The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-17
A VISIT TO OLD POINT COMFORT 80

n ~ OLD Il.
As you may possibly be disposed, after the close
OF your arduous duties, incident upon the session
Of Congress- 10 take tramp in quest of recreation
and pleasure, and I,haye recently returned from
visit to Old Point Comfort, desire to give you
and the public my experience OF it as place OF
public resort left here the 80 instant at half.
past 8 o'clock, IN the steamer Osceoa, commanded
by the old veteran, Captain Mitchell, so well and
aVorably known TO the travelling public for his po-
lite and gentlemanly department, and unriyaled
skill in the discharge Of his important trust leaving
nothing undone that contributes to the comfort Of
| his passengers We had an incessant rain until 3
o'clock. Aher landing some Of the party at Piney
Point, we proceeded TO Cone river which we as
cended three or four miles, and returned upon our
passage to Old Point, at which we arrived, and
landed at O'Clock on the following morning; and
as was anxious to see all that To be seen OF
interest, first visited the fort, in company with
and under the auspices Of, our worthy and highly
esteemed friends, A. b. and VIM. Mclean, who
have been so long and favoraby identified with that
stupendous work. After the termination Of the
national salute, and the performance Of the band,
we were escorted about the garrison, which, in the
absence Of all other inducements, is amply sufficient
TO compensate ylsters for trip TO this magnificent
place. Shortly after sunset, an immense crowd OF
persons assembled within the garrison, and wit
messed brilliant display Of fireworks at the close
Of which all hands adjourned to the spacious ball
room at the Hygea hotel, kept by French, of which
desire TO take passing notice This building has
been erected in front Of the old tavern now used as
back building, land, by.the-by, great acquisition
TO the estabishment) This, edifce, understand
was planned by, and erected under, the supervision
OF William MeI.ane, esq, and is fine specimen OF
his architectural talents. / regret that | did
not obtain the exact dimensions Of il, il has an
extensive front upon the water; the centre is ball
room, 50 by SIS feet, handsomely furnished and
lighted, through glass chandeliers, with gas; wing
at each side, extending in the rear one hundred and
thirty feet to the back building, one Of which is oc-
cupied as a aining-room, and accommodates four
hundred persons; the other is used as chambers,
with colonnade in front and rear Of the whole ex-
tent, combining as much style in its exterior as il
does comfort and convenience in its interior arrans
ments, and is in my opinion, emineBtly calculated
for the purposes for which it designed The aues-
ton naturally arises, What is the fare to be met With
in this fine receptacle The best reply that can be
given is, to submit the bill of fare on the 4th viz:
1873 sheephead, 500 hog fish, $50 bushels of oys
tiers, 60 terrapins, sea turtles, l bonita fish
weight 60 pounds, boiled beef, lamb roast beef
veal, pig fowls, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, peas
cabbage onions, and beets, with great variety of
dessert-suffcient 10 crafty the palate of the most
dainty epcure. This fare, added TO the unremitting
exertions of the worthy proprietor to render his
guests comfortable, cannot fail TO give satisfaction
and to insure TO him full share of patronage The
agents and servants held 70 a rigid accountability
for the slightest improperly of conduct that may
come TO his knowledge In Tact, II Is only necessa
ry to bring the merits Of this establishment to pub
lie notice to render it place of fashionable resort
The bathing, the salubrty of the climate the sea-
breeze, and the unparalleled kindness and hospita-
y Of the officers and citizens of the place, renders il
most desirable resort for persons in quest of health
pleasure. There is not day but what there are
steamboats, and other vessels arriving and departing
and vessels Of large class passing and out of the
Roads, constantly presenting something to interest
vsiter. 1t is much TO be desired that the travelling
community whilst in search of health or pleasure,
should at least give Old Point trial and judge for
themselves.
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