Milford chronicle., 1885-07-17
NOTES FROM OLD NANTUCKET.

the true artist who " iindssermons in stones and
good 20 eye egyGnmg," Nantucket presents charms
which are peculiar in their way and never to be
forgotten. And not only does this island OF the
sea possess natural attractions bu: it is iull oil
historic interest. The home Of the late Charles
O'ConnOr and of numerous other finely educated
men and women can surely be studied with Doih
Measure and profit. To reach Nantucket from
the mainland, one takes steamboat at Ne"
Redior,l and sails down through the broad sweep
of Buzzard's Bay, stepping only at Woods Hon
on the mainland, and Cottage City on Marlha's
VINEYARD. After leaving Cottage City, we are
off on the ocean, and raw chill breath from ON
Neptune's nostrilsm axes MS shiver. And now
at last, as VIC approach the pretty clreultons
waters of old Nantucket town and steal IN past
the hell buoy, whose metal tongue talks I'M
ceasinaly as the waves play about it, the wind
dies down and final turn brings us into small
land.locked harbOr, presided over by the prellest
lille town imaginable Nearly all the poPull-
ton of the island, centers in this one spot. Be-
yond on oil sides, are 4" long reaches OF sandy
beaches" Along the. south shore at a diIninu-
tive settlement with the pretty Indian name Of
Siasconset. the breakers dash and roar as they
do at few other places on our coast. A narrow
gauge railway runs over to this point, distance
of eight miles from Nantucket town. Ga eS-
ceptionay rough days when the breakers are
doing their best, the town crer appears, telling
all, good people to hurry quickly over to sconset
to see the water fly. This town crier is one OF
the institutions of the past which Nantucket still
maintains. lie tells of marriages and deaths, OF
dangers by field or flood" and in short, per-
forms many of 1.-THE itemzed functions assumed
in these degenerate days by the daily news
paper. And yet, spite OF its town crier, Nan
tuclset will soon lose some Of the quaintness and
Individuality which have hitherto distinguished
il The ever increasing influx Of summer visitors,
the presence of such men as the late Secretary
Folger, Bob Burdette and the celebrated Boston
surgeon, DR.. Bgelow, have oil tended to bring
this shy little town into the garing track o
summer travel. These innovations will, in time
bring Nantucket down 10 the mediocre level
the average sea-shOre resort. But it is still
charming, Its streets are wide and nicely pavec
with brick or asphalt. There are no unslghtlJ
buildings here and there TO torment the eye
]
with the usual accompaniment OF bright greer
binds. The whole effect is as nea. as picture
The very irregularity of the streets IS OF itself
charm, Built upon a hilly slope, some OF il
lowers and chimneys rise above the others II
picturesque disorder; quite apart from the dul
level of Delaware town. But the people, VIVA
of them? Much disappointed would be The
] IN these Islanders
rough set Of seadogs, full Of dull, common
places. On the contrary, they are as rnle' wei
informed and nobody's fools. They read tn
newspapers eagerly, and during the long win'e
when the ice blockade sometimes prevents th
arrival of any mail from the mainland for tire
weeks, they consult long and oiten'the BOOKS o
their well.s.ocked library. Their very insularit
is a spur TO the better culture OF their minds
Many OF the men are brOnzed and weather
beaten, but their position is superior to that 9
many a city swell who chews his cane yer
perlectly. but cannot chew an idea. There IS
crispness and saiiness in the talk OF the Nan
tucket people that is an elixir to one used TO IN
more on less affected conversation OF the metro
polls. They are polite and will 60 out OF thei
way 10 show a stranger his destination, but Their
is none Of the gushing, personal, oVerpowerin
hospitality of the South. However, once int
: their hearts, you stay there!
Men vote here according to their conscienee'
and live in the light OF clear faith. They seer
10 have learned from the ocean, the secret
Gods powers, not of His mercilessness. Tn
educational facilities OF Nantucket have Away
been maintaiDed at high standard. visit I
the High School is an interesting event. In III
palmy days OF Nantucket when she numbere
0 600 instead Of 3 500, this school was visited b
Horace Mann who pronounced it the peer OF an
school Of its preteutions in the State. Atpreser
there are about sixty pupils oil nicely grade
and comfortably housed in a large cOmmodiou
building. It is this kind OF school and this kin
Of building Of which Delaware stands in eryin
need to day. o, for sentiment 10 Milford thl
shall inauguratc and carry on a generous Hig
School policy! nation is sometimes Gale
upon to issue bond for enormous sums OF none
10 be expended unproductiyely IN mantainin
large war equipments. Cannot Milford feel ca
} led upon TO issue bonds Tor money which sha
be used 10 wonderfully productive way, /
erecting and maintaining creditaole Hg
School, to which all the other schools in tow
shall DO feeders.
Nantucket in the good old times used to bull
many a whaler in her pretty harbor. The ms
teras were brought mostly from Bath, Maine
The cid whalcrs were built very blunt and rount
ing at the bows, so as to meet the waves like
floating ball. They could stind a sea whie
would swamp a sharp nosed clipper ship.
But the steamboat whistle is blowing and "
must start on the return trip. Soon we are on
on old ocean again, leaving behind the prett
island with its whole-souled sons and daughter
Of the sea, while the bell bouy IL our trae
I clangs its monotonous song as our gallant hos
Z ploughs tue waves, and We settle down to day
! dreams. CIR.