The Press., 1898-07-07
"GO TO HALIFAX"

The n1tn annual oXCurSlOn or IHo mdS- sachusetts and Suburban Press associa- tion left Long wharf, Boston harbor, on Sunday afternoon, June 14th, for Halifax. On the left lay our cruiser, San Francisco, coaling, while alongside, lying we'll down in the water, we could plainly see the ram Katahdin. On our right Fort lnde- pendence, in charge of the mines in the harbor, Fort Warren and Boston Light engrossed our attention.
 It was perfect day, and the hundred and nine comprising the party were ex- tremely happy, and seemed to quite ab- sorb the beauties of the surroundings. The well-appointed, commodious boat, "Prince Edward" of the Dominion At lantic line, fairly rung with mirth, and many wished we were going across.
 How unstable is the mind of man! Ere Marblehead Neck had been passed mys- terious quiet was in evidence. There was more room on deck, we met our friends less frequent, some swallowed nervously, and their accustomed smile seemed la bored. Lemons and pepsin gum were popular, and many believed that they really ought to arrange their staterooms before dark. Others departed with little excuse, and a few unwisely deferred their going.
 1 went too, but it is over now, though I never can explain the attachment that so suddenly sprang up between that state room and myself.
 Morning dawned, just like other beau tiful June mornings, but somehow my heart was not in it. When the cry came, "Close the port holes while we wash down the deck" there was much doubt in our minds as to our ability.
 Nova Scotia was sighted about six a. m. and most of the tourists were on deck, as we sailed along very near the shore for some distance before reaching the wharf at Yarmouth. After our baggage was inspected, we were served with de- Iicious breakfast at the Grand. hand some and up-to-date hotel. It was a source of great annoyance to us that we felt so oblivious to the good things be- fore us.
 Yarmouth Is delightfully."- interesting city, with it's many attractive drives, fine buildings, large stores and pretty haw- thorn hedges.
 The train for Annapolis was taken about nine a. m. The scenery varies woodlands being covered with fir trees, many of which were hanging heavily with gray moss, not unlike that of the south. Many naples appeared, but as stunted growth. Great expanse of water, quaint villages, old landmarks and small brooks appeared here and there.
 A short stop was made at Digby, on the Annapolis Basin. This town Is the Bar Harbor of Nova Scotia, and is very att ractive spot, famous for its lovely drives. Here a stretch of the Bay of Fundy can be seen through Digby Cut. Fishermen are always enthusiastic over the deep sea fishing at Digby.
 At noon we arrived at Annapolis, for mcrly Port Royal, which is a seaport at the mouth of the Annapolis river. This is one of the oldest settlements in North America, founded by the French in 1904, and an interesting town of 28O0 inhabi- tants. Here we were met at the station and taken to the hotels for lunch, some of the party stopping at the Queen and others at the Clifton Houses. Our party was pleasantly entertained at the latter, a cosy, homelike hostelry in the center of the town.
 Immediately after lunch the townspeo- pie furnished conveyances to take the en- tire party sightseeing. Old Fort Ann, with it's magazines, military prison, bar racks erected by the Duke of Kent, in good condition after many sieges, was in- deed well worth a visit. The barracks are now tenement houses, and the court serves as a playground for the village children. A game of cricket was in prog ress while we were there.
 The drives about Annapolis are delight ful, and the attention of visitors is called to the old French burying ground, Victo- ria beach, Young's Cove, where glimpses of the Bay of Fundy, with its rise of tide from 30 to 40 feet may be had.
 A special train for Halifax awaited us at the station, and the only stop made was at Grand Pre-, made famous by Long fellow in his poem "Evangeline," based on the Acadian exile. This is in truth a great meadow, as the name implies, and the thrifty farms are all that they are pictured. The village Is beautifully sit. uated on the Menas Basin, and has a pop ulation of 2,OOO. The French willows and the old we'll are visible on the north side of the station, with Mount Blomidor in the distance. On the south lies tht village proper, though farms are scat tered all through the valley. The site o the shop of Basil, the blacksmith. wal shown us, and many snap shots were soor
 with the party on its way to Halifax. This famous old city was reached a S.30 Monday evening, where special stree cars took the excursionists to the Halifa1
 and Queen hotels, which were elegant il appointment and cuisine. Weeks should
 have been spent here instead of a few
 days, and then there would be much lef