New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-08-14
A SUMNER EXCURSION.
Block Island and its Experiences

To me Editors Of The Tyibpas
GEsTLEMES: Setting aside the arrangements
Of ethnolosists, Of morasss, AID Of politicians, 1
make this simple one and divide mankind into two
classes, those who have been to Block Island, and
those who have not | belong 10 the frat class,
and propose giving to your seventy th9usand subscr
bers who go to make up that large and respectable
second class, some notion Of tho Island, and Of the
psstime Of the first.
HOW THREE OF Us WENT To BLOCK ISLAND.
From New London, iorty-fye miles distant, In q
trim smack, under command Of Skipper Kinney,
whose officers, crew and cabin boy were concsn-
trsted in one short man, name unknown. From
four to eleven, Pm. we 50 led by bright sunlight
and soft moonlight. Then the crew rowed u
ashore, and we babe him good night. We were
presently received into the house Of Mr.. Sands,
one Of the few who can be wake from qaie. sleep
at unreasonable hours without loss Of temper. A
word here Of him and his house. He 10 fine
specimen Of q gentleman, still erect and vigorous,
though past three score and ten whether Of the
old school or not, my ignorance OF his theology
prevents me from determining. OF his Christianity
we had the beat proofs, not only 10 his good words
hLC bSubAucusst o4s AZ ~~ats~f~'
tons and now desire TO pay 10 him and his lam
lily, for myself and friends our debt OF thanks and
respect for the great kindness and attention we re-
ceiyed at their hands. Except the ceremony OF
setting . very moderate bill, we lived rather
a, the guests OF q private gentleman than a.
ho.,de,. under his bospitable roof The beds were
b,o.d and elastic the sheets snow white, the wash
houls eaoacious, the towels three-hard, soft and
medium. And ssch sleeping, Toe plashing sad
Iuling you, the clean, healthful WHO'D blowing over
Won through the wide open windows, and % 10 be
Aoated, waited away into drear1land-out 10 en-.
chanted Islands peopled BY long-hair mermaids
and water sprites and sea nymPhs ringing the
breakfast bell And such 4 breakfast Fish that
batting stop 70 warm and dry themselves q! the
kitchen fire. had cone straight In from sea, served In
various styles By cook Of gray haired sx perence;
fowls. ctoicely favored Island mutton and other
nssh, for hose who were not pisciyerousi certain
4 nd Of brown bread, that bad undergone tag
bake OF tvensy.Sour ho1rs, and was very salts
factory 10 tee palate-these and other ytands were
laid rlsntifoIly on tee cleanest OF tables around II
we sat with free elbow room, cheerfai company.
A fitting grace by our venerable hoss, during which
cur sppetites vrestltd hard with oar devotional
spirits prefaced such eating a. u not recorded In
~ dog dsy annals Of city hotels. What with tho
gr.ef1l relish Of the meats add toe pleasant Anti
Syreptic cha. between the nouthfuls, there was
not' spsrt from tie times Of the other tao meals.
more agreeable boar Ia the day than this 1t the
b.eskraxt table.
HOW WE TRREI WEST FisHiSG, &S
Among the men Of mark On the Island one Me-
Dodge, Latham Of that sept, and hight Commodore
should be sought ous BY iii visitors who wish for
guide, boatmaD, fisherman And original character al
in one. he ia brief little man. with permanent
hitch in biz gait and frequent one at bis waist
band, when he walks. Bot walking IL his fobie.
Sailing 10 bis forte, q boat IL his home, his house,
o. the late Mr.. Blackstone woald ssy, his castle