Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-07-23
The Great Falls by Moonlight.

The evening was bright and beautiful and
| all nature refreshed by recent showers wore
her sweetest aspect. With buoyant spirits
and happy hearts our party consisting OF
few ladies and gentlemen started for the Great
| Falls of the Potomac to meet there party Of
Washingtonians who like ourselves were anx-
Gus to see the Falls by moonlight. AS our
goodly team hurried US along this romantic
and picturesque route, 1t would be difficult
10 imagine the exquisite sense Of pleasure
which we derived from the charming rural
scenery with its rich harvests Of golden sheaves
dotting the hillsides, in pretty contrast with
verdant meadows and waving cornhelds -
agreeable company, the soft evening air, and
the balmy fragrance Of the woods had each its
peculiar charm. As the shades Of evening
were gathering about US we reached the heights
which command fine view Of the beautiful
Potomac as ii winds its devious course along,
leaping from crag to crag, repeating TO every
shore the moral and mystery Of human life
The golden beams of the setting sun with such
transcendent loveliness lit up the sparkling
waters OF the river, that it seemed like sea
of enchantment with its myriad fountains in
full play, forming succession Of gorgeously-
tinted rainbows. We gazed with inexpres-
sible delight upon the sou-flling majestic
beauty OF the scene. The last retreaiing rays
of the setting sun had vanished behind the
western bills, aud the moon rising in cloudless
splendor cast her soft tremulous light over the
grim battlemeuts of nature ranged along the
shore whose rugged fronts frowned back the
silyery sheen to the ripping waves as they
hurried past in sportiye glee, mingling their
music with the song Of the water sprie. The
sweet mellow cadence of the boatrnan' horn
and the merry gingle Of the mule teams told US
w5were at our destination. After seeing our
horses cared for, we repaired TO the Cromelin
House and there waited for the Washington
party with much anxiety, but our suspense
was soon relieved, ms they presently hove in
sight. The first vehicle containing charming
addition which made us feel Annd- mated, next
came the omnibus containing all except the
last, which contained BELIEF and that of the
finest metal, too, as will be presently shown.
Among this goodly company there were bright,
familiar faces-faces we bad not seen for
months, and which gave us peculiar pleasure
10 look upon again. Then there were others
that were strangers to us, but whose bright,
amiable faces and sweet voices made US feel
that they were no longer so. After exchang-
ing the civilities of the evening, with the as
sistance of our polite and efficient driver, the
ladies gathered together the good things that
they brought, and in less time than it takes
10 write it had prepared most sumptuous
entertainment, consisting Of all the delicacies
of the season. IT'S hardly necessary to men
ton the number of luscious crabs that were
eaten-but enough, indeed, to make us crab
bed for some time to come, if such nice things
could have that effect. The supper over ; un-
der the skillful guidance of the polite and
facetious DR.. b., who consented to act as our
guide, we started on this perilous trip over
the rocks. The Doctor, however, was equal
10 the emergency. AS he conducted us along
the dangerous pathway in single file we ever
and anon caught the sound of his cheering
voice as it echoed from rock TO rock, and saw
feint gimmerinps Of the phantom light as he
suddenly turned some sharp angle, or Chamber
ed up the steep ascent, displaying all the grace
and agility Of the chamois hunter. AT length
We reached the perpendicular rocks that jut
over the roaring cataract, which PUSHES with
wild and deafening fury and, with quick re-
bound, dashes the sparkling spray in fantastic
beauty, as it glistens for moment under the
moonbeam. There were several amateur ar
lists and poets along, who were eager 10 get
the most favorable position, with the view Of
exercising their genius in portraying this
grand panorama, about to burst upon the
right. Preparatory to being ushered into the
presence of such sublimity, we requested Ma
jor C's, charming wife to sing some low, sweet
ballad as counferpoise to our elevated feel
ings. As the soft, subdued tones of her voice
filled the air-the gentle breeze the murmur-
ing waters, the lofty rock, and, above all, the
smiiiHS muoui IL iuhue up picture WUlcH
will ever live in memory. Our minds being
sufficiently toned down to NEE: the dazzling
splendor of the falling waters we moved for
ward TO the point designated. The scene
breaks upon us What words can describe
What language can convey the sublimity which
there met the eyer There is a power and
beauty, yea, dignity, in rushing waters felt
by all who claim any sympathy with nature.
The mountain stream roaring from rock to
rock, winding aud glancing in its devious,
stony channel, arrests the eye Of the most
careless heholder, and sings to the heart and
haunts the memory of the cultured and refined,
but noble, majestic river like this, pouring
its foaming, angry waters with laundering
sound over jagged, PERCEPTIONS rocks, elevates
and, at the same time, suhdues the soul rs in
an awful and heavenly presence-Deity-th
brooding, commanding spirit is there. "Deep
calleth TO deep"
We very reluctantly tore ourselves from the
fascinating grandeur of the scene and return
ed TO the Cromeln. There we found a table
spread with delicious refreshments which we
enjoyed in the highest degree after our rugged
exercise The refreshments finished, we dis
coursed awhile about the incidents of the night
and then parted with our riverside friends
the memory Of whom will be always cherished
in our heart of hearts **<.