Nantucket Town (part 1 of 2)

Sole Proprietor Of The

ITs SITUATION AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS - CLIMATE AND HEALTHFULNESS - POLITICAL DIVISIONS - THE APPROACH TO THE ISLAND BY STEAMER - APPEARAXKCE OF COTTAGE CITY - OAK BLUFFS - THE CAMP-GROUND - VINEYARD HIGHLANDS - OTHER LOCALITIES IN COTTAGE CITY - THE ANNUAL ILLUMINATION - THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD CLUB - ANTICIPATED EVENT FOR SEASON OF 1888 - THE OAK BLUFFS CLUB AND HOUSE - FIRE DEPARTMENT, SCHOOLS, AND WATER SUPPLY - THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD HERALD - FISHING - CHURCHES - EXCURSIONS TO GAY HEAD, EDGARTOWN, KATAMA - HOW TO GET TO THE VINEYARD - VIEWS OF THE OCEAN FROM OAK BLUFFS - HISTORICAL NOTES - THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KESORT FROM THE CAMP MEETING - THE LAND COMPANIES - COTTAGE CITY HOTELS - VINEYARD HAVEN - WEST CHOP - EDGARTOWN AND KATAMA - GAY HEAD - STRANGERS' GUIDE.

One of the best known of the many beautiful summer resorts on the Northern Atlantic seaboard is the island of Martha's Vineyard, off the southeastern coast of Massachusetts, and within an hour's sail of the mainland. It lies to the southward of Vineyard Sound, a great ocean highway along the coast, through which all vessels moving in either direction pass. To the northeast is the peninsula of Cape Cod; to the northwest are the Elizabeth Islands, which form a line of outposts in the ocean from the mainland to the mouth of Buzzard's Bay, which they separate from Vineyard Sound; and out at sea thirty miles distant in a southeasterly direction is Nantucket, a lonely sea-girt isle so far away as to be out of sight of any neighboring lands.

Martha's Vineyard is of a sandy formation and has a very diversified surface. On the northern and western coasts it borders on Vineyard Sound and rises in considerable elevations, while on the south it is comparatively level dwarf oaks, cover the larger portion of the surface. An impression has prevailed that the soil was poor because of its sandy character, but the crops in seasons when rain is plentiful disprove this belief, and also demonstrate the fact that judicious cultivation with proper irrigation in dry seasons would bring ample returns. Small fruits and garden vegetables grown on the island are much superior to what can be obtained from the mainland, but the supply is not fully equal to the demand.

The shores are mostly sandy beaches, in some cases stretching out at the foot of abrupt bluffs which face the ocean with steep and arid sand slopes like railroad embankments, at other places they are sustained by a background of undulating, wooded hills. Still in other localities they roll away into low west the sea breaks on the beaches gently, with little or no surf except during storms or the prevalence of certain winds, but on the south shore the full sweep of the ocean is felt, and the majestic billows roll in upon the sands in long and high rollers, chasing each other up and down the steep beach stretching for miles in a straight line, and making a grand music that even in calm weather is like distant and muffled thunder. .

In the interior and on the coast remote from the communities on the eastern end of the island, the country is but thinly settled, and the lover of solitude can find here plenty of opportunity to get away from the haunts of men, with the advantage of still being almost within hailing distance. Here also in the placid lakes and the rushing brooks the sea bass, the speckled trout, and other denizens of the waters that love not the places where commerce and the multitude intrude, can be entrapped by those who, having time and opportunity, do not dread fatigue or fear solitude.

The climate is as nearly like that of Florida as the latitude will allow. The highest temperature reached in July, 1887, was 89 degrees, while the mean temperature during the same month was 73.2 degrees, and the lowest 61.7 degrees. Very little snow falls during the winter, and when it comes, soon passes away, as the weather is much milder than on the mainland. During the winter the temperature ranges from 30 to 40 degrees, seldom falls below 10 degrees, and very rarely to zero. For these reasons the Vineyard is being recommended as a winter resort. The temperature of the sea water is said to be 21 degrees warmer on the bank of the island than on the north side of Cape Cod, the cause being that the warm current from the tropics mingles with the waters of the sound, while the icy currents from the North Seas enter Cape Cod and Massachusetts bays.

The healthfulness of Martha's Vineyard is one of the pet subjects with its residents and natives, and certainly the vital statistics bear out the assertions. The average death rate for the last ten years is shown by the records to be considerably below that for the whole state, and the average age at death is higher than in any other county in the state. This last is owing to low average of infant mortality, as since 1867 no death from cholera infantum has been reported. The claim is also made that there is no crime on the island; and with the possible exception of some robbery, such as pocket-picking, during the summer, the statement is substantially correct. But no one must run away with the idea that because of these facts society here is insipid, that the ''azco guzd," with their Pharisaism make the tone of social intercourse, for such an impression would be erroneous. The people here enjoy themselves in a normal, healthy wayand indulge private foibles, while they conduct themselves ina manner befitting their character as cultivated, intelligent people.

In size Martha's Vineyard is one of the largest islands off the Atlantic coast, being a little more than twenty miles long by nine miles wide in its broadest part, and has sometimes been said to be shaped like a fish's head closely cut off, Vineyard Haven Harbor representing the open mouth. This, however, is rather a fanciful imagining, although the figure may convey a crude idea of the general shape. The island is divided into five townships: Edgartown, Tisbury, Chilmark, Gay Head, and Cottage City; the last not being least, though last formed. The whole island, together with the Elizabeth Isles, across Vineyard Sound to the northward, from five to seven miles away, constitutes Dukes County, Massachusetts. The county seat is at Edgartown in the most easterly portion.

