The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-08-09
For @e Democratic AdsOcaie
DOWN TIE POTOMAC.
The Pleasures Of Merry Party as told by Our Cor.
iespondent-hi.hing and sailing-st Georges Is
land-Finey Point, Ske., &C.

tanh-finey FONT &c. DC.
g A trip down the river--just the thingp |
The momentus problem "Where shall we
spend our vacation ?" was at last solved.
Our party weFo at once unanimous on the
subject Some had favored the mountains,
others the sea-shore, and some the springs;
and while the advantages and disadvant-
ages Of She different places Of pleasure
were being discussed, the above from ono
of our members was heard.
1--WE don't want the formality Of wa
tering- place, we have no ''sisters and cous-
ins and aunts" to dispose Of, nor do we
want the limited amusements Of the noun
tains; we should have the free and easy
style Of which a saltwater journey will
admit; and let us be off tomorrow, for am
tired and sick of the sight Of bricks and
mortar and macadamized streets, and
temperature almost equal to that Of a
furnace"
There was no argument in these words,
but there was something that made us all
OF the same opinion as the speaker, and
We Immediately began our hasty prepare
tions. They were soon completed, and of
we went to the steamer George Leary,"
that was 50 grandly floating at the wharf
falling and rising with the waves, aud
straining her fastenings, as If, like our
selves, she were anxious to get away from
the city. There being no ladies' 10 our
party, Of course we were in good time, and
had opportunity, before starting, Of speak
ing with the obliging captain (Mr. Joseph
White) Of his charge. From him we fnd
the 'Leary" to be q new steamer Of the
Plant Line, and that she was recently put
on the line from Washington to Norfolk.
She is the largest on the river and the
fastest, and has been the meeps Of reduc-
ing the fare between the two places from
six dollars, round-trip, to one dollar fifty.
We felt gratifed to her for such bles
sing, and thanked the captain, and went
on deck to have a view Of the surround
ings as We went out.
At ten minutes after six we moved
slowly out Of the harbor, and after twenty
minutes ride reached Alexandria, which
is six miles distant from Washington,
where We found the "Lady Of the Lake, "
that had started before US, and as il was
bound for our destination, we anticipated
q race but she, not desiring the defeat
which was certain in case Of a race, very
prudeutly remained till we had gone.
The run down the river was most de-
lightful one, the weather being fine aud
our company first class and pleasant. The
Arsenal, Rozer's Bluff, Fort Washington,
Mount Vernon, Craney Island, Marshall
Hall, Glymount, and Blackiston Island,
oil points Of interest, were rapidly passed,
with good view Of each. There used TO
bo custom Of tolling the bell in passing
Mount Vernon, the resting place Of Wash.
ington. This pretty tribute is no longer
given, so we went by in silence; but il il
impossible for one to look at this beautiful
place in passing and think Of the great
man whose dust is there without having
ones patriotism aroused. In such case
il is something akin to awe-to love
As We glide along, Maryland's greer
shore is on the left and Virginia's on tn,
right. the bright sky ahapa ms, AniiaA ,v;ai
its many stars, and the blue waves beneatl
us, variegated by the phosphorescent spra,
that trails after us-all make for one
scene in which are blended grandeur
peace and happiness. We thought Of al
that was good, all that would tend to max,
US tranquil and happy, and we succeeded
We thought it an enemy were present W,
would take him by the hand, aud say fer
vently, 'God bless you. Indeed, at sucl
a time do we feel most the presence Of oul
Maker-mighty water, mighty sky, might!
spblimity
IL is now half-past eleven, and in on,
hour our destination will have been reach
ed but we are in no hurry to exchang
what can possibly be no better for ou
present station, for our boat is glidin,
along so lovely, so grandly, that
"A 10y intense. a cooling sense
Giides down my drowsy indoiencc"
As | look out | see, now and then,
star fall from its bright companions.
thought it strange that il would want l.
leave them; but then even the angels hay,
fallen from their glorious estate. Now
shut my eyes, and the boat rocks m
again in my mothers arms, and the mos
peaceful slumber ever had was diu,urhe,
by the cry Of ,spipey Point PASSENGER +
This was our landing. and The fine wa
liam.
AZ wa had made s.;n, Csorco,s Isl.,,
our objective poipt We onlv rema,ned !.
this piaee for n dav or 40 p;nev po;n
il abaut nioety two miles from W.sh;na
ton and Il much f,eouan,sd bv no-sot.
from that nlace Il 4 someth;1. ILL.,
v;Ilaoe w;tb ;,s lone 49, &c s.,,a,... 80
wbile n tbo m;d.t of 3ham s,.nd. n" Ies !
ill., a b;g and nrIv sohosI ,nasssr - - 80 80
The lille bouses syound !, ,ba, Ioot - -
,bev m;,bs h.vo oon,o A., 49, = =. ,oOs -, ~
hail Storm :" ''1'
Some of ,hs n,,oc;n.I .,,ro.,;ons or ~;
nlacs are H. haih;aa tsh;na s .s.hh;s. :, - =.
n,rr'hosrd we 49, ~, D.s .".ss ~. |.
leavo /, howev.r %, ~ ,nase..:."as 49, s =
vs,v lsrsa ;nSesd sna -. s;.oI' ,lnr,:r'', ~ :,
seem 10 have an ;isa ,ha, har ',,na, :. -.
The oua,itv az H. hlooS &c each aass, =. I
least iftv times ns, dsy ~
THE y.ch, aylIy;nr R,ona puh;.h !; .
misnomer be,ne IL rcad;ns.s ma No.
soon sa;l;ng hefora a. olaasn, -. =, !,