The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-08-10
Sebago.
To the Editor Of the Press:


Mountain Range, are a few houses MAX
ing themselves each year more widely
knownto the rustic-loving tenants of large
cities. These guests will not go out of
their way to advertise this spot, because
each person is moved and has his being
in the motive power that Herbert Spen-
Ger says moves the world, -Selfshness.
Rooms are not numerous and board is
cheap, so only those who come first are
served, and silence is the better part of
valor.
At Highland Farm, owned by 0. D..
Dixie, is gathered representative dele
cation from Portland, Boston, Salem,
and Providence, R. I. Twenty varieties
of temperament, not intellect, are seeking
for the equilibrium that can make a
oneness of sufficient durability and depth
to hold together in harmony two sum-
mer months. Blueberrying and rasp-
berrying is a plane upon which all can
more exclusive, and as we go upward in
the scale of intellect and requirement,
the separate tastes naturally draw indivi-
duals into groups. A class of three or
four are engrossed in Botanical research,
others in German, in French, in draw
ing and painting.
There is an intellectual trend to every
thing; even the piazza-handiwork which
ic tI,ar o1,,a III ;r 10 oh
tractive by the uplifting conversation ac-
companying it. The barn is dignified by
the class in Geology that meets on the
hay-loft. Literary possessions are ex-
changed, and little cuttings from news
papers are read aloud at the table TO
meet the criticism of some of the bright
est and wittiest women gathered around
the board. Most of the wit is feminine for
seldom is there more than one masculine
brain here continuously. and it is easy to
see that his isolated situation is not apt
to call out all that is best and brightest
in him, but he came for a change and not
to be at the top of everything is change.
He may be a journalist, or surgeon in
the United States Navy, ora business
man from Portland, but he has got into
fort that has been held all summer
by those who intend to continue in the
same line till September, and his wisest
way is to succumb to the layout
The most conventional persons here
can sit inside hay-rigging with their
feet hanging over the edge, while pair
of oxen draws the party to a berry field.
But they can read German, sketch a
mountain view, or write a magazine
pant of the midway seat at the table
sweeps down each side with her quick
witted raillery and good natured sarcasm
Opposite her is the Botanical Encyclo-
pedia whose general knowledge gives her
undisputed sway as our conversations
alist, while she divides honors with her
towns-woman across the board who is
considered the authority for ultimate
appeal.
There are other encyclopedias at the
table, but they do not open SO easily
and are not always ION CALI Some Of
the richest things that could be told
would be the unkindest, and Oblivion
must mark them for her own.
This resort has monopoly upon views,
From our windows, eleven or twelve
hundred feet above sea-level, we can see
sweep after sweep of undulating hill
side, forest and valley, lakes and foot
hills, till the far distance rises against
the horizon peak against peak of the
mountain tops losing themselves, at least
in the color of the sky. From the noun
tain opposite the house, an easy climb,
one can take in view that comprises
much more than the whole width of the
state; to the east, Portland with it's sails
miles out upon the ocean, and the inter
vening country, lake, plain and village ito
the west, an expanse of many, many
of hi Is II u 4torj
specks of farm houses here and there,
till at last the eye rests upon the peaks
of the White Mountain range. Kearsage
seems near by in it's distinctness, while
beyond it can be seen Mt. Washington,
the Twins, and all the Presidential
range.
While all Christendom is groaning
with heat, a cool breeze is always acces
sible here. The glory of the day is the
sunset behind the mountains. Each
night it is as original and individualistic
as if it were going out of sight for the
first time in its life; sometimes clear and
lurid, leaving behind it a glow that lights
the mountain tops till they look translu-
cent with white heat. The next night
clouds part in unexpected places to show
bits of sun and at last more grandly up
ward that we may here one complete
parting view. Then the clouds take on
the gorgeous color that soften and
deepen and brighten into harmonies that
will never come again.
In all this mountain region of New
England, there seems no place to compare
in its ampitheatre of sweeping landscape
with this Highland Farm of Sebago. Its
freedom from gaiety and its rustic beauty
are charming and restful. We shall 90
back to our city homes with the main
(Maine) corner of our hearts filed with
delightful pictures and fond memories.
E. GUERNSEY B.