New-York tribune., 1870-08-06
ISLES OF SHOALS.

ISLES OF SHOALS.
THE GROUP-rHEIR CHARACTER AND HISTORY
THE APPLEDoRE HoUsE-TTs PATRONS AND
PECULIARITIES-AN ECCENTRIC PERSON AND
HIS FAMILY-IN SEARCH OF GHOsT-DlS-
COvERY OF THE WOMAN IN wHITE-A DOLCE
FAR NIENTE PLACE.
ISLES OF SHOALS, OFF PORTSMOUTH, n. H.,
July 25.-The Isles of Shoals among the quiet and
comparatively little known places Of Summer resort.
They however growing in popularity and increased
accommodations, supplied within three or four years,
have brought these seagrt spots to the attention and
favor OF seekers after rest and recreation.
The Shoals as they usually called, have history,
and associated too, with various traditions, which
peculiar and romantic The islands, seven in
number, called Appledore, Star, White, Haley's'
Duck smuty Nose, and Goldfish. They belong partly to
Maine and partly TO New-Hampshire, though their title
has often been disputed and seems to be st IN dOubt
When those States insisted most strenuousy on their OWL
ershp Shoals could not have been sold for more than
cash. and consequently the right OF possession was
not tried any of the state or Federal Courts The Shoals
are little than rocks with interstces OF thin SOL
where no one would be expected to settle. And YET,
nearly years before the Revolution they had popu-
ation of 600 7O0 which supported itself by hshhg.
They have always been famous for their sheres ana
the present day the cod caught here-they are
known dun cod in the marketare considered the best
in the world. At time 5000 1000 quntals OF cod
caught and cured here annually but OF late years
the business has declined.
Star Island has fishing settlement containing about
$50 persons. Who the people and whence they came
that inhabited the Shoals nearly two centuries ago
has been accurately determined. All sorts
of legends are presented in regard to them.
Certain authorities declare that they were
spaniards, descendants Of the crew who first
came to America with Columbus; while others insist
that they sprang from De sotos little band. There are
who prepared TO prove that the dweer on the
Shoals were Danes while others hold that they were OF
the old Mayhower stock 1t is generally agreed how
ever, that the islands were discovered by Capt John
Smith, Pocahonas memory in 16l4 (5ar Island has
marble shaft concentrating the EVENT., and were known
as Smiths Isles.
There is lighthouse on White Island, where no one
lives but the hghkeeper, who is a bachelor, and his
assistant boy of Is or l6 One would imagine him to
have the temperament and disposition Of misanthropc
hermit but he is really intelligent and polite, very
attentive and gallant to the ladies who visit the light
house during the He supposed, of course, to
have been unfortunate in love- as il is phrased since
is impossible the feminine mind TO conceive that any
sane man keeps alOO from womens society unless his
first affections have been blighted.
Appedore Island formerly called Hog) contains about
$50 acres and on it is the hotelthe Appedore House
where visitors stay during the Recently public
house, called the Atlantic has been put up on star
Island though it has been slendery patronzed as yet
1t is designed, think a place Of refreshment
and temporary accommodation than as regular hotel
and has little prospect of being anything else, as its stu
alton and surroundings wholly inferior TO those OF
Appledore. The Appledore House. which has been en-
larged and improved consists OF three different buildings
connected by long piazza, and capable OF lodging
about 800 persons 1t is comfortable and well kept,
though devoid Of some Of the accommodations
deemed essential in these days. 1t is unpretend-
ing however, and its prices moderate. Those
who come here for rest and the satisfaction OF the
fs all
pendent OF fashion, and Indifferent to the display and
love Of form which make wateringpace Life in general
toll and distraction instead Of relief and serene enjoy
ment In spite OF the almost Spartan painness OF the
Appledore and the occasional encounters with invading
hosts of musketoes would rather spend the Summer
here than at otentatOus places The patrons OF
the Appledore are mostly from New England, though
notice on the register number of names from NewYork
among them that Of the Rev. George H. Hepworh, who
understands the easy art Of composing Kaleidoscope ser
and Of presenting beads and bits of coOred glass TO
his congregation III the most advantageous ana monen
tous
The Shoals are much visited by excursion parties from
Maine Hampshire and Massachusetts,, especially to
remain over Sunday and public holidays 1t Is not un-
common for the boat to bring one day, and take away
next as many hundred persons representing twenty
or thirty different cities towns The majority OF the
Summer sojourners here are from Boston, though Clnc
natans Chcagoans st. Lousians and Baltimoreans are
patton is seldom Flirting soberly, If not puritan
ically conducted, and is unlike the sentimental and
sensuOus amusements Of fashionable spas as Flfth
Avenue bell is like Lowell factory girl. There
is nothing canting however in the tone of the
visitors, who usually very liberal and highly cuti-
waited. They quiet because they are sensible, and
have no ambition to make conquests matches, or sensa
tions The tawdry vulgarity and ridiculous aeeaton
so conspicuous in noisy and preentous places are
banished from the Shoals People here have ideas and
know how to express them in pure English and with good
taste They have desire their clothes described
in the newspapers and do not long for the perpetual
Paul Pry presence Of Jenkins who, after the Inter
viewer" is the most repulsye excresence Of modern
journalism
The Appledore s comfortably full now, and has been
ever since the Fourth It's patronage every
seasonal which am not surprised for the place is
unique restfu, and agreeable There is other resort
like this. Block Island resembles it in respects
and residence here II at The
Shoals you know II miles from the main land and
on the north east and south the boundless ocean 70
that If there he any breeze anywhere ia to
get here The land breezes, often oppressive the
sea-cOast. cannot reach you here without being tenn
pered and cooled by the ocean. During the season
small steamer chrlstened the Appedore runs between
the Shoals and Portsmouth and is the only regular
Of communication with the land Formerly visitors to
the Shoals conveyed from Portsmouth by
schooner but, dead calms not uncommon here
about In Midsummer six eight, and even twelve hours
sometimes spent in making the passage. However
entertaining this kind Of fixed motion may be in itself,
life is not long enough for its indulgence and, after
several passengers had died OF old age during the transit
the schooner withdrawn.
The prOpretors Of the AppedOre House Oscar and
Cedric Laghton, who born the island and who
never visited the main land until after they years
OF age. Their father at time prominent
politician in Porsmouth but having, 1t is said taken
onse at the of his party and conduct OF some OF
his friends he determined 10 withdraw from all conm