Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-07-12
NAHANT.

The following description of the most
celebrated watering place in the Union,
and the luxuries, amusements, etc, to be
found there, which we take from the
Cincinnati Columbian, will doubtless be
read with interest by many of our read
erse
4SEiere is no spot on the whole Atlantic
coast, where Old Ocean is so grand and
still so beautiful, or so majestic and yet
more peaceful. The narrow promontory
which rims out from Lynn Beach is
crowned with charming gardens, and cot
tages, and villas, and rests like an emer-
aid in its sparkling and fretted teamwork
of brilians.
At the end of this promontory, and four
miles from the main land, high up and
vet within biscuit-toss of the tide, is the
Nahant Honse, caravansera larger than
Solomon ever saw, but supplied with ev-
cry convenience and elegance that expe-
rience can suggest or that money can
purchase. But the elegance would be
worthless to us if the real home comforts
were wanting; if, as at Saratoga or New
port, we were surrounded by magnifi-
cence in the drawing room and poverty
in the bedroom; if we were permitted 10
look on velvets, tapestries and laces, but
were compelled to rest our bones, work
and -Winter-wearied, in seven-by-nine
cubby and on hickory chair, or upon
the softest side of broad and most un-
accommodating bundle of 'shucks, called
by mistake bed.
We will not take time nor space to tell
how these things are at Nahant, but will
only mention that the hair mattresses for
the house cost $l4,000; that every room
has its lounge and high-backed rocker,
gas, centre table, etc.; that four acres of
carpets are laid upon the floors, and that
100000 have been expended on the fur
piture alone. The whole investment on
the Nahant House premises, in the im-
mepse Hotel and its appurtenances, its
bath houses, its stables, its yachts, shoot
ing galleries, and bowling alleys, gas
works, ETC., is over $500, 900, or three We
ry snug plums in the way of fortune.
We know of but three men in the coun-
try who would have had the boldness to
attempt and the skill, the capital and
ability to execute such projecti Among
them are the elder and the younger Ste
vens, Of Boston, who introduced a new
era in hotel keeping, in their Revere and
fremont houses; and they are the land
lords Of the Nahant.
As you go down Boston Harbor in that
tidy steamer the Nelly Baker, you sweep
past feet of sailing crafts of all sorts
from seventy-four to a fishing smack,
and make the trip of fourteen miles in
forty minutes. Its situation is not only
romantic and picturesque, but in every
respect delightful. On all sides, the win
dows overlook the water. In the distance
Boston rests upon her three mouatains
and Bunker Hill sends up her storlec
granite. At our feet the surf dashes upor
rocks and echoes among their caves, or j
tumbles upon the sandy beach. And du
ring dog days, when the country il
scorched, and all cities are little bette
than so many brick and stone ovens, II
which we are either roasted or broiled
how deliciousIy the cool sea breeze fan
cur cheeks. We sit upon Prospect Poin
as the sun goes down, catch button il
our coat, send for wife's shawl, and watcl
the retreating Cunarder, or the risinl
moon gliding the horizon with glory, an
listen TO the deep and ceaseless diapasol
of the swelling tide, and then we thanl
Heaven, like a very Pharaaees that "
are not as other men, nor where othe
men are.
! Now this is all true, and yet the reade
can have no idea of the beanties Of Ns
hant until it is acquired by actual exper
!, ence. Its immediate connection wit