The Press., 1894-06-21
COVENTRY.

A. $. PARKER, Local Editor and Business Man
 R ager Of Coventry Local Register.
 l Object teaching is something of a hobby with the South-st. school teacher, and as a class is to begin the study of his- tory the coming school year the plan to take the pupils to some place of note in history was conceived, but to carry out the plan required money which might pos- sibly be obtained by gifts from former and present residents of the district. The first application was made to Wm. A. IBabceck of Cleveland, O., native of and a former pupil of the district. This re- sponse was as follows: Answering yours of the Eth it will gratify me very much to add to the pleasure of the children. Please take them on the proposed trip and send the bill to me. In order to economic do not deny them any little ex- tras that may add to their pleasure.'
 r In reply the teacher wrote of the pleas ure. expressed by the children and asked for direction as to certain important mat ters. This reply came: Answering yours of the 9th inst, am pleased to know that the scholars are anticipating pleasant outlng, and l hope that they will have one. If you can get a good shore dinner do so, but if not a well filled hamper will be better enjoyed on the beach than a lpoor lunch in stuffy restaurant swarm ing with flies. Give them good things and use your own judgment. I only hope that they will enjoy it as much as I do in af- fording them the opportunity" Under date of June 11th check came; the let ter which preceded it contained the words, elf it is not enough please advise, and I will remit balance"
 l By correspondence special rates were obtained on the Central Vermont R. R.. and on Monday, June IS, the party took the cars at Hop River, waited twenty-five I minutes at Willimantic, and had a de- lightful trip to New London, where they were met by the gentleman, Geo. Avery, who exactly answered the requirement. of the teacher, who had written for care- ful, intelligent driver, with good con- veyance. The first call was made at the 'old curiosity shop," kept by Mr. Gran dall, and whose stock in trade consists of a variety unequalled; shells, eggs, birds nests, antiques, etc., filled the shop SC completely that the party of seventeen had barely standing room; next to the Winthrop mill, built two hundred and thirty years ago, and now running; to the street up which the British marched previous to burning New London; to the site of Gov. Saltonstall's house; to the old cemetery where Benedict Arnold stood while New London was burning; to the Nathan Hale school house, large brick building on beautiful site; around the square, where is the residence of the man who, by the loan of $500 when he was possessed of only $500, helped the Perry Davis Co. when in financial straight, and by it laid the foundation of his fortunes by the Young Ladies' Ins. Gen. Arm strong's residence, of the firm of Brain ard & Armstrong; by the house which was Gen. Washington's headquarters: by the public library; by the old court house
 by the'armory; many churches; then to Fort Trumbull, from which was a fine view of the harbor, and where the U. s soldiers stationed there were practicine burial rites. The children were amazed at the size of the cannon balls, interested in the cannon, etc. Next along the shore by the residence of James O'Neil, the actor; anchored at the left was the schoo lship Granada; by an elm, whose branches extended three hundred feet, and under whose shadow croquet could be played all day; by the house where Ex-Presi dent Arthur stopped when in New Lon don; Fishers Island seen in the distance
 by private park, one feature of whicf was summer house built on rock by what was formerly Osprey Beach; by tn. light house, and to the sound, which wa. most wonderful of all to White Beach
 then at o'clock back to New London, tt Cottage Cafe, 227 State-st., where a fin' dinner with excellent service was greatl, enjoyed by the party. At 1.30 p. m. thu
 Comfort, with fresh horses, was at tn, door, and across the ferry we went. o the course for the races and the drav bridge, the finest in the world, a goo' view was obtained. Then stop was mad
 at the old Avery house, against which tn
 wagon containing the wounded soldier
 was stopped and into which they wer | oI VI ,bDc, I,1 %o; which have remained since that dreadful massacre by the quarry, from which tn
 celebrated Groton granite is taken; b.
 Capt. Browns grounds, from which is
 beautiful view of New London; by Fred eric Bills, the principal donor of tn
 Groton library; by MT. Mitcheps, nea the place where the British troops lande
 the night of Sept. 9th, 1791; by Capt John O. Spicer's, whose house is file
 with elegant furs brought by him fror
 the Arctic regions; by the Fort Griswol
 House, to the bathing houses, where tn
 children took off shoes and stockings an
 splashed about in real salt water; as on , said, "Taste of it, taste of it, the ocean
 salt" Back to Groton heights, wher Fort Griswold was visited by all, the chi 3 dren going through the underground pas 8 sages and tracing the old ditch; standin e around the spot which is marked by :. granite slab as the place where Col. Lee :, yard was murdered by his own sword i the hands of British officer to whom g had surrendered. Up the winding stair V of Groton monument, lighted by thre v lanterns, nine of the party climbed an