The majority of the visitors to Martha's Vineyard have for their destination the unique summer resort now known by the corporate name of '* Cottage City,"' but which is better known by its original and more appropriate title, 'Oak Bluffs." Although the island has two considerable village communities, Edgartown and Vineyard Haven, and anumber of small hamlets, all indigenous to the country, Cottage City is the Mecca of the summer visitors and is a the homes of the native farmers and fishermen, Cottage City had its origin in a Methodist camp-meeting, and has developed from and outgrown that beginning until it has become the most unique, self-contained and self-centered summer community in the country. It is not a summer resort superimposed on a native community, but is a place that from its origin has been a summer resort and nothing else, and all the connection had with adjoining communities has only been those of trade or mutual assistance. It is situated on the eastern side of the island, where the coast is formed by steep sand blufls, with sandy beaches at their bases. From this fact, and because the region was and is covered with a growth of dwarf oaks, the place was called Oak Bluffs, and when this neighborhood and the adjoining localities and its suburbs were set off as a separate town in 1880, the name Cottage City was adopted.

In getting to the Vineyard the last stage of the journey, no matter from what region of the country the visitor may have come, is from Wood's Holl, the southwesterly extremity of Cape Cod peninsula, where there is a good harbor, a terminus of the Old Colony Railroad on the steamboat landing, the handsome buildings of the U. S. Government Fish Commission, a guano works, and on the wooded slopes and coves adjoining the harbor many fine residences picturesquely situated. As the steamer swings out from the wharf, on the east is seen the first and largest of the Elizabeth Islands, Naushon, separated only by a narrow and perilous passage from Wood's Holl. The course is in a southeasterly direction across Vineyard Sound, first passing along close to. the mainland, and obtaining fine views of the elevated wooded shores. Soon Nobska light is passed on a headland, beyond which the coast extends in a grand curve for five or six miles, the semi-circle terminating in a headland crowned with dwellings, but not very clearly distinguishable from the steamer. This is the Falmouth shore, and the headland just mentioned is Falmouth Heights. The white line of the beach makes a bright and glistening border between the sea and land. The village of Falmouth is a mile or more inside the headland, near the shore, and is provided with a convenient landing. Two miles beyond the headland is Menahant. The steamer then heads across Vineyard Sound, only five or six miles across at this point, and when we are midway the entire length of this fine ocean highway lies in view southward, with the elevated shores of Martha's Vineyard on one side and the Elizabeth Islands on the other. The first point of the island that the steamer approaches is a wooded headland with a lighthouse on the outer end in a little clearing. - This is the West Chop, and forms the western bastion of Vineyard Haven Harbor, across the wide entrance to which the steamer soon passes, and quickly approaches the East Chop, the eastern bastion of the harbor, also a headland, but treeless, around which the steamer swings, and then shapes its course parallel with a high, bold, sandy-faced bluff extending back from the East Chop. On the summit of this bluff and close to its edge are many cottages, and at the northern end where the bluff '' dips" a wharf juts out, where the steamer makes its first landing. At'the head of this wharf, commenly called Highland Wharf, and sometimes the Baptist landing, is the Highland House, and beyond it the large building in the foreground is the headquarters of the Martha's Vineyard Summer Institute. The region back of the bluff just passed, is called Vineyard Highlands, where the Baptists have a tabernacle and hold yearly camp-meetings, and from the steamers can be seen the pleasant cottages among the trees. A quarter of a mile further is another wharf, and in the spacg between the two wharves is a low narrow beach, beyond which is a small fresh-water pond known as Lake Anthony. The wooded and thickly populated region to the left, and just beyond the further wharf, is Oak Bluffs, which is separated only by one of the avenues from the Methodist Camp-ground just back of it. This whole place now in view is the far-famed Cottage City.

From the deck of the steamer, as we approach, that portion beyond the further wharf makes a strikingly beautiful picture. The towers and minarets of its hotels, and cottages elevated on the bluff and outlined against the western sky, give it an appearance of Oriental splendor and magnificence unequaled anywhere on this continent. Nor is this impression lessened when the visitor goes character, the streets and avenues are laid out as carefully as if on a magnificent private estate, and are all concreted. At), the head of the Oak Bluffs Wharf is the Sea View House, seated directly on the bluff, the largest hotel on the island, and its lower piazza on the seaward side is made continuous with the wharf. Proceeding up the wharf and past the hotel, on the right is the Skating Rink, a large commodious building on the bluff, which on that side is low. Adjoining the rink is the summer toboggan slide, which aftords rare treats to the children. On the left we get a good view of Ocean Park, just west of the Sea View, and bordering the bluffs here; while all around its landward side are the finest residences on Oak Bluffs. The tasteful building on the left is Trinity Episcopal Church. We soon reach the foot of Circuit Avenue, which is the main street of Cottage City. The first portion of this thoroughfare is lined with stores, offices, and some of the principal hotels, which you will readily discern from their conspicuous signs as you proceed. On the right, after passing the largest buildings on the street, the Arcade is reached, which is a thoroughfare leading underneath the Central House, and is in reality the central place for business. Here in this archway is the post-office, and on the other side, the diverging streets lead to the Camp-ground, and to all manner of intricate ways among the cottages and dwellings. Beyond the Arcade, Circuit Avenue is the way to the beautiful residences on the many streets leading from the bluffs.

A tour along the avenues will repay the visitor, although nothing but a map will serve as a guide in finding the way on account of the crooks, curves, and sinuosities of the streets; but all roads converge on Circuit Avenue, and lead to the Arcade. All the avenues are concreted, and in the entire place there are over thirty miles of them, the great majority comparatively narrow in the roadway, although the houses are separated in most cases far enough to constitute the avenues wide streets. Few fences separate one property from another, and the whole place consists of innumerable tasteful cottages embowered in the groves, a great many of them frail, airy structures, although in recent years many expensive dwellings in the modern Queen Anne style have been erected. Many of the cottages have wide doors, which are usually open and present to the view of the passers-by bright, artistic, cosy, and home-like interiors. The fairy-like character of the whole scene so engrosses the attention that the stranger does not think of losing the way, and the pleasant avenues, lined with these attractive homes, are only the more beautiful because of their crooks and curves.

