Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-24
LETTER FROM NEWPORT.

YEARLY MEETING OF FRIENDs-NEwPoRT AS
WATERING PLACE-ANTIQUIrIEs-
OsIrIEs-PLAcEs OF INTEREST," DRIVES,
&C.
To the Editor of the Journal:
Although Newport figures among the cities
Of the United States as the most fashionable
seaside resort. it is of no ordinary interest as
the place for the annual gatherings of the
Friends Of New England. The meeting which
began on the thirteenth has been as we'll at
tended as usual, not only by the Friends be-
longing to it, but also by gifted and eloquent
ministers of other States. Among the more
prominent of these may be mentioned Caro-
line Talbot of Ohio, Elwood Osbun of Iowa,
Allen Jay of North Carolina, DR.. Thomas of
Maryland, John P. Pennington of Indiana,
and Rebecca Collins of New York. The
meetings As a. whole have been lively, refresh.
ing anc profitable, and many go away with
new inspiration for their work, while others
depart with new lives, new thoughts and new
desires. Some of the early settlers of New
port. formerly called Aquid Neck, or the
Isle OF Peace. were members Of this soce-
ty. 1t was in the year 1874, that the first
yearly meeting was held here, since which
time there have been two hundred and TWEEN
ty-nine similar gatherings the only exception
was 1t time when the town was occupied by
the British during the revolutionary war
Such being the case it is not at all strange
that the citizens of Newport and even Of
Rhode Island would regret to hear that it has
been decided 10 hold the next yearly meeting
in Portland, Me. 1t is not intended however,
at present, that this shall be a permanent ar
rangement. 1t has been suggested that they
should meet at the two places on alternate
years. This plan would be received with sat
isfaetion by large number.
This city has been justly styled the "Queen
Of American watering places" It's palatial
residences with their adjoining parks and
lawns artistically laid out, adorned with trees
and shrubbery Of various kinds, decorated with
the rarest and most beautiful flowers, the eye
never tires Of beholding. Artistic taste has
almost exceeded itself in its attempts to sur
pass, If possible. all previous styles and de-
signs Of buildings. But while wealth has been
lavished in the greatest abundance, the prin-
ciple reason Of this immense ouliy lies in the
natural attractions of the island. When it is
taio tnat Newport surpasses all other water
ing places in America, and as many assert, in
Earope, 1t IL not meant that it 10 city where
the greatest crowds assemble. where are the
best race courses and where there is the most
tie and hurry which is generally found else
where. The society consists of cultivated
and literary persons, of the weathiest and
most refined families of Boston, New York,
and cities OF the South, of government off .
ciais, and often has sprinkling of European
.nbsssadors and mobiles. Hotel life is at a
discount. The tendency is towards cottage
lie where can be enjoyed all the pleasures
and comforts of home. Handsome villas are
erected yearly, in large numbers During all
this change many OF the old buildings in the
lower part Of the city, are, as much as posi-
BILE, kept in their ancient condition, on ac
count Of the great historic interest associated
with them. The state house, built 10 l742,
and from whose steps the Declaration Of In
dependence was read, July 20. l776, fronts an
old square near the water. Without, it looks
very well. but within we find, instead Of mod.
esn and comfortable chambers for the legisla-
tare, rooms hardly fit for common debating