Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1860-07-26

Correspondence Of the Fayetteville Observer
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, I
July IL, 1860.

July II, iSOO.
EDITOR OBSERVER = Here We are, at
the most fashionable, beautiful, and
expensive Of watering places. And
so full Of enjoyment are We, that ]
was just thinking who, Of all our dis
tant friends, we would add 10 our par
ty; and the recollection OF yourself
came popping into my head, with
pleasant thoughts Of Jolly times long
past, and while I'm waiting for din.
ner, III drop You a letter
| see you in your sanctum, 10.
boriously welding the quill, with the
thermometer ranging from 95 to 1909
while We are spending our cool,
breezy mornings in this wise: First,
a walk; then breakfast; after which
ride, and then, tho best Of all, sea-
bathing. With appetites keenly whst-
ted We hurry to the hotel, and after
a fine dinner-la siesta-musio--.
tets a iete--a boat ride (or some
thing else,) for the remainder Of the
day. But the best Of all is tbs ba-
thing. SO full of timid, exciting and
laughable enjoyment. Along the
beach, for a fourth Of a mile, are
arranged over a hundred little houses
on wheels, for the adjustment Of the
toilet. So small are they. that it
requires some skill for lady in fall
dress to get herself in. But what q
change is Wrought in a short space
of time within one Of these miracu-
lous houses! She aligbts from her
carriage all booped, lowered, ruff.
lled and pulled, hifs into the en-
closure. and In eight or ten minutes
you raise your syes, and 10! spec
ter, guoms or wait meets your viewl
All Of those pretty airs, like her
dress, are dropped for the nonce;
and you gaze in wonder that q
being so slight could lirt and carry
such an astonishing amount Of dry
goods as are hung upon peg, bench
aud floor within. The bath.drssses
are Of the most grotesque patterns
imaginable, and OF all shapes and
sizes. Ladies usually wear pants,
of coarse, gray stuG--long, short OF
medium-with a "josy" over; a
coarse palm-lsaf hat, strapped or
with red tape, completes tho costume
Sometimes you ses--but fail to rec
ognize--a pretty woman, clad in
nothing save leug, red flannel
sack. or coat, which plainly reveals
bright pretty ANGLES, as she runs for
the water and plunges into the surl
as it breaks its crest into snowy
spray and foam, entirely sobmerging
her. And when they coma all drip
ping from the bath, the ahriveled old
maid and the belle Of the season are
the same ridiculous objects; the fine,
handsome gentlemen splurge and
choke in the water, wiring their mus
taches, and appear not just as grace
ful as in the hop. Little children,
too, enjoy the sport, and are lovely,
in or out Of The water.
But Newport, besides its modern
Improvements and summer gaiety, is
full of historical "reminiscences and
traditions. Many a quaint old gable
roof tells Of the past; and the Jail now
In use, and other buildings, are more
than a century old. Old forts Of
Revolutionary days are here; and
the ground is sacred wbero o mos.
formidable battle was fought, when
the British evacuated the Island
for it was once in their posses
sion. There are several forts or
modern times, than which there are
few. If any superior in the country.
But chief of all the curiosities is
the old Stone Mill if it may claim
a right to- such cognomen. When
or by whom built, is lost to the
world. 1t is a round tower, sup.
ported by six arches, about 80 feet
high, ] Should think, and Is feet
in diameter; built Of rough stoue,
with gravel and mortar, which isas bard
as the stone itself. Just above tbs
arches are two loop holes, and on
the inside perfect Fireplace, just
below which are Signs of stone
floor. There is much architectural
symmstryabou it;it is certainly rel |