The chief portion of Cottage City is the section known as Oak Bluffs, which name for some years up until the formation of the town had by common usage been adopted as the title of the entire place, but since then, of course, has been confined to its original significance, although many of the residents now believe that it would be a more appropriate and suitable name than the indefinite title, Cottage City. This section consists of a moderately high bluff, extending for half a mile or more along shore, from Lake Anthony on the north, to another shore pond on the south, and is flanked by undulating land to the west, which is now nearly all occupied by the tasteful dwellings already described. The gently rolling surface has been left as nature formed it, and the concrete walks and drives run in graceful curves past the unfenced estates. On the edge of the bluff, from the Sea View House, at the Oak Bluffs Wharf, northern end of the bluff, the broad plank walk which extended almost to the pond on the south, affording splendid opportunities for seaside promenades, was swept away last winter by the most furious storm that ever visited the Island, and has been replaced by a graded bank which will be sodded and form a beautiful finish to the bluff. Immediately back of this Seaview Avenue leads along the bluff, bordering on which, at the north end, is Ocean Park, of a half elliptical form, the straight side toward the sea, and the curved side lined with the beautiful residences that give to the place such an appearance of beauty from approaching steamers. Ocean Park is now the subject of litigation. The town refused in the past to accept it from the Oak Bluffs Land & Wharf Company, and again refused to purchase it. A sale was then made, and the question of title is now before the courts. But as it has remained an open park for twenty years, and the verbal understanding between the company and the cottage owners to whom the land was sold was to the effect that this space should be preserved as a park, the natural outcome would seem to be that the park should be continued as public ground.

The chief bathing place is the beach on the water front of Oak Bluffs, opposite the centre of population and very convenient of access. Several hundred bathing houses in double rows with a passage between, stand at the foot of the bluff, and are reached from the plank walk along the edge by steps leading out of the pavilion, which is a large, airy, many-storied structure, conspicuous from the water and from all along shore, and affords a splendid chance for the observer to watch the bathers. The beach is of smooth sand, and extends up under the bathing-house. The fashionable hour is about 11 A. M., and all classes and conditions then avail themselves of the opportunity to tumble and splash in the quiet and genial tempered waters. There is no surf, no undertow, and the bathing is consequently absolutely safe. Just south of the Highland Wharf is another bathing place, but it is not so popular as that at the Bluffs.

mentioned, there is Waban Park, the largest of the number, which is a wide, Open space, with trees and grass, extending from Sea View Avenue back to Naumkeag Avenue, and its extensions, Naushon and Nashawena parks, lead out to Circuit Avenue, the western limit of the settled section. Many others, which it would be tedious to mention, are scattered over Oak Bluffs, in fact, more than one-fourth of the area being devoted to those public grounds, and the whole place with the absence of fences looks, and with truth might be said to be, a magnificent summer park.

The '* Camp-ground," or more properly speaking, Wesleyan Grove, lies west and north of Circuit Avenue, and is similar in all its @ssential features to the regio just described. Formerly a high fence encircled it, but this has disappeared except in a few places where it serves other than its original purpose, consequently the division between Oak Bluffs and the Camp-ground is at present not discernible in any physical demarkation. In the centre of the Camp-ground is the large iron tabernacle, around which are grassy lawns, and the whole is encircled by an avenue and a horse-railroad, and on the further line of the street are dwellings of the usual character, although a few tents mounted on wooden frames are still '* pitched" in this neighborhood, the sole remnants of the days of yore when all the visitors here dwelt in tents, and church societies had tents in which their members could find lodgings for the night.

The next most important locality in Cottage City is Vineyard Highlands, which is all the region northward from Lake Anthony to the East Chop, and is the highest land along shore. The streets and avenues are not concreted to such an extent as at the Oak Bluff side, and the dwellings are rather scattering. A fine concreted drive encircles this region, leading along the bluffs past the lighthouse, and so on along the shore of the harbor to Vineyard Haven. On the height overlooking Lake Anthony the Baptist Tabernacle is situated, embowered among the trees. Near the steamboat landing in this section is the Martha's Vineyard Summer Institute, a sort of universal school of science, first established in 1878. Agassiz Hall, as the building is named, was dedicated July 20, 1882. The annual session of the school begins about the middle of July, and usually continues five weeks.

peninsula from Oak Bluffs, is Eastville,a small cluster of houses. Here is the wharf used by the Portland and New York steamers, and the Norris landing, formerly used by the camp-meeting people on their arrival at the Vineyard, though in favorable weather they were often landed on the other side, near the present Oak Bluffs Wharf, being set ashore in scows. A fine concreted driveway now leads all the way over the hill to Eastville.

Following Circuit Avenue until it leads beyond the thickly populated district, we soon come to a hill, and still continuing our journey we reach Lagoon Height overlooking Cottage City from the southwest and bordering to the westward on Lagoon Pond, the upper part of Vineyard Haven Harbor. Here a fine hotel, the Prospect House, is located.

When Oak Bluffs began to grow as a popular summer resort after 1870, the feeling gradually developed among the permanent residents and the summer sojourners that the interest of the community would be best served by having a separate town government. Although defeated for several successive years, finally, by act of the Massachusetts Legislature, February 17, 1880, the town of Edgartown was divided, and a new municipality was incorporated under the name of Cottage City. This includes Wesleyan Grove, or the Methodist Campground, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Highlands, or the Baptist Camp-ground, Eastville, and Lagoon Heights.

