Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-07-03
FOR the journal
A Trip to TOpsaiI Sound.

Messrs Editors Journal Permit me to
give you a short history of a trip from
WrightsYille to Topsail Sound, on board
the fine and beautiful sail boat Carolina
By invitation and promise, party of four
young ladies with Mr.. and myself
from the former Sound, went on board
Tuesday, 23d instant at o'clock, A. M.
weighed anchor and set out, hoping that
when we reached the banks channel we
would meet Southerly wind, which would
have run us to the anticipated haven in
three hours but our expected hope was
blasted on reaching the channel though,
like resolute Wrightsvillians, we proceeded
on our course with the same light breeze
and spent the tedious, slow sailing pleas
antly, all full of life in anticipation of a
happy time when we should arrive at Top
sail. At about l o'clock, P. NJ we came
to on the hammock opposite the beautiful
residence Of N. N. Nixon, Esq, on the
Sound, short distance Westward of Rich
Inlet, and spent an hour or SO partakipg
of our refreshments, with little old Bour-
bon and bottle or two of pure Scuppernong,
when all went on board and set out again
for our anticipated point of real enjoyment,
which place we reached about 8 o'clock, p.
NJ, and as it was late, we disliked arousing
the citizens, so we pitched CUR tent on Goat
island to await the morning
So soon as the sun made his appearance
in the East, all hands arose, went on board |
and run across to Holmes Landing on the |
main, where we retired to a beautiful live |
oak grove, furnished with pleasant seats |
there We eat breakfast and drank of the |
water from cool boiling spring. Then
We primpt ourselves for move, but the
company determined to dispatch me first
to declare our arrival. l soon reached the |
most delightful residence OF Messrs. Alonzo !
and AylWin Nixon, which L found graced |
with three estimable and charming ladies.
1t was decided after short consultation
that one should return with me to the
landing, with cOpVeyances for the party,
while the remaining should be in readiness
for our reception. all of which was soon &C
comphshed.
Soon after our arrival, notes were sent
by express, through the neighborhood east
and west to the young and fair, to assem-
ole the next morning at the landing where
we had left our boat, for wholesale sail
on the beautiful "Carolina." The same
evening, while at this most delightful resi-
dence, they wereenj oying themselves at the
piano, and other amusements I'VE were ST.
fenced by the sound of music without the
gate; and for an half-hour We we're certain
y charmed by the most del1g perform
ance on the violins, by two young gentle
men Of the neighborhOod; after which they
joined us in the house, where we had live
ly enjoyment until about Y o'clock p. NJ,
when all retired to beds Of rest to await to-
morrow's pleasures.
But when tomorrow came, it came with
pouring showers and continued till late in
the afternoon, just time enough allowed
those two young men to collect the young
and gay of the neighborhood at O. more cen
trail place, by an early hour OF the evening,
where, with music and dancing, they en-
joyed themselves until II o'clock at night.
In half hour or so all parties were again
at their respective abodes, and the "Caro
lima" party resting for a return home the
next morning.
The morning, however, was again stormy,
and we were detained until Saturday, 9th
inst, when it was pleasant. We lett after
a delicious breakfast, prepared by those ]
ladies alluded to before, and were
by quite crowd, to witness
our departure from the landing; and hav-
ing to wait three or four hours for the {
food tide, the time passed off pleasantly {
At about IL o'clock A. NJ, we hoisted sail
and run up a most beautiful flag which had
been presented to the Carolina the day
before our departure by Col. Hedrick, of [
then the only unpleasant time
that of separating. We then
sailed off under the waving of handker-
chiefs and loud acclac.ations of the specta- s
tors from the shore, and arrived back to !
our Wrightsville that afternoon. II
During our stay at Topsail, amid storm I
and sunshine, by night or day, all, all, ap- {
peared to enjoy the meeting together; for a
if asleep, our dreams were pleasant, and s
al regretted deeply the parting moment.
l an requested by the party of the {" Car
Dina Fl" to return our most sincere compli-
ments for the unbounded attention and
kindness shown us by all with whom we
formed an acquaintance on the Topsail ]
Sound visit. aa- a -.@-E -a-s. .as
WRIaHTsYMLE. !,