The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-29
SPBING At THH CAPITAL
John Burroughs Wake, Robin, y
and a Painters April Notes.
The Coming Exhibition of Local
Art-A Great Outpouriug of Pic
lures From Washington studios.
The Effort of the Ladies to Lend
encouragement to Home Artists.

| 10
AS crring approaches there comes to the
painter and nature lover who has been
| housed up all winter Ia a studio, that in
defnable longing to be on hand in the early
morning 10 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 | 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 1t is now. Florida Avenue" and lost
in the surrounding acres of brick and NOR
tar.
That matters little, for Notwithstanding
the undsturted 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 Greek, 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 rs true now as it
was then:
Presently the trees (poplar 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: Il 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 or
as early as the first week in March. and
the little frogs begin to pipe doubtfGiiy
about the same time
Burroughs tells us the swallows appear
here by the middle of April and that he
has heard the Veery thrush in the White
House grounds on rainy April morning. To
the painter that thought is a poem, Tor he
knows the silver harmony the White
House makes on such morning. 1t WAS
Burroughs custom to wander insthe 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 region.s. extending from
Georgetown to what IS Known as Crystal
Spring, not more than two miles from the
present State Department. into park I'M
equaled by anything in the world 1t is
comforting TO know that his dream has
come true, and that Rock Creek 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.
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
nils
This tribute to the Capitol Building one
can never fully appreciate till he stands
in the lonesome atmosphere of Paris or
I nd vi sight
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 60
ing forward so busily in the various stu
dios for the opening exhibition of local
art at the Hemicycle Gallery. There is
little that may be added 10 the very full
information which has already been pub
lished on this subject. The contributions
were sent in yesterday and the outpouring
of pictures was very large. Everything
points to an extensive and thoroughly rep
resentative 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 6fford TO stop over such trifles. 1t
is enough TO remember that this exhibition
will be larger and more widely representa-
tive than any ever held here, and, what is
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 20 the gallery. Never
before have the artists of Washington
seemed 50 nearly sure TO receive that rec
ignition and encouragement, so all i'm
portant II the best that is possible to them
is to be brought out and made manifest
1t is hoped they appreciate the honor. and
the responsibility, and have sent pictures
worthy OF the very great labor and anx-
iety of ladies of the committee have been
to in this splendid effort TO help the cause
of art here in the Capital Of the Nation.
JAMES HENRY MOSER.
nDEn WITH rnarHMAN