Smyrna times., 1878-08-07

In closing my last letter limited at an
illumination to take place, which it did, "a
hours later. Governor Rice and staff honored
the Island with their presence on Thurs
day, and the illumination was deferred on
that account until Thursday evening. The
Governor, staff, officers of the 9th N. Y.
regiment, visitors and citizens enjoyed
clam bake at Katama, and by the way
these clam bakes are not only an institu-
ton, but they are just the thing for an
epicure-no richer food can be conceived
of. After their return, Gov. Rice reviewed
the regiment at the Sea View Hotel, which
is a very fine one and located upon the surf.
l think there are 80 hotels and hundreds
of boarding houses on the island.
AS the shades of night began to fall,
cottages and buildings, one by one, blossom
ed out with swaying buds of light, and soon
a large portion of the Bluffs and camp
ground were masses of colored lamps and
prismatic lights. The Arcade in which the
postoffice is located was literally frescoed
with chinese lanterns, and at either en-
trance large chandeliers Of lanterns swung,
giving out binding light, all this in ad
dition to the street lamps and cottage
lights-for every cottage has swinging lamp
in front-giving to the whole island the
appearance of fairy village. The affair
wound up with ball at the Sea View
House, for remember this hotel and the
portion called the Bluffs is outside the
limits and jurisdiction of the Camp Meet
ing Association.
Yesterday two large sea going steamers
made excursions to Nantucket, and as | was
oneof the party, will give you short account
of what saw and heard. The ride was
grand, out in the broad Atlantic for 80
miles with a heavy sea, and a good boat
with pleasant party of friends, and you
can immagine our Joy. Suddenly we hear
the doleful tolling of bell, right before US
we see buoy with fog bell, which is rung
by the action of the waves. This marks
! the sand bar or entrance to Nantucket, and
for one mile we are contending with a sand
bar that is and has been too much for the
ingenuity of man. We arrive safely and
find nearly half the town out to meet us.
The arrival or departure of boat here is
an advent that disturbs the monotony of
the daily routine of existence. Carriages
are in waiting to take us around, but as we
prefer to walk, we have a good chance to
inspect these vehicles. A few hacks and
modern carriages, but mostly the carts as
the Nantuckers call them, and they are
used to carry the family and do all the
other work. They look like our dearborn
wagon, only much shorter, will only hold
four persons and have no tops. The house!
here, as at other places have visited, are
shingled on their sides to protect then
|, from the high winds. Nantucket ha!
houses enough to accommodate ten thou
sand people, but the population is yearly
dwindling down and now is only three
10000 thousand. On the top of most o
the houses you will find what they call
| aoalk, it is kind of observatory, but only 6
: kind, where the wives and children coulC
go out and watch for the coming O
: the boat that contained the father, brothe
, and lover, for remember the whole popula
ton of Nantucket was at one time engaged
r in the whale fishing. They have museum
} here containing many wonderful anC
{ curious relics from the sea, but shall onl
! give you an account of whales jaw that
. on exhibition here. The whale was captul
D ed in 1865 by Capt. VIM. Cash, of Bari
Islander" taken in the Pacific Ocean
weight, one hundred tons; length, 81 feet
0 circumference, sc feet. The jaw has
v teeth, is II feet long and weighs 800 fbs
) From this whale ITO barrels of good oil wa
J, made. There is a bell on the Unitaria
s church that has quite q history, it wa
b brought over in the year 1900 in brig, an
# remained unhung for long time. | SUI
It pose they were with this bell as the man wa
t. who drew the elephant, didn't know wha
TO do with it. The tone is said to be yer
It fine and fabulous prices have been offere
o by bell makers who desire to immitate i
/. The inscription upon it is in Portuguese, an
q my informant was no better versed in ths
D. language than myself, so we ring the be
It that the curtain may rise upon anothC
q scene. learn that it often happens thu
IS there is no communication with the mai
land for 20 days. Is it any wonder that
inter-marriage these people Of Nantuckt
le are all related to each other and kno
le little of the ways of the world. A man ca
ID come as near being his own grandfath'
le here, as any place that l am familiar witt
le Their churches are more like our churc
G. buildings than anything we meet II
corn raised here and upon the other islan'