Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1877-07-26

entering The postern were ushered into
the main part Of the defences. For the
purpose Of making an inspection Of the
embellishments we mounted the highest
parapet. whseh led as completely Ground
the Fortress, giving rs better view of
an to be seen, together with the beau
tifui scenery Of the surrounding eoun-
try. In the distance TO the East was
the Atlantic, to the North our own ches-
apeake, on the South Hampton Roads
and James River and on the We.t the
picturesque little Town Of Hampton,
towering over which was the lofty dome
Of the Sold rs Home.
..0n one side lay the Ocean, and on one
Lay great water, and the san was full"
Coming out again we passed BY an en-
closure of about an acre covered entire
" with shells and balls at depth ofsix
feet. We suppose that these murder
Gus missiles were intended for war. We
could see mo cause for such an outlay
IN time Of peace, except to frighten the
Grand Duke Alexis who inspected them
short time ago. Our reflections on
this seeming great defence was, that no
human power, and that all the navies of
the world combined could not demol-
ish the ratification. We gloried in the
strength 16ar-country. but our feathers
fell when We were told that the mean
est moiitor of our navy could easily dis
mount every gun upon the battlements.
We believed this, for the reason that
we saw an evident decay going on in the
Notifications, and noticed a great many
guns in delap,dated condition, and no
iron mouthed messenger" peeped
from many of the port holes. WHY is it
then that so much of the public money
is annually spent in manning and keep
ing in repair such useless defences: 1t
is well possibly that the officers of our
army should have stations and it is well
that it is adjacent TO the Hygeia Hotel.
\ question arose in our party why it
was called Fortress Monroe" when all
others of similar nature were called
Forts. Some wit suggested that proba-
bly, it was Mrs. Fort, and was the moth
er Of all the other Forts. Our party
having again returned TO our vessel, af-
ter mature elaboration, came to the
conclusion that Fortress Monroe was
the greatest Fort in the country.
Subsequent to our inspection of For
tress Monroe, party of us decided to
sail IN the Magnet (still under the COM
mand OF Capt. Combs) to Hampton,
about 2 miles up the West shore Of
Hampton Roads, intent to see the SOL
dier's Home, the greatest attraction at
that place. On our way thither we first
saw clans as they were being caught
on the beach by some boys. A small
number were bought and tasted, but
with evident disgust to the palates Of
each. They were, as we thought, not
fit to eat, but our subsequent experience
taught Us TO the contrary. We here
first came in contact with the different
small fish common to this region, which
IN great measure resemble ours. What
we call crocus. they call spot, and
what We call hog fish, they call GRO
Gus, while we have no variety answer
ing to what they call hog fish. How
am DEPRESSING, When last heard from,
our party were en- route for Hampton
We arrived there about 6 o clock in the
evening, and through the kindness of
one of the soldiers, we Nwere shown
through
THE SOLDIERS HOME.
The Soldiers Home is a large brick
building $50 by 100 feet, surrounded
by beautiful grounds and commanding
an extensive view OF Hampton and For
tress Monroe. Our soldier friend first
carried us in the main entrance and To
the dome. Descending, we visited the
dormitories on the successive floors,
known as companies A, and c, cor
responding to the different upper s;o-
ries OF the building. On the first floor.
were the rooms OF the officers in charge
and the library used by the soldiers.
containing about ten thousand volumes
of standard literature. We were next
shown the cooking apartment and its
many modern contrivaEces tor culinary
purposes. All the cooking is done bv
steam, and the party in charge assured
US, that he could cook a breakfast for
the inmates of the building, about 800,
in fifteen minutes. Then we were
shown the wash and driving room, en-
CINE room, and the theatre, a very NICE
little affair, bye the bye, and from which
one OF our party cleaned many service
able hints, 20 be utilized in our Town
Hall. Lastly, we were shown the fire
department, which was all right with
but one exception, and that was. that
the fire engine was called Hugh l..
Bond" We don't know what appro-
priateness his name can have to fire
engine at the Soldiers Home. but we
are well assured that it would create
instead of extinguising fire in our
county. Thus finished US, and thanking
our kind friend, we left for the vessel,
and on the way had race with "cat"
boat. aud We came rery near beating
her. These seal" boats do run like all
the world, and would like TO see one
in our waters just for curiosity. We
were informed BY two Of our party that
they had purchased two at 5000 each
and had gwen their checks for the same.
| suppose they will be along after aw lille.
We were at the vessel in time for tea,
and retired early, as we had extempo-
riseS a theatrical performance written
by Capt. Ben roxwell. called "Po~sum."
The pit was crowded and the play COM
menced, Edelen taking the part OF school
master and Capt. Ben Foxweli that of
school boy. The pom; in the piece
was an attempt on the part of the
xrhnrl hnrx in the class 10 SMELL nnos.