The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1856-07-17
From the Providence Journal
A Trip to Block Island.

In compliance with an invitation from
the citizens Of Block Island, a. small
party left Providence on Monday last
in company with Governor Hoppin, to
visit that ancient dependency of the
State.
The party went By way Of Westerly,
at the request OF the citizens Of that
place, who were deslrous to have visit
f,om the Governor. On reaching the
railroad depot, the Governor was met
by large concourse Of citizens who
had been apprjsed Of the contemplated
visit OF his Excgllency, and also by the
Westerly Rifles, under the command of
Colonel Card; by which Company,
with its large and well skilled band, he
was escorted to the elegant mansion of
DR.. Wecden, whose guest he was to be
During the evening, Il number Of citi-
zens of Westerly, paid their respects
to the Governor, and the band, which
took position in a grove near by, per-
formed some beautiful pieces of music,
exhibiting a skill which reflects much
credit upon the town which is able to
sustain SO large and excellent corps of
amateur musicians. In the morning
the Westerly Rifles again appeared, and
escorted the Governor to the steamboat,
on which the party, accompanied by
number of the citizens of Westerly,
embarked for Watch Hill, some six or
seven miles distant. The sail down the
Pawcatuck river, though short, was
very pleasant one. Landing at Watch
Hill, the party proceeded to one Of the
large hotels, where sumptuous repast
was soon after spread.
Few of our citizens ave aware of the
beauties of this watering place, which
deserves to be better known and more
rcsorted to. Two hotels, each nearly as
capacious as the Bollvuc at Newport,
stand on the high ground, about quar-
ter of mile from the Lighthouse,
from which an unrivalled view is pre-.
sentcd of the ocean and Long Island
Sound, as well as of wide district in
the States of Rhode Island and Connec-
ticut. Block Island, aud the cast end
Of Long Island, arc also visible,-The
s,ft air of the ocean, which attracts
such numbers to the shores Of Nara
gansett Bay, may also be breathed here !;
while the fishing, which for many is as
attractive as anything else, may be en-
joyed in its greatest perfection. In
fact, this favoritc amusement may be
practiccd with more facilities here than
at Newport. 1.-THE Race" rushes by
almost within stones throw of the
lighthouse, aud hero, at all times,
tautog, sea bass, and blue fish may be
'ahcn in abundance. In all parts Of the
fine bay at Stonngton, the fishing
ground is equally as good. For a quiet
and retired spot, without the restraints
attendant upon the more fashionable
watering places like Newport and Sara
toga Springs, and at about one half the
expense, Watch Hill may be commend
ed as u most agreeable place to spend
a few weeks during the warm weather,
AT hal!-past 10 o'clock, the yacht
Mazcppa, Capt Fitch. came to anchor
near the Leach, when the party embark
cd. Large additions were expected to
the party here, but owing to the strong
casterly wind, aud the certainty that
tue voyage TO Block Island, would not !
be speedy one, the number was con.
siderably diminished At IL we rot
under weigh, and stood on towards Mon
tauk lighthouse, with a stiff breeze
and after getting view of the Long Is
land coast, tackled ship. and made the
best Of our way towards Point Judith.
In this way, with look one hour at
Montauk lighthouse, and the next at
Point Judith, the yacht Mazeppa"
danced over the blue waves, foaming at
her bows, as the wild horse foamed when
it bore the Cossack chief, from which
she was named, to its native haunts in
tho steppcs Of Tartary. 1t was, in fact,
just such voyage as members Of Con-
gress would delight to take on their
way to Washington, for instance, in
such a case, would literally " lend en-