Morning journal and courier., 1891-09-10
ON THE NEW ENGLAND COAST.



forms, well lifted up above the waters,
were the "Two Brothers" At length
near the close of the day we reach Libby
Island where my attention is at once ar
rested. Something here about the look
of this dark mass of serrated rocks deeply
scanned and channeled quite unlike those
seen before. However varied the granite
from deep red to light, to grays and even
browns by varied exposure to wind, sun
and waves, nothing we have so far seen
looked like this dark rock. Perhaps q
sort of siderite. In a separate paper I
have given some notice of other rocks of
the marine coast, which vary in places
with much singularity, while generally
speaking granite chiefly prevails.
The white surf foaming along against
the base rocks enhances the real picture.
There is little more risk about landing
80 we'll now as heretofore, but that is not
the only reason stay on board the Iris.
Being most DESTROYS to get sketch of
with busy pencil watch the boat go far
into that long dark chasm there until out
of sight, channel for safe landing at this
time, but not at all times.
A heavy sea running in there would
grind boat into fragments and make
short work of it between those near but
rough rock walls. But out of our sight
they who went ashore landed safely, the
boat remaining as usual until the inspec-
ton is over, and all returning dry clad,
and not drenched by the per6dious waves.
But they have been there before and know
how to do it if anybody does. Meantime,
my drawing, however rough, is quite true
and suggestive to memory if ever I wish
to make painting therefrom, and looks
like this: A dark rocky promotory; sides
precipitous, fifty or sixty feet high; light
house of stone as much higher; house be-
hind it to the left; two or three
struggling trees at distance;
their right to come into the picture not to
be disputed, a timber bell tower must not
be omitted therefrom, and bridgesprob-
ably thrown over that deep chasm afore-
seid which I think must curve around and
must be bridged off there between the near
and more remote houses; very likely more
than one keeper here also. And now the
inspector and his attendants are on board
again, and one of the seamen has not for
gotten to bring me good specimen Of
the dark rock" formation as requested.
Among numerous specimens brought home
| from that rugged coast I probably can find
| it, or some of it, yet.
The sun is down. The "Light" in the
| tower already shines out as the Iris steams
| around to.a convenient and safe side of
Libby Island for anchorage. What a
charming day for observing the coast as
we ran in and out of it, and very near
thereto Just such perfect October day
does not occur every day even on land,
much less on the water, I take it. But
| how novel it was to me and how enjoyed
| it, And so the days work, as well as
pleasure, is done.
Eight lighthouses this day have been
visited and duly inspected, one of which I
forgot to mention, viz, that of Prospect
harbor and getting to Petit Menan.
| And now let US go down to dinner OF
supper, it matters not what we call it.
On ship-board we have breakfast, lunch
if we wish, dinner and supper; eat heartily
of the abundant and good fare at all
meals provided, and how this salt sea all
does promote good appetite.
We are all more or less tired, and in due
time glad to seek our staterooms or berths
early to rest, except as the watch is kept
and changed as usual on ship board Al
night. The work Of the Iris is chiefly done
by day, and require the day. There ar.
books and papers in the quarter deck sec
ton, if one wishes to read and good lamps
The inspector, who is very fond of readin,
tells me about some of them. Among
them is a finely illustrated one about tn
: Eddystone and other English lighthouse
, of note, but I am too much absorbed il
| my own reflections to care about investi
eating them at present. 1 retire to m
stateroom and have good nights rest, TO
this seafaring not only gives one a goo
$ appetite, but also prmotes good, SCUM
e rest. Allowing plenty of sea air in GU
y cabin by the open stairway door, we dra'
r the curtains of our rooms as suits US, an
# sleep.
!. 1t is common thing to sleep; why mel
y ton it? Well, the time may come whe
r. you are troubled with insomnia and tos
:; to and fro in a vain desire to sleep-whe
I your minds will wander at will and with
>. out will over unnumbered scenes. Happ
;. are they who can vary them by reviewin
: such scenes as saw this day It has falle
to me to have insomnia at times, and fs
in the night I have still walked, with IN
eyes shut, and seen the Maine coast or an
other coast known to me in spite of my
self. l did not have to count myself t
sleep that night nor mentally recite som
rythmical poem whose cadences promot
dropping off into restfulness, simply wer
to sleep as a weary child on its mother
breast, or, rather, crooked in the cradle {
the deep" Beautiful song! Perhaps m
readers know it.
| OOSoO0A ~ CAy Siod L loS'h Iudu ShoGC
while had the chance. The Iris was we
under way before 1 fairly awoke, and
continued doing and waking as one som,
times likes to do in the morning if rattle
, down in general health and the nervou
forces somewhat impaired. To such pee
pie sleep is better than medicine.
The slight Earring of the machinery a
ways felt on board steam vessel, (bat lei
when the engine drives powerful sore
| of oil n1xyIn oN 1
arouse me-half sleeping, half wakin
from my reveries in which, doubtless, tn
scenes of yesterday were prominent
hear the inspector moving about in hi
stateroom, and now in the cabin or saloo1
he presently informs me 1--WE have a
# rived at Avery rock lighthouse" Lookin
: out of the little circular window above m
: I saw through the mists what soon diss
y pated dreams. Had 1 not come to see tn
lighthouses? And therefore 1 was 500
} dressed and on deck to get a fair view {
y. this one. And this is how saw it: Whit
t. waves surging along the shores of a rock
" island. A solid square looking house wit
! a strong door in front. Three window
4 above in horizontal row, and over all
! tower and lantern; to the left stron
? railing and probably foot bridge leadin
to the timber tower of the bell. Said be
sounding it's monitions as in duty boun
= to do in fog like THE
Still to the left deep natural chasm {
channel in the rock, so frequently to |
found on this coast. q know some int
esting ones very deep on the south coast
Mt. Desert, but not of nature to make DO,
Il ways at all) On one side of this chasl
are strong iron davits set in the uppt
a. rock surface overhanging the deep Gle
et suspending boat used here as drawn
n my sketch The inspector and his attene
# ants find safe landing in the farther en-
x of this channel and in due time retur,
+ + To the right of Avery rock the wav,
d were running higher than at plac,
d visited yesterday and by the al
IS pearance of things in rough weatl
to er most likely send their spray ov,
SO the rock, yes, over the lighthouse itse
r, when strong seas are running, and tt
IF wind is blowing 'tgreat guns!" It was a
s, interesting picture as it was with the p
al culiar necessity of launching their boat
e' times from those rock fastened iron d,
ID Wits thirty or forty feet above the waite
'e The ropes and pulleys on the davits wo,
the boat up and down all right in IL