The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-07-13

PICNIC AT GERMANNA.
The Occasion an Enjoyable one Interesting
Discussion, Etc Etc.

On Monday last, July 8th, the quiet
shades Of Germanna were pleasantly
awakened by the arrival OF a picnic
camping party from the neighborhood OF
Mitchel's and Raccoon Ford. They ar
rived by moonlight on Monday night and
biyouaced under the beautiful trees on
the Orange side of the bridge and spent
the two following days 30 agreeably that
the occasion was pronounced n perfect
sue, esq though part OF the program,
visit To the battlefield of OfChancellorsyille,
was omitted. Indeed there were so many
strikingly pleasant features OF the holi-
day that more would have been super
nuous. Besides the constantly recurring
episode OF coffee making in the open air,
going to fetch water from Miss Thecky's
historic fountain spring, hespreading
of the ample repasts under the trees and
animated discussion OF the same--with
many other subjects-there was music,
guitar solos, or fuller band perfor-
nance, which was greatly admired, the
trombonst elciting special eneores and
applause. and besides the music the tell
ING of some fine stories. There were
hammocks and cushions for the loungers,
books for the literary, and sitting in
all the groups of lovely greenwood and
rich shade 4 beautiful sylvan lodge was
consl ;ucted by some OF the gentlemen OF
latticed poles. covered with sycamore
boughs This picturesque bower was
promptly taken possession OF by a group
OF girls and Che band celebrated the erec-
ton with a flourish. Kodak pictures
were taken as souvenirs OF an occasion
which all so much enjoyed.
In the discussion OF the historic site OF
Governor Spotswood's residence at Ger
mspna, following the expedition last
week, some interesting things have come
out. Professor Harris, on whose land
the site of the Castle is, says he has
made somewhat careful examination
of the spot, trying to find the subter-
ranean passage, which tradition says
once ran between the Governors resi-
dence and the fort, some little distance
away. As far as he has gone he finds no
trace of it, however. Professor Harris
also takes issue with those who hold
that tie spring now called the fountain
spring is the one adorned by the mar
ble basin in Lady Spotswood's time, as
a touch of the elegan, of the old countlJ !
transplanted to the wilderness of the
new. He thinks it more likely that the
real spiing chosen for this ornament YVES
one higher on the hill, and he has tried
to find by digging some remnants OF the
marble basin, but in vein.
Professor Harris thinks the stone
through which the present fountain
spring" wells up, would have made the
setting Of q marble basin impractieable
and that it is likely pipe brought the
water from the upper spring dpoured
it in the basin fixed below.
An interesting reminiscence OF lady
to whom member of the picnic party
was speaking of the place, is to the effect
that she remembered a time when Ger
mama was quite village, place OF a
good many houses, residences, and per-
hans several stores. A few chimneys
still standing, the foundation OF the mill
and a sprig of larkspur, seeming to
show an old garden spot, are the only
Indications that remain to indicate that
the solitude was ever the haunt OF men.
n. f. s.