The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-08-07
l Pilgrimage to Plymouth, Martha s
Vineyard and Nantucket,
THE ANNUAL EXCURSION OF THE MAINE PRESS
ASSOCIATION.
OFF FOR THE VINEYARD.

ASSOCIATION.
OFF FOR THE VINEYARD.
AT 9.15, Wednesday morning July 10th the
cXcursionists left Plymouth in special car
for Boston, and after a brief stop at the Hub
/ took another train for New Bedford. At
Taunton lunch was brought into the car and
| partaken of as we rode along-further evidence
of DR.. Lapham's forethought and good man
agement. AS the train rolled into the station
at New Bedford we had glimpses of number
of whale ships laid up at the wharves, with
canvas nailed over their sterns to protect the
woodwork from the sun, and one was hove
down on her beam ends undergoing repairs
These vessels all have family likeness. They
are bark rugged, square built. with bluff bows
and row of painted ports. The whale fishery
has been declining for number of years. At
first from the scarcity of whales, but lattery
because of the discovery and general use of
coal oil. 1t was Il severe and hazardous calling
and made almost AS many widows and orphans
as does the fatal Georges fishery nowadays
| New Bedford still sends a few ships to the
Polar seas in quest OF Oil and whalebone
I
/ the Old Colony'> fleet of steamers, for Martha's
| Vineyard. There was a brisk breeze blowing
as we steamed across Buzzards Bay and into the
strait between Naushon Island and the main,
miniature He'll Gate. Naushon Island is own
! ed by Mr. Forbes. a wealthy Bostonian, and the
summer residences of himself and son were
pointed out, while his yacht was seen at anchor
I.,+1,
| part under high state of cultivation and well
stocked with cattle and game. The boat land
ed at Woods Holl and took on . few passengers
and a quantity of baggage and freight and then
| headed directly across Vineyard Sound. IN
the distance was seen Cay Head near which the
/ Inflated steamer City of Columbus was wreck
ed We passed the mouth of Vineyard Haven
| Harbor, once known as Holmes Hole, il great
resort for weather bound coasters. and soon
reached our destination at Oak Bluffs. The
wharf on which we landed had Il covered way
leading to the Sea View House, where the
party were to spend the next two or three
days. 1t is fye-story wooden structure with
mansard roof and towers and has two rows of
rooms on the upper floors opening from Il hall
/ the full length of the building. one side com
mands a wide view of the Sound and from the
other you overlook Cottage City. The hotel is
built almost at the waters edge, and wide
verandah extends entirely around the building,
/ opening from the dning-room and office floor.
The electric light turns night into day and
passenger elevator carries guests to the upper
/ floors, while the c@sDee is unsurpassed. We are
sure that all the party have pleasant recoIlee-
tons of the Sea View its jolly landlord and
| attentive clerks; and two of them, at least
often recall the delicious blue fish, nicely
broiled and appetizingly served, of which they
/ partook three times each day. The hotel and a
large tract of land along the shore is owned by
company and is distinct from Cottage City
! proper Here are situated the most costly
| cottages, or summer residences, on the island
/ one, owned by Oliver Ames, is said to have
cost, with its internal fittings. $4,000, aud
! there are others which Were nearly rs eXpen-
/ siye. A short distance below the hotel, and
/ opposite these cottages, is the bathing beach,
with long building devoted TO the use OF
/ batherS. The weather and water We're both
/ too cold at the time of our visit to bring out
the bathers in force, but in the height of the
( season the sight is said TO be we'll worth seeing
some of the costumes being suggestive of the
undressed and spectacular drama. The soil
1 here is loose sand, and walking and driving
were alike unpleasant until the streets and
sidewalks received a coating of asphalt, max
ing them as hard and smooth rs floor. 1t is Il
| paradise for bcyclers and trcylers, and these
!
number the four-wheelcd.
/ Our first visit 10 Cottage City was made in
tue evening and the scenes presented We're
/ novel and interesting. Along the main avenue
brilliantly Illuminated with the electric light,
were large hotels. restaurants, and shops of all
kinds. and turning from this street into a
narrow way come upon cottages, thousands
of them side by side, filling street after street.
4 In the center is the Tabernacle, a great
iron roof, circular in its general form and
graceful IN appearance, supported on pillars
AT one side is the preachers platform and there
are seats for upwards of two thousand people
The edtce is surrounded by oaks under which
services We're formerly held. Near by is Il large
wooden church of pleasing architecture and
/ Will Il HdHtlSODt INTERIOR. the cottages are Oh
all kinds, the average about like those on Park
Row. NorthpOrt Campground, and occasionally
we saw the canvas covered frame work of the
early days of camp-meeting>. But taken as Il
whole there is no place just like this. 1t is the
only Cottage City; and our first peep at it left
an impression that we had visited fairyland.
OF this-as of other resorts at the time of our
L., -
Comparatively few OF the cottages within or
without the Camp ground We're occupied. and
signs Of to let and for sale We're numerous.
But many OF the cottages were built for rent
and it is safe to assume that most of them will
be occupied during August. Judging, how
ever, from conversations with those who derive
their gains from a crowd of visitors, Cottage
City has seen its best DAYS; or rather has at
tanned the high-Water mark of popularity and
is now on the ebb. There is said TO be
1ict between those who assume to be manag-
ing the affairs of the place purely in the interest
of religion, and the more worldly minded. Many
who leave their homes fora few weeks vacation
ii nd it irk,ome to conform to rigid rules and are
inclined to eat drink and be merry free from
surveillance. This i, sad. but nevertheless true.
SO some of the former habitues of Cottage
City are seeking fresh fields and pastures new
and this may also be said of another class. who
dislike crowds and the attendant noise and CON
fusion. Vineyard Haven and Edgartown are
securing some of the latter class. OF the first
| named we cannot speak from personal obser
walton, but Edgertown is certainly as restful
as country graveyard. OF il visit to this
| place we shall have something to say later.
After the first day at Oak Bluff the most of the
party began to wonder how visitors manage. to
kill time. That is apt to be the impress ion
on first glimpse at watering place life any
where. In Il few days however the problem is
solved, and you fall readily into the life of the
habitues, and enjoy it. There are boats arriy-
| ing every few hours, and at such times the pier
Is visited to look at the new arrivals. An hour
or two is devoted to bathing. The arrival of
| the daily papers is also event, and then
comes the reading and discussion of the news.
| Then there are excursions, private parties and
the pleasures of the table. And at Oak Bluffs,
just across the street from the Sea View. is one
of the finest skating Kinks in the country, owned
| by Winslow, the maker of the skate bearing his
name. 1t is illuminated at night by the electric
| light and fine band ullys every evening