Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-23
AT THE POINT.
Pleasures of the Charming Sea,
side Resort of Virginia.
a Fine Ocean Trip succeeded by Loiter'
ings in Historic and Contemporaries
ousIY Attractive Spots.
Correspondence Of the spy)


Old Point Comfort, Va, Jan. 15.-
While the wintry winds are blowing
over Massachusetts, the warm southern
Dreezes Of this place are penetrating ev-
cry nook and crevice with geniality
akin to that OF southern France. Old
Point is the Mecca toward which fash
ion and society generally turn for rest
and recreation. This fact is becoming
recognized more and more every year,
and the reason is not hard to find. In
the first place, the temperature is all
that could be desired, and in the second
place. life never drags with the flow
ers that bloom in the spring, tra-la-la,"
and the bright faces of the pretty girls,
not to mention the United States Artil
lery Band and the gorgeous army Off
GERS and swell society women, one can
rejuvenate himself at least ten years In
ten hours L felt that way after my
first hour here, and this is what has
prompted me to tell what a delightful
time our little party is having.
OF course the first thing We did this
morning on arising was to look over
the Daily Spy. By this time we were
in good condition for one of the Hy-
. lSllhOuS UTCdkIdSIS. IIle SDy Is
always good appetizer ana while at
home I could not keep house without
IT. 1t Is the same way when one is
away; he needs the Spy before break
fast. After reading the paper we be-
gan to gossip about Worcester people
ana 1t made us all smile, as We thought
Of the good time we were having.
Our trip was without incident until
we reached New York. To one not fa-
miliar with the passage down the bay,
1t is always Of great interest On an
sides one sees quaint and curious and
interesting floating craft. There are
Terry boats, freighters, uemigrant boats,
ocean liners, gunboats, cruisers, barges,
nshing smacks and everything that sails
on the sea. These pass before the eye
OF the uninitiated like a Kaleidoscope
picture, and always leave pleasant rec
objections of the sail out OF New York
harbor. As the city fades from view the
vessel calls for your attention, and you
are impressed with all of its appoint
ments. About the time the Highlands
are reached you are called to supper.
The promenade on deck by moonlight
IS one of rapturous beauty. The hours
slip away unheeded as you pass in re-
view the brilliantly illuminated towns
and shore resorts along the New Jersey
coast, and you wish the night and ride
might continue acknowledgements. BY
the time Long Branch has faded from
view most passengers are ready to re-
tire for the night. And such sleepi 1t is
amazing how quickly the body and mind
are refreshed by the soft, salt sea air
and your comfortable bed. 1t. is curious
to note the change produced In so short
a time by the release from the grind of
every day life and the shifting of the
scenes.
In the morning the boat enters Hamp-
ton Roads, between the low lying shores
of Capes Henry and Charles. AS you
glide over the historic waters, you then
realize that you are on the spot where
occurred the most famous naval en-
gagement of all ages-that between the
Monitor and Merrimac.
The scene about the pier is always in
teresting. All the guests turn out as
general reception committee to meet
their friends, and strangers at once feel
at home. A little to the right are the
frowning guns of Fortress Monroe
that most picturesque battlement on the
American continent; while directly in
front is the Hygeia Hotel, which sits
like a jewel beside the deep blue sea.
When one enters the office of this hos
telry and notes the bright carpets, the
frescoeing and the decorations in white
and gold, with the pleased expressions
on all the faces, he is not surprised at
the popularity of the place.
Life never drags at Old Point Com
fore, because there are 50 many places
of interest around here The roads are
all good, and bicycling is quite a fad
among the guests. Our party took a
run out to the National Military home,
which affords a comfortable resting
place for over three thousand veterans
of the late war. A spacious terrace
fronting the bay IS adorned with stat
uary, military relics ana emblems,
and IS beautifully planted with flowers
Some did not bring wheels" with them
but by the wise foresight of Manager
Pike, they were enabled to get them
from the livery connected with the
Hygeia.
We next went to the town of Hamp-
ton, where is located ST. Johns Church,
the Oldest at present in use in America.
The edifice was built in 1860.
our tour along the James river was
fraught with much interest We passed
such notable points as Drury's Bluff,
Dutch Gap, Jones' Neck, Deep Bottom,
Bermuda Hundreds, and thought of the
lnhospitable reception rendered the
Worcester boys who were in '61 How
different the scenes and circumstances
now! Many who were here then never
returned.
OH lame eternal camping ground,
Their silent tents are spread;
And glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead
1t was hard to recall these historic
scenes without emotion, and we rever-
emily dropped tear and passed on our
way.
To tighten our hearts we hunted for
new scenes and changed from bicycles
to boats. We went with the current
that is, wherever our fancy directed. At
last, we found ourselves at Newport
News, where is located the largest dry
docks in America. 1t also has the larg-
est grain elevator, Chicago not being 'Jn
it." There were things interesting
enough to keep one asking questions all
day, but having the rheumatism,
bruised knee and a sprained ankle, did
not feel like talking.
However we continued to the Ports
mouth navy yard, across the bay, and
inspected some of Uncle Sans big
ships which were being scraped and re-
painted. The officers are very courteous
to all of our Uncle Sans nephews, and
we found no difficulty in getting
around. They even answered many of
our foolish questions,
In the evening took one OF Manager
Pixies hot water sea baths, and my
rheumatism was Strengthened out. The
bath was taken more as an antagonist
to some CRIME, but after 1 had discov-
cred what 1t had done I began to feel
l.. .se.I. 4 -