Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-19
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES b. TR.4cEWELL.
-wsE.i 2.ETET7


can see there hundreds Of the old fa-i
vorite Clara Butt. declared by experts to
be the most satisfactory bright pink.
A. y
Peony bushes are coming along splefi-
didly down there. This Is not surprising,
since they thrive or plenty Of water,
and surely there Is enough In the soil
Of Potomac Park TO satisfy any moisture
loving plant.
The peonies there are about two feet
high, being large. old bushes. We saw
nothiryy Of the hibiscus, but no doubt
would have found the green shoots just
breaking the soil II we had got out and
searched for them.
As fine as the trees are, and as beau
tiful as the flowers will be, both, in our
estimation. must take second place to
the far-spreading picture which the
whole parkway constitutes.
This entire section Of land has been
skillfully treated from the standpoint
Of landscape architecture, full advantage
being taken Of natural features. A
minimum OF structures add to the effect,
merely the tea house, the Tidal Basin
boathouse, Of which fine view is to be
secured from the bridge; the golf house,
or whatever you call 1t, and the band
stand.
Houses In the distance, including the
War College, add to the natural fresh
ness of the park by contrast. The river
always centers the attention Of auto
mobilists, especially of those to whom
water Is fascinating.
It seems that humanity may well be
divided into two parts-roughly. those
who like the water, and those who are
Indifferent to 1t. Many persons who
admit that they "are scared Of the
water" nevertheless are fascinated by
1t. With them to be near 1t is enough.
Thus MANY a timid landlubber fully
satisfies hts longing to be near and Of
the water by a visit now and then to
Potomac Park, where he may sit and
watch the play OF the river for time.
The ocean, of course, is the real
water, but, short of the sea, good river
does very well, and the Potomac River
Is real river, one clustered with mem
cries. Its very name redolent of Indians
The word Potomac" has been spelled
so many different way in its history
that few persons other than John
Clagett Proctor know half Of them.
1t Is an interesting river, and none
the less 50 because its banks have been
walled up at this point by the hand Of
man.
When the water rises high, rs 1t does
after heavy rain, and the surface
takes on that oily, dark look which the
overcast sky lends it. then the little
waves begin to pile UP along the wall
terry which the human Imagination
gives 1t.
There is no mystery about the sun
and its beams, but somehow q body Of
water, whether ocean, river or lake, Is
stepped in doubt. You can be reason
ably sure of the sun: when It is out, 1t
is out, and when 1t Is in. 1t is in. A
river is always the same, more or less,
yet IL is liable to do strange things,
such as overflow its banks, or drown a
child, or swallow up car and its
riders.
How stately the Norfolk boat looks,
white and glistening. with bright red
showing In the stacks! Yet compared
with transatlantic liner she Is only q
yacht.
Over yonder is a famous old steamer
which has carried thousands upon thou
sands OF Washingtonians upon moon
light excursions.
Here, on the seawall why not river
wall?), kneels an elderly gentleman
wrapped In a rough khaki coat. He Is
poking at the water with something
maybe stick. but we are too far
away to see exactly what he Is doing
He is one Of two pedestrians seen at
such an early hour. The other Is a
middle-aged gentleman with gray hair,
who is clad in running costume. and
making appropriate gestures with his
legs.
One wonders vaguely II such exercise
Is really good for any one past the magic
age of II years? Yet II the gentleman
likes 1t. running around all by himself
who shall say him nay?
After all, 1t Is entirely his business
The day seems dreary and cold, and
there are plenty of other ways to get
exercise, but II he likes 1t. 1t Is entirely
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