New-York tribune., 1873-08-02
ISLES OF SHOALS.
SUMMER ON THE NEw.ENcLAND CoAs


FRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRrBuNE.l
ISLES OF SHoALs July 20.-All along the shores
Of Maine and NewHampshire there is predsposition
to islands-islaDds In clusters, islands in rows. and
islands by themselves. There IN q sort OF Robinson
Crusoe-sh charm about these mounds OF earth, that
seem in constant danger of being swallowed up by the
remorseless ocean; but shpwrecked man would have
been driven 70 his last had him upon
the Isles Of Shoals two three centuries ago. Rocks
and sand in lieu OF cocoanut-palms and tropical
dure, are not particularly nourishng Wild and threat
eDng is the aspect OF the desert wastes frnged with
caverns and ines that hold nky depths of water surg
ing like some mad thing against the rocky walls and
leapng with fierce power far into the air and over the
granite ledges that line the shore There Ia tradition
commemorated by obelsk, with inscription to the
effect that Captain John Smith discovered these islands
In tho Spring Of 1914 Although In open boat at the
time, the brave advenurers call was a short one-he
evidently considered the Shoal Islands good nothing
but to be discovered lie left his mark, however by
adding the dreadful cOgnomen OF Smith Their other
disadvantages. As Smiths Islands they let severely
alone until. after ime they to the surface OF
public notice under the poetcal name OF tho Isles OF
Shoals. Lake Wordsworths 'little maid' they say
I'VE are seven" although only two three of them
inhabited The largest OF the group bears the pretty
name of Appledore. borrowed, probably. from the
Hebrides the little steamboat that takes there is
The Appledore" the large hotel is at Appledore
But with all this party had nothing to do we we're
bent upon tie pursuit OF nature on economical prn
ciples and we knew that economy did not lodge at
Appledore. Our bark was bound for Star Island,
two and half miles from Appledore, aud
while we tossed upon the bllows In an open boat
after the steamer had dropped us somewhere In mid
ocean, began awaken to the fact that our proceed
ngs had been characterized by recklessness that
might produce unpleasant consequences We had made
a rush at Gosport the settlement OF Star Island,
without having the slightest idea what 1t was like and
even our letter of inquiry had definite direc
ton than To the Clergyman Living on Star Island"
Probably the PostOce officials in this region are ac-
custcmed queer directions for he got it, and here We
in consequence. The man who brought us over in
open boat was very dubious about bringing our
trunks. He seemed TO think that. as we were not ee-
phants we could DO without them but perfect tor
rent Of female eloquence converted him to
more rational belief, and he meekly promised TO make
special trip for them. When we reached the sandy
shore we beheId the male portion Of the community
stretched their backs like many turtles and bask-
ing with evident satisfaction in the drizzng rain that
falling They lazly regarded our advent but re-
maned PROSTATE as the columns of ruined temple 1t
ia recorded Of this settlement that there always
just 90 inhabtantsneiher more nor less and that the
usual Yankee attributes of energy and neatness are
quite at discount here The business Of life
8 to go fishing, chiefly for mackerel; and as this
only be done at particular season. the remainder
OF the time the people lie around. Having picked
we toiled up a rocky path deserted by grass and
weeds began TO study Gosport architecture. 1t is
intricate of the houses Of the style that
children draw their states, with total absence OF
verandahs, porches baywindOws, any Of the weak
nesses of extreme civilization. AS TO shade and the
soening effects Of foliage think there are two trees
the island; but this Is much like spreading very
small piece Of butter very largo piece Of bread
that for all practical purposes they might as we'll not
be here. We found already tenaned by about
fifty spiders, and tastefully draped and fesooned by
these airy occupants After the first introduction to
these unprepossessing inmates shreks we're at dis
count; for If there place where spiders flourish and
reve and impudenty defy all attempts at extermna-
on that place is the seaside in the Summer months.
so entered sort Of tact agreement not to dis
turb them If they did not disturb us.
AwILD AND DEsoLATE ISLAND.
Glorious gimpses Of had from the two little
windows at front and side and after general shaking
out ruied pumes and slight refreshing OF the inner
individual we went forth TO view the land-or, more
properly speaking the The air In spite OF mist and
drzze, delightful. But what wild, desoate place
10 be stranded upon We felt comforted by the rehec
ton that II less than dozen miles 10 the main
land Great Druidical boulders loom up the shore,
with the breakers surgng and roaring at their feet and
with these and the mist and the silence and strong
tncture of imagination. thoughts back 10 Ossan,
and people the loneliness with grand, warrior forms,
and deeds OF mighty prowess There is q strange
fascination I'm gazing down from the slippery nights
those horrible aggedloong rocks seem like the teeth
OF fierce monster ready TO seize the un-
fortunate who may drop into the waste Of
waters. Each adventurer is bent on going n
little farther his predecessor and the reach-
that lie in wait like school OF sharks dash
suddenly up and carry off their prey. Two young sis.
ters carried of in this way and swept entirely
round the island the fair caskets then flung dis
dainfuy the rocks empty Of life. A young lady,
than Of the party thought II prudent to venture
snached away before her lovers eyes by sudden
rush Of the dark terrible and hurried miles out
to Boats constantly upset. shvered on rocks
until the wonder is that any one will venture near such
sOjourn here, such as hanging over cliffs and peering
into weird cavesin search OF ghthued seaweed
until 1t has seemed TO US that we could
quite take in certain chilling pictures and anecdotes
That delighted our childhood Of birdhunters or rather
pended by ropes from the cliffs that fringe the 0rkneys
aud aaye had few p' on wgt TSck TO-
places Of safety but Of us have been carried away
sobery informed that the best for gathering
moses is about the time Of the eaunoctal but the
equinoctia at the Isles OF Shoals Our widest dreams
horror would be inadequate to the occasion and Il Is
not unreasonable suppose that such general tearing
coveted treasures far the land But thing
we certainly know-the egunOctial and ourselves Will
not meet on Star Island.
TILE oSE-HoRsE TOWN OF GosPoRT.
There is not much at Gosport besides the ocean; a
hamlet Of 20 houses or so little Westinghouse, that
| belongs to the Unitarans an ancient grayeyard-So
ancient that railing there is none. headstones
while the very graves have sunk and melted away until
little hllOcks here and there among the grass are all
that remain 20 show where the rude forefathers sleep
One little space there Is rallied In from desecratng foot
steps, and brOoded by dove OF purest marble,
row OF three short graves and shaft that marks
the sleepers as children Of former pastor The wld
almost their feet, and the herco winds OF
Autumn and Winter sweep over and around them, put
the children sleep Smiths monument is the Mecca
to which the first steps 'of pilgrims Invariably