Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-15


historical lore and famous persons.
As far back as 1632 we are told.
George CIeeve and Richard Tucker
settled on the shores of Caseo BAY ut
a point where the Grand Trunk sta
ton now stands The IndianS twice
British feet once practically destroy
ed the town. About fifty years ago
/ it had its baptism by FIRE, but grew
up more prosperous than ever In
Portland ono lives and breathes Long
fellow.
Hts birthplace. large old-fassion-
ed house is still standing, while his
later home Is preserved Just as it was
during his life. 1t is. naturally, the
most historic house In Maine, and the
first brick building in Portland. Here
the parents OF Longfeilow were mar
RED and six OF their children born.
Every room speaks OF the poet and we
feel invisible hands are linking us to
the poet. especially in the room where
he wrote his Rain Day poem. and
where his desk still stands as he left
it.. The guardians OF the house SEEM
ed to love and reverence this place
as almost consecrated ground. Truly
the love OF home is interviewer with
all that Is pure and deep and lasting
in earthly affections"
Another interesting home is the
birthplace Of the former Car Of the
House. Thomas B. Reed. The City
Hall. q really fine building of the best
type OF architecture in America, at
traeted us often because OF the won
derful Kotzsehmer organ. SO UNIQUE
In tonai effect is this instrument that
the word organ Is almost a misnomer,
as 1t more nearly resembles some
great orchestra 1t is a sublime me-
mortal to Hermann Kotzschmar a
well known composer and musician,
and presented to the city by Cyrus H.
Curtis Of Philadelphia The console
is movable and can be placed any
where upon the stage or floor of the
auditorium. 1t is one Of the largest
organs in the world, and SO compile
Gated that it required the power of
an artist Of exceptional ability. W. C.
Macfarlane, who possesses interna-
tional reputation was chosen rnunicip-
al organist. He seemed indeed an In
splred Briaertus. as his fingers few
over the keys. One beautiful morn
ing in truly Longfel1ow mood we
went to a favorite haunt of his when
boy, Deering Oaks, right in the
heart OF the city. Here is a little zoo,
pond, which is the home Of a flock
stately oaks, whose branches hide
scores of silver-gray squirrels, which
are glad to feed from ones hands,
someone with a truly mathematical
turn of mind says there are about S65
islands in Casco Bay. one for every
~~1 - 10 JSpA. AhS1S are u6dT6T q
thousand.
The exquisite little park at River
ton one should not miss, with its al
fresco theatre on a hill above the
picturesque Presumpscot river Truly
picture within picture and one
longed for the eyes Of Argus to watch
the graceful canoes glide slowly by
and the pretty little play before us.
Yarmouth and Brunswick are typic-
al New England villages, easily reach
ed by trolley with superb views of
Casco Bay. This bay was once a
meeting place of the Indians and has
been famous for years because of its
deep channels and sheltered anchro-
age. It's islands vary in size. from
tiny patches of rock to islands many
square miles in area. Eagle Island
belongs to Robert E. Peary, our ex-
plorer, who has summer home there.
Bailey's and Orrs' Islands have been
too well exploited to mention.
Sebago Lake is only sixteen miles
from Portland. A part of the charm
OF the sail over the lake with its
view of mountain peaks and villages
playing hide and seek among the hills.
are the interesting places one passes
en- route.
The Images are a curious mass of
rocks, rising straight from the water.
nearly seventy feet. On it's sides are
many historical scenes painted by the
Indians. which in the course of years
had nearly faded away. These have
been restored. Quite a climax is