Saint Mary's beacon., 1883-08-16
(FsOm the Baltimore Sun.
MAINLAND nr sumnER zmR.

Nd, August 4.-St. Mary's, Charles
and Calvert counties with part OF
Prince Georges. are the only parts Of
the State on the Western Shore where
old Maryland ways and habits and
old Maryland institutions still pre-
vail. Notwithstanding their accessi-
bility by water. for few neighborhoods
are far distant from a steamboat land
ing, they have always been secluded
societies, growing with their own
growth, and living their own quiet
social life ever since the political cap
ital of the State was moved to Provi-
dence, named the port Of Annapolis.
The removal of the records took place
about 1897, and since then the ancient
city has gradually faded out, until
to-day not a house remains to mark
the site where the policy Of religious
federation was born, and from which
it always controlled the province until
the removal of the seat of govern
ment. A visit from which I have
just returned to these historic scenes
was so full of interest and disclosed
SO many objects which ought to at
tract Marylanders, that I give you a
sketch of it. The counties Of Charles
and st. Mary's in their soil and pro
ductions are essentially different from
the general idea We have been edu-
Gated to entertain Of them. Instead
of a fat country of pines and sedge-
fields, of scrub oak and white sa1d,
it Is rolling land of hill and valley,
of fertile upland Of red clay and rich
river bottoms Of alluvial soil.
The part Of st. Mary's I drove
through is more fertile and more at
traetive than Charles, although some
parts Of the latter cannot be excelled
for beauty and fertility in the State
The road winds along through forests
of oak, walnut and beach, hickory
not being so general. But the growth
Of the trees is greater than | have
ever seen in this State or in Virginia
or the two Carolinas. There is a
grove of oaks at the residence of Mr..
Key at Leonardtown that is finer than
any l ever saw in the great parks in
England. One tree in particular
seven feet in diameter-is the most
superb specimen that can be conceiv-
ed. Along the road there are cherry
trees five and six feet in diameter and
some beeches were enormous. know
the mountain country pretty well
and ] believe that finer trees are now
standing in st. Mary's than anywhere
along the Blue Ridge. The ancient
village of Potu Paco, long since cor.
rupted into Port Tobacco, is the coun-
ty seat of Charles. It is the most
ancient town in the State, for it was
an Indian city when the place was
| first settled in 1884.
The valley of Port Tobacco creek
is one Of the most charming spots i'm.
sginable. Near the head Of it, on q
high hill. stands Linden, the home O
Hugh Mitchell, Esqr. From there
the view sweeps the whole valley
down Port Tobacco Greek, across tn,
broad Potomac, until the horizon il
bounded by the heights Of the Rap
pahannock fifty miles away.
On one side Of the mouth Of th,
creek is the manor Of Cedar Poin
Neck, on the other that Of st. Thomas
both the property of the Jesuits
They hold by original grant made il
1888. The hill Of st. Thomas i
crowned by st. Thomas's Church anC
the house Of the Jesuits. 1t sweep
| in bold lines down from the crown o.
three sides into the lowland, which
then spreads out into broad expans'
Of fertile, well-tilled acres. ArounC
this grand view the Potomac circles
| ike the silver border Of Achilles
shield, and binds three-fourths o
it, while beyond the green wood
Of Virginia shade off the whole. Th.
house Is the home Of the Fathers, whG
from there perform their duties 4
neighboring chapels and distant pa
rishoners. 1t is the second founda
| ton in Maryland.
Starting from near Cox's Station
on the baltimore and Potomac R1l
road, where / had enjoyed the olt
Maryland hospitality Of friend, w
drove through ChapticO, another In
dian town, by the small bays that ju
up into the land from the Potomac
generally named after some saint dea
to the hearts Of the piOns pioneers
until We reached LeonardtOWn. Tn
village is seated at the head Of Brit
tan bay. 50 called from the Honorabl
4 William Britain, the third secretary
/ 81 the proviace. who took up the lanl
along Its shores II Is on high hill
and on the side next the water is th
handsome seat OF Joseph Key, ESQ.
| the son Of the late Hon. II. G. l
Key. An before stated. the oaks ar
as fine a. can be found anywhere. Tn
situation Is perfectly delightfal.
Il The tayerns-old- -fashioned name
are unpreteintiouz inns. long, Low. wit
a luxurv Of porch and shade and COO