News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-09-24
Block Island, r. 1.


pretty heavy roll, and as our course kept
us in the trough OF the sea, which gave
the ship the rolling motion, it made
some quite sea-sick. Though the roll is
not unpleasant to me, yet L prefer tC
run across the sea. First the bow is up
the stern down, then between the swells
IL is reversed. This is most eXhilarating
and reminds one of other days. of the
Old sea-Saw times. Onthe way one has
ample opportunity to study nature, and
1t IS quite possible they will come out
with confusion worse COMPOUNDED. TIC
the right, when sailing down the Sound
on soma of the islands are immense
boulders of all sizes that through some
process of nature must have been bro t
there and put ON the surface. [ now
think l shall have to adopt the theory of
the northwestern flow.
But now landed on the Island for the
second time, / turn to my note book and
find its circumference to be 16 2-10 miles &;
its greatest width $40 miles: number
of acres of land 6265 6-l0. Its latitude is
4.S.36 to Al SO North longitude IT,
1886 to 1865 west. On the longitude
nal line it is due south of the north east
ern corner of Vermont and distant 26S
miles, or from the 18th parallel. Its
highest thermometer in the summer of
1884 was SO 2-1Oth lowest in the winter
of ISIS, 8 2-10ths below zero. Its fuel
is coal from Perm, wood from Maine,
and peat, a production of the island, and
said to be of superior quality. Its high
est elevation is Beacon Hill, 211 feet
above tide water, with an observatory
added. Distanea fsRn gulf stream. IS
miles from Albany, 1o4 !; Point Judith,
II; Newport, "A; Boston, 81; New Y ork
City, 131 New London, so; Providence,
43 Stonington, 20.
The Island would be a study for the
geologist. 1 question if there could be
found on the whole Island two acres of
land in one plot that could be called
level or fiat, and yetits highest elevation
probably is the most uneven of any on
the face of the earth. Its fences are
what surprise me most. l never saw so
much stone wall on SO little land. There
is but very little fence excepting stone.
1t is claimed that there are 300 miles of
stone wall on the Island. | have seen
the most of it from the observatory, and
will take the risk to take off one rod and
a half-but not another inch. The land
is all under cultivation, excepting the
ocean beach and the ponds, of which
there are many, There is no rock or
ledge, but the stone were carried there
and dropped on the surface, and they
built wall until they got them piled up.
The land produces well, but on most of
the farms there is not forest, shade or
fruit tree, and although the inhabitants
think it was once denSely wooded, they
now think no trees can be grown. Of
permanent inhabitants the Island has
1914, with valuation of $5S2, IT'S for the
purpose of taxation, or a per capita val
uation of $435. go.
1t has become most noted summer
resort; has twenty-five public houses,
and can accommodate about2 900 guests.
Board from 81 so to $500 per day; pri-
vate houses take bOarders at a less price.
L have understood that there was not
the difference in their tables that there
was in their prices. But l personally
know of but one house. Here one can
get the noted baked blue fish in their
perfection, caught daily from the sea.
There are boats to let to thosethat wish
to hire to go sailing or fishing; but L
would not advise any one to take boat
unless they thoroughly understand their
management. Better go out with some
of the old fishermen, for should it come
on rough they might get to casting up
some unpleasant accounts.
This is a most delightful place to come
W lOI UllllC, 1CU L Woulu ilOO LINZ w
live here. A sailor often says he wants
more sea room; l should want more
land room. 1 have been told that there
are adults here that have never been off
the Island,
There is no kind of manufacturing
here. Its whole business is fishing and
farming. This in as it was stated to Ele
when L made the enquiry. They said
fishing was first There is one place on
the beacE wheisS the Se1.--brings- up a
large amount of magnetic iron. There
is an establishment here for separating
it from the sand, but it is now closed.
1t is said here that it makes the best. of
steel. | separated with magnet enough
of it to get me good sample.
There is one thing here thatwas of in
tense interest to me, THE Life Saving
Station" The chief officer most kindly
workings. l could but think this world
was contrariety. 1t is but a few
months since l was examining things
where it seemed to me man had eX-
hausted his inventive genius to construct
weapons that would the most rapidly
stroy life. But now how changed! The
same genius had been at Work to con-
struct the best things possible to save
life. Many have seen paintings of wreck
and rescue, but after all one can get a
better idea of it's workings to visit sta
ton and see it in all of its parts. There
is strict discipline and order in the sta
ton. Everything is as ready to go on
call as steam fire engine. The crew
here (if such they are called) consists of
seven men. wanted to see the physi-
ognomy as well as the physical of the
men that had such charge committed
to their keeping. [ wanted to see their
eyes, for l think the eye portrays the
disposition, and had the opportunity.
The officer took me into the mess room.
ing. but waiting for their chibf officer
| gave them all hasty glance, and
thought them imbued with a large share
of human kindness, and daring that
never contemplated personal danger. L
thought them well worthy their pay and
the peoples respect.
Old Neptune is the best physician that
ever prescribed for me; yet | expect
there are some who had better not give
him a call. There is an old saying that
what is ones meat may be anOther'S
poison. The season on the Island see
closes. Some of the houses have closed
already. l should recommend to any
coming here to bring clothing so that
they could be comfortable on moderate
winter day in Vermont. While here
have been thinking, Why do not more
Vermonters come to this health-restOr-
ing place? Yes, why have not [ been
here before ? Well, there is first time
with everything. From any part of
Vermont one can reach New London in
one day. The next day about 10 a. M,
go aboard of the boat and reach the Is