New-York tribune., 1878-07-19
OLD POINT COMFORT.

OSCE TUE RESORT or REsIDESTS-sTGNs or RE-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES FROM NORTH AND SOUTH.
lyRoN AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT oF THE TRIBUNBl
OLD PoINT COMFORT, Va, July 15.-This
gaterfng-place, once the favored summer resort Of
Prcsidenis has not lost all s prestige. The artOortic
Southern families who made it their chosen meeting
place In antebeum days, are fairly represented even
vet and the loveest Of Yirguias daughters to-day
throngng the sparkling beach. The mingled waters OF
the James River and Chesapeake Bay, touched n the
white caps Of the Atlantic twenty miles away, roll up
10 the very doorsteps OF the Hygea HOTEL where there
arr least six hundred guests from North aud South
Last night little steamer sailed for Hampton with
hundred persons who could not be accommodated here
Since the departure OF President Hayes several men,
bcrs OF his Cabinet made dying visits here, and at
present PostmasterGenera Key, with bis comfortable
proportions incased In olOwnshoOkng suit OF cotton
lean Is tumbiIg about In the beyond the wind
mill The cannon and formidable Famparts OF Fortress
Monroe form q grim background TO the beach One
finds this blending Of the best enioyments OF
peace with The emblems Of war characteristic
of the place, aud every hand eVi-
denees OF reconciliation aud nationality restored.
General Bradley T. johnson OF the late Confederate
Army is prcmenading the porch with officers OF the
United states who fought against him. distinguished
MARYLAND Judge, who is here with his family. goes
laughngly through the posern OF the fort TO see the
garilso mount guard where only few years ago he
entered a prisoner Of war, uncertain Of the moment
when General Dix might send him 10 the Dry Tortugas
The steps that were built from the inner rampnrts
especially for the accommodation OF Jefferson DAVIS
are oyeTgrown with roses aud groups OF merry
children race up and down the heights Parties
OF young ladies and gentlemen fishing every day or 80
In the waters where the Merrimac and Monitor tested
their strength Fort Calhoun standing In the centre OF
the Wide OF water occupied by sclentihc party
professors and students from she Johns Hopkins Uni
yefsy and the place given 70 investigations IN
organic development and the science OF life Curonsy
enongh this disnanted fort called the "Trip Raps be-
cause the water under the action OF the sea- reacted upon
by Le bar kept In unremttDg ripple, Is built uDOn
island formed OF stones and owing TO the washing OF
the sand underneath has continued TO snk year Aiter
year. constantly requiring the addition Of more stone
This afternoon the water battery OF hftoenneh Rod
au Rnns was used for practice by the officers OF tho
Military school at the fort under tho supervision OF
COlouef IOder The target was more than mile ana
"A half out at sea aud several fine shots were made.
The weight OF shells 450 pounds and 90 pounds
was the charge OF powder fno telescopc sight DC
ysed by D officer the fort used for the first time
In this country and gave satisfactory results General
Babcork aud family and many wel-known washington
ans Who are staying here witnessed the firing.
Among the Workers here are Dr. Frank Rtdgway,
C. H. Raymond A. sherman and wife, C. H. Lebert ii;
Rippe aud C. +. Davies There are about two hundred
guests from Baltimore including A. g. ADe, proprietor
Of The sun Samuel N. shoemaker, OF Adams Express
Company, II. q. Taylor and Judge Brown.