The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-18

From the hte,iisencer.

From the Infe.iisencer.
There does not seem to be much difference at
last between friend Bradley and myself in relation
| to our recoiections Of the former localities of
Washington. My remarks were limited to the pc
Rod stated by a witness, in some before the
circuit court, to have been in 1917, thirty five
years ago, when he says he bathed and caught fsh
| as star north as street, near llth street and
where Mr.. Bradley said he had often shot toood-
cock ,hercabouts." II would now appear that MIR.
b., II he did shoot, sat least scared these birds
terribly" bat even this was not done, II ms in
1877, hut In 1912; and after wards up to 1917 he
shot snipes in Hose marshy grounds, called then
the "sashes." have not disputed the existence
Of enipes in the locality referred to; bot certainly
Mr.. BIS knowledge Of ornithology, or his inge.
nuity barrs,er. W i'll not lead him to asser that
| sEipes and woodcocks are the same species Snipes
have been found in various parts OF our city at a
later period than that referred to, md have been
bagged by many since 1917; but ] question whe-
ther single woodcock has been shot within the
limits mentioned since that period. Mr.. BIS
reading will no doubt bring to bis recollection the
lines Of Peter Pindar, when eaking of dinner Of
HOLSTERS at which George the 81 was participant.
Inc King asked what that was which had fallen
from hs head on his plate and was told that il was
n lobster; he exclaimed:
Ice not Holsters, d. their skins"
may, with great propriety, say that
Snipes not woodcocks, &c.
MIR. Bradley says he came into the world in
1874, which makes him much older man than
had, from his very youthful appearance, sup.
Podeo niHl 10 De- VI course, In 1917, when bat
eight years Of age, he could not have shot many
woodcock or snipes. But he may have been pre-.
cocous In hunting and fishing, an accom- lish.
ment which in youth ! once possessed; that NAV
have led him to follow Mr.. Samuel Blodget, (the
first superintendent Of Washington, but who, |
think, died prior to that period } and assisted 10
bag the game. The picture OF his two dogs in the
get OF pointing must have been fancy sketch or
taken much earlier. Even at the age of thirteen,
in 1877, he mus. have been very Juvenile sports
man
have often while boy traversed tho locality
referred to, and visited an orchard attached to a
small farm, afterwards, believe, tenanted by a
person named Dove, in the pursuit, not OF game
but fruit II was situated northeast Of the Presi-
dents House, and not far from the White Oak
Siashes To reach this ] had to pass through
forest, which, of course, has since disappeared in
the progress Of improvement. This was some
years prior to the period when Mr.. b. made his
hrst appearance, as he states, on the stage Of le
where, in the language Of the Spaniard, may his
"shadow never grow less."
am happy to learn that ! have another conten.
porary OF 1893, in the person of Truman Burns
who, supposed, had died some years ago IF he
the son Of the brother Of David Burns, one of
the original proprietors of the city, and who Guilt
waited small farm north of st. Patrick's church,
and whose domicil stood where the late Mr. Nc
burying- ground is sgnated by mau sole um near
the Washington Orphan Asylum, erected by the
late Gen Van Ness; and the ravine of which
spoke in my former communication ia in the rear
OF the enclosure Of this establishment and exie
to Second street west, but has in many places been
nearly filed up. ,.
believe am correct in my "reminiscences of the
localities which have been mentioned and in my
statement as to the inaccuracy of the fish and the
woodcock story, and conclude with the prayer Of
the poet ~.
Lord! keep my memory green
GEO. WATTERSTON.