Connecticut western news., 1872-08-09
Mght Ssy Ssyttps*
SALISBURY. CONN. Friday Morning, Aug. 9, 1872.
OurTcnt On the Beach.


 those years of strife it was fully demon strated, that American men, and women too could live with nothing but canvas for a house and enjoy excellent health. It was also proven that the scrupulously neat housewife could dispense with the ct cetera of n we'll furnished kitchen, and with spi der, teapot, and kettle, could prepare an excellent meal with few stones for fire place, without the worlds shooting from their spheres, or the order of the family being forever destroyed.
 For the last few years the regular stam. pede to our fashionable watering places and mountain resorts may not have been less ened; but the number of little parties who take thelr camp equippage and settle quiet ly down by the sea, or some lake shore, to enjoy few days or weeks of rustic life, has been greatly increased. Experience has proven now superior are the charms which this mode of life offers the true lover of na- ture to the set ways and conventionalities of fashionable hotel llfr, and it is no won der that tt nts are year by year. found more 'hickly sprnkled about the quiet hqbors, the islands, and upon the bold headlands of Atlantics coast. The bird may chirp some notes when confined to the cage, but it warbles it's sweetest song only when it can spread its wings and soar aloft in Gods free air, as the heart that loves the woods, the air, the birds, the streams, and oceans shore, may beat with some emotions of pleasure when confined by the barriers of fashionable hotel, but it swells with rapture, only when, leaving these behind, it can en- joy without stint or trammel those delights which Mature to her votary yields"
 Ours is party of such individuals. We came from the dust and din of city life to recreate and become refreshed for the en- suing years labor. We wanted no dress parties, no fashionable balls, no great din- ners. We wished to forget the world for q season with its vexing cares, and become boys and girls of the forest and, oh how pleasant it is to be a child again. The lady who has passed her teens must never be seen to run again, else she will be called a romp; and the gentleman who has entered upon professional life must always be seen with his head erect, or he will be called un- dignifed. But around our tent in the woods, the ladies-those little girls-can run and play, while we men-boys once more-can leap, roll over on the grass, and even turn summersaults without our repu- tation being injured and glorious privi- lege it is. It is worth more to prevent a premature decay, than all the corlials of the doctors.
 The coast of Maine furnishes many ex- celent places for the pitching of tents There is hardly neck of land, or bay con- taining islands, but what the canvass homes of some transient dwellers are to be seen upon them. Fishing is abundant along the coast, so that plenty of piscatory sport can be enjoyed, and food secured. Desiring to be retired, we have chosen for our camping ground little beach with it's numerous ho- tels, aud to the northeast is Portland har- Dor with its hundreds of beautiful islands. Behind us is 8 hemlock grove. cultivated fields, and waste pastures where blueberries grow abundantly. Before us the restless ocean ebbs and flows, flashing it's waves against the rocks and rolling its surf in upon the beach as though it never could get that white sand clean enough but there is no human habitation within sound ot our voices. Beyond, just where the ocean and the sky embrace each other, the sea is specked with bird-like creatures-merchanu men and fishing vessels-which, steering from port to port, leave undisturbeG thi. little bay, where we at present dwell. A. we look out upon the deep-see those yes sels flying to and fro-hear the dashing O. the breakers-and think upon how man, shores it ''paces restless" the poetica sentiments which we can,feel but ne'er ex press, come yelling up in the soul. Nov Byron's "Apostrophe to the Ocean, recur to mind, aud this is just the place to read it Memory ranges through the whole worl of poetry, from Paradise Lost to "Ol Grimes is Dead," to find fit expression fo the emotions within. In this delightfu way the days wear away, till the sun shed It's last rays out over the bay, gliding tn snow crested wayes-then bids us all goo night, and sinks to rest. How pleasant this could last forever. Butthere are othe things to do in life-stern responsibilities { be discharged, and soon we must pull u our tent pms, fold together the canvass and returning to the highway of life, begi once more our weary journey.
 The f1rct niuht xuac liItla ro;D1y orl q gentle pattering upon the tent disturbed u slumbers of the inexperienced. In the nor ing the sun reappeared and the early rise awakened the others with the the exclar ation, "Clams for breakfast" yes, clan for breakfast was sounded by all, b who should dig them? The boy of cours Was there ever family or party of peep where there was not one who answered
 'the boy"P Shouldering his shovel al bag away he went along the beach to il clam-bed, while others made the fire, hes ed the stones, 2nd prepared the things breakfast. Tie clans were brought, a, what large ones, real old inhabitants of u sand, patriarchs among their kind, without any reverence for their years th' were cast unfeelingy in upon the hot stone The old inquisition used to put men ( hot coals till they would open their mout in confession, and so we did with the clan When they thus confessed to be cooked, ' would most tenderly remove them to whe no fire would again disturb them. Fri clans are unhealthy; when boiled they | come tough and are not good, but roasted the shell they are wholesome and posse all the virtue of their clam nature. PeoI who never enjoyed clam-bake are ign rent of what delicious repast the old l