Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-07-21
The Grand Southern Pleasure Grounds.

Correspondence of the Alexandria Gsxe&ts1
VI the many watering places that are
scattered along the shores of the lower Po.
tomac, the most beautiful and, by far, the
most eligible for q summers sport is that
pefect little paradise know Us '!The Grand
Southern Pleasure Grounds" situated be-
tween the river and Cognac Lake, in West
moreland county, Va. g..... So,
This is the only resort on the Viuinia
Shore of the Potomac, and it so far eciipses
all competitors on the other shore that it
may be said to stand without a rival south
of Cape May. @.i'..! sRfS> ss.5
The proprietors of this place have de-
parted from the regular routine of building
hotel and crowding their patrons into q
space eight or ten feet square, but in lieu
thereof they have erected number ofbeauti
iulJapanese cottages, the eappearance ofwhich
Is 10 say the least unique in the extreme.
Ihcse cottages are ranged up and down the
beach ut convenient distances from each
other, and arc both roomy and pleasant.
each having its little plot of greensward
Immediately i'll 'front.' between the cottages
and river, is 4 row of stately elems, beneath
which arc swung dozen fine old Mexican
hammocks, whose generous invitation to q
mornings nap or All afternoons siesta, is so
silently eloquent that it generally proves
irresistible - a. -
A fine pier juts far out into the surging;
tides, where those lucky specimens of hu-
manity who are able to snatch short
respite from the "realms of brick and
martar'' can sniff the summer zephyrs as
they come waiting direct from the foam
crested waves of the Chesapeake.
Boating, fishing grabbing, and oystering
can be enjoyed here to the fullest extent,
and to those who are fond of equestrian
sports, lie Grand Boulevard that extends en-
tirely around the margin of the aforemen-
toned lake, offers Il fine opportunity for
riding or driving
The Lower Potomac Yacht Club" have
their headquarters here, and many are the
moonlight excursions that are enioyed on
the deckEof their beautiful little flagship
the Silver STAR Sculling races are of
frequent occurrence and who knows but that
in The Sweet Bye and Bye" the old Poto.
mac will produce man that will prove too
tough customer for Ned Hanlan?
The dining saloom is a large airy building
where the fruits OF every cline and the
denizens of the briny deep vie with each
other in tickling the palate of the epicure
The bathing is unsurpassed on the Ameri-
cad continent, and the visitor has the choice
of bathing in the surf or in the quiet waters
of the Lake where the majestic swan dips
his snowy plumage. In the centre of this fine
sheet of water is a group of little green is
lands that appear like cluster of Emer-
aids set in the azure bosom of the
lakelct. There are also several points
OF interest in this immediate vicinity The birth
place of James Monroe is distant but mile: that
of Washington little furtheron, Colonial Beach"
is also in close proximity to "The Grounds" and
Mermaid Bower, near which Capt. Faunce q few
seasons since succeeded in entanging one of those
mystic maidens of the deep in the meshes of his
seine; but alas! e'er they could get her ashore
she had extricated herself from the coils of trcaeh
erous twine and, having p.ssed on the cork line
TO bid them fond adieu she returned to her ma
tive element a saddcr if not wiser maiden. She
was blessed with an unusual wealth of amber
tresscs and her eyes were of heavens own blue
What bonanza she would have been for Mr..
Barnum!
But the object that cXcitcs the greatest interest
is rock know as the DEVILS Seat" This rock. so
tradition has it. occupied by Monsieur LIE
Diablc during short visit to the outer world,
and those of lifes pilgrims who would form q
slight idea of the country that lies beyond the
stygian tides would do well to visit this SPOT and
sec what an impression his satanic majesty has
left upon this rock and its surroundings III fact
the whole country hereab0ut is full Of interesting
scenes and historical "reminiscences The mag
nifcent estuary upon which the grounds are stu
ated, bears striking resemblance to the bay of
Naples, the lofty heights of Spy Hill in the back
ground giving very tolerable idea of Vesuvius
as 1t appears to one approaching it from the Medi
terranean. ..sZ
This is without doubt the Elysian fields Of the
South and be visited daily on the palatial
steamers "Mattano" and "Arrowsmith." Go and
see it. AUGUSTINE