The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-07-01
From the Rugby Monthlg.
The Ancient Metropolis Of Maryland.

advantage OF this opportunity to visit the
historic ground whore once stood the an.
eient city of st. Mary's, formerly the cap
ital Of Maryland Leaving Leonardtown
in company with the rector Of st. Andrews
and Poplar Hill churches, We first visited
those old churches, which are the pride
of the good people Of St. Marys County.
| will not describe those buildings at the
present time, but viii remark that Poplar
Hill church stands almost on the site Of the
first Church Of England, erected in the prov
ince of Maryland. In wandering through
the old graveyard. | noticed many old tomb
stones. Among them saw horizontal
slab still in good preservation, with the
following inscription:
"Near this place Lyes Inter the Rey'd.
Leigh Massey. He was educated at Ok
ford, Rector of this parish, the darling of
his Flock and Beloved by all who knew
him. He dyed January 10, 1928 aged
90"
Another stone which is to the memory
of a child, Joseph Holt, who died 1901,
is probably the Oldest tombstone now re.
naming in Maryland.
We left Poplar Hill Church at about 4
7. NJ, and after few miles ride the
beautiful st. Mary river with its enchapt-
ing landscape burst upon our view. This
river penetrates from the Potomac about
twelve miles inland, where it terminates in
little forked bays which wash the base of
the woody hills. In the distance we could
see St. Inigoes creek flowing into the St.
Mary's-and between these rivers lies the
beautiful plain on which once stood the
city Of St Mary's which had been the seat
of the Lord Proprietary's Government for
more than sixty years. After viewing the
magnificent scene for short time we were
carried across the river in sail boat
kindly loaned to us by gentleman resid-
ing near the river. Arriving at the other
side, we were met by the Rev Mr.. Hun
ter, the rector of the parish, at whose
house we were most Hospitality entertain
ed by himself and his charming family.
We spent delightful evening, deeply in
terested with the many "reminiscences
related by our kind host, and retired finally
with the intention of visiting the places
of interest on the following day.
We arose quite early the next morning,
and after eating an excellent breakfast,
our friend told US his carriage was ready
and as our time was limited, we started at
once. "Where shall we go frst?" said l.
"To Rose Croft by all means" said Mr..
H. As "Rose Croft was the residence of
Blanche Warden, the beautiful heroine Of
Hon. j. P. Kennedy's charming novel
entitled "Rob of the Bowl we readily
assented, and were soon on our way. AT
ter ride Of about half a mile, we arrived
at our destination, where we soon formed
the acquaintance of the present owner of
Rose Croft. This ancient building stands
upon the high bank formed by the union
Of St. Inigoes' creek and St. Mary's river,
built ofimported brick, and was built before
the year 1888. Mr.. Anthony Warden, the
father Of Blanche, performed the duties Of
the collector ofthe proprietary revenues in
the port, having received from his patron
and friend, Cecilus Calvert, the grant Of
large tract Of land stretching along the
creek of St. Inigoes. After taking stroll
through the garden, with its trellised and
vine-clad gateways, and walks lined with
box, we were invited to enter the house BY
represent proprietor, whom we found to be
apolite and courteousg gentleman, who kindly
showed us every thing Of interest about
the house. The rooms are large and en-
bellished with carved wainscots and
profasioE Of chiseled woodwork. al
most imagined l was living in the days
Of Lord Baltimore, and would not have
been much surprised if the genial Antho-
ny Warden had presented himself before
US, with 'his embroidered coat Of drab
velvet, with wadded skirts and huge open
cuffs, his lace wristbands, his ample vest
and white lambs wool hose rolled above
his knees, his buckled shoes and three-cor-
nered hat" Before leaving the house,
we were shown the stairway, down which
Kennedy tells us, Blanche was carried in
the arms Of Master Cocklescraft when alb
Quoted by this notorious buccaneer.
Leaving Rose Croft, we next visited
the site of the old capital and metropolis
of Maryland, but alas, the only remnants
of the old city Of St. Mary's that can be
found are few scattered bricks, the moul-
dering and shapeless ruin of the ancient
State House. Near. the wreck Of this
early monument of the founders Of Mary
land, stands Old Trinity Church, in the
building of which church many Of the old
bricks were used.
The State House, it is said, was cruci-
form, and faced the west bank Of st. Ma
rvs river. The building was for more than
a century consecrated to the worship Of
Ooe. ~ ActcAcucc W tnt lUufudi 9t Tile
Upper House of Assembly, st. Mary's,
10th Of May, 1852, it win be seen that in
that year the State House was in ssruin.
ous condition" that in short time there
after, .'if not speedily repaired, it must
inevitably fan to the ground and that
measures were then taken for its new Gov
ering and making necessary repairs there
Of" The first settlement made by Leonard
Calvert with two hundred colonists, sent
out by his brother Lord Baltimore, was
called "St. Mary'sp in honor Of their
Queen, and their two vessels the aArk''
and the "Dove" arrived in ST Marys
river in March, 1854. In few years
Sc Marys city grew rapidly, as il was tho
baronial seat Of the lords proprietary Of
Baltimore, but now the ancient city has
entirely disappeared and has become track
less and tokenless. She has left nothing
but her name and few mouldcring bricks
There yet remains the fallen body Of an
old mulberry tree, under which Il Is said