The Portland daily press., 1874-11-07
Letter from Castine,
A Stern aud ROckb0und COast-The Nor
NAL SchoOl--Launching-- Wanted, n
Steam Cutter.

CAsTINE, Nov. 5, 1874.
The shores and islands of Penobscot Bay pre-
sent vesy different appearance at this season
from that over which summer touri SITS go into
ecstacies. Instead of the grassy slopes,
crowned with vivid green clumps of trees and
running down to the rocky shores upon VIII ich
the plash of waves sounds delciously cool and
refreshing when the sun is high in the heavens,
we now see sere and sad-colored fields from
which the glory has departed, rendered still
more desolate by the skeletons of the trees,
while the swash of the waves on the rocks
sends chill to the marrow, supplementing the
bleak winds which are of themselves sufficient
to repress the ardor of the most devoted lover
of nature.
The village of Castine, however, is de-
lightrul even at this season, with its
spacious, well-caled-for and hospitable houses,
running up from the water to the crest of the
hill where lang syne the British guns frowned
over the Bay. Here is located the Eastern
Normal School, which has acquired deser-
vedly high reputation as training school for
teachers, under the efficient charge of Mr..
Fletcher and his accomplished associates. The
usefulness of the school has lately been much
increased by tho ostablishrn ont of modal
school in which the primary scholars of the
village are trained after the most approved
fashion under the general supervision of Mr.
Fletcher, but under the special care of Miss
Perkins of this village, who develops de-
cided talent for this kind Of labor and promises
to be very successful Some features of the
kindergarten system are adopted, so far as is
practicable in such schools, and object teach
ing is made an important element in the in
struction. Here the advanced classes in the
normal school have an opportunity to put their
theories in practice with real scholars and their
education is thus made practical.
Ship-buildipg has been active here during
the season and, this morning fine three
masted schooner was launched from the yard
Of j. w. Dresser, Esq Speaking of ships, calls
attention to want of this region which has
long been apparent, and that is of steam
revenue cutter in this district for the suitable
protection of our shipping Interests. The
whole coast of Penobscot Bay and eastward is
rough and dangerous, and the navi cation, in
the winter season, especially, is extremely
hazardous The amount of commerce in these
parts is large-over 81, 900 vessels passing Owls
Head in year-and the larger portion of the
coastwise traffic from the provinces passes
through the "thoroughfares. The ports Of
Mt. Desert island are much used as harbors OF
refuge, and many vessels come to grief while
threading the intricate channels among the
| rocks.
| The cutter Dobbin, now on this station, a
| schooner, dependent on the wind for means of
| locomoton, has afforded such relief as q sail.
| ing vessel could in fifteen or twenty cases dur
! ing the past year, under the capable direction
| of Capt. Abbey. In many of the cases much
| property might have been saved, had she been
| steamer. Other points of less importance
have steam cutters, and it is a matter of con-
slant surprise and enquiry, why there should
not be suitable provision to meet needs which
are SO evident. 1t is to be hoped that the de-
| partment will take measures to provide the
much needed protection to our commerce.
| pa n