Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-08-14
THE ISLAND OF NANTUCsT.
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE NEW roaEIRnoa.

Seniy wealth, intelligence, sand-bars and ST. this is quite
the most remarkable place in the world TadD was won
der, and baabec puzzle, but Nantucket is aacle The
more look at 1t and think about it, the morenguar it APP
pears to me- There place on the globe ut offers such
curious study TO the politco noras as this Ibou hun
ded and eighty years ago. in those precious god old times
that Conservatives are always whining about win every town
was embellshed with public whppngpost ad men were
chad up" before ecclesiastical tribunals for ksing their
wives on the Sabbath there came to the town Salisbury
on the Merrnac nver three strangers who begged the pr
vego OF shelterlng themselves from petng be-
meath the shed OF Thomas Macy quiet farmer hse parts
The privilege was granted, and when the studded the
strangers departed and their way was arwards
discovered that these thee Quakers who wre flee
ing from the persecution of the public authorities ,ho
show their love to God thought necessary to ham, every
body that construed biblical differently from themeves
Thomas Macy Immediately seized and thrown into pr-
SON. his goods and chaues dstrained upo and his family
left to shift for themselves He sent petition to the Gene
raj Court begging to be released from prison. setting forth
very simple but touching language that he had glorantly
offended in allowing the Quaker wayfaers shelter beneath
his roof and that in ding he had only done towards a fell
low man what he could have denied a dog After be-
ing kept In prison year he released but finding him
sell kind OF oucast in the pous neghborhood of Salisbury
he resolved to remove to far country where the people
had less religion but humanity. So he put his family
anu all their worldly gear into small boat and himself
ahoat upon the desert waters in search IF homo AS
he kept no log Of his voyage, know not what per he
encountered nor what he but there be
no doubt that his dangers and his hashps great
After being driven about the wide for many days.
he last dscened the sandy cliffs of this island and think
ing from its desolae look that Christian prosecutor would
follow him hilher he landed with his family and being
Hospitality entertained by the native Inlans who had
before the face of white man, and liked civate
curiosity of the kind among hem he remained year. There
was charm for the honesheared Thomas Macy in the sub
lime desoation of the island The abounGed with
great variety OF line fish, which the Indians without
difficulty the shores CLANS quahogs pariwinkles
OYSTERS and many other crusaceous decacies he Indians
cultivated and tobacco, tradition says
trees enough the island to supply them witt rewood.
But with all these essential elements of happiness there
still wanting the of friendly neghbors 80 the per-
secuted pilgrim returned to Salisbury and gaveso bright
picture OF the delights of his home that half do
zen families were tempted to return with him. They
men OF simple habits, of strong virtues and BENEVOLENT hearts
One OF their number, shortly after they landed went to the
top of hill to look upon their Canaan and seeing the parch
ed and desert aspect Of the land turned the where he
whales spoung and gambong among the dested waves
stretching out his he pointed the AID said his
companions, yonder the green fields which will be cu-
waited by children The prediction has ben remarkably
verified From that day the inhabitants of tie island have
devoted themselves wholly 10 the sea- and hive drawn from
It immense stores of wealth At time Nantucket had
greater amount of tonnage employed in the wlae fishery than
any other place in the world At the pesen time they have
but eighty ships while New Bedford has marty double the
number.
The people have suffered severely, at different periods
from the effects of wd famine and fire lot the energetic
and ndomtabe spirit Of their still exists among them
and they present quite the remarkable instance OF the
pursuit OF property under difficulties that tbs world offer
The cheap facility Of intercourse with the min land by
Of steam has caused modification in tie primitive habits
Of the people, but they unique ard thoroughly old
English IN their speech and customs and will probably remain
forever in spite of the focks of visitors who the
Island during the hot months to enjoy the racing sea air and
thp fuaa
Of old weatherbeaen frame houses, coveed with pine shin
giles, and entirely destitute Of all architectural graces the
establishment OF paint the streets crooked and Struggling,
and sandy that you have wade through them rather than
walk That part of the which WIS DESTROYED by fire
last year has been rebuilt with substantial brick buildings the
streets Strengthened and the general appearance things
greatly improved They have plenty of good schoohoues
able teachers and really handsome Ahenum with the n.
ceus of library and museum OF naturl curosites But
the charm of the Island visier lies its desert bills and
sublime prospect The simple graneur of the scene as
you stand in the middle Of the Island with the ocean gleam-
ing bright belt around you, only e conceived Of by
those who have stood in the middle of Western prairie
But here the brown poverty Of the SOIL the absence of all ap
peaances Of vegetable fertility and the bue sea in the dis
lance, elements Of desoae grandeur that the pras lack
You might imagine yourself standing upon the first spot Of
primal earth which emerged from old Chaos before the gai-
ure Of trees and flowers of rocks and running water were
added to the surface of our globe.
There tradition among the inhabitants that when their
oreiahers landed here from Salisbury they found the island
naming There few ornamental trees planted in
the town, which appear thrive WELL but the land out of the
town. which is still held in common and Undivided being
used chiefly for the pauage Of sheep, entirely destitute Of
shrub The heritage is very scan and DOOR but
the sheep thrive upon and make the finest mutton have
tasted would advise all who come here for recreation
eat nothing but mutton and fish, eschewng III, swordsh
however. Apart from moral duty which ATTACHES TO every
body to avoid every thing that sword eym though
be fish, the swodsh 10 be avoided for cosseness and
ndgestibe qualities But the people here and in New Bed
ford appear have passion for meet men nthe streets
carrying home swordfsh steaks the end of wooden skew
ers. wonder what zaak Walton would have don, with one
hapoon and whether he would have succeeded 10 making
one Of the monsters palatable chub Let he swotd
fish be cooked he may, think with the American editor
of old Izaak 10 his the chub that the dish will be
improved by leaving out its principal Ingredient. Wiley &
Putnans edition Of the Complete Angler is most choice and
instructive volume enriched by cpous and learned notes by
who has had the modesty conceal his name but who
divides the honors with his master The American editor de-
much praise for the additions which he has made to
the permanent literature of the country as for the service he
has rendered to the voares Of the ANGLE BY good fortune
put copy Of this work my vase before leaving New York
and while lying upon the deck Of the little packet which
brought the shoals and the sound read old
zaaks essay the superiority OF the other elements
and the superiority Of fish all other animals but those that
catch them with the angle The Of the oop said me
." guess that is new book you readingyou seem
to be tearing the leaves open"
eyes," said |.
"Well thought So" said the mate show much now
might such book that cost ~
he Dsa,JI - III