The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-08-18

our ueStlneu maven, MOUNT Desert. On the one /
hand it was commended that there was scarcely
a prospect of our being able to view its scenery
through so impenetrable fog. On the other
side it was urged that the fog might and prob
ably would lift by morning, and that if we pur
sued our course, we should be on the spot to
avail ourselves of a favorable change in the
weather. As the debate progressed, maps
were consulted, the barometer examined, the
opinions of such of the passengers as were
supposed to be versed in atmospheric eccentric
tiles called for, and the whole theory of
storms extensively ventilated. While the is
sue trembled in the waverng balance some in
genious advocate of the proposition to return
suggested North Haven as convenient and ell
igible harbor. That settled the question.
There was apretty general acquiescence in the
plan CT retracing our voyage and saluting the
hosptable flags which we had awhile before
left floating from the cheerful looking homes
of North Haven.
Hither the little vessel was Immediately di-
rected, and before the shades OF night threw
their veil of darkness over the bay, we were
safely anchored in that comfortable port. Our
reception indicated the wisdom of our change
of plan. The whole island was at once put in
requisition for our kindly entertainment. In
vitations came pouring in with hearty alacrity.
1t was promptly decided that the gentlemen
should go ON shore leaving the ladies to rest on
the cutter, there being ample accommodations
for all of them.
To Mr.. Nathan Mullin was accorded the
honor of entertainingsGen Grant and as many
others of the party as he could provide with
lodgings. In few moments twenty-five gen.
tlemen were assembled in his neat and pleasant
cottage, and in an incredibly short space of
time sumptuous supper was spread Of LOBSTER
eggs and the well cooked household food, which
is prepared with so much house>wifely skill in
all well regulated New England country homes.
The company divided into two sets, but those
who were served at the second table Jared
quite as well as their predecessors. The host
was assiduous and attentive, and the fair host
ess, bright and rosy looking young woman
hustled about with tireless activity and imper-
turbable good nature, seeming to take genuine
| delight in her self-imposed labor of serving her
unusual guests. A comely Miss assisted ac-
lively in the ceremonies. 1t was difficult to de
| fine her status. She may have been neghbor
| recruited for the occasion, a relative of the
family; possibly the 'help," though we infer
red otherwise, because she was treated with
! perfect Difference by our host and hostess
However, that is not an unusual thing in this
region, where democracy is a fact rather than
name, and all the native inhabitants believe
and live up to the preamble of the Declaration
of Independence. Supper having been dis
posed of notice was sent to the President that
the people of the village desired to pay their
respects to him. He cheerfully assented to
their wishes, and was presently waited upon
| by considerable number of intelligent looking
men, who after taking view of him, and dele
eating one of their number to shake hands
with him, gave him three stentorian cheers,
and quietly departed to their homes.
When the night was somewhat advanced and
many of the party had dispersed to various
neighboring dwellings,, which had been assign
ed for their use, the President seated himself
by the fire in the sitting room Of Mr. Mullins
cottage, lighted his cigar and began to talk
Those only who know how delightful General
| Grant is in conversation, when he is in sympa-
| thy with his audience, can conceive of the
pleasure he gave the company in the hour or
two that followed.
We trust we shall not violate the condolences
of the occasion by brief reference to the
themes of this instructive fre-side talk. He
sketched the great events of the war, dis
cussed the conduct of battles, expressed
his opinions of nearly all the prominent
officers in both armies, and spoke with
such clearness, readiness and fluency of
the whole course of the four years warfare
against the rebellion, that it easy to see
how wonderfully we'll informed he is in refer
ence to military affairs, and that his memory
is extraordinarily tenacious And what would
have impressed his auditor most of all was the
generosity with which he spoke of his fellow
soldiers, and the scrupulous retcence with
-l.isl. L. --7s-;1~a -ii-T; = himself If
there was any exception to this rule, it was
when in answer to a remark of one of the party
in depreciation of the habit of profanity so pre-
valent in the army, he observed, that he had
never from his boyhood, uttered an oath. He
was careful to add that he did not mention this
circumstance with the purpose of arrogatng
any special merit to himself or of casting CEN
sure on others.
I am persuaded that no man living could have
listened to that conversation without being con-
WINGED that Gen. Grant is not only pre-emi-
nently great soldier, but that he has marvellous
executive capacity, and that he is the very soul
of manliness and magnanimity.
On Saturday morning, after. doing ample JUS
tice to the breakfast which our good hostess
spread before u.s. and which derived additional
zest from the cheerfulness with which she
waited upon us, we all took formal leave of our
kind friends and repaired on board the cutter
The fog still continuing, it was decided mem
con, to proceed at once to Bangor. Within an
hour after our departure the sun made an oc-
casional fitful appearance in the horizon, but
soon retreated behind the clouds We had
however a sufficient scope of vision to view the
the beautiful scenery of Penobscot Bay, with
which the President was greatly pleased 1t
was his first visit to this lovely bay.
At Fort Point-where is large summer ho-
tel-the steamer stopped to send ashore tele-
graphic dispatches Allarge number of ladies
and gentlemen came down to the wharf, and
we were hailed with pressing invitations to land;
but as boat had meanwhile been sent on shore
under the apprehension which proved to be
well founded, that the tide, which was at its
ebb, would not admit of our hauling along side
the pier, the vessel was steamed near enough
to enable the assembled throng to extend
greeting to the President, which they did
with infinite heartiness When the small boat
returned, we wendell our way up the river to
Bangor, where we arrived at Up m. The
wharf was crowded with people, and as soon as
we reachedl the dock, the Mayor came on board
and rendered an imitation to the whole party
to take drive through the city, carriages being
in waiting to receive them.
At3a o'clock, lunch provided at the Ex-
change Hotel under the auspices of Senator
Hamlin was partaken OF, and at its conclusion
the Senator proposed the health of the distin-
.y,,;sJ,o5 er.,ost nd svoi1s,s,a xfass.A