National Republican., 1888-05-13
BEAUTIES OF GREAT FALLS,
TIE SPOT MOST ACCEPTABLE TO
PLEASURE SEEKERS,
Delightful Drive Through Woods and
by Water - Grand and Majestic
Talls-Enchanting View of the Poto-
mae and Scenery on its Banks.

OF all the beautiful resorts around Wash.
ingtou none will SO well repay visit of the
pleasure seeker as trip to Great Falls.
Those magnificent rapids, sixteen miles up
the Potomac, at an elevation Of seventy
feet, may be reached 10y delightful drive
over fine conduit road stretching for miles
along the river shore or 10y the more romau-
tic voyage up the broad canal upon some
one of the coy little steam craft
which daily ply back and forth. Choosing
the latter on recent bright spring morning
Il gay party of young men and matdeus, ac-
CUmpaniCd, Of course, by Il proper number
of chapcroncs set out from the wharf at
the foot OF Thirtysecond street, George
town, and about seven miles up the canal
stopped for better view of the superb arch
known as Cabin Johns bridge. This is an
immense span of 99o feet, said to he the
largest single span arch In the world, and
complete triumph of engineering skill, situ
atcd in Que OF the most picturesque pOr-
tons Of the Maryland shore. Stand
beneath the curve, and utter clearly some
short sentence, and Instantly II will he
caught UP hy the echoes and repeated
word for word, like mocliing voices, from
The heights above with wonderful distinct.
ness. The origin OF the name given the
place is doubtful, hut It is generally sup.
posed to have been derived from an old
hOatman who many years ago built hi>
cabin and made his home upon the
spot. Now handsome hotel stand.
upon the summit, with pavilions and broad
balconies, where one can find plentiful re.
frcslmcnts both for man and beast. Lcay-
ing this attractive spot the view as one as
ccnds grows more and more beautiful.
The straight banks of the canal become
Irregular and diversified, until at length
there Is lroadcncd out before one the most
picturesque little lake, studded with
Islands. which in the autumn presents every
shade of brilliant foliage, and in May
haunts of fairies, with every twig
and leaf faithfully depicted in its clear
depths. The effect is magical. and
through the bright green Of the woods,
thick with oak and maple, one can catch
glimpse Of the river winding between tall
cliffs and wooded shores bearing upon its
bosom tiny sail boats darting hither and
thithcr.
BY Il succession of locks, rising eight
feet above each otheE- the end
is reached of the four hours
Journey and the comfortable hostlery
gained After resting for while the party
wandered forth armed with sun shades,
shawls, and lunch baskets to the huge
houldcrs of rock beyond the canal, reached
winding pathway unsurpassed for rural
lovcincss. They emerged upon sight
which for rcauty and grandeur cannot he
eXCullcd.
Tie rushing rapids sweep malestically
along, breaking into fOamng aud silvcry
torrents as they approach the fall, then
pungng down with noise like the
onward rush of an avalanche sending q
cloud like spray many feet into the air
Lcapimg and tumblng over the rocks they
dash onward toward the city, swccpingaw away
every obstacle before them, until, ap-
parcntly having spent their vio-
cnce. with gradually decreasing
fuicCs they become lost in the Little Falls
about eight miles below. When the twl
light shades began to fdll the whistle of the
boat recalled the scattered groups, and by
the soft light of the new moon the company
were enjoying the homewarl ride. The
solemn silence of the night, vocal with the
myriad sounds Of insect life hidden away in
the mysterious depths Of its unseen shores
was truly an hour to delight the heaft of
| poet or To whisper tender thoughts to the
lovers 4s they sal wrapped in happy. dreams
| the wake of the little craft. A. Z. r.