For a number of years it has been customary to have an illumination and celebration near the end of the season. As the resort increased in population the necessity of having this affair, which had become one of the settled features of the place, under proper management became apparent, and it was also evident that some attempt should be made to furnish popular amusement and enter- tainment under correct auspices. These considerations led to the formation, largely through the efforts of Mr. Charles Strahan, editor of the Martha's Vine-- yard Herald, of the Martha's Vineyard Club, which had for its purpose the objects mentioned and also was a means of promoting social harmony and intercourse. Besides this by various means it sought to advertise the advantages. of the island to the outside world. The club in 1888 numbered about five hundred members, including the most prominent of the summer visitors. It was organized July 26, 1886, and was eminently successful in its chosen work, being" instrumental in securing many improvements. One of the most noteworthy of

Troy, N. Y., who wasalso the architect of the Oak Bluffs Club-house. Dr. H. A. Tucker of Brooklyn was the president, and meetings of the club were usually held at his residence on Ocean Avenue. For the season of 1888 the club engaged the Fitchburg Band of twenty-five pieces, and on its invitation. the National Rifles of Washington, D. C., accompanied by the Marine Band, spent two weeks at the Bluffs, in July. The New York Yacht Squadron made Vineyard Haven Harbor their rendezvous during the entire summer, and in August raced for a prize offered by the club. The Massachusetts League of American Wheelmen were so well pleased with the place in 1887, on account of the great extent of concreted roadways, so well adapted for their vehicles, that: they were present in greater force than ever in 1888.

One of the latest but still one of the most important institutions is the Oak Bluffs Club, organized in the summer of 1887, and composed of wealthy residents. Its membership is limited to one hundred, the entrance fees are $50, the annual dues $25. The club-house, finished early the past summer, is situated at the corner of Sea View and Ocean avenues facing the park, and is a tasteful red-roofed building composed of two connecting cottages. Its interior appointments are elegant, and it will provide all the comforts and conveniences of a first-class club, with opportunities for the entertainment of friends and guests such as casinoes now afford at other resorts.

streets, the procuring of facilities for putting out fires, were all questions that had important bearings on the movement to form a separate town of this summer community. Since its incorporation these necessary conveniences have largely been secured. Good schools exist, the avenues are lighted both by gas and electricity, and there is an excellent fire department consisting of one steam fire engine, two chemical engines, two hose carts, one hose wagon and fixtures, and other necessary apparatus, besides a fire-alarm system, while there is a good pumping station and water-works on Lake Anthony for fire purposes. The town has not yet secured a good water supply, but will undoubtedly do so in the near future, either by an independent system, or from the Vineyard Haven Water Company, which has already a fine system in operation.

Among its other excellencies this summer city has a newspaper in keeping, for vigor, breeziness, and general character, with the people and the surroundings. This is the Martha's Vineyard Herald, published every' Thursday throughout the year and semi-weekly in summer. The original newspaper

Charles Strahan, a southcome .to the Vineyard broken in health, bought the paper, and has not only made it a success financially, but has im- proved it vastly in all respects, and besides has by its means been instrumental in heralding the attractions of the island far and near as a summer resort. Mr. Strahan on becoming the owner changed the name to Martha's Vineyard Herald. In recognition of these efforts of the editor, many resident and business men made up a sum of money to pay for one thousand copies of the paper to be sent to libraries all over the country. This plan was carried out in 1888 and has no doubt resulted in assisting the development of the island in a great degree.

If you want to fish you will find plenty of opportunity at the Vineyard. During the season, at the wharves of either Cottage City, Vineyard Haven, or Edgartown, cat-boats, manned by reliable skippers, can at any time be engaged, and you can go out and indulge in the sport of blue-fishing, which is the most exciting of all that are possible here. Tautog and scup are also caught in the neighboring waters, while from the headlands of the coast at Gay Head or Squibnocket, on the west end of the island, the enthusiast can throw the line for the striped bass. In the ponds and streams, trout, perch, and pickerel are to be found if you are willing to take the trouble necessary to get to their abiding places, and have the patience to lure them from their haunts.

Cottage City is well provided for in the matter of houses of worship. In Vineyard Grove, the Iron Tabernacle at the centre of the Camp-ground, the Trinity Methodist Church near it on Broadway, and Grace Chapel, north of the church; in Oak Bluffs, the Union Chapel on Narragansett Avenue, whose pulpit is occupied by ministers of all denominations ; the Baptist Church, corner of Grove and Pequot Avenues, and the Roman Catholic Church, on Circuit Avenue, and Trinity Episcopal Church near the Sea View House; on Vineyard Highland is the Baptist Tabernacle.

A horse railroad, commencing at the Baptist landing, passes round between Lake Anthony and Sunset Lake, and makes the circuit of the Methodist Campground.

Excursions by steamer to Gay Head are frequent during the summer. The trains run frequently to Edgartown, Katama, and the south shore. Vineyard Haven can be reached by the early morning boats, by carriage, or if the visitor is a pedestrian, the walking is good, while the concreted driveway affords opportunity for a bicycle ride there, as well as around Cottage City.

Not the least of the conveniences of Martha's Vineyard is the narrow gauge railroad from Oak Bluffs Wharf to Edgartown and Katama. The trains start from the wharf, on the south side, run along the beach past the Sea View Hotel, and at the foot of the bluff, passing underneath the bathing pavilion and in between the bathing-houses and the bluff, and then running along near the shore all the way to Edgartown and Katama. Beyond Edgartown the road crosses a level plain, and reaches Katama by a sweeping curve. Across the lots a pathway leads to the south shore from which a grand outlook of the surf, the ocean and the surrounding shores is had.

from Boston, the usual route is to Wood's Holl, then only necessitating a sail across the sound of six or seven miles to Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs. But passengers from Boston, if a longer sail is desirable, can go by way of New Bedford, and all travelers from the west usually take this route. The distance this way is twenty miles, and the time about two hours, calling at Wood's Holl on the way.

