The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-07-13
Letter from Ellsworth.
ELLSWORTH, July s, 1871.

! The Fourth of July passed off here without
any public recognition. The ringing of bells
and the use of tire-crackers being prohibited, ;
most unusual quiet prevailed through the day
| Having no use for eloqucnce at home, the city
| lent two of her youthful orators to assist III
celebrations in the neighborins towns of Tren.
ton and Surry. The most important event O
! the day, was an excursion to Bass Harbor. Mt
| Desert, in the Steamer Argo, under the aus
pieces of the Esoteric Lodge of Masons. Tho
| ESoteric is Il new Lodge. and was consecrateC
on Monday evening. As the Masonic Hall is
not large, the ceremony of conservation ant
| installation of officers was performed at the
| Unitarian Church. by officers of the Crane
Lodge who came for the purpose. There was
music on the organ and singing by the choir
and the services We're interesting and impress
sive.
At halfpast nine on Tuesday morning com
pany of about 300, consisting of tile Masonic
Fraternity and a few invited friends, had as.
Sempled on board the Argo. A large number
of people had also gathered on the wharf tt
witness the embarkation of these modern
Argonauts, in quest, not OF a Golden Fleece
but only days recreation, At ten O'Clock, tie
tide permitting, amid the waving Of handkcr-
chiefs, and many wishes of 4 'bon voyage
from the shore, the patriotic music of the Band
| on board, and shril scream Of the whistle, VIC
steamed away At rapid rate. A short distance
down the river we passed the tow boat r. Il
Carter, with Il party of about one hundred on
board, on an excursion to one of the islands in
the bay.
Although the wind and tide were both con
trary, the Argo landed her pa sscnsers on the
wharf AT Bass lIarbor in about three hours.
The whole company went Immediately to Il
grove near by, where a long table had been
previously prepared. with seats enough for all.
An excellent chowdcr was soon brought ON.
also an abundance of good coffee, which with
The ample supply of eatables brought by each
one, furnished delicious repast, to which the
hungry multitude did full Justice. After the
table was cleared and some music had been
given by the Band, it was proposed that
speeches should be made. Rev. w. II. Savary
being called on, responded in q most happy and
appropriate manner. Mr.. Savary is an earnest
worker in the cause of progress, and has the
is untirng in his efforts to promote the real i'm
provement and elevation of the people. Mr..
Sawyer, of the Ellsworth American, was next
called, who made good speech in favor Of Il
railroad through Eastern Maine.
A sad accident happened on the shore, lust rs
the steamer was coming into the harbor. A
man named David Nice, was severely injured
Inv M t,ln ,,-lfj IL,
pouring powder into it, An experienced ply
stefan from our party was taken at once to the
spot, who after dressing his wounds brought
back the report that he would probably recover
and that with good care he might not even lose
his sight. Learning that he had family de-
pending on his Labor, n contribution of $50 was
made by such gentlemen of the party as were
1t hand.
Bass ilarbor is quite prosperous little vii
lt@e. There are several stores. and two vessels
of considerable size are now on the stocks.
Among the note worthy characters of the place.
is a veritablc Heather Chinee," who has
amasScd quite "A little competence by keeping
small store of fruit, candy, cigars, Il few dry
goods, Nc. lie ha, cut on his que, discarded
his chop>ticks. and such other ways as are ''pc-
culiar, and has married native of the island,
who, by the way, must have been sineuarly
unparalleled with regard TO races This couple
have Il little son, six months Old. fine look inc
child, With no trace of his Mon9olian ancestry
except a Slight popularity IN the Shape of the
eyes.
AT o'clock We started on our homcward
passage. and most lclighttul one it was. The
scenery along the coast is very fine, the numcr-
Gus Islands, rapc> md covcS. with the noun
l:tltS always III sight, make charming picture
never monotonous. but ever changing like A
moN inc panorama bay light faded into tw-
light, twilight dccprned into darkness, before
we reached tho mouth Of thc river A. the
channel is narrow ana difficult Of navi@ation
we were obliged to proceed quite slowly for the
last two or three miles; a circumstance not
much regretted as all We're quite comfortable.
and no one had been sea-sick. The darkness
was Just sufficient to give weir,l-like pietur-
sequences, TO the scene, and make il appear
altogether unlike the same place seen in the
morning sunlight At 10 O'clock the whole
party had landed and We're on their way to
their several homes.
The Arso is very line little boat, we'll fitted
for the route She is to travel. She has It cosy
little cabin, and every convenience that day
boat should have Her officers and crew are
efficient. her pilot skillui, and all who have
been passengers in this boat unanimously de-
clare that Capt. Nissan, besides being an agree
able and genial man, is the very perfection OF
a steamboat captain. There cannot be more
pleasant, or a more inexpensive excursion,
than q trip from Belfast to Ellsworth or Mt.
Desert in the Areo.
Stone and Murrays circus exhibited here on
Thursday and gave very general satisfaction.
The balloon ascension was quite successful.
There being no wind at the time, it came down
in the old cemetery Il few rods from where it
went up; much to the relief of the man in the
basket. who was evidently too much frightened
TO enjoy his :erieal tlip. MARK.