The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-11-09
An Island Homo.

About midway between ,Nahant and
Swampscot, in Massachusetts, Bay, and about
three miles IRON the shore, lies Egg Rock, q
singular production Of nature, which Alonzo
Lewis, in his history Of Lynn, describes as
being eighty.six feet in height siorty.i'c rods
in length, twelve in breadth, with super
fetal area Of about thrcc acres and which,
viewed from the north, resembles lion
couchant guarding the town Of Lynn. On
the summit Is abOdt halt an acre OF soil,
mostly cuano, with mixture of vegetable
mould, exceedingly rich. Until about tyc
wears ago this rock was tenantcd solely by
sea fowl.
Through the efforts of Mr.. Lewis, Govern.
ment was prevailed upon to erect light
house upon the dangerous islct, as q guide
and warning to mariners, many OF whom
had met with u watcry grave for want oi a
beacon light at this point. The Lighthouse,
IA wo learn from the Lynn Reporter, is a
snug establishment, built Of stonc, with
comfortable accommodations for the keeper
and his family. Upon this rock lives Mr.
George Taylor, tho keeper, his wife, and five
children solitary community in sight ol
busy world, yet almcs', as 1t were, oot ol
1t. Here ,lry live in ,'lm and happy SER
entity. Winl,r hurls its icy storms and angry
waves again, their rocky home, and the
fierce winds hold reycl about their snug stone
dwelling, seemingly striving to throw 1t oSs'
tho elm into tho boiling deep, yet they re
poso securely within. A novice would bt
terror stricken by the gales which they have
learned to regard without fear. In summer
1t Is q pleasant and picturesque spot. The
cool sea brcczcs temper tho scorching rays ol
tho sun, and tho white sails OF vessels OF
every description cnliycn tho waters OF the
bay in oil directions.
During the summer season large numbers
of people visited the rock, rs many rs three
hundred having been there during tho month
Of August. During much tho larger part OF
the year, however, callers arc few, and Mrs.
Il. says shc has passed eight consecutive
months without looking upon the face OF a
female Tho children play freely about tho
island, skipping from rock to rock without
accident. There has been no sickness In the
family during tho four years they have been
upon the rock. Ono OF Mr.. Taylor's pets is
q remarkable dog, OF which the Reporter
:" Ono of the most valued and esteemed OF
Mr.. Taylor's family pets, Is his dog. the
guardian of his establishment and the pro.
tcctor of his children. This dog is very fond
of tho water. and enjoys himself greatly in
swimming or among the breakers when tho
sca Is rough. In tho winter season rs the
Swanrscot fishermen come In from their trips
thew will often lash two or three good-sized
Goldfish 10 stick of wood and throw them
over for the benefit Of Mr.. Taylor. Tho dog,
who is always on the look out, will notice
the proceeding, and forthwith swim OF and
bring in tho prize though the weather be
ever 20 cold. and the fish often mile from
the rock. In thick or ioggy weather, he
will station himself upon the seaward side
of tho rock, and upon the slightest sound OF
an approaching vessel, which he can distin-
guish at great distance, hc will set up an
inccssant barking, which has often proved a
warning when light could not be seen. MIR.
Taylor thinks the dog quito as useful as the
light, and we do not 500 how he could well
get along without him." :.
The example Of happy contentment cxhi.
bited by this isolated family, furnishes les.
son from which many might gather wisdom
whose means Of enjoyment arc iar greater