The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-05
Tke &utland Daily 0lobe
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1876.
Especial Correspondence OF the Troy Daily
Timesl
THE HERMIT'S LETTER


Excursion of the j. II. Starin-Now Eng
lands Watering Places Newport and tho
Old Tower-The Riches of the Place-A
Clam Bake-How tho CLANS ore Cooked
Providence and New Bodford-Martha's
Vineyard, etc.
MARTnAs V1YEYARD, Aug. 30, 1876.
New York during the summer is so ifca-
tilted with the watering places tia. enc
must visit the latter in order to present a
fresh phase of metropolitan life. | am a
guest of Commodore john II. Storm, who
has gotten up princely excursion, such as
has never been equalled in the history of
both hemispheres. The steamer, which
bears his name, beng new craft, makes
its initial voyage with 1875 guests, who are
entertained with a view Of the Yankee
places of resort, and an additional trip to
the centennial. The Gloversyille band,
numbering 90 pieces, is among the attrac-
| tions, and has already displayed its pro-
| fessonal skill. Those who know Commo-
| dore Starin need no suggestion concerning
| his disposition to do Handsome things
| He has on this occasion invited chiefly his
old friends in Montgomery county, adding
| a few from New York and Albany. We
were when leaving the metropolis cheered
with widespread enthusiasm by the ship
| ping, and after pleasant sail arrived at
FAMOUS NEWPORT,
the town of Bishop Berkeley, the rendez-
vous of the French fleet during the revolt
ton, the former centre of the slave trade,
and now the most aristocratic watering
place in America. Old Newport is an an
cient town, whose narrow streets are hud-
died near the bay, which is one Of the best
on this continent. This, however, is not
the Newport of fashion. The latter is an
extension, consisting of elegant villas,
which skirt stately avenue, three miles in
| length. Many of these villas have fine
views of the ocean, and the value of build
| ing sites is graduated according to the ad-
vantage. "Bellevue avenue" as it is call
ed, is the pride of Newport. Being ma
cadamiscd aud sprinklcd thrice day, it is a
| capital drive, and in the afternoon it is
thronged with elegant equipages, which
readily suggest the immense wealth now
| gathered here.
LOOK AT OLD TIMES.
Such an ancient'town could not fail of
being rich in antique associations. Here is
Trinity church, which next to Christ church
| Boston, is the oldest building of the kind
in America. Entering the church On Sun
| day, heard an organ which nearly GEN.
| fury and n half ago was presented by Bish-
| op Berkeley, author of the oft quoted line,
"Westward the star of Empire takes its
way" He preached here during his early
ministry, and left the place the honor of
his name in addition to his benefactions.
CONCERNING TIE OLD TOWER.
Everybody goes to see the old tower, but,
to the antiquary, it has charm seldom
equaled in chronicles of mystery. So many
descriptions have been gwen of the curious
structure that will spare the reader rep
etilion. Two persons were with me when
made my pilgrimage to IL spot which for
| 30 years | had desired to see. One man
had never heard of it, and. after passing
| glance. went his way. The other was a
| Yankee, who examined it thoroughly, and
showed me how the floor timbers could
have been placed in their sockets, (the lat
ter still vlsible,) so that the interior could
be reached by ladder. His suggestions,
however, could not solve the mystery, and
remained hesitating between the conflict
| ing theories-that of the Norsemen on the
one hand, and the windmill on the other.
| To strengthen the latter two points have
been made First, Benjamin Arnold, when
| bequeathing the property to his daughter,
calls it "the wird-mill;' second, of late
| years traveller to England has, as it is said,
| found mill much Of the same pattern.
| But then, on the other hand, if the mystic
rious tower were ouly mill, why does it
| have fire place just on level with what
must have been the floor? This fire place is
small and rudely constructed, but shows
| plainly that the apartment was meant for
| habitation, since wind-mills do not need
| such comforts. Then, again, there are no
other stone mills in New England, all the
| early buildings being Of wood, nor can any
such masonry be found in America. Thus
do the theories copfiict--leaving the mys-
terry utterly unsolved.
POSSIBILITY.
1t is possible that in the construction of
this tower two purposes were united. 1t
might have served as windmill and also
for place of security. The fire place
might have been made for the use Of those
who sought refuge there. The small square
windows would, in such case, serve as
loop-holes. The idea of ''a double debt to
pay" is theory of my own, and is offered
as method of reconciling the difficulties
of the case. The tower is 23 feet in height
and in diameter, and is supported on eight
pillars, with pointed arches of Norman
style. Longfellow's poem has invested it
x.,tb Mi int rpct aOA Nawnnrt Ua
much to the poets ballad.
A SOCIAL GLANCE.
1t is admitted that Newport is the most
aristocratic watering place in America.
The distinguishing feature here is the ele-
gance of the villas and the exquisite beauty
of the grounds. Bellevue avenue is long
series of parks and gardens, whose style
reminds one of the finish of British cul-
| ture. Some of these villas are rented at
rates varying from So, 900 to $4,000 per
season, but the largest number are in the
hands of their proprietors. Among the
visitors of note is the historian Bancroft,
| who spends the summer here. New York
| is represented by James Lenox, and Will
liam &. Rhinelander of real estate note,
to whom may added John Jacob Aston and
his brother-in-law John W. Chanler. The
odore Havemeyer is also among the lead
ing New Workers. William Travers rep
resents Wall street and James Gordon Ben
nett journalism. To the latter is due the
introduction of the polo game, which is a
popular novelty. Bennett has a fine es-
adjustment in Bellevue avenue, and keeps
a score of horses, with grooms, dogs, and
all the appointments of high style of ru-
raj life. He has a courier galloping be-
tween his house and the telegraph office,
and messages are continually passing be-
tween the maguate of the Herald and his
New York printing house. Bennett is
strongly addicted to foreign style, and his
carriages and servants are imported. He
entertains large social circle, and his
turnout at the evening drive always attracts
attention.
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