The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-15
A rap 10 THE COUNTRY
From a Rambling Correspondent

August TO- 1858
SO much has been said trips the different springs and
watering places OF the fashionable life there, and tho hail.
parties and bathing that it seems like being obrslyo
to speak simply OF brief soouru Ia the country lut
still moments reflection, think, will convince the n.ot
nvctesr 20 Of pleasure seekers that few days enjoyment
OF the pure air and quiet vi the country ly "a,
tho most agreeable At the springs at any Of The
fashionable places Of resort, the visitor must conform 10
certain arbitrary rules which have been laid down nv
acquicsccncc. II he ID fixed up for coman
early in the morning. he Is compelled 10 appear at t
dinner table in full dress If he wants 10 enjoy qui
evening he do IL because the music and the dan
cling will disturb him but how different at cosy we'll
ordered country scat Here he can do ~ he pleas.
lilo lay aside the restraints of fashionable life and
enjoy himself 10 his hearts content.
few days siuco left the heat and duss of your al
most deserted city that Congress has adjourned and
the duh season set In, and Utter few hour pleasant M
the Orange and Alexandria and Manassas Gas mil
roads, reached the handsome country mansion 80 wen
known 10 all tho residents OF fanquicr Clover Hill
Here enjoyed most pleasant sojoun 1t h true va
dill not have music and dancing, but we hal delightful
promcnades among grateful shade trees and amidst tina
perfume Of sweet iowersat times interspersed with
conversation which, though not what might be called
profound yet not altogether devoid interest or al
instruction. But these did employ all tho moments
OF that pleasant little visit One bright clear morning
joyous party estir ut early hour and after
hearty breakfast two )ishtsng wagons conveyed them
10 the famous fishing x. POUNDS ia that vicinity wmM
give ydl a minute desci ption of the ride but | fear 4
might become tircsome. There not seats eponrb
for all Of u.s. and Of those who not furnished
with chairs sat upon the straw, aud young gentleman
perchcd himself upon the leo basket No doubt w1s
very cool for little while, but candor compcs TO add
that he forced to abandon it, On the way we did
not coninc Ourselves to remarks about the intensity Of
tho suns heat the gathering in Of the harvest;
but several packs Of cards having been found the yore
game Of euchrc occupied large share OF attention Tho
ride altogether one Of the most pleasant have ever
had
Upon arriving at the fishing grounds, which, by the
way, are in the immediate vicinity Of pleasant grove
furnishing all the requisites for pic nckng, left the
various baskets of provisions and sailed forth to ps
catorial occupation. or the ladies had thelr
hooks bated first and before the young gentlemen could
get their lines in, the first fish had been taken and
their time fully occupied in batting the hooks and
securing the fish Az for myself kept throwing in and
pulling out, and occasionally would get small one
about long my little finger which at first thought
Of no use at ALL but afterwards found was the very
thing for bait-so that If could not catch lsh lit for
the fryingpan caught such served for halt, and
very good bait too for little fellow that IN evil
hour seized my hook furnished the bait which caught the
largest fish that taken. Well might the lady BE-
proud of him. although she very much frightened
when she found how difficult il was got him out Of tho
water, for he weighed not less than three pounds lie
one Of the largest jack -ish have over
But fishing did not progress without adventure
and terrible adventure liked to happen. lady
intent upon her cork which kept bobbng up and down.
that she lost her footing, and down she Into the
water and mud. young gentleman who was standing
ncar at tho moment spang forward TO assist her and in
his awkwardness threw another lady down, too, and
came pitching in himself At last however, oil
regained their footing, but in what sorry plight Mud
and water drppcd from their garments, and their hands
looked only hands look when dabbled IN soft mud
But this did not serve to danpcn the spirits OF persons
upon enjoying themselves to the best of their
ability; it only served rs food for laughter
In few short hours, however, the whole party
planned Of hunger 1t was most natural and you who
have not recently been fishing excursion cannot
imagine with what delight we heard the summons to
dinner and you, who hAvc not been old fashioned
picnic, cannot imagine with what xst the refreshments
partaken of told you that fish wcro caught anil
will tell you that 4h wcroeAtcn and rasrly
partaken of any with greater relish But besides tho
fish, thcro chicken and ham, and everything that
goes to make up substantial dinner Wine not
forgotten cake. In short 1t not long be-
fore every satisfied and the gentlemen could 30
seen strolling away with cigars in their mouths. This
however, proceeding to which the ladies' very
strongly objected
Several more hours spent In fishing and then,
welrcd out completely, the party started their return
Although the exuherance of spirits which characterized
their setting out gone still many light lest and hear
ty laugh attcsted the endurance OF tho fair sox Euch
WAS given up entrclythcy too tired for that But
the nights sleep that followed well repaid them GER
tany never enjoyed better one, and the
morning feeling much refreshed.
This not the only diversion Of my trip; but
have given you this description Of 1t In order she's
you that agreeable recreation can DO enjoyed without 20
ing to the Springs, whether they DO hot springs swe
springs springs Of pure, fresh, sparkling water.
know that enjoyed myself more than ever did at any
Of those places commonly rcsortcd to now-adays By
everybody, and have been 10 well pleased that am
thinking will take just another such trip In few
days. D.