The New York herald., 1845-08-07

sketch of a Journey ON Cape Cod

EW YORK, THURSDAY
sketch of Journey Cape Cod
/ PLYMOUTH hundred and twenty-five years
ago-to wit in the year l620-a handful Of brave
and hardy Purtans landed al this spot, from the
" Mayfiower, having left behind them In their ma
tive land all the happy associations Of home and the
society of friends, well the unrlghteous grippe
of British tyranny. This place, as you are aware,
is the locale where originated the first permanent set
tement in New England. The principal object OF
their immigration was the hope of enjoying
greater liberty of religious opinion, and for this they
perllled their lives, and braved the dangers of new
home in the wilderness Of America. In the dead Of
winter, November 9th) land was made, which
proved to be Cape Cod and having finally prepared
TO leave the vesse-a contract drawn up, and
subscribed by forty-one persons, tor their better
government" and Mr.. John Carver was chosen
Governor for one year. location was at once
pitched upon for settlement, and some twenty fami-
hes commenced the work Of erecting dwelling
each tor their temporary accommodation On the
last day OF the year, Dec 3lst 1920, public worship
was tor the first time attended by the exiles, and
the place was called "Plymouth." Two and quar-
ter centuries have elapsed since that hout-and the
steady march OF Improvement has stamped its traces
upon the spot, where rested, then, the vanguard of
the coming millions" who were destined to sue
ceed them
Amongst the relies Of those days, long departed
portion OF the rock upon which the Pilgrims land
ed is seen here. 1t was taken from 'the rock" near
the shore, and is embedded, upon the walk, in one
of the principal streets, directly in front of "P-
grim's Hall" 1t surrounded by neat iron tence
upon which appears the names OF the original pur-
tans. The hall is place always visited by strangers
1t is decorated with Col Sargeants magnificent pic
ture OF the landing OF the Pilgrims which that gen.
tleman presented to the town several years ago II
is valued at some $1,000 There is also an antique
chair or two, one of which belonged to Gov Car
ver-some cooking implements used on board the
May Flower--King. Phillips cap-and numerous
other articles belonging to the "irst settlers-all in
an admirable state OF preservation Upon the out
skirts OF the town is laid out beautiful burial
ground, called coax Grove Cemetery" a9uet and
lovely spot, consecrated the last home Of the de-
parted. Its peaceful stiffness and romantic location
will well repay the stranger for visiting Its grounds
Among the recent improvements in this vicinity
is the "Old Colony Railroad" which is now nearly
cars will be placed, early this fall, large depot is
in progress oferection, nthe lower part of the town,
and extensive hotel is also being finished, near
its centre. 1t is in contemplation, learn, by the
stockholders OF this road to apply for charter next
season, tor It's extension to Sandwch-and there is
every reasonable prospect that it will ultimately
reach the town OF Barnstable, connecting finally
with the steamer to Nantucket, and thus adding
another thread to the immense iron network which
IS spreading so rapidly over this country, and espe-
claly in New England. There is most excellent
der the direction of Boyden, Ia relation of Boyden,
late of the Asor,) which will connect with the rail-
road, when 1t Is completed, and will be run through
twice day,
tie which can interest the traveller, save that which
is apparent in most ofthe smaller villages In Massa-
chusetts. The Sandwich Glass Company's" works
located here, are very extensive establishment
however, employing nearly three hundred persons;
and manufacturing three or four hundred thousand
dollars worth of glass annually, most of " hch
is pressed or moulded. Some very fine specimens
and models of useful and ornamental ware were
shown me, This is one of the largest glass compa-
MES in the United Staes-the capital invested being
about s250,000
There are one or two excellent academies here
The school OF Mr. Wing, member Of the society
OF = Frlends, IS deservedy POPULAR and is usually
well filled with y, ungsters from all parts of the
Union Within a few years tins town has increased
the village, which is laid out with neatness and it is
proverbal for its orderly and quiet character The
town of Sandwich has established its reputation for
pretty women, and, for It's size, few places in New
England can boast Of SO great a ratio of beautiful
girls as are found within Its borders.
Some dozen years since this place was much visi-
ted by s,oltsmen, particularly those who found
pleasure in plscatory enjoyments in search of game
or fish-the latter aboundmg in great profus ion in
the numerous rivers, brooks and ponds, which are
so common hereabouts A very respectable hotel
was established here ten years ago, kept by one Fes
senden, where +" the boys" generally congregated in
the season, and where many sparkling string oil
trout have been disposed Of in times gone by But
those days are departed-the trout for the most part
have gllded to parts unknown-Fessenden has van
ished-the champagne glass no longer ji1ges on the
board-and g those days come not again % Some
eighteen miles distant, over sandy a road as one
would wish TO lind, the traveller will reach the vii
lage of
FALMOUTH. The town of Falmouth, proper,
lies upon the lower extreme of the Cape, and was
incorporated In 1880, or Whereabouts. Along its
westerly side is Buzzard's Bay and Vineyard Sound
bounds it upon the South The land in this region
is quite good, better, than the general average
on Cape Cod, though the soil inevery direction here
IS very thin and sandy. Within the boundaries of
this town, there are great number of fresh ponds
which, until atterly, were most plentifuy stocked
with fish. Falmouth is made up of several divisions
as North, East, West &c. Woods Hole, very
fine house is kept by Mr. Webster, which, during
the warm months, is filed with visiters from various
parts of this State, New York. and other places.
In former years considerable whaling interest
OF judicous management on the part of those con-
cerned, has caused it TO run out and but little is
nowadays heard of Falmouth whalers There
was also, formerly immense quantities of salt man
uiactured upon the shores here (as was common in
all parts of the cape); but the article is now made
cheaper in western New York, and is imported in
great quantities. so that the competitor has finally re-
aud = e am,icfe mere to nominal amount
the dilapdated works will not pay for repairing
Large quantities OF pine wood are annually shipped
here to supply the steamers which ply on the Sound
between Rhode Island and New York
| The village of Falmouth is one of the best loca-
ted, and perhaps the prettiest upon the Cape There
are some hundred and fifty dwellings within its cir
Gle, all OF which are OF modern construction, and
tasty architecture, giving the place that air of pros
perity and healthlness so common In New England
villages. considerable portion Of the male inha-
biants are connected with the fisheries, or are en-
gagged IN maratime pursuits, in the southern trade,
packeting, or otherwise, and are hardy, honest.
and hospltable people-courteous to strangers, and
affabe IN their general intercourse. The farms
here are immense tracts of land comprising, often
times, hundreds OF acres, the character of which
to city resident, renders the paradoxcal assertion
plausible, that 'he more man has of it. the poorer
he is" But every rood of it is turned to advan-
tage by the yeomen, IN cultivation, grazing, sheep
feeding, etc, and the residents labor hard but con-
trive to make good living, keep out of debt, pay
their taxes, and ask no favors. The population is