Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-05
AN URBAN ARCADIA.
summer Saunterings In the Parks of
the Capital.

THE oEoReIcs OF THE crTr-RURAL AND MURAL
BEAUTIES coMBrNED-PAsroRAL cAxKos FROM
THE CITY PARKs-RkRf RUSTIC SCENES IN THE
HEART OF The TOWN.
a Hist a representative OF The STAR
AEAn was indulging in his accustomed stroll
AAhMthrough the parks few evenings
UA since he fortuitously fell in with the
~ genial Capt r. Of the army, who
was also taking his constitutional" together
with his fragrant Havana He is fresh Nom a
ramble in Europe, having just returned on the
expiration OF his leave. In response to the
stereotyped salutation Of inquiry as to the
thermal suitability Of the weather the old SOL
der gave long, celebrating respiration and
replied: why, my dear sir. have been sur
prlsed at the frequent similar interrogatories
by my friends in this the loveliest and most
perfectly delightful city in the world, taking
all conditions, climatic and social. into consid
Grafton We are enjoying in our evening ram
Ole all that art and science is capable Of bor-
rowing from nature to add TO the achievements
OF human genius and native conditions in
amelioratng the inconvenience of purely
natural surroundings. This city has a system
OF lovely and most effectively beautified and
ventilated parks and parterres But for those
greedy and iconoch site devil fishes. the rail-
roads. that are throwing out their iron arms TO
clutch these hygeinic organs OF this metrop-
oils you could have nothing more to be desired
for comfort and pleasure.
God made the country. man made the
town. can hardly be applied TO this city as an
expression to challenge contrast between rural
ana mural beauties, for il combines all the
best features Of nature and the excellent in
art, with geographical, social and climatic con-
dltlons uneXcelled.
ha
late years in the parking and landscape system
In the cities has been the introduction of park
ways, which, when judiciously laid out. be-
come thoroughfares to which the ordinary
streets serve as feeders. In this respect Paris
leads the world, whilst most OF the larger
towns in Europe are making similar improve
ments Washington leads in the states, whilst
Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo. Syracuse, Brook
lyn and other cities making excellent head
way in the system of psrkwsys.
PARKS" AND PLACES"
"In America the word park. used as general
designation for gardens, green courts and all
sorts OF public places. is an exaggeration OF the
French application OF the word to the more
private or kept grounds Of a chateau connected
with a forest. To avoid confusion open spaces
for public use in a city with u.s. are termed
places; grounds in sward and trees within
places place parks, and broad thoroughfares
planted with trees and designed with special
reference to recreation as well as for drveways
and light traffic, 'parkways. The grounds
extending from the White Lot TO the Capitol
are excellent examples of the latter, but is
mere generally termed mall whilst some of
the more socially exclusive have been pleased
to designate that extensive driveway as the
Executive avenue
1.-The large number Of parkways. places and
place parks so judiciously distributed through
out this city gives the appearance of having
introduced the country into it's limits and mar
ried Its rural charms to urban magnifcence.
In strolling through the West End and other
fashionable sections / am amazed to see SO
many palatial homes, surrounded by lovely
parterres brilliant with beauty and fragrant
with the aroma of native and exotic bloom.
closed for the season; and l feel a sort of
melancholy pity for their owners, who are COM
PEELED to obey the tyrannical edicts of social
custom and languish the sultry summer months
away on sand-heated sea shores, or worse. at
some mosquito or reptile infested country
resort
THE NATURAL LOCATION.
with natural air channel from the west.
down which flows the Potomac. whose waters
serve to hydrate the air 10 perfectly sanitary
condition; the broad and scrupulously clean
streets and avenues, together with the ubiqui-
tous parks, outrageous and towering: and
miles OF sylvan streets resembling arcades in
charming perspective-Washing NAV be
termed the sanitsrium Of the cont. emit The
ornsmented reserves, rich in sward and flower
Ing ahrues, give infinite change and variety In
scenic beauty, whilst tbe rich verdurs OF foil
age has therapeutic effect and refreshes
through Its influence upon the mind. You
have the country in all its varied beauties
within the limits of the city,"
The reporter, mindful Of the enthusiasm Of
the old soldier, in his subsequent rambles met
to his Infinite delight, many little scenes and
incidents Of country life which be 10 pleased to
characterize as pastoral canoes.
HAY MAKING.
''Sings the scythe to the flowers and grsss-
1t is not an unusual sight from early spring
during the entire summer to see the mower
whetting his scythe and hear the familiar
swish Of the blade through the rank grass in
the miniature meadows and see the busy men
and boys raking into wind-rows and piling the
hay into cocks or hassocks convenient for the
carts and wagons ready to load the tempting
bait that ellcits many an eager whinpy from
the expectant horses. Such scenes are often
witnessed in all the reservations. but more es-
peciaily does it present bucolic realism in
that lovely little meadow just in front of the
National Museum. when one can almost imagine
some sweet Phyllis thrilling her pastorals to her
listening swain.
1t has become quite a custom for the iuy-
eniles, with nurse maids attending the little
''tots," to have their outings in mimic picnics
in some of the more retired and outrageous
hooks Of the parks, where the little adolescences
SO charmingly entertain each other with rural
abandon that characteriZes innocent mrth and
jovial hilsrity. The snowy napkins spread
upon the green grass, the little innocents sur
round their dainty spread and discuss their
delicacies with appetites sharpened by exercise
in racing after bright-winged butterflies or
more sedately hunting daises and other stray
wild flowers that have escaped the mowers
scythe. Such outings are red-letter days TO
them, as it depicts that healthful color upon
their soft cheeks and adds sparkle to their
eyes.
UNDER THE LINprys.
In the early mornings and in the early even
ingtide the labyrinth Of graveled and concrete
walks, under the overhsnging branches Of GEN.
tury-grown trees, native and exotic, deciduous
and perennial. are given up to nurse maids
with their little charges, whilst the settees are
occupied by gentlemen and ladies Of leisure
who seek the inviting shade and secluson to
enjoy the daily papers or discuss the latest
novel, with here and there an individual with a
certain drowsiness pervading his tout ensemble
suggestive OF the professional itinerant Among
the former class there is q social democracy
who often congregate their carriages in groups
or perambulate the grounds in pairs, TO moro
conhdentially discuss establishments with which
gossipy chatter about the little on dts of their
social spheres. Occasionally a female chari-
oteer can be discovered seated upon a secluded
park divan, permitting her charge to play and
wander ad hbitum, whilst she is coylv pretend
ing to ignore some younq I,othario on a neioh