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

The fifth annual excursion of the Mas
sachusetts and Suburban Press associa-
tion left Long wharf, Boston harbor, on
Sunday afternoon, June 18th, for Halifax.
On the left lay our cruiser, San Francisco,
coaling, while alongside, lying well down
in the water, we could plainly see the
ram Katahdin. On our right Fort Inde-
pendence, in charge of the mines in the
harbor, Fort Warren and Boston Light
engrossed our attention.
1t 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 few unwisely deferred their
going.
| went too, but it is over now, though
| 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-
licious breakfast at the Grand, hand
some and up-to-date hotel. 1t 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
much from that of New England, the
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 a 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
attractive 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,
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 its magazines, military prison, bar
racks erected by the Duke of Kent, in
good condition after many sieges, was in
deed we'll 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
full, 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 q
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 pop
ulation of 1900. 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, was
shown US, and many snap shots were sooI
with the party on its way to Halifax.
This famous old city was reached a
8. 80 Monday evening, where special stree
cars took the excursionists to the Halifal
and Queen hotels, which we're elegant il
appointment and cuisine. Weeks shoulC
have been spent here instead of few
days, and then there would be much lef
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