The Portland daily press., 1865-08-03
LETTER FROM THE snA-s1pB.
-at SEASIDE HOUSE, HARPsWEIL !
~ r

NECK, July 81, 1865. g..
Mr.. Editor: = Through your columns |
would say to all lovers of seaside nature, come
to Harpswen All along the rock-bound coast
OF Maine, from the rugged holiness of Mount
Desert to the far-famed beach Of Old Orchard,
there is scarcely spot devoid of an interest
which in higher latitude would have made il
famous long ago. By and by, when the preju-
dice, against "Down East" which seems to
cling to very soil, is done away, we shall have
these rocky shores echoing to the eager
ness of educated enthusiasts. Their gain
viii be our loss; for we, the lovers of pure and
unde6led nature, will be compelled to migrate
still further into Northern fastncsses: but, for
the present, gratefully we pitch our tent on
lonely Harpswell Neck, IRA spot, if not so much
trumpeted, not the les worthy. And you who
have but one leisure day even, let me be your
pilot, and you viii exclaim, "Truly the lines
lave fallen to me in pleasant places"
At9-A. M, we will make our way to Frank
lin Wharf, in Portland, where we shall be sure
to find the safe, neat and swift enough steamer
HAIarcena Johnson i and, if you wish to knew
more of the coast than 1 can tell you, keep
| your eye on the captain,--the man with the
straw hat and linen coal, --7and afterIhe has
taken your very moderate ticket, ask him, and
| you will find him obliging and intelligent.
charming sail Of from one to two hours,
| through the most beautiful of all bays, will
bring you to the landing at HarpswelL There
| you viii meet our gentlemanly host Of the Sea-
Side House, who win lead you up winding
path, through grove which almost conce4ls
| the house, "a beautiful goveiof the high frs
which are so abundant in this vicinity. Walk
on one Of the galleries before you enter the
house, and see what taste mine host has shown
in the selection of a spot for his house, Just
enough Of the grove cut away to build tic
house, and not to obstruct the view; and the
| water on either sile is within few reds.
Now you have just time for SABBATH,
or TO catch few fish from the LANDING,
and stroll TO The Indian camp, to come back
to dinner which your keen appetite and a
good caterer would make you sorryIto lose
i Ieu will hardly be ready for a long walk SO
s'' on asssr dinner, OF would take you mile
or two the Neck to the top Of a hill, fron
which you have as varied view as youscould
have from one point, I think. A litse north
Of the setting sun, in the opening made BY two
Islands, Mount Washington rests asssinst the
sky A few hours later it will glofifed in the
4 golden mist, and the intervening country made
more indistinct, though more beautieul
through the purple atmosphere. Sotlthwslr,l,
as far as the eye can reach, perfect archipsl-
ago. Islands just large enough fora lilliputian
city, and iskinds extending five or six miles in
length covered with fshermen's cottages, and
an occasional chufch-spire. Eastward, the
open sea covers one-qtlarter of the horizon.
For miles distant, Cape Small Point and the
\ mouth of the Kennebec. Water and laIu1 sep
arated in1lnes of perfect beauty make up the
picture. But you do not care to walk, soeelse
with me for arrow, or sail, TO the pretty ro-
mantle cove in the island which lies right off
tile extreme point of the Neck There. is
hardly time to drop your line in The waters
which might tempt the most fastidicus pis-
Gator Fa asoiasa fae ssa4a4 aatg
Now we row into the sfadowy cove, made
| ny high overhanging lodges of rocks surmount-
ed by the solemn frs which sway Their tops in
unison with the waves and rock tle cradles
Of the sea birds which are hidden il the top
most boughs. Let us row to the end Of the
cove and pull our boat up the pebbly beach So
we may. find some one to tell US The legend
which is almost invariably connected with
these coyes, Yet we must hasten bask or the
captain, who looks to the greatest god of the
greatest number, viii be off with his boat, and
we will be under the necessity of remaining
another day. And you must be under very
strict bondage to make that painful circum-
stance However, we are in season, it is Just
/ 4P. NJ, will say au revoir, feeling sure that.
is the only good bye necessary. A sunset sail
Of a different, but of equal beauty With TIE
morning, and you will be IN season for the So
/ cial or public amusements for which the gay
little city of Portland is noted need not say
to you, come again, but ], viii tell you If you
have friend of the gentler sex in whose hap
piness you feel interested, bring her with you.
Willie you are out catching sixty pound
] Cod, or with your gun trying your skin on
some of the neighboring islands, (and it is said
you will not waste your shot if youare gosd
marksman) your friend viii quickly make the
acquaintance Of the ladies here, cordial and
/ agreeable as they are; can JOIN them in their
merry bathing parties, in the ont-oEdoor games
| and in some Of the parties which are SO fire.
quently made up to visit the scene of, Mrs.
Stoves charming story, aThe Pearl of prr,s
Islanda ~ II Eaf1s .am1si 1sg
Inffrfi.li. ~ ,5sst-5..s.s =.
It is just pleasant sailing distance, and hersi
She may wander about, judging for herself tic
truth OF those graphic descriptions may cal
at the house OF Deacon IT, and ask for is
/ wife, who answers as well to the nsufe Of Affs.
Pencil as to her own-but she will lp.,ll in
vain for the old sea7chest, and the dal,ghters
will assure you tits all false y and as to her
rather walking in his shirt sleeves in Calcrltsa,
why he has hardly ever been away from hcl5e.
Yet some Of her s'models7 are still living and
veritabIe persons, though the goodly inhaF,l
tants express some Indignation at her treat
/ ment Of them. 4HNha q IA
A. After rambling about an hour, your friend
m-sy like to sail across to the main Ian1,
ard visit the spot where Parson SewslD ex-.
pounded the doctrine. The maiden sister who
still lives there viii interest her-but she viii
be sq11y that the old house which was a link
10 g inject US with days gone by, has been quite
recently pulled dewn. But it is quite time to
return to the house. s'Aa
One hSde incident L must tell you Wheas
Mrs. Stowe was writing her story she wished
to visit the Island incog, and knocking at one
Eof the humble cottages, she begged permission
10 remain all night. With native politans5s
the fisherman answered "Such as l have You
are welcome to, but am afraid you viii find
no pearls" When you meet your friend at
night, the glowing face and bright eye will tell
you without words that you have cared for her