National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-05-26
A BRUSH WITH THE OARS.
rHR UsDIxE-x RACE rms
AFTERNOON

AFTERNOON.
Desestptsen 81 tire Grew. ssa Csurse-asy
Times On the River-An Aquatic Fets 10 he
Held This Evening.
On the cast hank Of the Potomac, Of the foot
OF New Hampshire avenue and street, mid
way between the historic Long bridge and the
no-sccount Aqneduct bridge, in full view of
the wharves and shipping Of Georgetown, d.
rectly opposite to the island from which il
takes its name, stands one Of wsshingtan's in
stituticns-the boat-house Of the Analostan
Club. The structure Is cminently worthy of
the gentlemen composing the association, well
adapted TO the purpose to which il Is devoted
and Is among the finest and most commodious
Of its class In the country. OF semi-Gothic
architecture, its proportions are admirable, and
with its peaks, gables and balconies il presents
from the outside an appearance at once pic
tureseue and substantial. Entering by the
main door, the visitors stand in the boat room,
hfty by eighty. feet in size, and q novice in
aquatic sports eazcs with pleasure upon some
and with curiosity and wonder upon other Of
the vessels stored therein. for they comprise
every variety known in rowing circles, from
the splendid ten-oarcd barge to the frail look
ing single-scull paper shell, many the prop
erty Of the club and the remainder belonging
along the sides are q hundred Of bright-biaded
oars ready for use. First in order Of the boats
is the old
EiGHT-oARrD RARGE FALCON,
which locks rs trim and staunch % Il did
years ago. When owned by the Falcon" club
IL was pulled from their bcat-house ON the
canal, rzst Rips Island into the Potomac,
thence down stream, carrying each day merry
Passengers to favorite haunts. Many changes
have come TO the strong Arms which then
tagyed at the can, to the jolly guests who then
hlled the extra seats, but the old crAft, I'M
mindful Of this, wears its age with gracious
dignity, and rides the waters with precious
burdens As safely rs il did in tho long ago
By its side is a companion Of modern build,
the ten-oarsd barge "Analo<san,r which, in
addition TO the crew. is capable Of carrying
seventeen passengers. Although young in
years, the sight Of this, as well as Of its vencr
able and less pTetentious companion. suggests
to the present members and their guests many
agreeable recollections.
SHORT RETROSPECT.
shows. painted in the bright oolors Of youth
and health, 4 series Of mind pictures well
worth viewing. With wonderful similarity
the foreground Of all, though grouped differ
entity. consists of tho same subjects. In each is
a moonlight night, placid sheet Of water,
music Of oars, beautiful songs, mocking echoes,
chambers up rocky sleeps. dancing. refresh
meuts, blazing bonfres and homeward hound;
but the perspcetivos all differ. In them even
the most Acute Of Observers sees only the neery
clouds lending light and shade and harmony;
yet behind this veil the limncrs have concealed
with skill the choicest portions Of the picture,
the hundred and one unseen yet none the les
palpable incidents Of happy journeys in which
they were participants: the curious thoughts
busy imagination sent surging through the brain;
the castles buiIied but to be dcstroyed-all rare
treasures in the stoTchouse Of memory, and
en- NJ led viii tal.tA INNR oh aW.s
smaller boats recall To the gentlemen recIcative
labors, returning strength, increasing vigor Of
chest and limb, laudahle ambitions, generous
rivalries, wellcarned victories and honorable
defeats.
FrOm hi. foor by stairways on either side
the second story is reached. Ii is divided by
Railways fifty feet long and eight feet wide,
which open into the club sitting rooms, the
bath and wash rooms, &c, each fitted up with
all the modern convenience. To the right
are the ladies' retiring rooms and the club
paIlor, from which the north balcony n
reached This room is finished in beautiful
style. and flushed with mirrors, marble-top
table,, sofas, easy chairs and other furniture To
match On the centre table Is
AN AUTOGRAPH ALBrN,
which contains the names Of many Of the dis-
tinguished gentlemen and fair ladies known In
Washington society, and the dates on which
they honored the club with their presence
The west thirty feet Of this story by the entire
width. 6ffy feet, Is the club sitting rom. The
ceiling is . cone, fancifully finished in hard
wood, and with side walls tastefully painted
with blue and drab; the floor Ii Of ash and
walnut, md Is always we'll oiled; the windows
are Of blue and white frosted GAS, the club
colors,l and the artificial light, when any is
needed, Is furnished by three cight-brancb
bronze chandeliers.
Tha walls an orysu.n,.5 ,r;,h . ,.;x ~ a..
photographic groups Of the members Of the
club, just completed BY Brady, and club colors
Of various designs, arranged with becoming
taste. Hanging baskets Of everereens are sus-
pended from the ceiling at convenient dis
tanccs, and between them gilded cages con-
..,nias cnnaries. A bne Steinway 4 Sons
piano occupies s.rusairsrt position, and the
remainder Of the furniture eolr:-ls o. ns.scui
tables and settees and easy chairs Of walnui
and ash On one Of the tables stands the log
book, containing records Of many memorable
trips, the crews who rowed, and the guests who
Eere entertained. From the sitting room,
through three large sliding doors, the visitors
step upon the ~cSt or main balcony fifty by
twenty feet in sine, from which beautiful
view in all directions Is obtained. She gentle
men Of the club are among the best kh0rn u
the social circles Of the Capital They take q
proper pride in its cunduct and maintenance.
and their house Is pleasant and popular re-
sort During the season, after . row up the
river, they loiter in groups On the balcony q
in the sitting room, enjoy the evening breezes,
and, with music and conversation, while away
the long evenings which the heat renders al
most unendurable in the crowded city. OF n
truth it Is . goOdly thing to belong to the
ApAlostAn.
TIE RACE TO-DAY.
For some time past the principal topic Of
conversation in boating circles has been the
contest between the Undino Cub, of Balti-
more, and the Analostans Of this city which
takes place a. $50 O'Clock this afternoon, and
about the house Of the latter for several days
the busy members have been making the 10
9uisite arrangements for the event. They
have made up their minds that there shall he
no cause Of complaint from either visitors or
spectators, and arc working hard to satisfy all
The race will be for = set Of club oolors And
. present mot yet decided upon) to the indi-
yidual members OF the winning crew. It will
be two miles in . straight course, starting from
a point above the q street wharf, down the
river n mile, round stake-boat and return.
This course was selected because full view Of
the race from the start to the finish can he had
~ the SPECTATORS from the wharyes in George
town, and all slong the seawall from @ street
to opposite where the stske-boats are anchored.
As 10 usual In such cases the river viii be
crowded with crafts Of various kinds. and %
secure a clear course 4 signal gun will be fired
three minutes before the start Al this signal
Il 10 expected all those in boats will promptly
row TO the side Of the river but in order TO in
sure il thcye will be six patrol boats with a
Metropolitan police officer in each. The tug