The outlook from Oak Bluffs on a beautiful summer morning is superb. The waves sweep gently on the smooth sands, with a monotonous music that breaks pleasantly and soothingly on the ear. The sun, shining on the smooth and level waters, glints in rays of golden light from portions of apparently polished surface, and a delicate haze, which obscures nothing, rests on the sea. On the broad sound, dotting the waters, are scores of sail, some of them outlined against the distant horizon, where they seem suspended between sky and water, and emblazoned as ona magnificent canvas. The projecting points. of land, Cape Cod on the north and Cape Poge on the south, with the white lines of their beaches forming their bonds of union with the sea, stretch out like inclosing fingers of a beneficent omnipotence, calm, still, all-embracing, and protecting.

Martha's Vineyard was first made known to Europeans by Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, who discovered it in 1602. He says it was covered with forests, fruit-bearing shrubs, and vines, and it is probable that from the abundance of the latter, and in honor of some lady, he gave it its present name, spelling it '* Marthae's Vineyard."" The Indian name was Kapawack.

In October, 1641, Thomas Mayhew, Gent., and his son, Rev. Thomas. Mayhew, Jr., purchased of Sir Fernando Gorges and the Earl of Stirling, through their agents, Nantucket and its adjoining islands, and on the 23d of the same month obtained Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Isles; and in-1642 began a settlement at Edgartown, then called Great Harbor, a name which it retained till 1671. In 1664 Charles II., by charter, gave to his brother James,

Duke of York, all these islands lying between Cape Cod and Narragansett Bay, and so _ they became municipally a part of New York, until by charter of William and Mary, in 1692, they, with Plymouth Colony, became a portion of the Province of Massachusetts. The New York records | sl: spell Martha's Vineyard, Mar- = nM tin's Vineyard, a name that also 7 ae appears more frequently that any <4| t | other in the Massachusetts rec- | fA u sf ords down to 1645. This name : was probably given in honor of Captain Martin Pring, who' landed at Vineyard Haven in 1607, built a stockade, and spent the summer in trading with the - by purchase of the native sachems, who, by Indian law, had the power to dispose of lands. The lordship of the islands remained in the Mayhew family from 1641 to 1710. 'The Mayhews were all missionaries, and having learned the Indian language, preached with such success and so won the hearts of the natives, that Gookin, who visited the island in 1674, reported six towns of Christian Indians, and called it '¢a very beautiful vineyard to the Lord of Hosts." The Indians have now all disappeared, excepting something less than two hundred of them, who are partially miscegenated with negroes, and constitute the township of Gay Head, at the extreme western end of the island.

The settlement of Cottage City began with a Methodist camp meeting, held annually in August in Wesleyan Grove, the present Methodist Campground. The first meeting was held in August, 1835, and ahalf-acre of venerable grove at the southeast of Sunset Lake was procured for the purpose. There were a rough shed for the preachers' stand, a few plank seats, and nine tents, with straw, blankets, and extemporized chairs and tables for furniture. It was held from Monday to Saturday, and there were about a thousand people present. Every year after that the number of attendants, and the facilities, increased, except the year 1845, when the meetings were held at Westport. The tents were situated in a circle around the grove, and the meetings were held under the trees. In 1858 there were 320 tents and 12,000 attendants About 1859 a few residences were erected. and on account of the mildness and evenness of the temperature many families began to make it a home during the summer. In 1860 a new organization was effected, with a committee of laymen, and the name, '* Martha's Vineyard Camp-Meeting Association" was assumed, and the company was incorporated in 1868. In 1863 hundreds c:. me weeks in advance, the grounds were lighted by street lamps, post-office arrangements were perfected, and despite the war, 10,000 persons were present on Sunday. At the first meeting there were sixty-five conversions, with an attendance of 1,000 persons; in 1851 there were 5,000 present and thirty-four conversions; in 1861 and 1862, out of 10,000 persons present there were thirty conversions. It is thus evident that the social element was gaining ground, and in 1869 the 'told camp-meeting ground had become a genuine watering-place," rustication, fishing, bathing, and sailing barely yielding in the attention of the people to the services connected with the meeting. The old oaks at the grove having become by this time so dismantled with age as to afford but an insufficient protection, an awning was drawn over the seats in the circle. In 1877 the Methodist chapel was built on the grounds of the association, a beautiful structure, which accommodates the worshipers when the camp-meeting is not in session, and is the local church. In 1879 the old awning was replaced by the present magnificent iron Tabernacle. This structure, aside from the recess occupied by the pulpit and platform, is 140 feet square. It has aseating capacity of 4,000. Around the Tabernacle still stands a portion of the old grove of oaks, but there are walks, avenues, parks, and grassy lawns in the circle and among the trees. The lots on the camp-ground are leased to the occupants, and the proceeds go for the expenses and improvements. 'Twenty-five acres are now owned by the association.

The year 1867 marks the beginning of an entirely new movement at the Vineyard. In that year the Oak Bluffs Land & Wharf Company was formed, whose definite object was the development of the neighborhood of the Camp-ground as a watering place and asummer resort. The company bought of Captain S. L. Norton seventy-five acres, since increased to 120, lying between the Camp-ground and the sound. Ten thousand dollars were immediately expended in building a wharf and in laying out lots, avenues, and walks. Cottages began to spring up a8 if by magic. In 1870 the Sea View House was completed and eighty feet added to the wharf, giving it a length of 320 feet. The company expended $20,000 in concreting the streets, put out flower-beds in front of cottages, and for ten years policed the grounds at their own expense. They paved Circuit Avenue from Oak Bluffs Wharf to the Arcade, built 200 bathing-houses, laid a plank walk 2,800 feet along the bluff costing another $10,000, which they maintained until 188o.

