Morning journal and courier., 1888-07-16
AmoNG rHE THImRLE ISLANDS.
and RecreatIOn-The Steamer
 Margaret-VIsItOrs At POr Island

Gayety and RecreatIon-The Steamer
 margaret-VIsItOrs At Pos Island!
 Pleasure on the Water.
 The season is fast drawing near when the picturesque group of the Thimbles will be in all their glory. Numbers of people are already beginning to make long stays there, and the many yachts and barges, filled with gay costumes and bright faces, give addi- tional beauty and charm to the scene. Ex- cursion steamers from all points along the shore carry lively crowds there every day and the cool breezes captivate everyone.
 One of the prettiest boats making regular trips to the Thimbles is the steamer Marga- ret that runs from this city. This staunch little steamer ran on regular trips along the Florida coast until this summer. She was there furnished with soft Brussels carpets, luxuriously cushioned chairs and divans and the full equipment of 8 first-class boat. These carpets and chairs have, however, been taken out for the northern trips, and entirely new rustic furniture put in. This makes the boat seem as inviting as any ex- cursionist could ask. The captain is 8 pol- ished gentleman and every inch g sailor. His Herculean form is much admired by his lady passengers as we'll as his laughing blue eyes and blonde moustache R%SoSASSAS S~~S boat were many Spaniards, and the officers speak Spanish as well as English. About the steamer may yet be seen several Spanish signs and notices. It is the finest boat that has ever made regular excursion trips from this city, and it's many passengers testify to the public appreciation of it.
 The Margaret lands at Pot Island, which | is, as it were, the gem of all the Thimbles. The Pot Island House has lately been remod- elled in every detail and is now most at | tractive summer hotel. New beds and new | furnishings throughout give it every facility for catering to comfort.
 The island in itself is 8 beautiful spot. Shade trees, grassy plots, from which rise ! large rounding rocks, whose appearance MT. Barnes calls very romantic" swings. bath ing beaches, bowling alleys, billiard rooms ! and tall tower give the place most pie | turesque aspect. The bathing has received \ special attention from MT. Barnes, who says \ it cost him over $400 to blast the rocks and | ahip white sand from the New Jersey coast. Another little island adjoining is connected \ to Pot Island by light rustic bridge. Over | the tops of thick trees which surround the \ shore is seen the roof of fancy cottage. This \ MT. Barnes rents every summer and this year
 it is in command of two young ladies, Miss Maud Smith, niece of General Smith, and Miss Phinney. The ladies veil their domicile ! in great mystery and unwary sight-seers are ! suddenly brought to standstill by the chal- ! lenge of frightened voice and tue unexpect \ ed news that the grounds are private. Even
 the good-looking captain of the Margaret ad
 mitted that he hadn't been able to go over
 that way very far as yet.
 | A dapper little steam launch is also owned
 by MT. Barnes. in which he takes his guests
 all about the Thimbles. It is a speedy boat
 and before you know it you have seen all oi
 the islands and are back again at the docks
 Large yachts from New York are frequently met with among the islands. A gay party
 arrived Saturday in Commodore F. D. Hughes
 yacht Alene. Among the number were th'
 Misses M. Mini and Adelaide Clark of New
 York. Others at the Pot Island House are
 Rev. Allen 0. Prescott, Westfeld, Mass
 Anton Reuss, Meriden, Conn; Charles N
 Fowler and wife, Hartford; Gilbert Fowler
 Hartford; Joseph Burths, wife and child
 Hartford; John A. McDonald and family
 New Haven; J. s. Brownlee, Waterbury, A
 E. Kingsley and wife, New Haven; J. B
 Smith, E. Douglas Rivine, E. B. Barstoy
 and A. E. Dryer of the yacht Social, Nev
 York; 0. H. Butricks and Miss Lulu Fair \ child New Haven.