched upon miserable couches, with the shades of death upon their countenances. Medical skill has broken the feeble means, but life continues to waste; and now, with the last few cents, they come to drink of the _free_ fountain of _Nature_. I have often thought, as I saw so many afflicted gathered round these wells, of the healing waters of which the _Bible_ speaks, which the angel came down to trouble. While there are deaths _now_ and _then_, a greater portion of the invalids go away mended. Besides _afflicted_ persons, there are many wealthy families who come here to recuperate and spend the summer-season. They usually lodge at Colorado Springs, and take their daily rides down to Manitou fountains,--often in the finest vehicles, with beautifully matched teams, which are kept for this purpose. What a _contrast_ between these hale, hardy persons, who are rolling in luxury and happiness, and those fever-racked invalids in the little tents on the hill-side. The water is very _unpalatable_; and though a person can not drink more than a swallow or two at _first_, by sipping at it daily it will at length taste very well, and can be drank freely. The _soda-spring_ is used the _most_, though the others are best in many cases--according to the complaint. Here is the place, sick friends, to drink; For the angel of life stands on the brink.