The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-09-02

L SdH on tie chesapeake dpDitS-
Crisfcld N3S9nitocs-Y hc Por20ohc HiNf,
-Snoao HH-7He Steamer Alice-Arrira
at Hinc0teagHe- Erpertations.
by universal consent, tie Chesapeake
Bay is regarded one of the grandest sheets
of water that beauties the surface of the
globe. Receiving, at its northernmost eX.
tremity, the waters of one of the most
picturesque and romantic rivers of the con.
tinent, it flows on oceanwardS, augmented
in its volume by almost innumerab!e tribu-
tares, that include in their number several
of the most beautiful and important rivers
of the Atlantic Coast. AS bay, it has no
equal, while travellers and sailors, who have
traversed every known sea, lake and river,
extol, in the most lavish terms, the noble
Chesapeake. cit was discovered" says
an acknowledged authority, "by some of
the first cOlonistS of the Island of Roanoke,
and Raleigh had enjoined it upon one of
his own expeditions. to settle within its
shores"
To those in search either of pleasure or
profit it offers equal attractions. and when
the almost torrid suns of midsummer drive
from their homes the residents of our large
cities and towns, its invigorating breezes
nate enough to enjoy a sail over its health
giving waters. Indeed, l know nothing
more grateful to the senses, either of the
sick or we'll, than trip down the Chesa-
peake; therefore, esteemed myself fortu-
nate in the opportunity recently afforded
me of realizing SO enjoyable a pleasure.
At ) o'clock, on the afternoon of August
18th, carpet, bag and gun in hand, | took
passage on board the steamer Tangier,
Capt. II. S. Wilson, at the foot of South
Street, Baltimore. en- route to Chincoteague
Island, Va, via the Chesapeake Bay and
Pocomoke River. The steamers of this
line the Eastern Shore Steamboat Co. }, are
models of comfort and safety. particularly
the vessel now plying between Baltimore
and Snow Hill, and | willingly challenge
the production OF mere competent and
obliging complement of officers than those
to whom her management is entrusted. In
a cosy and capacious state-room, furnished
with the neatest and most comfortable
berths, | spent few moments TRYING on a
patent life-preserving jacket, to which at
tenton was called by neatly printed and
conspicuouSly hung placard. Moreover,
the recollection Of the i'll fated Louisianu,
and, in my own case, the still additional
reflection that had never learned to swim,
seemed to render the precaution a proper
one.
| had been induced to visit Chincoteague
Island principally upon the representations
of those who had been particularly success
full in shooting upon its adjacent beaches
and meadows, and of which | had some
little knowledge, and having been since
amply repaid for my expenditure of time
and money in making the trip 10y the route
already indicated, | have determined to
commit to paper the story of my experience
cAie there, and to Offer for the benefit of
those similarly inclined hereafter, such in
formation relating to the Island as short
soiourn thereon enabled me to acquire. In
doing so, | shall not, in these few hastily
drawn letters, attempt the role either of
historian, philosopher or moralist, but
shall. in telling my story, have an eye
simply to the truth, rather than to an
epistolary Qualification of the pleasures of
the Island, ON the one hand, or on the
other, to a spiteful condemnation of its
discomforts, of which. like most similar
places, it mas its proper complement.
The day on which | left Baltimore was
an intensely warm one, but comfortable
supper, followed by tolerable cigar upon
the upper deck of the steamer, proved an
admirable preparation for a charming even
ing sail upon the bay. And it was truly
enjoyable one. Now, were | sentiment
tally inclined young gentleman, | should
certainly have pictured innumerable water
sprites and nymphs disporting themselves
upon the silver tipped waves of the male
tic Chesapeake, or raved lunatically of the
pale faced Luna, who like sylvan queen,
gently blushing, rose to take the place of
her lord and master, who had just sunk
from his ma. estic career behind a golden
halo Or, would have drawn lin words
the azure curtain of night; or, would have
gemmed, with sparkling language, instead
of myriad stars, the canoped heavens, ct
cetcra, ct cetera. But with no fancy for
poetic embellishments, | shall simply say,
that as the steamer made good progress
oceanwardS, and the shades of night were
falling fast about us, Annapolis shove" in
sight. Certainly there is nothing poetic in
that.
The State House dome and spire emulat-
ing the example of the eloquent members,
whose passionate outbursts of oratory had
so often shaken their foundation, still
lowered upward. But the steamer went
directly on. Past the quaint and curious
old town, with it's Centennial associations
and Revolutionary relics, its radiatng
streets, its genteel old family homes, and
its charming Naval Academy grounds. As
it grew DINNER and DINNER in the darken-
ing distance, could not but recall the fast
fading recollection of its brightest legisla-
tive ornaments. For, as the day was fast
losing itself in night, so have they, one by
one, gone out from The pure atmosphere of
the Capitolian Hill. to be oershadowed in
the obscurity of their homes, as they assume
their wonted places among the aggregate
of mankind
Nothing exceptional occurring to disturb
my complete physical and mental serenity,
as night grew on apace, the drowsy god
laid his hand heavily upon me, when at
midnight, as the sailors say /" | turned in
Or, as sensible people express it, 81 went to
bed" or, initiating the nocturnal habit of
the refined, ~ retired.' Leaving my
state room window open, in order 10 inhale
the health giving breeZeS waited direct from
"Old Ocean, | was presently awakened
from my refreshing slumbers by the sounds
of many voices singing ominously in the
porches of mine ears, accompanied with
minute elections of that leperous distlment
that doth such enmity hold to physical
comfort. The vessel had reached Crisfield,
that pretty place on piers. 1t was too dark
to discern through the long and low shadows
cast by the moon, whether Crisfield had
improved since | had last seen it, in 1870.
Beside, the very air was resonant of insect
music. With little Tyres, attuned to the
melody of the moment, thus ran the glad
refrain
Punch brother, punch with caire,
Punch the unucky passengaire;
Punch through his clothing, punch through
his hare,
Punch. until wild with pain and despaire;
Sang the iovial musqui taire.
The inspiring strains of martial music
move warlike men to deeds of rare empriSe.
My soles were doubly moved. SO impa
tient were they of flight, that nimble fingers
fumblng in the fight, scarce clothed with
speed sufficient their accompanying cor
poreal matter. With toilette expressed
in questionable taste, rushed not away,
but ashore. If was foolish enough to
suppose that had already encountered. on
the steamer, the grand army Of invaders. |
soon paid the penalty of my folly. The
buglers were but skirmishers had been
led into an ambuscade. Down upon me,
like the locus,s of Egypt or the grasshoppers
of Kansas, came the silent foe moving in
columns myriads strong. The "retreat"
was Soun1ad uoS achaa1 RI man