Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-16
RAMBLes AROUND RICHMOND.
Tho Many Interesting Studies and Charms
of scenery Near the Suburbs.


of Scenery Near the Suburbs.
To tie Editor Of the Dispatch:
One need not 60 farther than our su-
burbs to find himself in charming coun-
try amidst bubbling springs. clear lakes.
sparkling streams, shady groves. quiet
hooks, and picturesque outlooks.
l cannot call to mind city in either
hemisphere whose environs are sculptured
by the hand Of Nature into such varied
and striking reliefs as those of Richmond.
Reservoir Park, Forest Hill, Barton
Heights, and some other places not 80 well
known present attractions to our summer
residents which, l fear. they do not sufi-
GENTLY appreciate.
A lover OF nature need not 60 far out
side the limits of the corporation to find
works of an imposing and instructive
character. Those gigantic and phenome-
nal boulders that lie athwart the channel
of Reedy creek. but few steps away from
Forest Hill, are objects of interest to the
student of art or science. Whether they
are of glacial or post-glacial origin is q
question which / incline to think will not
DO answered satisfactorily by the glacial
list, be he ever so learned in the history OF
local or general glaciation. Agassiz or
Lyell would have walked hundred miles
or more to see them.
orHEB GEOLOGIC YIELDS.
Besides these monuments of the quater-
nary age are other geologic fields which
have been recently opened up by natural
and artificial excavations, all of which
may be surveyed with profit by even a
tyro In science. The relics Of q prehis-
torio race confront you in the by-ways,
the gardens. the farms. the woods. the
rsin-washed lands, the runs and brooks
Shot THAI <p,n ,,,k = H..
sacred river. What more delightful pas.
time Of summer afternoons than O curious
search for these neglected evidences of o
lost racer
BOTANICAL RICHES.
II botany interests you where in Virginia
will you ind more prolific field than that
which lies within and little without the
city Emits2 The meanest-looking flower
that grows will reveal under the power Of
the microscope surprising and unexpected
conditions. What delicacy of framework,
what richness of coloring are there!
The fesh-tints of Coreggio, the finest in
the world OF art, are daubs BY the side Of
the least Of these.
In short, you may please tho eye, instruct
the mind, enthuss the soul at every turn
Of Jour rambles in our beautiful country.
gIsToRIc SITES.
HOW uttlo our people Know ana now
much they have yet to learn concerning
the historic and prehistoric sites around
the capital
They 60 in the dog days to the White
Sulphur. to the Hygeia, to Cobb's Island
they overlook In mad chase after plea
sure and fashion the beautiful prospects
about Richmond that are 30 precious in
the estimation of strangers.
PLRAsANT LANDSCAPES.
The New North road leading out to the
plains Of the Ohiokahominy is never
thronged with fashionable vehicles. This
thoroughfare II macadamixed BY nature.
and opens up TO the pleasure seeker many
pleasant landscapes. You never realize
the discomfort. hereon. OF having the
dust tosettle on your bonnet, OF having
the sun to daszls your eyes.
A. have ne carriage o. other vehicle
and love neither fashion nor 8 crowd.
spend my Afternoons strollins alonr ~
quiet cross-roAds north and east 81 The
city. when fatigusd I rest under the
shade Of the csdsys and naples that here
aud there mark dividing lines OF contiau-
~ nPnnsxties. o. chAt uifh the sivt toii