Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-29
THE EVENING STAR.
FRIDAY
49,. july -. 1851

THE EVENING STAR.
rieiDA july 90 1881.
ARE-DISCovERED ISLAND.
QUIET LIFE AT NANTrCKET-wHo 60 THERE
WHAT THEY 90 FoR-wHo WOULDN'T ENJOY
T-LIfE-sAyINa STATION ON sou III SHORE
MooUI OR CLIFF JEWELLERS
From Occasional Correspondent Of THE STAR
NANTUCKET Mass. July 26th. 1881.
Americans, as a people. are known all over
the world for their love Of novelty and the sea-
side-lovng part of our population forms no
exception to the general rule. So IL happened
that after the pleasure-seeker had worn of the
novelty from all our well-kuowu resorts. from
Mt. Desert to Fortress Monroe. he took time TO
ma some fault with them ALL and search for some
thing yet untried. He concluded that the most
exquisite scenery of Mt. Desert didn't compensate
for the loss ofhs daily baths by reason of the cold
ness OF the water. He found the fine bathing good
music ana table. at that world wonder Coney Is
land. partially spoiled by the elbow iostliny crowd
ne hao only anew hours before LETT on Broadway.
lie found. too, that the bathing of Cape Nav
| (perhaps the best i'm the world barely compen-
| stated for the annoyance of mosquitoes that came
with every land breeze. Two or three times he
found the thermometer at 100 deg. within less
&c. dc. So our pleasure seeker. looking for a
new sensation. re-discovered Nantucket i'm 1872
Two hundred and seventy years after its original
discovery by Gosnold in 1902.
HOW THE SECRET LEAKED oUr
For few years he sefshly kept all the enjoy
ment to himself. He bought for 81 600 more or
less. houses that cost originally between $. 600
and $1,000. He bought large lots on the Cliff
road for say 5000: built the contest of summer
houses, and spent the most joyful of summers
with the least possible outlay of ducats. Like
the little urchln, however. who finds around the
corner the empted sugar barrel. he must Reeds
tell all his fellows. Now in 1881 the tide of
summer travel is setting strongly in towards old
Nantucket town.
ANOTHER DISCOVERY.
Our novelty-seeker is not to be baffied though.
and he learns of the little old fishing village of
'Sconset (Siasconset). eight miles from here on
the eastern shore of the island, that looked
as if it had just dropped down Gas it had) almost
unchanged from 1850 AID. Over there he
PUSHES. hires furnished fisherman's cottage for
$50 for the summer, literally pulls in his latch
string, throws himself into China bamboo easy
cnar brought home a score Of years ago by the
Captain, owner of the house; lights his cigar
and sings out. - Eureka. - He sings it out so
loud, however, that his friends hear him in Nam
tucket town. and to-day 'ScOnset has its smart
(some seven of the latter. think, and quite a
floating population.
There bids fair to be this year almost double
the usual number of visitors both at Nantucket
and 'Sconset. The residents of the island are far
too sensible to drive people away by unreason-
able charges. and to-day the island affords more
solid comfort for the summer. it is believed. than
any one of our watering places. Within year.
or say two possibly, telegraphic communication
is sure to be established between this town and
haT fha only Irax. -l.arl
| summer here will have been removed.
wAsHINGTONIANs WHO HAVE FOUND THE WAY TO
NANTUCKET.
We have here this season goodly sprinkling
| of WashingtOnians, including J. o. Wilson. super
intendent of schools. and his charming family:
the Rev. DR.. Huntington, professor of Greek at
Columbian University; Mrs. Winnie Ream Hoxie
and Mr.. Ballantyne, who are or were at 'Sconset
Many who now come to Nantucket are those
who have tried the leading watering-places
OF Europe and America. and who fully appre-
clate the quiet and restful enjoyment of a
real rustication, far removed from the haunts of
fashion. Most who come here regularly are of as
sured positions and can afford to enjoy themselves
| naturally. Many such have already built unas-
Stunning cottages on what is called the Cliff road
that leads up the hill out of the town proper
Others have bought for 81. 600. and euen less
commodiOus old houses, flied with the more
than century-Old furniture and crockery left by
the former owners who have sought the main
land for business purposes.
ARTIST COLONY on THE CLIFF ROAD
Midway of the Cliff road several artists have
located themselves some permanently and some
for this summer only, and their movable sketch
ing and painting boxes dot the fields beyond.
Among them are Mr.. Eastman johnson, Mr..
McDOugal, Mr.. Thayer and Prof Morse. Also a
lady artist from Boston, whose name I do not
| feel at liberty to publish. 1t is only necessary
to visit the residence of the latter to see what
are the capabilities of an Old-time Nantucket
mouse, and how slight expenditure of money!
aided 10y excellent judgment and artistic taste
can make out of it a most charming and lovely
summer home. The views from the Cliff road
cottages are very extended: three sides water
and one side 10y long eYpanse of lonely moor
unlike anything else this side of Scotland. Upon
this moor are found a great variety of rather
rare wild flowers. including the veritable hea-
ther.
Just beyond the present line Of cottages on
this road. and on the highest point on this side
the island. is being built commodous house
for the venerable Charles O'Connor New York's
great lawyer. We call all these people on the Cliff
Road Noqai, or cliff dweers. The difference
between the real Moqui of the west and them.
being that the former have red skins and the
latter red houses. red being considered now as
the artistic thing for seaside houses.
lt Is tacitiy understood here that all Me Strell-
aag Is to be done by the sea. People whose for
tunes l k1aoo to be reckoned by millions. leave
fine dressing and diamonds for the winter and the
city. Among the older residents or natives too,
one hears the refined and cultivated talk of
those who seem familiar with the best of society,"
And it may be added. they are courtesy persona
fed. If you are properly introduced. Some (mind
say some) of our naval officers i'm Washington.
who seem to think that the United States were
established. a navy created. and Washington
built. just to give them chance to dazzle us
wouldn't feel quite at home at Nantucket,
fancy.
THE EVENING DRIVE
is over to surf-side % miles upon the south
shore where there is a life-saving station i'm
command Of Capt Winslow. How our friend
kimbal, at the head Of this service manages i'm
such far distant localities to find out Just the
best man and secure his appointment i'm spite of
heavy political influence used without stint for
less competent fayOrites is a mystery, as well
as credit to our country. For amusement, /
adopted here, as have done i'm two other places
the expedent of enquiring for man of certain
qualifications, and was at once referred to Capt
Winslow. At another time inquired about the
Captain in command of the life-saving station.
and then appeared the little jealOuses of course,