Connecticut western news., 1896-11-19
X GLIMPSE OF THE THOUSAND
 ISLANDS.

The annual meeting of the Grange is held at Thousand Island Park among the varied and picturesque beauties of the Thousand Isles. Excursion tickets. good for over week. are sold on all the trains and thus opportunity is given for most enjoyable outing at mini mum price.
 In August we took our summer out ing in this wise, and we heartily recom- mend the place and the people. We started one Monday in the regular train, on car devoted to excursionists. At every station the numbers increased till finally we saw several trains with many cars crowded with picnic people pour ing to the dock at Clayton. There the steamboats were quickly filled and the weary travellers were refreshed by the panorama of glowing sky and water, hues of sunset, beautiful islands, cot tages, mansions, hotels. shades of even- ing, moonlight above and electric glows below, while bright fireworks sought the skies and music filled the air. Fairy Land is here among these thousands of islands. The msgician's wand has touched and transformed them. Here are the enchanted shores. Here the ways are golden, and of the beauty, the half can not be told. Thus we ponder ed through moonlighted nights and dreamy days in this beautiful realm of rest.
 There are more than thousand is- lands, some large and with magnificent hotels, others small and wooded. The river is filled with sails. The steam boats ply in all directions, some to Montreal and Quebec, some to Kingston. others in the many channels between the islands and to the quaint towns of the Canadian Coast. At night the boats use the large search lights. great eyes that spy out the land and water and bring the hidden things in the dark dis tance to sudden brief and brilliant brightness. By day the smaller boats are out, and the ribbed batboats per form their startling evolutions. It IS only little way from Clayton, past Round Island Park. where the Baptists have located, to Thousand Island Park, the western end of Wellesly Island, own ed by an incorporated society of Meth odists. Here is a haven of safety for the tempted, for to the glory of the Methodists be it said that no liquors can be sold as beverages. There is no saloon. The large hotel has no bar. On Sundays no boats land. It is & beautiful village-this park-with many homes and rooms to accommodate thousands of people--a few stores hotel. church and tabernacle. In this immense tabernacle, foored with the new mown hay, the Changers met op Tuesday to celebrate their yearly Grange Day. This was gala day for the far mers and their families. There were ex- cellent addresses, interspersed with music. Dr Searles, pastor of the church. gave the welcome. The master of New York State Grange made fitting response. Hon. J. H. Hale, past mas ter of Connecticut State Grange, gave an admirable address, full of helpful advice and sparkling with wit. He spoke of the farmers employment as demanding for success the gifts of capi- tai, labor and business qualities. The farmer is a manufacturer and must also understand the disposal of his finished products. MT Hale himself is success ful peach grower, having peach farm in Georgia of 600 acres. He gave illus trations and statistics regarding the TO- tation of crops. He advised making the farmhouses beautiful, enjoying the beauty all along the farmers way, tal . ing time to enjoy it, naming the farms and advertising them; in short, apply ing all improvements and business principles to farm work. The master of the Dominion Grange also made an excellent speech. The speakers spoke of the grange meeting as helpful and inspiring. giving new ideas and pro- gressive living.
 One evening Will Carlton gave read ings in the tabernacle. It was a privi- lege to hear him.
 "Boys, flying kites, draw in their white
 winged birds.
 You can't do that way, when you're flying
 words."
 Among the Thousand Isles in the summer time there are many enjoyable excursions at less than half rates. We took one to Ottawa. That meant a pleasant sail, swift ride through Cana dian fields and glimpse of city, river, floating lumber. art gallery and Parlia- ment buildings. The Chandiere Falls are famed for their beauty.
 Another day we sailed to Ogdensburg and visited the asylum for the insane. Most beautiful of all was the sail to Quinte Bay. The climb up the noun tains gave us magnificent view of bay and lake. Nestled high on the hill is the wonderful little lake on the noun tain, with its clear waters. The view from that hill over the trees and across the waters is worth crossing continent to see.
 Among the mansions on the islands are some owned by we'll known and prominent men. 'Bonny Castle" was the favorite summer home of the poet, J. G. Holland. The "Red Cross" is Miss Clara Barton's summer home.
 There are many legends concerning these beautiful islands. Cremazie, in a little French poem. gives the origin of