The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-30
A LoArEn's PARAp1sE.-The Prov


interesting passages:
There was n time, not mnpy wears auo
when eighty nine whale ships sailed out
of this port. Then it was doubtless the
most active and wealthy community of
its size on our coast. The great fire
which laid waste much of the central
portion of the town, quarter of a cen
tury since, induced paItinl prostration
OF its business. The rapid filing up of
the entrance to its harbor completed that
prostration. Now. only two whale ships
are owned here, and we are told TINT they
would both be sold on their return from
the sea. The curator OF the Athen;oum
set forth to us tue present business of
the town by saying, 1--WE live here by
shaving each other, till O stranger comes.
and then we all combine to shave him."
He, however, hardly did himself and his
feilow-cltizens justice. They doubtless
CLEAN quite an amount from summer
travellers, but they charge but little for
what they give in return, as compared
with the e4tortionate prices that prevail
in other localities whittier pleusure- seek
ers resort. They are full of real, unaf-
fected courtesy, generosity and hospi-
tality. a dozen years ago, the popula.
ton was 5000; now it is only half that
number. The principal thoroughfares
arc paved. and grass grows between the
paving stones even on the main street.
Most OF the streets are very crooked and
very narrow, and the houses are gene
rally huddled close together, as though
at the time Of their erection it were
feared that the island might prove too
small for the rapidly expanding commu-
nifty. In some localities, the houses
stand back of each other in tiers two or
three deep, and those in the rear arc
reached by labyrinthinew windings not in :.
frequently bordered by peu-vines or
Towering shrubs, though sometimes the
intricate passage is barren of all orna.
ment and attractiveness. Almost every
house has lookout on top. In some
instances, it is mere cupola, but often
1T Is quite promenade, frequently ex-
tending from end1to end of tho house,
above the ridge pole, ani fenced in with
balustrade. Time was when these look
outs were daily visited, and eager ewes
scanned the horizon to catch, if possible.
glimpse of some returning whale shin:
but those days have gone by. They now
scarcely serve my other purpose than to
add to the antique and quaint appear.
ance of the town. Most of the people
here are in independent circumstances.
Many are wealthy. The poor classes
lave gone to the mainland, or .'the CON
tinent," ns it is the rule to saw here
where there is something to do by which
living can be earned. Really heal.hful
and eG]oyaEle summer homes oau be OH
tanned at moderate expense
Loahng is a fne art in Nantucket
n off
you will see dozen comfortable arm.
chairs. Men who had business once,
but have none now, keep their old Office
hours, and around them gather their old
cronies as regularly as the days come.
Oid yarns are spun again for the thou
sandth time; long voyages are sailed over
once more; the careers of notably sue.
cessful or unfortunate ships are re-
h,earsed; politics and blue fishing are
discussed at length. All sorts OF devices
are resorted to for ruffling the stagna-
ton OF the town with little excitement.
10 vary the monotony of very dull
trade, auctions of kind unheard of
elsewhere are ingeniously devised such
as meat auctions, for instance. When
an OK is killed, it is cut up into pieces
suitable for family use, into each piece q
skewer Is stuck, all the pieces are dis
played On largo wooden bench placed
on the sidewalk, and then the crier is
despatched through the town to an
nounce with bell aud voice that meat
auction will take place ut certain hour.
The crowd gathers, and great enthusi-
asm is displayed till the sale is over.
The steamboat is the grand theme of the
thoughts OF the people. Each evening
the crier parades through town, pro.
claiming IN stentorian tone, "Stea mer
Island Home leaves ut o'clock to.mor-
row morning!" an announcement which
apparently nwakens rs much interest as
though everybody vas desirous of get.
ting away in this boat. and they had
hitherto not the faintest hint of the time
of her departure. In the morning half
the town goes down to see her of. Call
anywhere during the day, enter an Office,
buy an ice cream, do what you will, if
you hold any communication with any
one, you arc sure to be asked when YOU
think the boat will be in. It is said that
o watchman is stationed in one of the
| church towers to look out for her com.
ing, and when he gets o sight OF her he
blows a horn. Certainly her coming is
in some way known long time before
she whistles, and the news seems to flash
IN an instant through the town. Then