The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-07-13
For The Cecil Whi..
LETTER FROM REHOBOTH BEACH.

This comparatively new seaside resort
we saw in its incipiency, the day the lot
owners made their selections, but not since,
until now. Passing over the Delaware Rail
road to Lewes, the hack of the accommo-
dating Manning landed us at the Surf
House, kept by w. Fl. Billany, Esq, whose
kind attentions soon gave that " free and
easy feeling" which is not always expert
enced at public house.
Having heard some what of the attractive
features of this place, l concluded to test
the same by personal observation; SO Man
niDg's hack was brought into requisition,
and we started on the beach towards Cape
Henlopen, a distance of some five miles.
The horses sped over the sand at brisk
trot most of the way, passing life saving
station as we neared the light house, the
hills of sand rising to such proportions that
it would not have seemed very extravagant
to have given the name of m0unt0in.-
Alighting from the carriage along a ravine,
extending westward from the sea, we COM
menced climbing the steep ascent; on reach
ing the dwelling, found the polite keeper,
Mr.. ID. Joseph, who, leading the way up
the tower. gave necessary instructions and
infornation; finally gaining the top, we
found spread out before our vision a num-
Der of points of interest-Cape May, on
the Jersey shore; the great breakwater, in
side the cape; the town of Lewes, etc.
The keeper then called attention to his
lamp, the magnificent glass reflector. etc.
In the opposite direction, Rehoboth bay
stretches out for several miles, only sepa-
rated from the ocean 10y a sand bank, at
mrs lu fux hun raI rlc do
This sheet of water is famous for fish, fowl,
crabs and boating. While some of our party
gave evidence of their skill at angling on
the bay, we quietly contented ourselves in
manifesting ours at the table.
The grand old forest, located at the west
end and entrance of the association grounds,
is seldom equaled and the arrangements
for camp meeting rarely excelled. Many
of the tents remain from year to year, be-
ing made of boards, two stories high, and
whitewashed. We noticed a new one of
more modern style and tastefully finished,
which we were told was for the venerable
Bishop Scott, who was expected to have
charge of the camp meeting, to commence
July 18th. The auditorium is quite an
extensive building, with shingle roof
There is a boarding establishment, put up
by the enterprising president Mr.. Bright,
that has many of the convenienceS of a
regular hotel, on the second floor there
being hall throughout the length, and
each room private and numbered. There
are many other features of interest con-
nected with this ground that would require
too much space to describe.
A creditable depot having been erected
a short distance from the camp ground,
and during our sojourn the railroad track
completed, the -" iron horse" made his first
appearance i'll the grove, and subsequently
several freight cars, being unloaded, gave
quite business-like aspect. This juno
ture being reached, it was stated that the
late ]. J. Mccullough had agreed to con-
struct horse Car railway to the beach, but
in the absence of this railway, come with
me in Imagination to the foot of Rehoboth
avenue, which, at this point, is two hun
dred feet; let us enter the tasty pavilion,
and if there is any emotion in your being
that is capable of feeling the touch of Ma
lures magic, then there must come some
pleasurable sensation; if you are tired or
warm, there comes the refreshing breeze;
if you turn your eye westward, up the
grand avenue, some three quarters of a
mile distant, there looms up the camp meet
ing grove; to the right and left of this ave-
nue. the grounds are dotted with some
thirty cottages, anu TWO SoOu nOGelS-tne
Surf and Bright Houses; north or south,
some five miles each way, stretches out one
of the finest beaches, straight and smooth;
eastward, old ocean (to the eye presents
the unbounded expanse, sending up it's
ceaseless wave, some times gently, at other
times mounting high with crest of spar
king foam, seems to lash the shore in fury;
the bathing is unequivocally fine. In short,
we think the place needs only to be seen to
be appreciated. Some may be ready to
ask, Why does it not improve more rapidly?
One of the reasons, doubtless, grows out
of the fact that large proportion of the
purchasers of lots hold them on specula-
ton; they had hoped they would have
grown into a fortune without any effort of
their own; they doubtless feel disappointed.
In order to secure the improvement desired,
there must be a change. Such as have
means at command would doubtless find
both safety and remuneration in building
cottages, if they should not be occupied by
owners. We have been misinformed, if
good cottages could not be rented to pay
good interest. One feature i'll connection
with the religious side: There seems to be
a necessity for a place to hold service near
the shore, the grove being too distant for
most pedestrians. With business enter
prise and religious interest, the place GER
tainly has the capabilities of meeting the
most sanguine expectation of its original
ors. s. B. It.