West-Jersey pioneer., 1880-06-10
For the w. J. PIONEER.
THE THOUSAND ISLES.

We are a restless people. No matter how
attractive our home may be, there is love
of change, OF excitement, Unborn in our
nature, that impels us to seek recreation
away from the narrow home circle. 1t is
an inherited principle from our pioneering
forefathers, and has been a great factor in
developing the national intelligence. That
there is culture in travel, is proved by the
multitude that make it part of each years
programme to spend a few weeks or months
in resting from their appointed work, while
their minds are quickened, widened and
deepened by contact with other minds,
looking upon the many phases OF life, the
diversified industries, the varied scenery,
whose richness and beauty will linger in the
memory long after the WEAKNESS is past.
At present, the facilities of travel are so
great, that with small expense, slight fa-
tigue and little loss of time one may gather
in a rich harvest of entertainment and in
formation that will brighten all the future.
Among the most delightful trips for the
Summer tourist, is visit to the Thousand
Islands, scattered through the st. Lawrence
or hundred miles or more, extending
from Lake Ontario to the Long Sault.
| These Islands, about 1900 in number, are
of all sizes and shapes, some rocky and
bare, others covered with fine growth of
pine and hemlock. In the old Indian days,
these beautiful Islands were the home of
the wild deer, birds sang upon the trees and
the ily-padded bays, nesting among the
cliffs; teemed with fish and water fowl, un-
disturbed by report of gun, or hook and
line. The poetic mind of the Indian called
| it the .Garden of the Great Spirit" Now
breaking in upon natures solitude, comes
the whistle of the steamboat, with it's
crowd of life and gayety-touching at the
different ports-gliding in and out among
the woody Islands.
Summer hotels, with gay flags floating
above the treetops, picturesque residences
upon the green, rocky Islands, and gaily
painted boats dashing in and out among the
bluffs, or floating indolently upon the deep
waters of the calm river, make it seem like
fairyland of beauty.
People from all over the Union have
found these Islands most delightful for
Summer homes. The tasty cottages, the
crowded hotels, the "Parks" where Camp
Meetings and Sunday School Assemblies
are held, the Thousand Island Summer
School of Languages, all tell of their con-
stantly increasing attraction.
Those desiring recreation in the way of
hunting or fishing, or in quiet communion
with nature in shaded hooks or tranquil
bays, with the added association of legend
and romance, will find no better realization
of their desires than among the Thousand
| Islands.
The journey there from New FORK is also
full of interest. A sail up the Hudson, then
via the New York Central through the
beautiful valley of the Mohawk to Rome,
then the Rome and Watertown Road, and
the steamer at Cape Vincent, stopping on
the Canada side, at the quaint old town of
Kingston, whose strange architecture and
foreign aspect, give added interest to an
American, a delightful sail upon the river,
and soon the grand centre of Summer life
| is reached l.. T. S.