The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-08-09
CORRESPONDENCE.

Pacific GRovE, MONTERREY. July "a, 1883
Dear Journal:
Another swift revolving year has brought
us to our accustomed seaside camping
ground, and II also brings that leisure
from sweeping ana busting and window
washing, from calling and receiving calls,
and all the routine Of conventional life,
which makes letter writing O possibility
and pleasure. My thoughts turn east
ward aud l greet the dear old hills and
the friends whom they environ with una
bated love and remembrance.
1t is evening, and sit by a cheerful fire
Of resinous pine cones and write, not by
the light Of the fire. but Of good substan.
tial kerosene lamp. All the household
are quietly asleep and the tent is as still
as though it stood on the top Of Mt. Equi-
nox or on Crusoe's island, for we have
pitched our rowing tent this iyear "far
from the madding crowd" on pine clad
cliff almost at the head OF Monterey bay.
The one sound is the low wash Of waves
upon the beach just below us, not a wild
rush Of great pillows but soft lapse as Of
The waters OF some quiet inland lake.
Only at very high tide or during some un.
usual wind do we ever hear the "bellowing
Of the savage sea.
We have bought little camping place,
and made for ourselves a local habitation,
and SO our Vermont friends will like TO
know how it is situated and what we have
put upon it. l will drop into my letter
picture OF this famous Pacific grove with
. plan OF the camp ground, and put q lit.
tie cross where our eyrie is, and ye friend.
ly editor may keep it on exhibition for the
benefit OF the few good friends in Man
Chester street who would like too see it,
but meanwhile will describe the place.
think last year that ! wrote something
OF this beautiful pine grove which skirts
the whole southern side OF Monterey bay.
II is laid out into regular streets and
blocks, though it is by no means all built
up. Great pine trees stand in the middle
OF many streets, and the paths go winding
about much as in Boston one hundred
years ago. Everybody pitches his tent
Just where be pieases, and there is no sem
blance to regularity, save in the most
thickly settled part Of the grounds. PEG.
pie come and 60. Very few stay more
than q week or two; some linger for q
month, and there are but half dozen Of
families who have permanent home here.
Yet this month three thousand people reg.
istered at the Office 10 less than week.
II may we'll be called floating population.
The first great attraction is the delightful
GOODNESS. Heat Is as unknown as il that
subtle ether or mode Of motion" did no.
exist Either old Phoebus is shorn OF his
beams by the light, high log or else the
cool ocean breeze counteracts his effects,
aud We wear our heaviest winter clothing
with perfect comfort.
Our little abode Ia on quite hill, which
Just few rods before our door descends
abruptly TO the beach--a strip Of shining
sand over which the waves wash II high
tide A little 10 the right and partly In
front the bill rises aud forms picturesque
pile Of great boalders and rocks, Oh the
top Of which seats are placed. and sitting
there one oyeriooks the whole bay. The
scene is one OF matchless beauty The
bay is thirty miles broad. and the opposite
shore with its surrounding mountains "a
clearly ia view. Boats Of every descrip'
,ion give life 10 the scene, from little fish
ifs smacks 10 great ocean steamers. The