The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-29

] doubt If IN all the land there is n more
beautiful "a more suggestive burial place
than Arlington National cemetery. II lies
southwest Of Washington, just across the
Potomac-a line drawn from the Capitol,
through the Washington monument and
across the river. falls nearly within the
gates Of Arlington. 70 reach the Gene
terry one must drive past the White House,
the war. state and navy buildings and
through historic Georgetown, suggestive
of the Father Of His Country In the exist
ence Of a number Of moss grown buildings
which sheltered him more than hundred
years ago Just as you enter the Aqueduct
bridge you cross the Cumberland canal,
which was the first public enterprise with
which the name Of Washington was asso-
ciated II is poor old canal now, and ITS
rotting boats afford but scant livelihood
for the men who sail them. Yet the time
was when il was one Of she most useful
and most prosperous transportation lines
IN the country.
On the hill. as you approach the bridge,
almost Overhanging the roadway is the
cottage Of that prolific novelist once so
popular. Mrs f. ID. T.. y. Southworth,
now an old woman passing the evening Of
life in quiet peace A little farther away
rise the spires Of Georgetown college (Cath-
olicl. one OF the oldest and most famous IN
stitutions OF learning on the continent.
It's centenary was celebrated few years
ago At the left Of the bridge, which the
canal once crossed on its way TO Alexan-
dria, George Washington's county town,
lies low. fiat island It's only building IS
Oh. in
decay traces OF former splendOr. IL was
formerly the house of the Masons "a well
known Virginia family, and its last oceu-
pant was the Mason of Mason and SlideH
fame. Analostan island. the title which
the Mason estate has borne for a century
and half, is now occupied by al athletic
club, with its ball grounds and tennis
courts. So here. within sight Of each
other, are two famous old Virginia home
steads devoted to strangely different pur
poses-one TO modern sports and pastime,
the other to the dead of the war between
the states.
The approaches 70 Arlington are scarcely
less interesting than Arlington itself. Be
low the bridge. the wharves Of the city,
AnalOstan island, the Washington mOnu-
ment. the Capitol, old Long bridge Alex
andria in the distance Above the bridge
wooded hills rocky islets. the Chain
bridge IA noted strategic point in the late
war, and Cabin Johns aqueduct, the cell
ebratcd masonry span which till recently
was the longest in the world. At the Nir-
ginia end of the bridge you are abruptly
introduced 30 the south-the yellow Vir-
ginia soil. the novels Of the coiored people,
the typical planter, sedate and dignihed
even in bis adversely and reduced estate
Soon you cross a pretty woodland stream
and stop at a spring-the Martha GUSTS
spring For many more than hundred
years have thirsty passers 10y halted there
10 drink
A little farther on and you are amid a
cluster Of pretty villas with cannon shot
on the greensward, and beyond the city of
Washington spread ont like panorama.
These are the officers quarters az Fort
Myer and no millionaire in the land has a
more beautiful place % live than these
veterans Of the plains, who recently came
in from the Indian country 20 settle down
TO well earned rest 40 this ornamental post.
Behind the villas arc the barracks and the
stables, and rs you look troops Of black
horses. ridden by black cayalrymen, and
troops of bay horses and gray horses bear