Morning journal and courier., 1880-07-21
The Excursions.

Busy Times and the Extra Travel on
 Railroads and Boats-Large Expendi-
 lures for Pleasure and Recreation.
 The excursion business on all the railroads in the State is reported as unusually lively this year, exceeding any former year in va rious instances This is accounted for chiefly by the increased prosperity and better times. The people are beginning to get over the ef- fects of the long spell of depression and con- clude that life is worth living hence the unusual rush. There never was such rush of picnics before to either High or Parlor Rock-the former on the Naugatuck, the lat ter on the Housatonie railroad. The Derby railroad has exceeded thus far all former years in it's transportation of picnickers. It has carried thousands from this city and sec tion, en route for High Rock. No accident has occurred on any of the roads or boats, with all the thousands of excursionists- large small and indiferently sman-which have been transported either by boat or cars. Thousands have been to Shelter Island by the Starin from this city, and the number visiting Starin's Glen Island from this city may be numbered by thousands, while Glen O014AAAesVONAs 20, 900 New Workers since it was thrown open to the public few weeks ago, it being in bi- hourly connection with the metropolis. Plans for improving Glen Island still further are proposed, the design being to erect large hotel at the end of the present season with rooms enough for 300 people, the pop ularity of the island, it's picturesque ness and fine location suggesting the idea. Work will be begun upon it will also add geological garden, the animals for which are already bought and at his beautiful residence at Fultonville, N. Y. AL so salt water aquarium well stocked with all sorts of fish will be added. More plants and flowers will be cultivated. Good water is provided from an artesian well 50 feet deep, and another is being sunk. A camera obscura is to be provided also, and facilities for amateur entertainments also, specially for the juveniles, swings, ponies and merry go-rounds. It is intended to make 1t an un- surpassed pleasure spot.
 picnic takes place at High Rock, Thurs day, August 9th, given by the Pastors Aid Society of the Webster street Baptist church of this city.
 Yesterday the Zion M. E. church had it's picnic at Shelter Island. About 400 people went, and had 1t not been rainy the number would have been much larger. Although the weather was lowery and rainy most of the day, the excursionists returned in excellent spirits and full of satisfaction over Dinah's Rock and their trip.
 The Congregational church and Sunday school of North Haven picnic at High Rock Grove next Wednesday, July 28, and in con- junction with the Congregational church and Sunday scnool of Waterbury, The North Haz ven people have engaged special train to start about eight o'clock and take them di- rect to High Rock The rates of fare have not yet been arranged, bvt will be low and everybody is invited.
 The grand picnic of the Church of the Messiah, of this city, at Parlor Rock, will be on Friday, yesterday having been rainy. Yesterday was the day for the grand union picnic of the Congregational churches of Bridgeport at Parlor Rock. Those churches consequently go to-day. If rainy Friday the Messiah church picnic will be on Saturday. There will be large turnout. Tickets are in demand. They go by New York road to Bridgeport and thence by special train to Parlor Rock, which is eight or ten miles up the Housatonic railroad. The train leaves New Haven at o'clock Everybody is in vited. It is about an hours ride. Particu- lars in advertisement in another column
 At the grand temperance picnic at High Rock tomorrow Rev. MT. Davenport of Bridgeport reads an original poem, and among the speakers will be MT. Bailey of Danbury, the great temperance speaker. liar mony Division s. of T., of this city, and friends to the number of 300 or 400 will go