Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-09-24

, WASHINGTON, d. c., September 20, 1879
Messrs. Editors "A trip into the country just
at this season Of the year IL reviving and health
giving to the last degree. Now that the weather
IL neither too hot too cold for out-ofdoor en-
ioyment, the temporary pastime Of a day out Of
the city Is even more preferable than week In
the swelterng sun OF hot summer vacation
So we thought one day this week rs we boarded
the little steam packet " Lexington for
TRIP ur THE RIVER
to the " Great Falls" Almost every one who
has spent any time in Washington has visited
this famous suburban resort, while to those who
have not we would say. be sure to go at the first
opportunity. The falls are dozen Of miles from
the city, and, although on the Potomac, you go by
the way OF the canal The Lexington " Is the
daily mail packet and for comfort, speed and
| safety IL equal to any Of our river steamers It
is, in fact, real miniature steamboat, small in
size but perfect in all its appointments. The deck
is neatly canopied to shelter the passengers from
the rays of the sun, while the cabin is the embodi-
ment of neatness and good taste The ride Of
some three hours from her starting point at
Georgetown to the falls, is made particularly en-.
joyable by the wild and picturesque scenery
through which the canal is built Even the most
mountainous portion Of our own loved Vermont
presents no wilder natural scenery than this.
Mountains covered by dense forests, the Potomac
running beneath, with Just enough space for the
canal between, make charming picture whose
very monotony only serves to heghten the en-
ioyment Of the tourist and traveller. Much Of
the country through which we pass seems an un.
broken forest, while occasionally we find meadow
rich with corn" such as Whittier describes in
| nft Era trhf
in that " clear September morn" the confederate
cheftain passed on his way to Frederick-which
Is only few miles distant from our objective
| point. Numerous "luck-" are passed on our
way, for, as we are all the while ascending the
maintain 1t is necessary to be elevated at FREE
quent intervals by this process The houses OF
the lock-keepers are about the only signs OF habi-
taton on the route, and they are of the rudest
construction. Stone houses are quite prevalent
in this part of the country, and now and then a
| log cabin Is seen. We go on and on, past the
"clain bridge" known by that name during the
war and called SO yet although now built of solid
iron, by the government, after Its destruction
during the war; past Cabin Johns bridge"
another government structure, seen but imper-
fecly in the distance; past the spot called "wide
Water" where the channel is eighty feet deep
cabins Of past ages" and finally arrive at our
destination.
| "TuE GREAT FALLS"
Here we find something OF n town, including a
| hotel store, and collection Of good-ooking
houses, but we stop not to reconnoiter we hear
the rush OF mighty waters and take our way
through the woods To see the falls. And the sight
that is here beheld is worth u days journey to
see. Another Niagara bursts upon our vision
and we stand entranced, thrilled through and
through at the grandeur of the spectacle The
scene is sublime even in its widest sense, while
the magnitude of it is almost appalling. Imagine
an area of say fifty acres or more cove ed with
| big boulders of rocks-nothing but rocks-in every
frm, size and shape, and then add a broad river
which, in its descent over this territory of rocks
freaks into a half dozen separate channels, and
Dmes seething, foaming bursting over as many
different precipices, all within one comprehensive
glance of the eye all roaring and rushing madly
down through this wilderness of rocks, in one
grand chorus of chaotic confusion, and you have
some little idea of " Great Falls" But its correct
description is impossible. The vastness of the
sight cannot be grasped and held by any pen and
| ink portrayer that ever lived. 1t has never re-
ceived its full share Of praise as grand specimen
| y,
inferior sights thrust upon our notice every
where and are universally extoed and admired
because they are scenes from another country
As one looks at this surging panorama his adm-
ration is heightened and intensified by new and
unforeseen beauties. Everything about the scene
causes his interest to grow and he leaves the spot
| with genuine regret Sight-seers are numerous
here every pleasant day. and many bring with
them the rod and line to fish for black bass
little way up the river is the town of Seneca,
| where the famous Seneca sandstone Is found, and
we see many specimens of its worth for building
| purposes as we look about the town on our re-
turn from the falls. Here. too, is where the
water is found which supplies the cities of Wash
| ington and Georgetown and the water works.
| which belong to the government, are supern-
tended by Mr.. Tom Sullivan, a resident here A
fine stone building is occupied by the works
where the supply of water is regulated for the
| cities twelve miles away. The residence of Mr.
Sullivan, situated on the HILL overlooking the
| village, Is n fine specimen of sandstone and In
| design Is great credit To the engineer who de-
signed this and numerous other buildings belong
ing to the government in this vicinty-Mr. Parker
H. Sweet Jr who was at one time employed in
the engineer corps under General o. +, Babcock.
Mr. Sweet is now, however, the proprietor OF
THE WEST END HOTEL
| in Georgetown, one Of the old landmarks of the
District, and the only rst-cass hotel in the city of
| Georgetown. Here arrived about dusk, after
| our journey which we vote to be the peasantest
trip out of Washington. Georgetown was once
| city OF much Importance, not only as business
center but as a port of entry. 1t is still lively
little town and the residence of great number OF
businessmen and government officials from Wash
| ington The surrounding heights are becoming
| very fashionable as summer residences, being
situated high enough from the river to be healthy
and commanding fine prospect OF the country
| roundabout. The West End, formerly known
rs the Union, was built nearly century ago,
and was we believe, the first hotel built in the
District 1t has stood the racket well, and with
| the improvements lately added is comfortable
| abode for both the traveller and the permanent
| resident. Around 1t cluster many hallowed asso-
| Citations OF days gone by-days that . tried mems
souls, OF the revolution and the times that made
our country what she is to-day. Being in direct
| communication with the capital and the various
departments by street-car line, 1t has from time
| immemorial been the resting-place of numerous
men Of state, and has received as guests such his
torical personages as Webster, Clay, John Ran
| dolph and John c. Calhoun During the winter
season 1t is the social center of a gay party, and
hops, banquets and soirees OF frequent occur
| renee.
| Georgetown has many other attractions which
might be of interest to note in this correspond
| ence at some future time.
| PERSONAL AND POLITICAL.
The national Democratic committee have held
meeting here during the week for the purpose
| OF patching up matters in New York. and bracing
| up the party In Ohio. But little is known by the
public as TO what was really accomplished One
fact in connection with the meeting, which has
| developed, is that every member of the COM
mites, except Barnum of Connecticut, denounced
TildeD, but that when 1t came to the question Of
where to go to get money, the committee
unanimous that Tilden was the man to supply It,
jeff. Davis has recently written letter, a copy
| OF which has been received here, in which he
positively refuses to allow his name to go before
the legislature of Mississippi as a candidate for
the United States senatorship.
Ms Kate Chase sprague, with her three little
children, arrived here last evening, and proceeded
at once to her country home, Edgewood.
| ~