The Portland daily press., 1874-07-31
Summer Correspondence.
From Portland 10 Bar Harbor-Attrac.
tiOns of MI. Desert.
BAR HARBoR, July Goth.

BAR HARBoR, July 29th.
To the Editor Of the Press:
The inhabitants of this summer Arcadia are
constantly propounding the following conun-
drum to each other, "Why do not all summer
travellers visit Mt. Desert?' and assure you
that those who are so happy as to have been
here, find it an extremely hard one to answer.
except with the stereotyped "give it up
Our party, which, though small. was of
course select, left Portland on the evening of
Friday last in company with about hundred
others, all intent upon obtaining the greatest
possible amount of pleasure during our short,
but, oh, 50 sweet New England summer. The
night was most glorious, the water was smooth,
the moon bright, the sky unclouded, and the
company agreeable, but in spite of all this, by
the time that we were off Half Way Rock most
of us were enjoying dreamy anticipations of the
delights yet to come, and we were only brought
back to the knowledge of sublunary events by
the intolerable noise of the steamers whistle
which was her greeting to beautiful old Castne.
Hurriedly dressing we had just time to rush
on to the wharf and greet our friends from Port
land who were there to meet us. We were
soon off again and after substantial break
fast on board went ON deck, to find ourselves
breathing the air of one of the most perfect
summer days that ever fell to the lot of trav.
eler, and steaming through Eggemoggin
Reach. Deer Isle and Sedgwck were soon
touched at and passed, a number of passengers
leaving us at each place, and then hove in
sight Western Mountain and we knew that
Mount Desert lay before US in all its grandeur
and sublimity. We soon put in af Southwest
Harbor where, upon reaching the wharf, the
usual rush was made by the younger members
of the party for Mr.. Underwood's lobster
house whence they soon returned, eagerly dis
secting their scarlet burdens. Here three of
! our party left us, taking carriage to Somes-
vile where they spent the night with Uncle
Daniel and after making the tour of three
fourths of the island rejoined us at Bar
Harbor on Sunday evening In about an
hour after leaving Southwest Harhor the
many-gabled cottages of Bar Harbor and
its vicinity began to appear, their red roofs
indigenous to seaside resorts) making a strik-
ing contrast to the dark green of the ever
green's, the grey of the rocks, and the blue of
the ocean. In few moments the wharf,
crowded with our predecessors waiting to well
come us, was reached and amid the cries of
"Hallo, there's jack! and 'sNed old fellow how
are you?" we stepped ashore and realized that
at last we were at Mount Desert. Bidding adieu
to friends on the boat, who were by hard fate
destined for more distant shores, we wended
our way up the gentle activity and were soon
welcomed within the hospitable walls of
Rodick's where, after cordial greeting and a
substantial dinner, We found ourselves COM
fortaby domiciled.
There have been many changes for the better
in Bar Harbor during the past year. Rodick
has, in addition to making internal improve
ments to his main house, built two airy and
commodious cottages for the accommodation of
the ever increasing number of his patrons.
The Rockaway has made large additions
among which is a neatly finished, roOmy hall
for dancing. The Atlantic has been rebuilt
and can now accommodate about the same
number as the Rockaway. Water has
been introduced into most of the houses
by means of pipes from Eagle Lake aud
substantial board walks have been laid in all
directions Numerous new boarding houses
and cottages have been built and above all. the
system of sewerage has been so perfected, that
there is no longer any fear-ef the unpleasant
results arising from bad drainage which have
deferred 50 many from coming here iu former
people here this summer, Rodicks, the Rock
away and the Atlantic each having its quota
There have been also several of the Portland
yatchs here though the Junata is the only one
Sunday and the Sparkle about week ago.
The crew of the Sparkle must have made
thems elves very popular and had an exceeding
ly pleasant time if one may accept as sincere
the expressions OF regret which have followed
their departure. The Juniata takes jolly
party out every afternoon in search of tae
whale, which has been seen by several parties
and which is known to be cruising off the
mouth OF the harbor for the especial edlfica-
ton of summer visitors from inland cities. who
are not able to study the habits of the animal
In the parlor aquarium as we more fortu-
nate dweerS by the sea are accustomed
to do. The Indians have come and their
camp-the tents of which are strangely enough
quite white end newborn a most picturesque
addition to this already quaint and rambling
town. VI course they have for sale quantities
OF the usual baskets, mats, specimens of bead
and feather work, bows and arrows, ETC. They
also have species of Alperstock which is re-
cular to this place and which may be taken
away a real Mr.. Desert souvenir. 1t is
made of light, tough wood from which the
bark has been peeled, ,and then slightly charred
over fire so as to give it rich brown, and
afterwards carved with various quaint figures
and devices
There are very few peop'e camping out on
the island this summer, but there is one camp
here which for neatness and comfort certainly
bears away the palm from all other known or
imaginable camps. l refer to Camp Scorsby
at Salisbury Cove under charge of Mr.. John
Dunn of the U. S. Coast Survey. The camp is
formed of six large wall tents and frame
building which is used for kitchen and is
just the size Of the tents and thoroughly
whitewashed SO as to closely reEembe one a
short distance away. The tents are arranged
in the form of hollow square with their en-
frances on the inner side. Four of them,
two on either side, are used as private
departments and with their bedsueads.
present an appearance of comfort which Is rare
ly met with outside of well-furnished house.
The two remaining sides of the square are oc-
cupled by two larger tents, used respectively as
parlOr and dining room. The board floor of
the parOr is covered with cool straw mating;
centre table on which are books and flowers
stands in the middle of the room, with large
swinging lamp directly over it; on one side
stands large cabinet organ with its bright
crimson covering, and on the other comforta-
BILE sofa, while easy chairs are scattered in every
directon. The diniug-ro0 which has its long
table and formidable array of chairs like any
other well conducted dining-room, stands di-
rectly opposite the parlor with which it is con-
nected by raised board walk All the tents
are Connected with each other and with the
two principal ones in similar manner The
open square formed by this arrangement of the
tents is covered by an immense awning sup
ported by large central pole, thus forming
cool, shady courtyard in hot weather, and dry
one in wet. The Inhabitants of this most per-
feet of camps number thirteen, amongst whom
are several wel-known Portland ladies, and
such jolly times do they have that all their Wis
itors come away impressed with the idea that
the only way in which to really enjoy sum
mers vacation is by camping out. 1 suppose
that even should try to tell you to-day Of the
delightful excursions by land and sea, the pic
nics the hops and all the other pleasant things
that are taking place here every day, you would
not stop to read them after wadng through
this long preamble, so, thanking you for your
patient attention thus far, will for the pres
ent say an revoir.. X.
Information Wanted.