Middletown transcript., 1892-09-08
A VIsis to Southern Maryland and the
Nations Capital.

A VIsis to Southern Maryland and the
Nations Capital.
Having read of this Southern Maryland
peninsula as offering the most advantageous
opportunities in the way of a delightful
climate, pleasant homes, cheap and pro-
ductive farms for profitable mixed system
of agriculture, l determined to pay this
country visit. Southern Maryland adj
joins and lies contiguous to the National
Capital, with the Potomac river for its
western boundary, some 104 miles to its
north, where that river empties into the
Chesapeake Bay, thence with the bay, as
its western shore, about 100 miles north to
Baltimore the commercial metropolis of
Maryland. 1t makes in outline trian-
gular peninsula of the sides named, and
about 40 miles wide at its base. Three
great cities make the corners of this triangle
Washington on the northwest, at the
head of navigation on the Potomac, with
population now exceeding 250,0O0; Balti-
more at its northeastern corner, with near
ly 500, 900 souls, and Norfolk with 10000
people, practically at the southern apex,
near the ocean. This peninsula formed by
the waters of the noble Potomac Zone of the
finest rivers of the country and that great
inland sea the Chesapeake Bay, is cutagain
into unequal portions by the picturesque
Patuxent penetrating far inland, and
navigable for 40 miles from it mouth.
Thus situated and surrounded by "water-
courses of the grandest proportions with
numerous attractive rivers, bays and creeks
extending far into the interior of the land,
no portion of this territory is remote from
steamboat navigation. Its advantages are,
however. unknown, and its resources unde
yeloped. Here is veritable garden spot
ready to the hand of the thrifty cultivator,
the careful stock-raiser, and the enterpris-
ing settler.
Having, geographically, located this
Southern Maryland peninsula, let us take
bird's-eye-view of the Nations Capital.
Named after its founder-one of the most
illustrious and grandest characters of his
tory, this city most charmingly situated |
and grandly planned, is destined to become
the most magnificent Capital of the world,
as it is now the most beautiful residence |
city in the country. Its broad streets are
laid out at right angles, with magnificent |
avenues crossing the same, diagonally, thus
most directly connecting distant points.
These broad streets and avenues, well |
paved and embowered in trees, intersected |
with numerous parks, squares and circles |
ornamented and adorned with statues,
shrubbery and flowers, give the city a
sparkling freshness and unparalleled beau
ty, unequalled anywhere. The many pub
lie buildings are massive and grand in their
proportions, whilst the Capital, constructed
of white marble, and situated in highly
embellished park, is beauteous bride in
her graceful habiliments-the admiration
of all eyes. To appreciate the genius Of
the design and the magnificent plan of the
Capital City, it requires to be closely scan
ned and studied like unto the character of
its great founder: "First in war, first in
peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen."
In the company of two friends I started
on an excursion down the Potomac into
Southern Maryland, which country I will
briefly describe. Leaving Washington ON
Sunday afternoon at four o'clock, on the |
snug and trim Sue, of the Maryland and !
Virginia steamboat line, tue breezy and
beautiful moonlight excursion on the
all quiet" grand old Potomac is recre-
alton long to be remembered. About four |
o'clock of the next morning we awoke to |
find ourselves at stand-still. Emerging |
from our state-rooms we learned we were |
at our on-Leonardtown, the |
county seat of St. Mary's county. Going |
on deck a fair landscape lay before us and |
the morning Songs of many birds greeted
our ears. Beautiful! was the picture. |
Around and about US reposed the placid |
and mirror-like waters of Breton's Bay, a |
beautiful and picturesque tributary of the
Potomac, whilst above us upon an elevated |
plateau was the quiet village of 600 inhab-
itants sleeping in its g old timeness" with
a distinct flavor of old ways and customs
handed down from the early settlers. |
Disseminating, not to be carried off to
Baltimore, we explored the town. Our
early morning walk and the salt air gave
US keen relish for little breakfast. Re-
pairing to the inn of Mr.. Herbert F. Moore,
a well-known Prince of Landlords, we ate
royalty of the bounties of the waters, as well
as of the land, of this highly favored penin-
sula, oysters, soft-shelled crabs, fish, beef
steak, lamb-chops, boiled chicken and other
dishes. Making known to our host de-
sire to go to the further end of the comfy,
there was soon before the door a spanking
team of grays with competent and oblig-
ing driver. The twelve miles we had to go
was pleasant drive through a rolling
country which brought us to Milestone,
steamboat landing at the mouth of the
Patuxent river. We are now at the ex-
treme end of this peninsula, fronting some
fifteen miles on the Chesapeake Bay be-
tween the Patuxent and Potomac rivers,
Some twelve miles across The topography
of this section is all that can be desired for
splendid country homes and thriving farms.
No section of the State, it is said, offers so
lucrative field for investment or for en-
terprise and industry in its favorable eli