Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-10-28
From tho knlckerbocker ior Ociob
A WEEK IN NEWPORT.
ny A SoJ0uRNIR.

fractions after repeated visits. IL seems Us
though Que could never grow weary OF admir-.
ing the beautiful scenery, aud enjoying the
delicious soitncss of the climate. Here are
no east winds, nor sufocatlng heats, like
those which by turns render the rest OF New
England umc comfortable aud unhealthy. Al.
thvugh III summer the early part of the day
u often close aud warm, producing IN those
ho ure mt accl,uIutcd an utmost irresistible
feeling Of drowsinrss, yet u dues not last
long. The breeles which spring up ~ the
forenoon, continue 10 blow unill evening,
inparting vigsr aud buoy ancy 10 the languid
frame. Nothing can surpass the transparcn
cy OF the atmosphere ~ the litter part Of the
day. An aitcrnoon's ride over the island Is
uf itself worth coming here To enjoy. Be
SIDES the serenity and freshness oi The uIr
the rich green meadows sloping To the shore ;
The smooth roads, waving crops, aud farm
houses SO embowercd among the trecs that
the eve catches but occasional gliinpses OF
them, leaving the Imagination to I'LL up the
picture besides these, there nre beautiful
views OF The harbor aud bay; Of the main
land stretching far away IN the distance, and
II - Poured ronnd all,
Old Ocoam's gray und melancholy waste
This last never loses its subllmIty, yet there
are some who compluln OF It's wearisonie
samencsS Those who nuke this complaint
however, are mostly fair rweathcr vlsilcrs,
who pay It I morning call, or come upon It IN
their ruEbles VI particular hours, when the
sky is clear. But let them stand upon the
beach when The rays Of the rising sun paints
the water aud the sky I'LL they seem To be in
volvcd IN one red cOnilagration, and when
the moon, lingering above the horizon, spans
as 1t were with pathway OF gold the fatholn-
less expanse. Let them listen to the swell
ing und falling bllows, as they play with the
smooth pebbles IN some retired nook among
the rocks, aud heur The deep bass Numbered
upon the shore, when storm aud tempest
have reused old Neptune from his sluinber,
aud they will find that the ocean has variety
enough. The scarcity Of trees, by which The
island was dlspoiled by tho English during
the war, Is often felt to be blemlsh in the
landscape. In truth these alone are wanting
10 render il complete. Efforts are making,
by rsnsplan,ing, to supply this deficiency.
/ The town has Little vi wealth or enterprise
TO boast, the citizens apparently being salts
fed that they we're once industrious and pros
porous. Newport was a nourishins city when
New York was in its infancy. She had her
merc Iiants who lraffckcd IN the products OF
both the Indies, of China, und Europe, and
had at one time line Of packets 10 Liver
pool. Previous to the war shc ranked second
only TO Boston among the New Eng land
towns, IN enterprise and P"pulatlon. But
her glory MS u city 'has Departed. The town
presents o rusty aud dccaycd appearance
They build oil old houses !; and the piers a,
which heavy merchantmen were once Hoored
arc now occupied by few fishing suacks und
coasting sloops I; aud the warehouses; once
/ Iiled with merchandise are deserted and ~
ruius.
h But the contrast which IT presents 10 other
places, where American enterprise is more
operative, is not unpleasant TO those who are
lred OF tle din of trade which fills all our
large citcsbn who are seeking rcpose ana
quiet. Though devoid Of interest to the
mere man oi business, few places in cur coun'
try possess more materials OF interest to the
\ historian aud antiquarian. From The earliest
settlement of Rhode. Island this place has fur.
nlshed an asylum to the prosecuted from 9th.
er countries, and even from some parts OF our
own country; while the salubrity OF the cli
mate has a:incted not few from Different
parts OF the world to fix their residence here
IL has always been place of resort Tor the
votarics Of wealth and fashion. In its better
days, they took up their residence here, and
10 Ito decline they come TO enjoy its beauties
for season, aud then fit away To a more ex-
tended and brilliant scene. These visters
brought with them each his peculiar habits
and notions, and many OF them had interest.
ing histories Of thei. own which have been
interspersed IN the history OF the place, and
have added much to lis value.
Bismor BsRxLEY, after the failure OF his
aan ltp, IN
t!on TO educate the Indians, resided here two
or three years. The house built and Occupl.
cd by him is still standing about three miles
ir1m tue town. II IS small dwelling ol
wood, stands very low, aud has q gloomy up.
pcarance. The paror and study OF the PHI
losopher are still shown, but not a fragment
of his furniture /; nor docs any inemen,o OF
him exist, except an organ presented by him
to one Of the churches Of Newport. The
Bishop led a very secluded life, passing much
oi his time among the rocks, short distance
from the house, which cominand a hnc view
of the ocean. II was here that he composed
the greater part Of tha, ingenius work, The
Minute Philosopher which the late DIR. Pay.
son admired so much that he could repeat
whole chapters. 1t is an admirable place for
contemplation and study for nnnlyzing and
mind. The !avor,tc nook Of the Bishop is
pointed out TO visters, a kind Of shelf high up
among the rocks, open only toward the ocean /;
where no sound dls,urbs The quiet save the
solemn mono,ony of the waves breaking
upon the shore.
\ In the gloomicst hour OF our struggle for
liberty, when the lorg prayed. for succor from
France arrived, Newport again presented n
smiling appearance. The French troops on
landing were received with every possible
demonstration Of joy. But u short time be
fore, The island had been in possession of the
enemy, ~ho were quar,ered among the cl''.
zens sod their customary haugbtiness added
10 their bitter contempt OF the rebels, had
rendered them any thing but agreeable
guests Now, they welcomed their en'husi'
ns,lc allies, who had quilted their homes to
eleed III their defence and their galciy aud
courtesy banished for time all their gloomy
II sPprchcnsions The contrast between the
rude aud insoent Ilesslans and the flower ol
French chivalry, with Count Roehnnbeau Of
their head, produced n deep impeess'"n on
the minds OF the cnizeos. That j"y"ns oc'
cas,on has no, yet been forgotten. Elderly
N mairons aud maidcns can still remember The
/ polished manners and unresirained merr'nc nj
of the polite strangers, as they turned ibcn
! In tho dBnrc AR cscorfcd them among the