Evening star., 1884-07-26
PICNICING ON THE POTOMAC.
How q Foreigner Views and Enjoys
the Entertainment.
Correspondence of THE EVENING STAR:


Yesterday found me substantial unit Of a pic
mic party, who embarked on board the "Jane
Moseley" bound for Blackiston Island, and the
object Of this rgmarole letter is to record in the
flimsest way in the world foreigners impress
sion OF things in general, and Potomac people
and picnics in particular.
Yesterday was just the day suited for a trip
down the historical river; the air was clear. the
sky was vaulted sapphire, while the heat Of
the summer sun was tempered by cool and re-
freshing breeze. Punctually at the advertised
hour, the steamer, after sundry hoarse unfem-
nine like shrieks from her whistle, slipped her
hawsers, and glided into the sluggish stream
OF the American tiber. There was a fair
crowd of picnicers and holiday makers
on board-fair in quality as well as
quant1ty-most OF whom were seated In little
irregularly arranged family groups under the
deck coverings, and nearly all of whom indus
tr1ously quizzed their nelghborS for the first
few minutes, at any rate.
The favorite "coign Of vantage selected by
fair women and brave men was under the for
ward awning. while a brass band literally pro-
Vlded oy the management, did their level best
to contribute to the days enjoyment. | have
often wondered, and In the name of all that is
musical or otherwise, still continue to Won
der why the conductors of these bands on these
joyous occasions invariably select the most mel
ancholy and dOleful tunes in their repertoire
This particular band exhibited plenty Of talent
and should these lines reach your eye. Mr.. Con-
ductor, pray do change your very next pro-
gram, and mix few more lively airs with It,
once fairly under way, the two principal OBJ
jects attracting attention were the gigantic Ma
tional monument, soon to be the tallest ar
tifcial structure in the world, and the graceful
dome Of the Capitol floating In the summer air
like some huge fairy bell. The view of this glo-
rious pile never pals. Like Ulysses, Ihave seen
many lands, and without doubt the Capitol is
the finest civic building in the world and O
splendid monument to republican progress. 1t
is thing Of beauty and the remembrance of it
will remain joy forever
A few miles down the storied river is the
quaint old city Of Alexandria, resembling some
Old World seaport town, where our steamer
stops for a minute or two to swallow up hand
ful OF Virginia picnicers, laden with the indispen
sable basket and Overburdened with the Omnip-
Otent baby. Shortly after leaving Alexandria, the
frowning gray battements Of Fort Washington
are seen. and on the opposite shore, as one is
reminded by the solemn toliing of the steamers
bell, the Mecca Of the New WOrld-Mount Ver-
nOn-comes in sight, where nesting amongst
grand old trees. the remains of the illustrous
Washington have found quiet resting place on
the soil Of the dear old home he loved so we'll
The river on both sides is fringed with lovely
trees, decked out in all their summer drapery
while the undulatlng background is one mass Of
luXurant greenery.
Not long after Mount Vernon is left behind.
the water gradually changes from mild ochre
to faint green, and now and then an occasional
Whit of genuine salt water Cor it may be ozone)
is gratefully waited amongst the l0tus gather
ers. Then the noble river widens until 1t nearly
approaches the dignity of an inland sea in
embryo, and on its broad bosom whte-sailed
schooners lend life and variety to the scene
Shortly after the sun is hfgh materfamilias
gathers her brood together, and in some cozy
corner the serious business of her day begins
The family basket is ransacked: knives and
forks clatter against the native hedgewood. and
a familiar black bottle Is uncOrked, and the pic
mic festival has begun. AS dinner is one of the
many human infrmities that really deserves ten
der treatment, even at the hands OF a scribbler,
l shall draw veil over the picture, and allow
the reader to finish the repast to suit his or her
own particular taste, so as not to offend the dear
old lady by minutely prying into the contents of
her basket.
A coterie of grave and reverend signeurs
lsomebOdy says they are all Senators). monopo-
lize private table where forensic wisdom puffs
vigorously at choice cigars and moistens its lips
with depressing soda or lively cocktail, and
passes the happy hours away studying familiar
pieces Of pasteboard which lying history SAYS
were inventedfor the amusement of an mbecile
king
Everybody seems in excellent spirits, and al
though there is a fair numerical show of passen-
gers. there is no crowding or rude jostling so
familiar to Old world travellers: one and all are
courteous and agreeable, and ever ready to sink
their own indiyiduality-a noticeable trait and
characteristic of American people at home and
abroad. Active but decaying looking colored
curates in wrnkled white ties hover backwards
and forwards anticipating the liquid orders of
the guests. and on board of our river steamer
all goes merry as the traditional marriage bell.
After making detOur nearly round the island
the steamer at last pulls up (after five and half
hours hard steaming distance of eighty miles)
at little fragile stage by courtesy called pier
a ra 10 6nI JooJ--t
island. Good humOred groups spread them
selves and their edible treasures out on the
green sward, beneath some friendly shade trees.
and these pictures, with all the lovely surround
ings, are as artiscally arranged as if the genius
Of Whistler had planned them.
Others again hurry down to the beach and via
dressng-rOom and baggy suit of blue flannel
plunge into the tepd and refreshing water. (By
the way, let me suggest to the responsible
parties that the semi-diaphonous dressing-rooms
would be made much more comfortable to Wis
ltOrs II such luXuries as a dressing glass and
comb were placed in each of them. as travellers
usually do not hamper themselves with their
dressing bags on these occasiOns).
Some partake of an al fresco dinner supplied
BY the management for very moderate sum-
Others flock, generally in pairs, although coveys
are sometimes seen, to the handsome pavilion and
dance to the strains of the much maligned band,
but the music on this occasion is irreproacha-
BILE. Even the hostages to fortune are not
forgotten, as well constructed merry-go-round
spins merrily for their especial amusement The
accommodation on the island is not quite so
complete as the arlington" There is a Robin
son CrusOe air about it, but every
thing is neat and clean and SEEM
ingly fairly well managed Independ-
emily of the cheap fare. it is worth the journey
just to enjoy peep at the lovely river scenery
and to revel In the fresh air and repose of Black
iston island even for q couple Of hours. at
the expiration of which the Jane Moseley audi
bly, expresses her impatience to get home and
a few minutes after this signal away she goes
again full speed for Washington via the sleepy
hollow OF Alexandria.
Dancing between decks in the cool of the
evening constitutes the serious business Of the
return journey, but long before the lights OF
Marshall Hall flicker in the distance the spirits
of the dancers flag, the music dies sudden and
unnatural DEATH the bar itself Is all but de-
serted, drowsiness takes possession Of US all
slight bump acquaints some Of us that the Jane
MOseley Is alongside Of Alexandria pier and
then a long and tedious delay at Washington
before the steamer could be got alongside Of the
landing. Rather more than fourteen hours after
embarking We are once more landed safely and
soundly at Washington; and let me add that
the excursion is really delightful one. while
the management will pardon me If give a
Parthian shot by saying that II the steamer is
kept q little cleaner. if chairs are busted and
carpets are swept and all that sort of thing
they will add materially to the comfort and
pleasure of their patrons.
/ am, sir, your faithful servant, r.
The Pennsylvania railroad company have pur.
chased 125 acres OF Land at Freedom, Pa, for