The Oak Bluffs movement was in charge of men of character, enterprise, and energy, and the new city grew apace. It rapidly became a summer home for people of moderate means, for here were to be found the comfort and most of the advantages, if not the luxury and extravagance, of the more pretentious watering-places. Hosts of people began to come, not only to attend the campmeeting, but to spend the entire season, while year by year more and more came for the other attractions, with no reference to the meetings at all.

Vineyard Highlands is the northern portion of the place from Lake Anthony to East Chop, and is the highest land in the vincinity. The Vineyard Grove Company, incorporated in 1870, purchased this tract, about two hundred acres, commanding the best views possible of Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven and harbor, the Elizabeth Isles, Wood's Holl, Falmouth Heights, and a full and unobstructed view of Vineyard Sound, which, with the possible exception of the English Channel, is the greatest thoroughfare for vessels in the world. In laying out this tract the company reserved a large grove for preaching and other religious services, when they should be called for. It was at one time thought that possibly the Methodist Camp-meeting might be removed to the Highlands.

This project, however, was wisely relinquished. In 1869, lots were sold to the value of $12,000, a wharf was commenced, and a road and bridge' projected across Meadow Pond to Wesleyan Grove and Oak Bluffs. These being completed, that portion north of the bridge was called Lake Anthony, the other part retaining the old name. Soon the large hotel known as the Highland House was built in close connection with the new wharf, answering to the Sea View House at the Oak Bluffs Wharf. Bathing-houses were soon added, a plank walk was constructed along the beach, and a line of horse-cars established, running from the Highlands Wharf to the Camp-grounds.

In 1875 the Vineyard Grove Company sold their interest in the property constituting the Highlands to a new Company, the Baptist Vineyard Association. The design of the Baptists was, among other things, to establish a campmeeting particularly their own. This association was legally incorporated in January, 1876. Their first religious meetings had been held in 1875. In the midst of the grove, two or three minutes' walk from the wharf, is the large, circular Baptist Tabernacle, dedicated in 1878, and surrounding it are a large number of tasteful cottages. Fine and attractive cottages, however, are scattered all over the grounds, not only in the grove, but along the bluffs, and in the immediate vicinity of the East Chop Light.

The mass-meetings of the Baptists are held usually during the week preceding those of the Methodists. Beside the Tabernacle at the Highlands, they have also a beautiful Baptist Chapel at Oak Bluffs.

In approaching Cottage City, Martha's Vineyard, the most conspicuous object from the deck of the steamer as it swings in toward the landing, is the Sea View House, a beautiful and tasteful structure seated directly on the bluft at the head of the wharf. The building runs parallel with the shore, thereby affording a splendid sea outlook from every window and from the spacious verandas and balconies. Vineyard Sound with its ever changing panorama of passing vessels is*in full view for many miles of its extent, while beyond to the northward, the shores of Cape Cod are seen, and to the southward are Cape Poge and the shores of Edgartown.

The wide and cool piazzas already mentioned on the seaward side, extend all around the house on every side, forming a very pleasant and agreeable promenade, and affording a vantage ground for fine views of the beautiful Cottage City as well as of the sea and the beach.

The hotel is finely appointed with all requisite conveniences - gas, running water, speaking tubes - all through the house. The drainage and sanitary arrangements are perfect.

The principal bathing beach is just south of the hotel, at the foot of the bluffs, and on the shore are several hundred bathing houses which afford all necessary convenience for the multitudes that daily come here to sport in the waters. Every day, during this season, at eleven o'clock, the popular and fashionable hour of bathing, the Fitchburg band gives a concert. In front of the beach is a tall tower of observation from which spectators can view the animated scene below, or they can go down in front of the bathing houses, and while reclining at their ease on the yielding sands, and shielded from the sun by the shadow of the houses enjoy the varied life going on before them.

In 1871, the Island House, on Circuit avenue, was first opened to the public, and was known as the '* big Island House," being, although it had but fourteen rooms, one of the largest buildings on the island. It was bought by the present proprietor, Mr. Hiram Hayden, in 1872, and from that date has continually increased both in size and_ prosperity, until it now has nearly eighty rooms, with comfortable accommoda- IsLAND House - HirRAM HAYDEN, PROPRIETOR. tions for 150 to 200 guests, and has become one of the most popular hotels at the Vineyard.

The house is kept open all the year round for the accommodation of commercial and other travelers, and with its first-class livery stable, and elegantly equipped billiard and pool parlors attached, offers unsurpassed inducements to the traveling public. The post-office and principal stores are but a step from its doors, and the bathing beach, boat landing, and railroad station, are but a few hundred feet away. The rooms are light and airy, and the table supplied with plenty of the best, making a combination of advantages seldom offered to the tourist.

People visiting Cottage City should not fail to visit the Vineyard Grove House, on Siloam Avenue, kept by Captain Joseph Dias, which is one of the distinctive features of the place, uniting as it does the ancient and modern history of the Vineyard. The proprietor, Captain Dias, is one of the oldest residents, and has witnessed the growth of the place into a summer resort from its former condition as a resort of whalers and fishermen, and he can relate many stories of former days. The Vineyard Grove House is a well-kept hotel, five minutes' walk from the landing, and directly on the line of the horse-cars which connect with every boat. It is only two minutes' from the post-office and principal stores. The table is supplied with the best in the market, the vegetables being raised on the premises and picked fresh every day. The Tabernacle is only a few steps from the doors, and the house is conducted on strictly temperance principles. People wishing to escape the noise and turmoil of the cities will find the Vineyard Grove House the quietest place in the city, and with its excellent accommodations and moderate prices, all that could be desired as a summer residence, although the house is kept open all the year. Connected with the house is a first-class grocery and provision store where may always be found a full line of good things for the table.

