Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1870-07-01

Here am at the ancient and honorable
town Of Lewes, near Cape Henlopen, at the
mouth OF Delaware Bay, known of fame,
and respected accordingly. The iron
horse" that has recently made his advent
here, brought me--lor the first time by this
mode Of travel snoring and believing 10
sight of the Atlantic Ocean; the air as we
passed through the woods and forests being
laden with the perfume Of the magnolia,
wild.rose, and grape blossom, filling the
cars with their delightful odor, aud Cypress
ing the senses with its sweetness.
Beng travel-slaned, gray with dust, and
swellerng with the intense heat Of the
weather, we proceeded TO our hotel to per-
form our additions, and to refresh ourselt |
with change of apparel, after which we |
sailed forth in quest OF some cool and shady |
retreat, wherein we might, haply, secure to |
oursel some reasonable share Of human |
comfort.
The completion of the Junction and
Breakwater Railroad to this town has given
| IT, and the surrounding country, an impetus
in the march OF improvement, and which is
exhibiting itself in the neat and handsome
new dwellings that have been erected, the
repairs and regeneration of old ones and in
the better culture of the farms In this sec
ton. Lewes is town OF considerable size,
having some six or eight streets running
n
crossing them at tight angles. Many OF the
dwellings are beautified with tasteful yards
in front planted in shrubbery, vines and
flowers. II contains one church of each OF
the denominations OF Presbyterians, Episeo-
pallans and MethOdists. On Sunday morn
ing had the pleasure Of listening TO very
Interesting sermons by the Rev. Mr. McKlm,
at the Episcopal church; and in the evening
of the same day by Rev. Mr.. Burke OF the
Methodist church. AT both OF these churches
they have most excellent singing; the voices,
more especially Of the ladies. being exceed.
ingly fine.
There are number OF excellent stores,
well supplied with the comforts and con.
venlences life, and attended by polite and
gentlemanly proprietors and clerks, who
study to please all comers
We have, here, a good sized hotel, stand
ing high above the water level, and thus af.
iording fine view Of the Ocean, the Bay,
, Breakwater, Lighthouses, the Cape, and OF
the shipping in the harbor. Here, also, may
be found several comfortable private board
p lighthouses.
Lewes Greek flows along the front of the
town and close TO il; the Bay being half a
. mile from the fast land, while between the
town and the Ocean lies half a mile of
marsh, or meadow. A board walk and
. bridge leads across the creek, and over this
marsh to the sandy beach at the seaside;
, which is too far away for bathing unless one
takes conveyance Of some kind to reach Il.
The large hotel known as the "Ocean
House" and formerly conducted as a water.
c ing-place has recently been purchased by
|. Harbeson Hickman, Esq, public spirited
n and wealthy gentleman OF this place, who is
having It f ted up-as we are iniormed-ior
a seminary OF learning There are, here, |
learn, very good private and public schools,
u at this time.
4 Awaiting myself of the polite invitation o.
friend, who called for me in his carriage,
e visited, with Lin, the famous spot wher.
= RehobOth city is 10 be erected into a cele
N brated watering place. 1t is proposed, FIRST
lie to construct large and fine hotel here. fol
n the accommodation of summer visitors: ap(
% afterwards, sell of town lots and certain i
10 is, as lar as our observation has extended
:, no more eligible spot can be found In tn,
~ United States, or elsewhere; or, one, com
10 blniug SO many advantages and resources
e, for watering place.
ls The high land, or bluff, extends on a dea,
20 level to within stones throw of the sur
X on the beautiful white beach, where, at al
y times, there is magnificent breakers thun
D. derng on The shore for those who desir,
'u surf bathing. While III the rear about a
% far, lies Rehoboth bay, an immense bocy o
shallow water that affords calm aud place
oi salt water bathing to ladies and children. in
valids and others, who prefer it TO the NOR
g boisterous waves OF old Ocean himself
T. Another advantage Of great value not pos
sessed by any other watering place that
: am acquainted with, IS the delicious iresl
, Water that we have here in abundance eithe
Tor drinking, cookery purposes, or bathing
s there being a very large lake of pure, swee
I. spring water near al hand. Here, also, ma,
y be found in pTolusion, fish OF every flo, and
in season, hard and soft crabs, clans, will,
- fowl and game OF almost all kinds togethe
20. with oysters, if pains is taken to plant o
bed them.
But we regret to say, that, with all lhes
g. advantages, and Notwithstanding a compan
of gentlemen had gone so far as to max
d purchase OF portion OF the land necessar
for the above purpose, paid an advance I
secure it, and actually landed a boat load c
= material for the hotel, the whole project hs
- fallen through with on account OF the miserl
and shOrtsighted policy of the residents I
~ tue vicinity, who, have refused TO sell an
y more land except at the most fabulous price
We took plunge into old Ocean, at hi
\. place; and luXuriating amidst the tumblin
'"' breakers.
, We laid oui haud upon hs name
hy And felt him bound beneath us,
N As steed that knows bis rider
Obi il was glorious, and we couldn't he
ed plying those poor moTtals who were swe lie
+ ing 10 the heat ashore Al RehOblta, Ia G
are no mosquitoes, no dies bugs or insects {
any kind there is a cool, delightful T
tn lreshing breeze constantly blowing, keepil
up all the time a most delicious sensation
lie. comfort and delight.
nm Yours slylY,