Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1875-08-06

be 10000 visitors here. As one appruacb-
es the landing, the Island presents pc
culiar scene of beauty. There are two
landings at this place; the upper-tbe
''Highlands"-bu a short distance from
the lower-"Oak Bluffs" Near the High
land landing, above, is hotel called the
"Highla nd House" From this wharf a
road for horse. cars has been constructed,
running across 10 the camp-meeting
grounds-although all the boats stop at
this place, most of the travel is at the
other landiGg-Oak Bluffs. Upon this
wharf stand the steam cars of the narrow
guage railroad in waiting for passengers
for Edgartown and Katama. In the rear
OF the wharf, rises the "Sea View" a
large hotel, four stories in height, with
lofty roof, and towers with spire and
flags; the balconies filed with gay visit
ors, the central one occupied by band
of music, stationed there to greet each
steamer as it arrives at the wharf.
Leading from the "Sea View" along
the bluffs, which rise about thirty feet
above the level of the ocean, a plank
walk or promenade is constructed, two
thirds of mile in length and twelve f.
wide. Over this promenade at two points
are erected two paw lio ms -one where re-
freshm ents, ice cream, & c., is served the
other serves for shelter from the sun or
rain, to those wishing to enjoy the cool
ocean breezes. Just below, along the
shore, are the bathin e. houses, arranged
in double rows, and stretching for many
rods along the shore. These bathing
houses are reached by a bridge built from
the promenade over the railroad, and
winding stairs leading downward.
Beyond the "Sea View" the lands cape
rises in undulations leading many rods
distant into the camp ground grove, an d
beyond to the highlands. The trees are
mostly stunted oak, growing dense and
hardy. A broad and finely paved street,
with broad sidewalks, leads from the
Sea V lew" into the grove and grounds.
B efore reaching the grove, there are sew
eral pleasant and commo dious hotels,
torres, restaurants, &c. Leading back
from these, among the trees, around and
into the camp-ground, are the many cot
tages and tents, along q hundred avenues
and streets, their towe's and roofs rising
in all conceivable shapes an colors, amid
the verdure of the trees, as DAISIES lift
their heads and bloom mid the grasses
of a meadow
1t seems imposs ible to desc ribe, or give
a correct idea on paper, of this fairy city.
1t is peculIaI-having nothing in COM
mon with any 9th er place ever saw.
There is no regularity abou the streets
or avenues, or The architecture of the
buildings-all seems i'm promptu. the idea
sought being comfort, rest and repose-
blessings sought alike by high and low
IN cottages arranged with all. the beauty
and elegance that taste could uggest and |
wealth supply, as we'll as in th tents |
where only straw is used for the. floor and |
bedding.
In the hotels and in some of the cot |
tages, gasoli ne is us ed for ilIumi nation. !
Martha's Vineyard is about II miles |
long by wide; the soil in most parts |
seems poor, although far ming is carried |
on to limited extent Edg artown is the |
Oldest town upon the Island, and is con-
nected with Oak Bluffs by the narrow
guage railroad, ru ming five miles along |
the shore of the ocean. FIR ON Edgartown |
the rrilroad con tinues three mile across
the Island TO Katama C'the bes utiful.'O |
Here is a fine hotel, called the" Mat take
set Lodge" A party from Boston and |
vicinity are now stopping at this house. |
Here the celebrated clam bakes, prepared |
by a Rhode Island caterer, are served ev-
cry day from 12 to 4, p. m. Crossing a |
point of the Island from this place, we |
see the ocean break upon the southern |
shore-gently, to- day. for the sun is shin
ing and tn scene calm; at other times,
the ',heaYing plain of ocean" bounds and |
breaks upon the shore in grand and aw-
full fury
There is an lnexpressible sublimity and
grandeur in th e ocean-next TO time and
space, it is boundless and incom prehensi-
BILE. Infinite in its chang es, by the winds
by clouds, and by storms, it seems per-
feet type of the passions and nature of
mans human heart. As the receding
wav es leave the shore, they lead out and
bear away our th o ughts-
81 live not in myself, but become
Portion of that around me; and to me,
High mountains feeling, but the hum
OF human cities torture can see
Nothing to loathe in nature, save to be
A link reluctant in 1eshly chain,
Classed among creatures, when the soul can
And with the sky, the peak, the heaving plain
OF ocean, or the stars, mingle, and not in
vain"
It is scarcely three years since the rail
road has been built. 1t is under the con-
troll of the Ole Colony R. R. Co.'s
miles in length, and has capital Stock
OF 100000.
We return to Oak B lufs and the camp
ground. Thirty six years ago the Metho-
dists held their first camp meeting here.
The meetings have been held regularly
every year since, save one The grounds
Consisting of several acres in the groYe)
are inclosed in high plank fence, and
controlled by an association who leased
the ground for ninty-nine years. The
camp-meeting generally continues week
and is held under a mamm 9th tent, or
Tabernacle" as it is called, capable of
seating 5000 persons. This season the
meeting commences the 23d of August.
The Tabernacle" will be erected this
week, and services held under 1t previous
to the regular meeting. The Rev. Geo.
c. Lorimer, of Boston, of1ciates next
M Witt Tai. ]