Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-27
nailv Nfnntbre yournal.
Amt SUES PANIC.

Clovelly. in North Devon, inauo ianliiiai
TO every reader by Kingsley's westward
Hottie view afforded from the village
"a not extensive, but 1t includes almost ev-
ery element of natural beauty. On the
west the sea, down to which its single
street descends SO steeply that no wheel
conveyance, nor horses noofs, may ira
verse IT.; and small but strongly built
harbor, where the fishing boats toss and
tumble, or lie stranded on their sides, &C.
cording as the tide is in or out On the
north and east, .'wood overhan ging wood,
like cloud on cloud" and crowding to the
clif-tops, against whose basis the Atlantic
wave forever beats and foams. Nothing
but these objects-which for beauty, IN
deed, are all sufficent-are to be seen oy
those who sojourn in Clovelly-these ana
a little strip of sky. The houses are TOO
near their opposite neighbors to admit OF
more extensive vision. noble PARK
however, stretching to southwark; ana
beyond it, headland after headland, III!
the last OF England's soils yields TO Inc
sea, and the knowledge OF their proximity
seems to fill up the measure OF delight TO
those who gaze and gloat upon the pres
ent treasures 1t is fair here, surprising
fair, but would be fair there also. There
is no apprehension of overstepplng the
barrier of home beauties, and coming up
on anything barren.
The houses in the little town are them
selves most picturesque and peasant-to
the eve at least; and each of them, if not
from porch or window, still from some
crack or Granny familiar to its inmates,
commands the fields In which all tenants
Of the place are laborers-ihe ocean.
Whatever little coigne and vantage ground
of space there is beyond what is occupied
by their dwellings and the narrow street.
is filed with flowers but In the centre OF
the village. at the beginning Of the wind
ing steps that lead down to the harbor.
there is vacant spot, in which is placed
long low seat, where all that have toiled
up the steps may stop and rest; and where
in the calm ewes, when toll is done. men
come and sit, while the moon mounts the
sky. and pours her splendor ever wood
and wave.
The village dwellings are of the hum
blest kind; and even the little inn which
lords it orer them, as being twice the size
of any of its neighbors, is such as the
fashionable or even commercial traveller
may deem but sorry resting place; TO
others. however, OF more imaginative
type, it will afford richer aceommoda-
ton than many SO called ''hotel." Its
little rooms are furnished with rare china
and curious ornaments, picked up by
Clovelly men (who are ell sailors). in ma
nv q distant land and its fare if plain, is
OF the best-the ihickest cream, the fresh
est eggs, fish strait from the net, and such
q store of jams, home made. as makes the
mouth water with the remembrance of
them.
And yet in this earthly paradise the trail
of the serpent is over all in certain IAN
Gent fish like smell'' which pervades the
whole lovely scene, and dis,racts ones
thoughts from its marvellous beauty. The
ocean breeze itself, as it comes up the
woody cleft, is often tainted by it, and by
the time it reaches one, speaks OF the fin
nv denizens Of the painless deep rather
than of its cavernous cells. When there
is no breeze, and the MONDAY beats down
on the quaint village-which notwithstand-
ing its narrowness and the shades of the
environing woods, it does with pitiless.
force-the case is greatly worse. The I'M
happy visitor likens himself to one in hot
bed of no very savory materials.
Good Heavens!" said to my nephew
Frank Hothan, the artist, as we sat to-
gether at the window OF the little inn,
during such MONDAY as l have des-
cribed, Cutting the eye with a noble feast,
but much at the expense OF our olfactory
organs-"Good heavens suppose any
epidemic was to break out in this Eden
here, not a soul would escape it
1t was said without reflection, for Frank
had his young wife and only child with
him whereas l, an old maid with no
''ties," had but my own safety to look to;
and directly had uttered the remark, l
regretted it.
''By Jover ~ said he with sudden ner-
vousness. II never thought of that Aunt
Sue; and there's not doctor within five
miles, am told. Not that doctor would
avail one much, shut up in this cloven
ravine without a breath Of air And
there's smallpox about, too-isn t there? ?"
fastened to say that had never heard
as much, as indeed had not. If Frank
had done SO, the news had probably "gone
in at one ear and out at the other" with
him. as most things did which We're not
connected with his 'art,' as he called it.
He was really excellent landscape paint
er, bnt his devotion to his profession was a
verylserious nuisance to those who had to
listen to his dissertations upon it. 1t was
necessary to admire not only what he adj
mired, but for the same identical reason;
and it was even still obligatory to despise
what he despised.
If lawyers talk Of law, authors of liter
AZURE, or soldiers of war, in the same
vague yet dogmatic style in which some
painters speak of painting. conversation
would become impossible. Frank seldom
escaped from his "shop." and he compelled
you 10 take his goods whether you would
or not but when he did escape, he was
charming. Lucy and he were the hand
soonest young couple have ever seen. and
were devoted to one another, and to Bahia.
Bahia was their little boy, just four years
old. and their idol. think they would
have allowed, too. that he had third wor-
shipper in Aunt Sue. He always accom-
panied US in our excursions, and made the
very prettiest figure conceivable in the
foreground" for his fathers pictures.
At home. too, on wet day, he was quite
a treasure in his way; for he would sit or
stand as still as mouse, while he was be.
ing worked in on the canvas. A lay