Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-05-29
THE BRANDYWJNE E
As IL WAS seen Through the Eyes of
an Appreciattye Artist-RafIrOad
Progress.

an Apprecistive Artist-RaiIroad
Progress.
Amid the murmur of rushing waters, the
cool tanning of the west wind, the twittering
of birds and the monotonous droning hum OF
innumerable columns of May flies with a
clear sky high overhead on one side, graceful
elms and naples tlecked with the dainty green
of early spring at ones feet, the river splash
ing along in glittering eddies, circling and
bubbling and flashing in the hot sun. rushing
past great monoliths whose ponderous masses
stretch prone athwart the current like
petrified relics OF some long gone'by
cycle, some semi. submerged the rush
ing waters Just skimming their broad
brown backs in clear pellucid wave,
others in large clear outline sturdily oppos-
ing in mid stream the ever battling current
these are some of the pleasures of a stroll
along the Brandywine. Near us, the water
full of deep brown shadows and golden re-
Elections; beyond, in the bright sunlight, a
capped wayeiets marking the rocky character
of the creeks bottom. There Is the grate-
full scent of wood plants and grasses that
seems, at this season of the year
to appeal more to the mental perceptions
tLan to the grosser senses. There arc the
queruous cry OF the king fisher, the noisy
quarrelsome chatter of the wren and the
strident note of the dingy blackbird as it
| hastily ilits to the opposite bank. In the dis
tance, across the level line of the dam a
verdant green sward has its peaceful effect,
aided by the dropping willows and lordly
elms, ths latter standing out erect against
| the sky, their delicate feather like frouds
merging in the hazy atmosphere beyond.
| The woods and river banks are covered with
creeping vines and numerous flowers, purple
| and yellow volets dogwood, dai.ies and
whitethorn. The botanical student will find
the locality an excellent analyzing haunt.
CruciferW, rosace, lilacH, yiolacG and the
commoner orders are already abundant.
| Numerous parties of young people either
strolled along or reclined in the shade,
| famed by the cool breeze from the river.
Others, i'll gay attire, bravely tramped the hot,
| sunny race path. Some indulged III the
gentle art of 1zaak Walton, and patiently held
the rod. Sun fish, roach and suckers were
their reward. Just above the dam, Thomas
Mellon had the honor OF catching the first
bass of the season,a struggling infant of four
inches in length, which was carefully returned
to its home by the considerate angler.
No city in this country has more beauti
full suburban resort than the Brandywine
ought to- be Park A magnificent gorge
stretching up in wooded nights on either side
| of the river with beautiful reaches of green
sward, moss-grown rocks and soft leaf.
covered tracks up the hill sides. 1t is the
only landscape feature available rs a show
place to visitors. School children strolled
along arm. .in-arm in numbered enjoyment OF
nature. Some boys, preceded by their lively
companion, a Scotch terrier, who rushed
busily ahead, barking vociferously
and officiously poking his nose into
every bush along the way, seemed
intently occupied in settling a matter
OF deep import to themselves, probably the
last base bail match. Across the river, in tn,
quarry above the first dam, pair OF king
tishers have built their nest. Some boy
tried to climb up but fortunately the rock wa,
too precipitous for the plunderers, and tn,
birds home is safe. Numbers of citizens witt
their children, whose arms were laden witt
wild flowers, passed along Some had quaint
ties OF slippery elm and other treasures from
the woods.
About o'clock in the afternoon passen
ger car passed along the Brandywine brancl
of the p, w. ~ b. 1t contained Messrs
Garter, Kenney, Hippy (the chief engineer
and other officials of the road. Their
were a conductor and brakeman aboard and
tlagman went before the train all the way up
The top of one of the knolls near the rallwa,
bridge WAS afire, and there was brisk blaz
for about so yards space, considerable
smoke and a cracking of branches.
The derrick at the railway bridge has beel
removed to the south side of the river an,
the stone piers will soon be commenced. TIL
contractor expects to have considerabl
trouble with the water but less excavation b
do than on the other side. A wooden shed il
to be put up and telephone come ction mad
with the exchange.