The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-06-04
THE BEAUTIFUL POTOMAC.
why county Seats are Mt Erected
ON Ifa rlaults.

Oh lth BhnHh.
"Thore, did you ever SEQ n moro beautiful
rlver" exclaimed an enthusiastic river man to
CRITIC reporter, as he extended his arm
toward the Potomac, which glimmered in the
summer sun, reaching away in the distance
like silver thread until II was lost In a mass
of green. THE CRITIC admitted that II was u
sight TO rejoice lover OF nature.
"Therc is not n more beautiful river In
America" continued the other. "rhe Hudson
is wldor In some parts, but II cannot present
more beautiful shores, high banks overhung
with trees, fine estates 1T for lord. There is
no reason why the Potomac should not be as
popular place for country residences as the
Hudson, no reason at all why"
"But the malaria, the chills, and inter-
rupted tho reporter"
"Yee, yes; the malaria. have heard OF
that often. Every time II stranger hears tho
name Of Washington city mentioned he says
10 bimeelf, 'MalaitaV Now, some people Will
have malaria any place. have known peo-
pic TO have 1t on hillside, two miles from any
stream OF water. They have 1t because proper
sanitary precautions are not taken. Now, II q
man Will live where there is not proper drain
age, or will not eat proper food or observe the
ordinary rules of health, he must not ex pect
TO remain healthy, don't care whether he is
down the Potomac or In the mountains. You
lot n man 90 down the Potomac, live properly,
eat properly, drink pure water, and take my
word for 1t he Will not have chills. I've known
people TO go down the river every year to camp,
and none OF them nre ever troubled with chllls.
They have a royal time, live on fresh 1sh,
oysters, fresh meats, drink pure milk, have
plenty OF fruit, and allow no fruit or vege-
tables to decay near them. The consequence
is there is no impure air near Them"
well, remarked the reporter, "what you
coy sounds reasonable"
"There have been those who know how to
live on the Potomac. There Is Arlington over
there; whero can you md nner estate2 Or
Mount Vernon, down tho river. These places
show the possibilities OF country seats on tho
river. There is really no reason why people
should not settle on the river to great extent,
except one"
"That Is because there is no railroad along
the shore TO bring the river banks into quick
communication with the city. Along the Hud.
can leave his country residence and reach
New YORK in an hour by the train. He can
leave the city In the evening and be at his
homo within short time, which no passes In
reading the news OF the day In the evening
paper. Now, II there was o railroad running
down the Potomac plenty OF business men
would build houses and live there. AS
It ts, the only means OF communication
are the river steamers. Excellent as they are,
and well adapted to their purposes they can
net give frequent and rapid communication
between the city and the surrounding coun-
try. They are especially designed for pleasure
trips, not for tho convenience OF tho hurried
business man. Then again in winter when
the river is frozen, so that no boats can run,
the people living on tho river who would have
10 depend on the boats would BIO cut or utterly
from the city. Last winter for four weeks the
river was closed. The same thing may occur
any winter. Now with such q prospect before
him you cannot expect anyone to make choice
OF home by the riverside. But let rail-
road be run down the river so that people can
always be sure OF obtaining access TO the city,
and you will speedily see tho river populated
as thickly as the Hudson River. In early
times wealthy people preferred to settle along
the river which became rival of tho old river
Thames IN its displays OF magnlncence and
gayoty. There Is no reason for tho wealth OF
the city going away or to the mountains or
eeashore when Just at our door almost are
plenty OF sites for the finest residences in
America. "By the way" he added as a con-
clusion, "Just make note OF the fact In THE
CRITIC, Will you, that n railroad should be
built down the river?"