Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-07-13
OLD POINT CORRESPONDENCE
WILLARD's HOTEL.

OLD NOkfOkT, VA. July W
Mr.. Editor: In my visit here, have been
happily disappointed, and although contem-
plated spending but few days at this place,
L shall now prolong my visits for many weeks.
The attractions at this place are not sufficiently
known, for it is one Of the most delightful wa
'ering places have ever met with, and have
been to all the principal ones 1t is located
upon point of land projecting far into the
salt water, and, in fact, is almost an island.
We have the full fresh sea breeze, with q most
delightful climate. have not found woolIen
clothes too warm yet, and a blanket Is ouite
comfortable at night. For amusement we have
aVarlety, unlike the monotonus routine st most
resorts. The fishing is unprecedented. The
nc plus ultra pan fish, called the hog fish, is
now caught In abundance, with thousands of
the more common kind, the sheep head, equal
TO any hA that swims, many Of those that arc
caught by the hook weigh from ten to if
teen pounds. This is the season TO take them
ALSO for soft crabs; and the oysters taken
fresh from the deep waters are considered good
the year round. We have fine bathing, and a
white clean sand beach for many miles, for a
walk or a ride after night fall
There is now quartered at the Fort, nearly q
complete one Of the new regiments, and each day
these new recruits are drilled II il amusing
to see some Of the green ones (ShangAois as
they are calledl at their first attempt; but an
observer each day can see the benefit they re-
ceive from " old sogers"
Fortress Monroe incloses an area of eighty
acres, which Is probably the finest parade
ground In this country. Upon the ramparts
there is most beautiful promenade, and a
view unequalled Of its kind In the Hampton
Roads often can be seen more sails than the eve
can count; with a view Of Cape Charles and
Cape Henry. The place is not isolated from
" all the world and the rest of mankind -
There Is almost hourly a steamboat communi-
cation with Norfolk and Portsmouth and a
steamer each day from the cities Of Baltimore
and Richmond, by which we have the mails
from the South and North.
L never have met with a more delighted and
delightful company than are now congregated
here. The evening balls are exceedingly bril-
liant, and remarks were many times made in
my hearing, last evening such as /" how many
handsome young ladies ,''-'' such beauties -
-"Old Point never turned out 50 fine a show -"
The guests number already full four hundred
The hotel. under the immediate control Of Mr.
Caleb Willard, a younger brother of the Wash
lngton w lizards, is admirably conducted There
is no lack Of attention, and every effort is made
To please, although there will be some grumb-
ling in all societies. Ii is rumored that the
President and his lady will soon be here, and
| understand Mr.. Willard has rooms In reserve
for them. Mr.. Secretary Marcy will be down
next week Com. Paulding, recently appoint
ed to the command of the Home Squadron,
will in few days anchor lis flag ship in our
waters preparatory to his cruise The COM
mander told me that Mr.. Dobbins. Secretary
of the Navy, would very probably take a short
trip to sea with him for the benefit of his now
feeble health.
BY way of amusements in the house, besides
dancing, we had, a few evenings since Shaks-
pearian reading by Miss White; and to- NOR
row night, for an additional variety, a band Of
Ethiopian minstrels will give performance in
the fine ballroom.
There is a great rush for the Star every
morning on the arrival of the Baltimore boat.
Calvin Bohn, of your city, is the dispenser Of
literary comfort to US all. He must double his
order for your sprightly and interesting jour
nal, or be content to fall far behind the wants
OF the times. A VISITOR.