The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-29

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There are many different kinds of FISH
ermen-speaking of amateurs onIy-as
there are in any other FORM Of sport, but
from DR.. Van Dyke, the ideal amateur
down to the man whose greatest happiness
is in exhibiting a fve-pound bass to adj
miring friends after he reaches home,
fancy most of them fish as we painters
do, simply because it offers an excuse for
loafing in come beautiful spot far from
the haunts OF men, and reveling in Ma
lures little continuous performance which
is always going on by lakes and along river
banks through the sunshine and the rain.
| Doubtless that fisherman who knows moth
ing OF painting is unable to define his
pleasure in these picturesque places. He
! may miss some OF those subtle relations
and contrasts, those details which are
everything to the landscape artist. but
l would not say his appreciation of Latu-
raj beauty was less deep or acute. The
landscape painter has the advantage, how
ever, Of being able to catch some Of this
| evanescent beauty and hold it for the
| enjoyment OF others, and If he is real
artist Will take his memoranda of Geetirg
| scenes and build wonderful things with it
in the winter studio just as beautiful
| structures are built by architects from
| blocks OF stone, each stone humble
enough in itself but able with others to
| make things of wondrous beauty at the
| touch OF genius.
Talking over the river with a journals
| tic friend who is a fisherman OF the right
sort, one who knows the Potomac by heart,
| / MADE enquiry as to the beauty OF the
! river above the falls as compared with the
| fourteen miles from there to this city, and
was pleased 10 hear from so good an au
| thority that there was not so much real
| plcturesqueness and romantic beauty to be
found in the same distance anywhere along
the river. There are fine spots said ne.
| at many places, but the stretches between
are comparatively tame" 1t Ia pleasant TO
have this information, for in all my travels
north and south and abroad l have met
with nothing so attractive in space OF
fourteen miles as this wonderful bit of tie
Potomac lying batween Washington and the
Great Falls of the Potomac.
was convinced of this on a recent trip
to that region By canalbcat, and was fortu-
nate in the time of my visit, for nothing
could have been more TO pdinter's taste
than the sunset and the moonrise on that
perfect July evening and night.
The trip up the canal in the earlier part
of the day ard the magnificent views OBJ
tanned of the Falls were enjoyable, indeed.
but there was a serenity and idyllic charm
about the return trip which made 1t by far
the more attractive part of delightful
outing.
When the Sunday school picnic party.
whose guest l was, embarked for home at
Great Falls-it was about 4:30 p. m. when
we started back-the western sky gave
promise OF a sunset, peaceful and Joy
Gus, which it KEEP 10 the letter, and the
moon came up round and clear before the
last crimson flush had departed from the
horizon. The moon was rot the pale,
waiting wafer It had been for some feS
previous evenings, afraid 10 shine till the
god OF day hsd disappeared. No; that
evening the moons entrance was trium-
phsnt, heraided by a golden glow that
melted softly into the tender blue shades
Of night.
While the young people were singing
songs and making merry on the upper deck,
Mr.. Bradley. the superintendent, and few
friends gathered on bench in the blunt
bow of tie boat to enjoy tae changing
| yistaI down the canal and river that cou,d
best be seen from there.
Passing lock near by the falls, We
drifted out upon the broad surface of the
big basin said to be part of the original
channel CT the river and some sixty feet
deep in places. The rocky northern hank,
with its spruce and pine, had the charac-
ter OF those beautiful island shores of
Lake George. The white, regular line of
the towpath alone reminded one that this
was an artificial waterway. That calm
which comes so frequently with the days
close in summer turned the surface of the
water to glass. aud the trees imaged there
were marYelOusly perfect.
Emerging into the open country at the
lower end Of this level. there were some
beautiful glimpses of coy Maryland farm
houses and fields OF wheat standing in red
dish grey shocks above the stubble The
fringe of trees at the waters edge and the
Hcdding daisies and dark red dock in
the soft masses OF tall grass seemed 10
project from mist, so melting is the ef-
feet Of grasses in the gathering shadows
OF the late afternoon. Along this level is
a picturesque brickyard. and mile be-
yond is the first Of the seven locks notable
because they exist In a single mile From
here the locks present a pair Of giant
whitewashed stairs, as one looks down
stream. Ha
Seven locks" lin .uile) is the most
picturesque settlement between the city
and the Falls. and to the painter who
enjoys such subjects they are very charm
ing To the student seeking something to
sketch they are especially suIted-par-
ticularly for pencil or water colors. This
settlement is reached easily baing but
mile and a half above Cabin John Bridge
where boats may be had. and at Glen
Echo, and it is an exhilarating row on the
canal to the lower lock, where Mr.. Reeves
lives, and the Reeves family are most
hospitable people, sparing no pains to
make it pleasant for visitors from Wash
ington. My little family once took
basket outing there. Having pulled our boat
upon the bank We We're about to eat our
supper there in the twilight, when Mr..
Reeves invited us to come into his front
yard, where a pretty garden, beyond
white picket fence looked most inviting.
The invitation was SO cordial that we ac-
ceptei II at once. A table and chairs
were provided for our comfort and con-
venience. Can We ever forget that de-
Aghtful June evening last summer? The
full moons orange disk rose above the
river while We were gathered about the
table, and We fingered long, the women
folk exchanging views on household mat
tors in the most intimate fashion. while
Reeves and talked of the river. Of fishing.
and pictures. Passing through the lock
last week, from the boats deck ! shock
his big honest hand, and promised II
would not be long till we met again. Az
Cabin John the last rays of the sun eilded
for a moment the tips of the trees on the
islands along the river. the farthest of
which melted away into the violet smoking
haze OF twilight. Over the grounds the
electric lights burst out with the frefies
while We waited here for those who cared
to enjoy half hours visit TO the beau
tiful resort and also TO enable those who
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