Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-09-09
Lower Potomac Correspondence.

M. Editor Bidding adieu to our friends
we arrived early on the river shore for the
purpose OF boarding the steamer, "Matana,"
for the City of Washington. On the beach
the mind seems for a time spell-bound under
the impression made by the dazzling flood
OF natures loneliness and grandeur. The
immense expanse of water as calm and
quiet as the complete repose of cloudless
summer morning could effect, with its bosom
as smooth as the surface of a polished mirror,
and dotted at grateful intervals by the white
canvas OF the trading vessels, and the great
precipitious banks at the back OF us nearly a
hundred feet in height with the foliage of the
largest trees spreading over their very edge
and casting its grateful shadow on the beach
below. The boat not being in sight when
we reached the shore gave us ample time
and opportunity TO realize and appreciate
the beautiful scene around us, and to recall
TO mind the hallowed scenes and associa-
tons of our boyhood connected with this
spot. With the most cherished companion
OF those classic days by our side as we sat on
the naked root of the old sycamore tree at
the river edge it was not difficult to bring up
the bright visions of those departed days
when the heart and brain were yet free from
contact with the severe problem of life which
"slcklies DER with the pale cast of reflection"
all our schemes OF enjoyment in later years.
Here amidst the palpable stiffness of forest
ana river In the perfect calm of the early
morning we have seen the red fox walk
boldly TO the water, step one foot in and
drink; and the eagle perch upon dead
limb away up over our head and the blue
king-fisher swoop down into the water and
rise with the fish in his beak And often
have we watched the change come over the
water and the calm surface broken into white
capped waves and the breakers roll laundering
the beach, and listened to the scream of the
gale. The smoke from the funnel of the
steamer appearing on the horizon the thread
our "reminiscences was broken, and getting
into the yawl boat We gently driited down
10 the lower end OF the bar where we rowed
out into the river and stopping the boat by
signaling her with our handkerchief we
Were taken aboard, and reluctantly parting
from our cherished relative we were soon
steaming towards the city.
The first object of interest on our passage
was the beautiful light house on Matthias
point bar. This light is one of the most
important adjuncts 10 navigation ON the Po-
tomac river, and we can remember many
unfortunate vessels grounding ON the bar
months and one we remember which ground.
cd and finally went 10 pieces there. The
house Is constructed of iron and glass, octa.
gon in form, and painted pure dazzling
white. II is Of three telescope stories and
Is supported on eight iron piles or posts
firmly braccd and bolted together, and the
whole building is surmounted by splendid
lantern of FURNISHED brass and crystal five
feet high. There is also house exactly
corresponding 10 this on the Lower Cedar
point bar just six miles further down the
river. These buildings are occupied the
whole year through, whether navigation is
closed by the ice or not
The view of the river and surrounding
country of Virginia and Maryland at this
point is Of unequaled beauty and extent,
there being an. area of at least one hundred
square miles OF water in full view. Saint
Thomas Chapel in Port Tobacco creek is in
full view, occupying a most commanding
position on a bold promont0ry above the
river This is grand old church, belong