The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29

AS spring approaches there comes to the
! painter and nature lover who has been
/ housed up all winter in a studio that in
/ defnable longing to be on hand in the early
morning TO catch the first strains of that
| symphony OF symphonies which fills the
sunshine and the air on the first real
balmy spring morning. In March l brush
the dust from Burroughs Wake, Robin, -
and read aloud to the gathered family
Spring at the Capital" Then our enthu-
siasm over this lovely city knows no
bounds We are filled with the gladness
of living Mr. Burroughs has taught us
where to search for the choicest wild flow
ers and where and when to find the birds
northward bound, as they linger here
through the warm spring days.
In his time-the period Immediately fol-
lowing the Civil Wharf.-The Boundary was
at some points far in the country and not
as it is now. Florida Avenue" and lost
in the surrounding acres OF brick and NOR
tar.
That matters little, for Notwithstanding
the undisturbed woods and fields have
shrunk far away from the great white
dome, the electric cars carry one so speed
lily in every direction to the woods that
one may enjoy Rock Creek Piney Branch,
the Potomac. and Bladensburg more easily
than it was possible when Burroughs re-
sided here. This and many another touch
in Wake, Robin is as true now as it
was then:
Presently the trees (pop,ar) shading
the streets will be one vast plume OF
grey. downy tassels. while not the least
speck Of green is visible The first week
in April these long mimic caterpillars lie
all about the streets and fill the CUTTERS
They were just one week later this year.
One cannot doubt though he may envy
him. when he says: 4 have found wild
flowers here every month in the year;
violets in December, a single houstonia
in January.
The little lump of earth upon which it
stood was frozen hard, and a tiny weed
like plant with a flower almost micro
SCOPE in smallness, growing along gravel
ed walks and in old plowed fields in Feb
ruary. The liverwart sometimes comes out
as early as the first week in March, and
the little frogs begin to pipe dOubtfully
about the same time
Burroughs tells us the swallows appear
here by the middle of April and that he
has heard the VeeTy thrush in the White
House grounds on a rainy April morning. To
the painter that thought is a poem Tor he
knows the silver harmony the White
House makes on such a morning II was
Burroughs custom to wander ingthe Capt.
tol and Smithsonian grounds in the spring
that he might study the birds, and many
a charming bit does he relate of his ex-
perience there. But Rock Creek was his
especial delight OF that most picturesque
region he declares: 1t has an abundance
Of all the elements that make up not only
pleasing but wild and rugged scenery.
There is perhaps not another city in this
country that has on its very threshold so
much natural beauty and grandeur, such as
men seek for in remote forests and noun
tains A few touches of art would con-
vert this whole Fegion,s extending from
Georgetown to what IS Known as Crystal
Spring, not more than two miles from the
present State Department, into a park IN
equaled by anything in the world 1t is
comforting to know that his dream has
come true, and that Rock Greek Park is a
fact, for his estimate Of its attractive
character is perfectly just.
OF the Capital buildings, he also says:
Emerging from the woods toward the
city. one sees the white dome of the Capt.
tol soaring over the green swell of earth
Immediately in front and lifting its four
thousand tons Of iron gracefully and
lightly into the air. OF all the sights in
Washington, that which survives longest
in my memory is the vision Of the great
dome thus rising cloud like above the
hills"
This tribute to the Capitol Building one
can never fully appreciate ill he stands
in the lonesome atmosphere Of Paris or
I W
seeing and tramping through galleries and
museums Then, inspired by nostalgia will
he long TO be back home again. and it Will
be heaven enough for a time should it
happen to be, when he arrives there.
Spring at the Capital.
Unrestrained enjoyment Of this most
charming season has been much interrupt
ed this year. Preparations have been go
ing forward so busily In the various stu
dos for the opening exhibition Of local
art at the Hemcycle Gallery. There is
little that may be added TO the very full
information which has already been pub
lished on this subject. The contributions
were sent in yesterday and the 0uJpouring
Of pictures was very large. Everything
points to an extensive and thoroughly rep
reseutative exhibition Of work by home
artists.
There will be some important names
missed from the show. There always is
some one who. for reasons good or bad.
will not have pictures there II the Angel
Gabriel were to undertake the conduct Of
an exhibition somebody would stay out
because something did not suit him. one
cannot afford TO stop over such trifes. 1t
is enough to remember that this exhibition
will be larger and more widely representa-
tive than any ever held here. and. what ls
all important, society has interested itself
in the cause Of art. and It will certainly be
a success Society" has a way Of putting
things through, and knows no such word
as fail.
Senator Depew VIII make the opening
address at which time the Grant portrait
will be presented TO the gallery. Never
before have the artists OF Washington
seemed So nearly sure TO receive that rec
ignition and encouragement, so all i'm
portant If the best that is possible to them
is to be brought out and made manifest
II is hoped they appreciate the honor and
the responsibility, and have sent pictures