Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-07-24
a LIVELY LETTER FROM MAR.
THA'S VINEYARD,
"THE HIGHLANDs,n
MARTHA'S VINEYARD. Julv. 1919

'inoy oiu s0cihs always 10 suggest camp
meetings, a. though the island had no other
interest than that which the annual Metho-
dist gathering lends 1t; but a visit to the
place so far removes this idea that / trust
may be pardoned for writing from the very
camp grove itself just before the sesso o
begins.
The guide books tell us that this is the
largest island of the northeastern coast, and
that 1t was the "first spot in New England
habited by them in the glorious DAYS OF
Queen Bess." There the historical associa-
tons OF the place begin and end, unless we
class under That head the first camp mest
ing held here over forty years ago. fittings
were very different then" we are told by the
few remaining ones who have shouted 10
camp-ground manners and regulations have
altered SO materially since those primitive
days. a SHIPS topsail drawn over a rou IN
frame work has not been greatly improved
upon by some OF the ruder tents of to-day
where straw apd blanket serve as q couch
and curtain Stretched across forms the NO
apartments 1t boasts OF. With tue first 10
novatlon OF cottages an attempt was ma ls
to make them as tent-like as possible. How
far that succeeded the extreme wide OPEN
ness Of
COTTAGE CITY,
today testihes. why, one might just as
well live out of doors" is the verdict OF every
stranger who wanders through the bewilder-
ing labyrinth OF cottages that surround the
meeting tent. The streets are concerted id
lighted by lamps, but are narrow enougn 10
shake hands across from cottage to cottage
Ings, though In the main similar show great
variety of individual taste, mauy OF them
being highly suggestive of gay little pigeon
boxes. They rent. furnished, from q huu-
dred and fifty to Ave hundred dollars a sea
son. None are plastered, and very few have
any windows, wide double glass doors
1eaqW VI abe amost the entire front and
at a glance see over the entire house, but
then they seem thrown open for show, for all
are prettily, some elegantly furnished. There
Is no privacy within the camp ground at all.
Just think Of living In such n amer! Why
ills even aid that at night neighbors and
passers- by can hear all the husbands scold-
ing their wives, SO cODjugal tnfelicities are
known even within the O-called Par ad Use
OF the camp ground. Where every syllable
can be overheard 1t must have required
have named their dwellings "Harmoay,"
"Peace" and Ira nquility" cottage. If
nothing else, the singing alone is enough TO
make such title mit homer.
SANKEY'S HYMNS
are the order Of the day. Go where you will
through the camp grounds the melodeons
al In operation, and in the evening people
congregate In the different cottages 70 hold
praise meetings. All style In the matter of
dress Is laid by Oh the camp grounds, aud
many OF the primitive Methodist ideas re-
older members. The general deshabHs at
morning prayers, which are already held 10
the large tent, show very clearly how little
attention is here paid TO what Ia most water
Ing places Ia SO important an item. Ia the
center OF the ground pulpit and number OF
benches are enclosed by huge framework,
over which when the meetings are heid
huge canvas is stretched, forming a tent.
The services this year Will commence An
gust q, lasting week. Moody and Sankey
were earnestly solicited 10 conduct the meet
lDgs, but declined on the plea of not wishing
TO appear to favor sectarianlsm. Saukev'
however, has since consented, and the people
are counting on his power to win Souls By
his wonderful voice.
THE BAPTIsT5
nave also camp meeting grove here. Though
this may appear some what like opposition
the Two sects are, as usual, on The most bar
monlous terms They miugle together a
great cal In social way, so that one is G )n-
stantly reminded of q negro jubilee hymn
often sung here
70 ring those charmiug belIs > Sshe "ohs'
Rev. Dewitt Talmadge mas a cottage at
summer watering places 1t is but natural he
should seek one not "wholly fallen from
grace" He has preached here once or twice
This season. In Union chapel, uniquely de-
sigped little place of worship, there are held
services of all denominations for the benefit
OF The last growing summer population o At
side OF the camp grounds; rrs
is what is known as "heIetic's" grounds;
that is, beyond the limits OF Methodism.
The finest cottages are here and a new
deal of gay life. With old ocean at its very
feet, the view from the piazza is magnid-
cent: The promenade is lined with seats
and lighted brilliantly in the evening. II IRE
and there are little refreshment pagodas,
and at the foot OF the bluffs long lines OF
bathing houses.
Outside of its narrow, crowded limits OF
the camp ground, and away from ths noisy
life at Oak Bluffs, little further along tue
sound is the delightful spot from whence
this letter Is dated. A long line OF precipi.
tous bluffs near whose edges an occasional
cottage "stands looking seward" is all to be
seen from the steamers coming along. But
and there are volumns of description for the
place. The cottages like those down at the
grove open widely at the front, but here are
the Swapping breeze and the ever. cSane ing
marine views with all the different phases
Of tinted water and moving sail. Sitting
ding daises that fringe the bluffs to the
dancing waves and flying white caps be-
yond we can but feel lively interest in the
numberless little crafts that play so con-
spicuous q part In the picture. Sometimes
the hutter of pocket handkerchief is ecu
far across the water-nothing but q little
but 1t looks so hearty. II has been estimated
that upward of sixty thousand sail pass an
nuslly In sight OF the Highlands. The other
evening a whole fleet came across the water
and anchored for the night just In front OF
us. royal shade in the glowing sunset sky
for we 90 have exquisite sunset here-red-
OeDeo lne sails mapping IDLY 10 ana 1rO and
tlnged the quit water. AS the light came on
colored lights were hung out, and walking
along the bluffs we could hear the hoarse
voices OF the sailors on deck.
A FIRE ON THE VINEYARD.
There Is but little TO break the delightful
monotony OF summer life here on the bluffs
but the excitement OF passing sail and the
phases OF old ocean. The tall grass that
surrounds the cottages caught fire the other
day and sea of smoke and flames came
rolling upon us, threatening dire disaster.
By mighty efforts IL was put out before Sc
rious damage was done. That was little
more excitement than the vineyard rel
tshed, and brought about q realization OF
the danger Cottage City stands in. Not an
engine or organized ire company in the
place. The only precaution against q fire
calamity seems to be the camp ground re.
quirements that during the one week OF
meetings every cottage shall at night place
q bucket OF water outside the door, thus any
one passing may seize 1t up should an alarm
be given. In such wooden settlement this
small measure OF precaution is little less
than q farce.
THERE'S every prospect of crowded meet
Inc this season, already cottages and hotels
are beginning TO Ill mp. Until services be-
gin every one seems bent on enjoyment. The
sound Ii daily dotted with pleasure yachts
and pertiee In pursuance OF blue fish, OF