In 1870 when Cottage City was known as Vineyard Grove and Oak Bluffs, Mr. D. W. Russell built a cottage of six rooms, with a dining-room with seating capacity for six people, and commenced to let a few rooms during the season, his guests getting their meals elsewhere. In 1881 after much pressure on the part of his friends, Mr. Russell decided to move the little cottage back on the rear of the large lot, and build another with sixteen rooms and seating capacity for twenty-two people in the dining room. This venture proved such a success that the little house was soon outgrown, and the Ballou Cottage in the rear and containing 11 rooms was bought and added to the others, giving what was supposed to be ample room. The next season demonstrated its insufficiency and in 1887 Vine Cottage, on Circuit Avenue, adjoining Oakwood Cottage, and containing twenty-five rooms was purchased, and a connection made between the two cottages, and the whole joined in front by an ample piazza extending the whole length, and this consolidated house was thrown open to the public for the first time April 1st, 1888, under the name of '* The Oakwood." The exterior of the house is embellished with balconies and piazzas, and is painted in straw color, with white trimmings which hasa peculiarly cool effect. The house contains 50 rooms with a dining-room capacity of 125, and the table is provided with the best of everything in its season, and it is the intention of Mr. and Mrs. Russell tiat it shall be surpassed by none on the island.

The Monohansett Cottage is beautifully situated at 150 Circuit Avenue, Cottage City, in the immediate vicinity of the large hotels, and yet away from the crowd. It is one of the largest and most handsomely furnished cottages on the island that are open for the entertainment of guests. The table is supplied with the best the market affords, the rooms, of which there are fifteen, are elegantly furnished and lighted by gas. There is a fine piano in the parlor. The house is only a short walk from the bathing beach. Mrs. J. T. Smith, the proprietress, gives her personal attention to the management, and will furnish table board to a limited number of guests who may have secured rooms in other cottages.

Vineyard Haven

On the west shores of Vineyard Haven Harbor, and at its head, is the pleasant village of Vineyard Haven, seated on a hillside rising quite abruptly from the shore. It is only three miles from Oak Bluffs, and a concreted avenue leads the whole 'distance, first running over the crest of the peninsula, then along the shore and over a bridge at the head of the harbor. The drive around the Vineyard Highlands also connects with this road at Eastville. The road then. leads across low flats which divide the harbor from an extensive stretch of water southward, known as the Lagoon, which is bordered by bold bluffs and forest-crowned heights, on which are situated hotels and cottages. A narrow passage spanned by a veritable draw-bridge connects the Lagoon with the harbor.

Vineyard Haven is the chief place in the town of Tisbury, but is of no commercial importance except as a place where the vessels that anchor in the har- bor obtain supplies. Its perman- | ent population is composed of | sea-faring people and fishermen ; and there is one important industry, a harness factory, employing eighty hands. It contains some excellent institutions: a United States marine hospital on the shores of the Lagoon, the sailors' free reading - room on Union Bluff, with a well-stocked free library and a good museum, free to all, and besides, a literary association. The village has a Baptist, a Methodist, andan Episcopal Church. One of its land-marks is an old mill near the water's edge. As a summer home the together with the facilities for bathing and fishing in the vicinity, bid fair to make it more and more attractive, as its advantages are discovered.

Vineyard Haven Harbor is the chief haven of refuge for vessels on the North Atlantic Coast, and is constantly used by the multitude of crafts plying through Vineyard Sound. As many as 160 sail have come in here in a single night, and more than 250 have been counted in the harbor at one time. The number of vessels that shelter here in a year has been estimated by Mr. Edward Lord, reporter for the Associated Press, at 30,000. The haven has, however, one serious defect. It is wide open to the northeast, and consequently fully exposed to storms from that direction, which are among the worst on the New England coast. In 1878, during such a storm, twenty-eight vessels were driven ashore at the head of the harbor. The headlands at the mouth of the harbor, known respectively as the East and West Chops, are wearing away by the action of the waves in easterly storms, and the déérzs carried by the currents into the harbor forms shoals and has consequently lessened the anchorage area. Atthe north the harbor is six fathoms deep, and outside the water gradually deepens to twelve fathoms. Inside deep water continues well up to the head of the harbor, where the depth is three and a half fathoms, but a large portion of the width is shoals not available for anchorage purposes. The area within the fifteen foot curves is 949 acres, of which 657 acres are deep water.

Nearly the entire amount of commerce engaged in the coasting trade between New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and the West Indies on the south, and the coast of New England north of Cape Cod, as well as the Atlantic ports of the British Provinces, passes through Vineyard and Nantucket sounds. While the distance is shorter by this route than by the outside route, it is intricate and dangerous, especially in stormy weather, by reason of strong tides and numerous shoals. It is these dangers that make Vineyard Haven Harbor, in spite of its limited area of deep water and exposure to the northeast storms, the most frequented and important on the entire Atlantic Coast.

The United States Engineers, after a thorough examination of the harbor, and considering its importance in the light of the facts just stated, have recommended the dredging of the entire basin to a depth of fifteen feet, and the building of a breakwater from a point nearly opposite West Chop to a point northeasterly from East Chop, with jetties from either chop, and openings between ends of breakwater and jetties 1,000 feet wide, to allow the free passage of vessels in either direction. The jetties are designed to prevent the wearing away of the Chops. The plan proposes that the jetties and the breakwater be constructed of rip-rap granite. The estimated cost of these improvements is about four million dollars. The effect would be that the harbor would be protected from the northeast storms, its anchorage area would be almost doubled, and the filling up of the upper harbor would be arrested. In the last river and harbor bill $80,000 was appropriated to begin the work.

