The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-08-25
IVT TITO 1IDT1" UTtf IItItIIVUtI
A Trip Up the Potomac.

| We'll, here we are, afterarow on the Poto.
| mac of some three miles-a Chamber up the
rocks, a rest by the stream that comes gurg.
| ling down over the hills with its wealth OF
overhanging creepers, its moss, and fern
| covered banks. The cool ripple making one
| forget the long row in the sum- the toiing up
| the hill. Then on we go throgh the woods,
catching the scent of the pines-out into the
| open field, and we have arrived at one of the
highest points on the Virginia shore" Fair
View Farm" Equal to the height of the
Capitol dome; measuring from there five and
a.half miles and one hundred yards-a point
of interest during the late war, under General
| Hancock.
Mr. Donaldson, to whom this property has
belonged for many years, now some so years
| ofage, can give one many points of interest,
| having seen the Inauguration of every Presi-
dent for the last 60 years.
The boat.clubs have The privilege of this
farm, where many jolly picnic party
passes free, pure day in the shade of noble
| old chestnut which stands on an eminence,
extending its huge branches for yards around
the body measuring "a feet in circumfer-
ence-under which we sit, and view the
country for miles, with its green.dotted hills
of Maryland and Virginia, and the city lying
so quietly below, with its Capitol standing
out in bold relief.
| After quiet day, the shadows begin to
lengthen, and we turn our steps homeward,
down to the landing, into the boat, and away
we glide. Now comes the beauty of the river,
All along the shore, in scquestered hooks, on
| the many moss covered rocks which meet the
| eye at every turn one sees companies and
crowds; of hammocks swinging by the
branches of trees now and then snatch OF
song, ripple of laughter, n call for the echo;
and all is silent, save the dip of the oar, and
the murmur of the water. Venus comes
forth in all her resplendent glory, casting a
ray into the river like q young moon, until
she slowly sinks behind the trees Then
| Luna comes up behind the hills in her quiet
beauty and boats quietly move in the dis
lance. We drift on and on in tho still night
until suddenly we are aroused by the sound
of rushing water, and find ourselves in close
contact with the aqueduct bridge, from which
streams ofwater are pouring, and one thinks it
| impossible to go under without being soaked
Then voice rings out, wet or dry 2" which
means toll-a buss if dry, free if wet, and the
expert boatman steers through high and dry.
| On We go to the Doat-housc, with its red
light welcoming us Passing the bright
| Columbia, we reach the Potomac We land
and seek one of the numerous comfortable
chairs on the balcony overlooking the river.
These lighthouses are something worthy
of mention-the finest in the country beauti-
fully fitted up, ro0my and comfortable. Each
club gives its weekly hops which are partici-
pated in by those who wish "to trip the light
fantastic" In fact, the pleasures and comforts
of our city induce many fair ones to remain
for the season.
Washington is indeed ranking among the
healthtul cities of our country in its wealth
of foliage, its broad streets, and pure air.