The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-05-20
VIEWS FROM THE MONUMENT.
The Range of Vision in Various Direc-

The Range of Vision In Various Djrec-
tions.
"No, said Colonel Casey to THE CmTic
reporter, 1--WE have made no record as TO
how far objects can be seen from the top
Of the Monument in different directions
IL would be impossible to prepare accurate
data on that subject for the simple reason
that you may see a certain distance at half
past twelve or half-past any other hour
during daylight, and at the next half hour
perhaps you can sec either u greater or
a lesser distance, according to existing at
mospheric conditions. Go and talk with
Mclaughlin about IT, He has been IN
there in all kinds of weather and ut all
hours
The reporter found Mr.. Mclaughlin
the superintendent, down at the Monu-
ment. He laughed when he was told
what was wanted. II can't tell you the
distances that can be SEEM he said, for
the reasons that Colonel Casey has given
you. 1t would be simply impossible TO do
anything of the kind. You see what
bright, clear weather it is to-day. Well ]
have been on top of the Monument just
such o day as this, and could scarcely see
any distance. Why, ] could not even see
the ground below. The cause? was in
n cloud that extended below and around
me and prevented me from SEEING
The situation of the Monument right on
the bank of the Potomac has something
to do with the range of vision. The cvap-
Grafton of water constantly going on,
though imperceptible to the senses, has an
effect on the atmosphere, and consc-
qucntly upon the range of sight. With all
conditions favorable a person from the top
of the Monument can see farthcst TO the
northwest and west. This is on account
of the elevated land in those directions. 4
little north of west can be distinctly seen
the peaks of the Blue Ridge, which are
sixty miles distant TO the west, Sugar
Loaf Mountain, ut Harpers Ferry, is in
distinct view.
"There was gentleman up there one
day. said Mr.. Mclaughlin, 'who was
from the Blue Ridge region He stood
there and pointed out the different peaks,
giving them their names. forget the
names which he told us. No, he did not
use glass. 1t was all with the naked eye
Toward the east nothing very distant
can be seem There is u range of hills
quite near, and beyond that there is no
elevated ground within range. Forty
miles is thought to be the limit Of vision
in that direction.
Southwark said Mr.. Mclaughlin II
have often seen vessels plying about the
river in the sunshine, rs far down rs
Quantico which is about thirty-iivc miles
distant. Between here and Quan'ico you
can get elimpses of the river a. it winds,
but on account of the bends you cannot
see the river continuously TO that point.
Mount Vernon? You cannot see the
house because of its surroundings, but the
point upon which it is situated is plainly
in view"
you might so up on the Monument
every day in the year. continued Mr.
Mclaughlin, "and on no two of those days
would you be able to see the same dis
tances in the same direction"
'WlIat is the best time and conditions
for long distance views ?'
After frosty night in the fall of the
year, about sunrise, or little after. The
worst time ? In rainy weather at any
time of the year and especially in ioggy
weather in the fall. Then you can sec
nothing but mist