Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-08-10
THE WATERING PLACES
LETTER FROM COBB'S ISLAND.
Bathing, Fishing and Canning.

august ), loo. !
Dear Star A long stretch of white. glisten-
ing sand Spreading out into the ocean as far as
the eye can reach, a yast expanse of heaving,
surging waters, breaking nadly against a rect
OF grayslr rock, a seething surf of milk-white
foam splashing htfully over smooth, hard
beach, a score or more sfoups OF gaily-attired
bathers plunging gleefully among the breakers
or gathering shells and other curiosities tossed
up by the sea. miniature village Of suow-white
frame houses covered with a luxuriant growth
OF creeping vines. vista OF rustic cottages
peeping picturesquely from among green trees
and hedges, tremulOus back ground OF ocean
and the distant Virginia mainland, are the main
objects upon which the eye of the traveller rests
a. he looks forth from the verandah of the Ink
nrious hotel on Cobb's Island, known as the
Cobb House.
DESCRIPTION OF CoBBs ISLAND.
Cobb's Island is, in a certain measure, in its
swathing clothes. That is, it has hardly come
TO be known % a full grown watering place and
il yet lacks the annual rush of fashion to estab-
sh IL as one OF the se9side resorts. Its claims to
popular attention and patronage are not weak
ened by tb fact, however, for ia unequaled
surf advantages, the genuine hospitality OF its
hotel owners, and the thousand and one other
attractions 30 Necessary to its own prosperity
and SO grateful to the traveller, are matters Of
established fact, and as such cannot, in the
long run, fail TO gain for it a widespread and
permanent reputation, second to that OF no
other watering place in the country.
ITS REMARKABLE FEATURES.
The island, which IS about four miles long by
two broad, takes its name rom that of its owner,
the father OF the three proprietOrs of the hotels
on its eastern coast, who many years ago bought
it, il is said, at the remarkable figure OF $50
and 30 bushels OF salt. 1t is, in reality, long
sand bar thrown up above the level of the sea
10y some mighty CONFUSION of nature, and not,
as many have been led TO suppose, the result Of
extraordinary tidal Influences acting on the
ocean bed beneath until an island was formed
The latter theory may be shown to be incorrect
10y the fact that long stretch OF reef protects it
Seaward which never shows a sand deposit, and
that the water Immediately beyond attains
depth OF nearly forty fathoms, and is clear and
green even in the stormiest of weather. More
over, ol 'ervations made during the last eight
yeprs, during which the place has been open as
public resort, show that the island has lost
rather than gained in dimensions, its northern
extremity having been worn away by the waves
TO distance OF thirty feet or more.
HOW TO REACH THE ISLAND.
To reach Cobbs Island from Washington one
is compelled to make someting of detour, and
this, perhaps, is the only drawback to the most
perfect enjoyment from the moment of leaving
that city to the return to it. To be obliged to
lay over a day in Norfolk is never agreeable,
even in winter unless one has acquaintance or
business there, and their patience comes into
play largely "a virtue; in summer it is almost
uncomfortable. The blstering heat thatv rises
perceptibly from the parched payements, the
dilapidated appearance OF the houses and city
generally, the evident want Of cleanliness in the
streets, the broken down, ,wearicd air that seems
to have settled like q pail over the entire COM
munity y,-sad result Of the late wPr,-are far
from being attractive, and it is with a sigh OF
hearty relief that you step on board Of the boat
which Is to carry you to your place of destina-
tion on the other side OF Cape Charles, distant
about forty-fve miles.
The trip from Baltimore to the island is pre-
ferable to that from Washington, for one there
goes direct to the Easter N Shore Of Virginia,
whence the intervening straits, being but nine
miles wide, are quickly passed, and the subse-
quent stage ride across the island, lasting about
twenty minutes, Is rendered additionally agree
able because OF its affOrding an unObstructed
view OF the whole island and the surrounding
sea. The cost Of transportation part OF the trip
either way is the same, about 81; this includes
everything, stage fare and all. will not dwell
on the beauties Of the passage down either the
ular have they become as thor0ughfares that
even the most casual reader hereabouts Is in
formed on the subject-if not from actual expe-
rience, at least from description and the expe-
rience of others. To one coming from the
North, however, the fact that he win pass over
ground memorable a. the scene of some of the
haDce the interest felt In the naturally beauti-
full and absorbing scenery spread out on both
sides Of him during the passage to the lower
capes.
On alighting from the stage, which picked you
up after leaving the Norfolk steamer and carried
you across the island, you find yourself on a
white sandy beach, so compact and firm that
the wheels Of the heavy vehicle leave hardly an
imprint thereon, A number Of pictuIesque-look-
ing vine covered cottages, painted white, among
which CObb's Hotel, from its superior size and
the long verandsh extending its whole length
stands prominently conspicuous, gre grouped
together on the right, and into one OF these you
enter according ss your party 10 en- fdmtile, or
made up of strangers, or js q congregation OF the
genus homo known rs q "stag' parry. In the
latter case, II you desire, you can occupy one
OF the adjacent cottages, which are each capable
of accommodating about twenty per ons, where
you can enjov al the cousorts Of hotel tie, and
at the same time the privacy Of a adrawing-room.
These three colt 1gcs, or rather smaller hotels,
are known rs the Baltimore House, the
TIn,t House and the Richmond House,
and are under 're immediate charge of A. +.
Cobb. SO far ths season they have been con
stsntIy occupied BY parties Of gentle men from rom
R.itimore Usually, the persofs living thos
ansrt take their meals In the grand saloon Of
the main hotel; but it is entirely discretionary
with them " whether they eat there or "at home.
The walters are OIL coloreA, and were selected
from among those who had served In old South
ant