The New York herald., 1879-07-28
OLD POINT COMFORT.

THE rAvoRITE WATERING PLACE OF THE vIn-
GINA GENTLEMAN SIX, TcH OF THE LOCATION
AND ITS PLEAsURE-Co CONVERSATIONS WITH A
FOSSIL.
OLD PoINr, Va, July IS. 1879
Looking from the window OF my room mo. 300,
Hygeia HoteD on the water front. have n limited
view of Hampton Roads. my eye striking Sewell's
Point on the opposite shore and largo number of
coasting vessels at present shcerng the mouth
of the Elizabeth River 1t may strange that the
view is limited from the window of a room OH the
water front, but there two serious impedimcnts
in the way--one being the oval root Of the pavilion
the left, and the other the abutting corner and
piazzas of the main building of the hotel on tho
right Walk out however. this piazza and the
is grand. The Roads, perhaps the finest sheet
of water in the world, is spread before you, studded
with innumerabe craft, from the heaviest ship that
traverses the 10 the smallest salboats dancing
the with pleasure parties from the hotel.
Directly to the left is Fortress Monroe, the broad
parspcts Of which mounted with the dogs of
war" Of the heaviest calibre. And, by tho way,
this great fortress is the background. the main
attraction of this delightful seaside resort 1t
covers 125 acres. and while outside its wide.
deep moat. gloomy looking earthworks. bus
tions casenates and guns look forb,dding
enough, the inside is delightfully."- pleas
ant. with it's handsome cottages tquarters). shade
trees, flower gardens and green lawns to which all
the visitors haye access and where they go to see
dress psrades, listen to the music of tho post band
and frequently witness artillery practice But turn
ing the eye still further TO the east some fifteen
miles away 10 the sea, ruffied into white capped
waves by a.strong eastcrly gale which has bceu
blowing Tor several days past In front and due
south is the BipItaps. attempt at fortress after
the style of Fort sumter in Charleston horbor but
view small resort, but destined in the near future
TO be great one. with beautiful Hat
wide beach, extending nearly from sawell's
Point TO the Capes. some fifteen miles in length.
To the west. ON the land side, lie the
town of Hampton, the soldiers Home and
and the Hampton Normal Institute, where the In
dans are being practically civilized All OF the latter
places can be reached by drives or sail boats. Then
the Roads into which pour the waters OF the James,
Elizabeth. Nanseinond and other rivers and grandcr
panorama OF land and water cannot be seen any
where About eighteen miles away, OIL the respective
banks OF the Elizabeth River, the cities of Nor
folk and Portsmouth, and the Gosport Navy Yard an
hours sail from the Point. The breeze is blowing
now that have to hold u tight grip on my paper
with one hand while write with the other. The
waters OF the bay the Roads flash under the sun
as the somewhat spent east wind piles them in
mimic waves aud the dash on the beach beats in
ncver-ending monotone. While the inland rustic
| aud dcnze OF the cities are sweltering
under merciess thermometer and are
moaning in hot sleepless nights here
the cry is more kiver." and we struggle for two
! blankets. Last night with closed winuows but i'm
the absence the blankets which tailed to secure
was chilled though ana now groan under the tor
ture of a stiff neck.
! ALIrTHE-y EAR-HoUND
The season ut the Point is at Its zenith; but for the
past months 1t has been very Literally patronized
The Hygeia Hotel las been full since the MIDDLE of
NJ y, ana in that period frequently full to overflow
! ing, visitors being turnou away by the hundreds,
particularly excursion days. situated the
| point OF land just below Fortress Monroe the
of the IL catches every breeze that blows
and through its corridors and piozzas, and
| windows and doors the winds whistle like autumnal
gales. Tho Gulf Stream circlinR the coast with