The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-10-05
Nova Scotia.
Notes of a Pleasure Trip to Annapolis
The Journey-The Climate The Scenery
and Agreeable Incidents.

AACIS are many readers OF the ThEsS WHO
would visit this Province if they knew what
a delightful country it is, how easy of access
and how delightful the journey thither. |
do not know of any place where the atmos-
pl,erlc conditions are more favorable for an
invalid. There is scarcely any of the fog
that characterizes the western shores of the
Bay of Fundy, and the bracing, invigorating
air of the mountains has an immediate effect
upon the appetite and digestion. The seen
cry from the entrance of Digby Gut up to
Annapolis is not excelled by any part of the
Hudson. The beautiful farms and equable
climate naturally suggest the name which
has been given to wide tract of country
about Annapolis and Windsor, the "Garden
of America
Feeling the necessity of a few days rest
from business cares, and of an opportunity
to recuperate from an exhausting illness, /
embarked on the State of Maine one after
noon last month. In my opinion there is no
excursion by water on the American coast
comparable to trip to S.. John by the
steamers of the International line. do not
remember having arrived, on former visits,
at Eastport before noon, or at ST. John be.
fore O'Clock p. m. The State of Maine,
much to my surprise, brought us to East
port just as we were finishing breakfast,
and to ST. John at about o'clock.
While IT IS very pleasant to get to the end
Of journey as speedily as possible when
one is on business, it is always unpleas-
ant to one who loves to be on the water. to
have the journey abbreviated in the slight
est degree. Such trip as the Estate of
Maine" made that night would cause no
more fear than the passage from Portland to
Boston in the fremont. We had to wait
nearly two hours in Eastport to put off and
take freight, and to meet the "Charles
HoughtoD." This gave sufficient time to
look around the pretty little city, the far
thest east OF any city in the United States.
1t is well worth while to go through one of
the immense sardine factories that may be
seen near the steamboat landing. May
large fortunes have been made here in this
business within the past ten or fifteen years.
The handspring of my watch broke while !
was on the steamboat, and on our arrival at
ST. John was directed to a matchmaker on
Prince William street, ! was somewhat
surprised to be hailed by name and to rec
ognize in the proprietor of the shop our old
townsman Mr.. McDnffee. He seemed to be
as mechanic capable of doing the best
quality of work. Friday morning thick
fog '.nveloped the city, bu as there was no
wind, the water presented surface just
like glass, and gave promise of delightful
passage across the Bay of Fundy The
steamer Empress, of the Nova Scotia Steam
ship company, bound for Digby and Annap-
oils lay at the adjoining wharf, with steam
ulp ready to start promptly at s O'Clock, st.
John time, which is about twenty minutes
faster than Portland time As we approach
ed the steamer we met Mr.. Ring, clerk of
the Empress, late of the weI-known Port
land firm of Warren and Ring. His courte-
sy increased very materially the comfort
and pleasure of our five hours VOYAGE i
doubt if the water of the Bay of Fundy is
ever quite as smooth as we often see it along
the coast of Maine. We were told that the
passage was exceptionally fine, but confess
that to us it seemed somewhat hubby.
We passed through Digby Gut--a narrow
passage with high, green hills on either
hand--at IL O'Clock, and arrived at the beau
tifuly situated town of Digby few minutes
later. After very brief stay here. we again
proceeded on our way through this narrow
arm of the sea, with beautiful farms and
picturesque farm houses on both sides of us,
towards Annapolis, which is about sixteen
miles north of Dfgby. From the dinner ta-
bic we had occasional glimpses of the high
banks, although the windows were too high
for the view we desired to have We ar
rived at Annapolis at about o'clock and
Immediately set out to explore the town. The
main street extends in the form of semi
circle from the head Of the wharf where we
were landed along the shore for about
quarter of a mile, and then strikes off into
the country in the direction of tangent to
the semi-chcle. There are several streets
lying at right angles and parallel with the
main street. On one of these side streets
are two very fine new brick residences of the
Queen Anne style of architecture owned
and occupied respectively by DR.. Robinson,
the leading physician-there are but two in
the place-and DIR. Cunningham, apothecary
and dentist. DR.. Robinson is one of the bus
lest men ever met. He is obliged to travel
over a very large tract of country, and is
thriving specimen of the hardest worked
and poorest paid class of men that ever
lived. He earns ten dollars for every one he
receives, and nevertheless makes a very
good income. DR.. Cunningham very kindly
took me 10 his house, introduced me to his
family, and showed me over his house and
grounds. His house is finished in hard
wood. 1t has large halls, fireplaces in all
the rooms, and will compare favorabiy with
the best built houses in our city. / was
tuuCA pIlS5u W S66 SuCu GVl06ICcS OF
taste, and such fine work in so small a
place
Annapolis Is, a very old town. 1t was here
the first European settlement on this part of
the coast was made in 1904 Under the
name of Port Royal it was the capital of the
French colony of Acadia. This old name is
partially retained even now, for the town is
well known as Annapolis Royal One of
the most interesting relics of the olden time
is the old fort built probably at the time of
the first settlement by the French almost
two hundred and eighty years ago. The
earthworks remain probably just as they
were at that time. A moat SUR ounded the
inner fortification, but now the sides and
bottom OF it are covered with beautiful
carpet OF grass. Within is the old magazine
the walls and ceiling of which are inscribed
with names OF former visitors. The old
officers barracks still stand and are occupied
by those whose thoughts are of ANYTHING but
war and warlike matters. These reminders
of tAmerican) antiquity are highlysesteemed
by the present generation. There are many
houses that look as though they were built
at the same time as the Notifications.
There is an ancient look about the place.
the buildings and even the people, that goes
well with their reputed age. There is some
thing in the atmosphere that is restorative
and preservative of health and possibly this
applies to things as well as persons. This
is really wonderful climate. II offers no
encouragement at all for one who wishes to
remain sick. From the moment we set foot
)n4and began to fee the beneficial effects |
If the clear bracing air, in increased appe- |
lite, great improvement in digestion, and a |
ceiling of renewed vigor and strength. The /
,eculiarities of The tide are well worthy Of |
notice. The difference between high and |
ow water marks at Annapolis is about
went y-five feet. During the ebb and flow |
he tide is SO strong that it is very Difficult to |
low across the river. do not know the ex- |
act rapidity of the current, but it runs by
Lhe wharf like race horse. The ferry-boat |
IS small dorg capable of holding six or |
eight passengers, and is rowed by one man.
He is obliged to row a long distance up or |
Town as the case may be, against the cur
'eni, before be can head his boat across the |
Itream. and then sometimes he errs in judg-
nent and comes out good stretch from his |
proper landing. II is in the upper part of |
his DAY or river that the tide rises and falls
uIl sixty feet. Cattle are sometimes car
led away by the tide, which overtakes them
IS they are fleeing for safety.
The travelling public is we'll accommodate |
ID by the steamers of the Nova Scotia st. am
hip Company. G. o. F.
T11d1aio1rC DorI<axy