The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-11-21
WASHINGTON LETTER.
EIosIe SedwieIx finds no place like wash
iugfOn-The Advocate her Letter from
the Green Hills of CarrOII-Chrysan-
themums-The Zoo.


Correspondence of the Democratic Advocated
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 1891.
On my return from visit of several months
in the northern cities, most OF the time being
spent in the city of Boston, in the pursuit of
pleasure and improvement in my favorite pas
time of painting and the study of sculpture, l
am once more comfortably located in my IA
vorite of eilies-that of my own dear Wash
ington. | say my own dear Washington, but
it is no more charming to me, possibly, than
to thousands of others who, after travelling
throughout this entire land, find in its mag
nificent streets and avenues, its delightful and
even climate, its genial people and general
beauty, that comfort and solace, that rest, with
city convenience and life. which can be found
nowhere else on the globe. What could en-
phasze what | say more than the extension
of the city, the number of magnificent resi-
dences occupied by wealthy and cultured peo-
pie, the public parks established, and general
prosperity that prevails? A visitor to Wash
ington today who has not seen the city for
two or three years, would not know the west
ern portion of it. 1t has, indeed, risen as If
by the "stroke of the enchanter's Wand
| went to the 600 few afternoons ago.
1t is located in lovely spot. Beautiful Rock
Creek traverses it, and in places babbles over
stony paths: in others its bed, is silver lake,
where
sleeping swan, with rufed wing and head reposed,
Slow drift on
lies delightful contrast to the varied tints of
autumn foliage near its banks, studded with
ferns, while near its edges hang willow branch
es, like many spear, to guard Its placid
breast from undue intrusion. From this little
creek the simple music of nature trills in such
soothing and plaintive notes that | could
hardly leave the delightful retreat found at
its bank, and the picture is as indelibly print
ed in my heart as on my canvas. Ten thou
sand people had shared with me the loneliness
of our geological park on that Indian summer
afternoon, and ten thousand persons are hap
pier today because of that visit. l want you,
dear reader, to see it too.
1t wouldn't do for me not to tell you of our
flower shows. This week we have two, and
the Autumn queen, chrysanthemum, reigns
supreme at both. The one is by the Wash
ington Florists Club, the other by Messrs.
Small Il Sons. The Florist Club has been
but recently organized. Their show is really
creditable for so young an association; and to
add to its attractiveness, the Marine Band
discourses its sweet strains, amid the fragrance
and grace of the flowers. An admission fee
has not detracted apparently from pleasure Of
a visit. Messrs. Small & Sons, however, de-
light the people with their artistic and grand
display, as they have for several years free of
charge. | wish | could describe the grace
and loneliness Of the sight presented to the
spectator at their spacious store. 1t is the
delicate effect of artistic taste that is so no.
ticeeble here, where colors are harmonlZed
and blended as in picture-indeed in truer
style, because we cannot initiate nature. The
new varieties of chrysanthemums include little
Ruth Cleveland, we love the child for its
mother sake-the brightest and most charm
ing of the ladies ofthis country. Some ofthese
chrysanthemums, over 600 in variety, rival in
color the rose, and in several instances they
measure as much as 8 inches in diameter. |
cannot tell you as much of this lovely show
as | would, because | cannot do justice to the
sight to be seen.
think il were man would go into the
speakership contest and help out Brother
Mills, of Texas. He's grand old party man,
a little hasty or fiery, perhaps, but how he will
make Messrs. Reed & Co. stand by this ses-
sion if elected. Any one who has watched
his course cannot but admire him; and his
calamity is proyerbial among the ladies.
My excuse for sending you this letter is to
be found in the fact that | regard the ADvo-
CATE almost as personal visitor to my studio;
indeed, TO me it is a letter from the dear old
hills of Carroll, ever green with verdue and
prosperity and ever green in my memory
How devour the contents, and what com.
fort they bring to me- What would do
without it?
For fond remembrance always cliugs
To girlhood's early days
The woods the dales, the sparkling springs.
And scenes of happy plays;
All these are welcome to my heart,
Yet cannot satate,
Old scenes and times may all depart
But leave the ADVOCATE.
Itcomes like some sweet whispering friend,
To speak words kind and true,
| read it all from end TO end,
And sigh when am through
ELoIsE SEDwICK.