Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-07-26

RIVAL AT OLD PoINr, &c. &c. - 80
Editorial Correspondence Of The Stav. |.
NO. ~ At OLD PoINr, July p 1sss. 4
My last letter left approaching the P3ney |,
Point wharf. Twenty-one years ago I spent |
month here when the accommodations were
bare glaring white cottages, without a single |
shade tree within a hundred yards of them. There |
were average of two hundred guests there |
Chen. Now, with ample shade and exceedingly |
picturesque embellishments. there are but some
twenty persons here The fact illustrates forcbly
the mutability of the affairs of watering places.
After landing passengers here, we head next for
Point Lookout, passing 81. Georges Island, one
of the first landing places and settlements Of the
English in Maryland II is famous in the early
history of the colony, and therefore to one Of my
peculiar tastes Is place of great interest. In its
vicinity 1 observed more substantial residences
than any where else upon my voyage down.
We passed Point Lookout after dark, 80 was
unable TO see the Improvements being made there
by the company who are fitting it up a water
ing place. A long and substantial wharf jctting
out into the considerable bay skirting It, however,
told the t1le that they are spending much money
there = .- s+i-5t -' HFs. 'r"'
Leaving il. we launched out on the broad bay,
with more s!sea'' than before. The breeze is now
most delightful strong as TO nip in the bud in
cipient sea sickness, threatening more or less of
the ladies on the boat with qualns Of stomach.
Ii is glorious indeed tingling every of every
lontsInan aboard The steamer progresses on her
way steadily, neither pitching nor rocking incon-
veniently. The passengers, some twenty in all
a Louisiana family, two or three Washington
fimilies, pair of Cadets from West Point, the
Star concern and "a dozen others from the Lord
knows where--are all assembled on the extreme
aft upper deck. The ladies having waved their
privilege of Directing 70 segars in that sanctum,
we are getting on famously; each being apparent
| ly as well acquainted with the other, though
friends of quarter Of century's standing. Nearly
all Of US bound to Old Point, and we are
pleasantly passing the time until the turning ihr
| hour, in general conversation.
At midnight found myself alone upon the aft
upper deck; and after essaying in vain to cor
rect copy written in pencil by dim lamp light,
for the relief of my friends of the Star omposing
room | turn in also. The night was a delightful
| one; insomuch as though terrific storm arose at
| a. m, lasting until a. m, staunch was the
boat, and so quiet its management, as that nius
of us were happily obliyious to the fact that the
waters were less placid than throughout the day
and the steamer being rushed madiy through the
heavy waves. At a. m all were awlked with
the announcement that an hour would bring us t.
| OAu OAh'' OiSooiho huctilS al uiduc tHclE dp
pearance in the state-rooms' saloon-the ladies
showing the effect Cf their early rising combined
with the vessels motion, making their dear little
feet as unsteady as those Of young bucks indulgng
| in undue potatons.
| Just before US was the steamer Louisiana, of
| Baltimore, on which we observed something of a
commotion, arising, as we subsequently learned,
from lightning sPlintering her flagstaff quarter
of an hour before. She was crowded with passen-
gers, and the females among them were evidently
most essentially Auttered. The rain poured down
in torrents obstructing the view of the shore not
a mile distant The boat though proceeding
steadily on her way. pitched like mad, as the va
rying gusts of wind would now and then shorten
and deepen the ebb and flow of the half sea waves
| Of the bay.
We landed at 5H a. m. and in walking up to
the pavilion (Which the ladies preferred in order
to get rid Of their legs'-by no means grace
full ashOre;) all gradually recovered from the eff.
feet Of the tempestuous latter part of the voyage
Ere leaving the ship, it was voted among them
ie ianiesI 'ii" 80 hare idea of breakfast was m
aDoInlnatlon; yet, ere reaching the Hygela every
one of the dear creatures We're well nigh ready to
enjoy alligator steaks, if nothing nearer to Old
Points famous oysters soft crabs and hog fish was
! AT hand
The approach TO Old Point, with the Rip Raps
Oh the lelt ndnu, ana Fortress Monroe, perhaps
ths most elaborate and imposing American forth
ncation, as well as the best kept one. on the other
is very striking, forming a view worth the trip
from the Federal Met. opolis. We walked upon
the bank Of its moat around to the hotel seeing
the many neat cottage buildings of the Govern
ment, and the stacks and piles of great guns can
non balls. &c, &c, intersPersed among them.
Right glad were we, in due time, to enter the
spacious front portal of the magnificent pavilion
AS early as it was, all was hustle there. The
won't 60 home till morning. boys were lust
preparing to retire, while the invalids and other
early bathers were fitting around on the way to
and from the bathing houses Though greatly
crowded, the officials of the establishment man.
aged to put US all in comparatively very comfort
able quarters; and Resembling at prcak fast an
hour ago, our Powhatan's party found each other
even more agreeable than before ave have fairly
struck up an entente eOrdi0Ie that promises to add
greatly to the pleasure Of our sojourn here The
music of the daily ten o'clock dancing matinee
has just struck up In the ball room in which half
the five hundred gnests of the establishment are
assembled. AS ! am travelling to tell the Stars
: readers Of what il to be seen on such tri D. of
course close this letter here to hasten thither.
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