Year: 1877

| w HohA ~ ACt', y uHS -, 1o' .,
Dear Journal Having failed to
make connection with boat found
for Great Falls, where I had auticipa-
ted a pleasant day, I thought as I stood
disappointed on Georgetown Heights,
and saw old Arlington in the distance,
that | could not more proftably en-
ploy the hours or better carry out my
original design having a ramble
than by visiting the home of and see
the shrine of our dead. AS it is pos
sible that some OF your readers may
not be perfectly familiar with its pres
ent condition I will briefly notice (if
you will be kind enough to allow an
old friend little space,) what SEEM
ed among the most prominent objects
of interest.


Crossing Aqueduct Bridge at
Georgetown, and taking the old Alex
andria road for a half mile or so, you
enter the estate and the Silent city"
lies stretched out before you. This
is but comparatively small part of
the cemetery, and is allotted princi-
pally, | Was informed, to negro SOL
diers. l turned to the ascent of the
Heights which commences here. Pass
ing through this part of the cemete-
ry the road winds beautifully through
forest Of gigantic oaks to the rear Of
the house, which is 80 completely en-
powered in these sublime children of
nature as to be entirely concealed,
and to which We have been partly
| guided by the "stars and stripes"
which float to the breeze far above
the tree-tops, forcibly reminding one
that he is treading upon soil sacred to
the memory of our fallen soldiers.


From the approach the ascent is
graded and one is not aware of the
great elevation attained until he
stands on darlington Heights, and,
looking eastward, indulges birds-eye
view of the country around, blending
nature and art-taking in at one
glance Washington, Georgetown, the
fair Potomac miniatursd above the
former city into mere stream, flow
ing peacefully and undisturbed at its
base, save here and there by the white
sails of some pleasure craft with its
noisy, merry crew, or by some steam
er lazily ploughing its way over the
silvery surface. The beauties of the
country for miles around, combined, g,
present a picture amply rewarding
the traveller for his jaunt of an hour
under the heat of summer sun. AL
belt, so thought I, as I stood on the
brow of the Heights and gazed upon
the scene below me.


The eminence slopes in a beautiful
lawn with many a gentle swell and
fall of hill and dale, among its cluster
ing groves of cedar and oak, which,
in the distance from the summit, seem
like small underg ~owth. Standing
little back from the hilltop is the
mansion, an aristocratic old structure
of brown stone or brick with an i'm
posing piazza extending the length of
the house and supported by massive
pillars. The walls and floors and
base with the exception of the old din
ing-room, now used as an office by
the Superintendent, which is hung
with inscriptions appropriate to its
! present use. Around the house and
along the nicely kept walks are beau
tiful flowers and rose plants, placed
there mainly by the government since
its occupancy. The planning and
general arrangement of the flower
garden is the same as when left BY
its former possessors and reflects
much credit on their taste. Back Of
the house, and westward of it, is the
wood before alluded to, the face Of
which is broken by deep and precipit,
Gus ravines, contrasting wildly with
the geptler scenery of the other side
Through this you pass in going to the
cemetery proper which is situated g
short distance in the rear Of the house
Spread out over acres and acre.
extends this last bivouac and ris
ing in soldier-like array are the
modest monuments that mark tn,
place where the fallen repose, await
ing another bugler's call to awak,
them from slumber--to give an &C