The West Chop Land and Water Company completed a new system of water works, December, 1887, obtaining the water supply from Tashmoo Spring, about a mile and a quarter from the centre of the village, and near the head of Chappaquonset Pond. In honor of the event a public celebration was held on December 15, beginning with an exhibition of the power of the water from two hydrants. In the evening a musical and literary entertainment was held in Association Hall, and a number of speeches were made by distinguished gentlemen, among whom were Lieutenant-Governor Brackett of Massachusetts. During the evening Mr. O. G. Stanley, who was the originator of the plan for the water works, was presented by the chairman witha handsome '' Howard " gold watch and chain, the gift of many of the citizens. The stockholders of the water company are Boston capitalists, and the most prominent are: William Minot, Jr., Francis Peabody, Jr., Stephen M..Weld, Alexander S. Potter, and F. D. Beaumont. The same capitalists have also purchased a square mile of territory north of the village, around the West Chop Lighthouse, and are laying out roads, have built a wharf into the sound to the west of the Chop, and have erected a hotel and four cottages which are already let, and private lot owners are preparing to build summer cottages. A steamer has been chartered to

Edgartown And Katama

On a level plain along shore, and fronting on a deep land-locked harbor of great area, is the ancient village of Edgartown. » It consists of two streets running parallel with the harbor, and the whole place has an old-fashioned appearance. Many of the dwellings are mansions of imposing size, but in the outskirts the streets are narrow and grass-grown, lined with trees and bordered with low-studded dwellings. Here are the court house, county offices (Edgartown being the shire town of Duke's County), also the custom house, a bank, a Congregational, a Methodist, and a Baptist Church, all large, wooden edifices. The Town Hall is an antiquated-looking structure like a superannuated church. Edgartown is on the easterly end of the island, six miles south from Cottage City, from where it is reached either by the railroad or by the beach drive. The railroad also connects with Katama and the south shore, three miles further. The harbor has a pleasing variety of outline, and is connected with

A Glimpse Of Edgartown

Katama Bay, one of the most beautiful bodies of water on the shores of the Vineyard. Comparatively few summer visitors go to Edgartown, although if one wants to go fishing a better place could not be found, and the attractions of the quiet town added to those at Katama and the south beach will amply repay a long ora short sojourn. Edgartown is the largest place on the Vineyard, containing more permanent residents than any other community on the island. Eastward from Edgartown is Chappaquiddick Island, separated from the main island by Edgartown Harbor and Katama Bay. The channel between these two bodies of water was filled up by a gale in 1872; the United States government subsequently opened it, but the tides and the storms continually brought back the sand; a year or two ago, however, a severe storm re-opened the channel in such a manner that it bids fair to remain an open passage. Chappaquiddick Island belongs to Edgartown, and has as points of interest Union Meeting-house, two Humane houses, Sampson's Hill and Wasque Bluff. The northeastern extremity of Chappaquiddick is Cape Poge on the extremity of which is a lighthouse. It lies low on the horizon southeasterly from Oak Bluffs, and by strangers is usually taken for Nantucket. Between the main portion of the Island and Cape Poge is Cape Poge Pond, which, on its east and west sides, is separated from the waters of the ocean only by low, narrow and sandy ridges of sand.

Edgartown was formerly a great whaling port, the rival of New Bedford and Nantucket in the palmy days of that industry, but although many of her inhabitants made their wealth or acquired the means they are possessed of by following the sea, the place has now no commerce, except some six or seven vessels engaged in whaling and perhaps a like number of coasting craft.

Taking the cars of the Martha's Vineyard Railroad at the steamboat landing at Cottage City, passing through Edgartown, running along the shore for eight miles, we are soon carried to: Katama, which is at the extreme ocean side of the Island of Martha's Vineyard, and is most beautifully situated. The hotel, the Mattakeset, is a very handsome structure of the modern style of architec ture, turretted at one end, erected right upon the bluff-like shore with every window commanding grand ocean views. 'The cottages are well and most substantiallybuilt, with green lawns, and like the hotel afford a fine water outlook. Just opposite the hotel there is another long, narrow island, with green fields and high bluff shores, which extends for a long distance almost parallel with the Vineyard, constituting a great natural break water, inclosing a fine harbor called Katama Bay, and rendering it a perfectly safe water for sailing and bathing. The fishing, too, is excellent. Owing to its advantageous situation at the far seaward angle of Martha's Vineyard, the prevailing summer winds must inevitably immediately strike it fresh from the billows, so Katama justly enjoys the reputation of possessing not only the coolest, but one of the most even summer climates. During the summer of 1888, at Katama, the very highest temperature during the entire summer was only 80 degrees, and but once did it attain that. During ten years the summer temperature has not exceeded 80 degrees. It is most wonderfully even too. The mean daily range for the seasons of '86, 87, and SS was only 44 degrees. Fogs are rare. There are never any mosquitoes nor flies. The grounds are extensive, reaching from the bay on one side to the other, and there are ample facilities for all out-of-door life. The Mattakeset is the only first-class hotel at the ocean side of Martha's Vineyard. It is conducted by Mr. W. D. Carpenter.

Gay Head

One of the localities on Martha's Vineyard worth all the trouble of a journey thither is Gay Head. It is a lofty cliff on the western extremity of the island, about one hundred and fifty feet in height, and is composed of folded strata of white, red, yellow, blue, black, and green clays. The face of the cliff is precipitous and burrowed with deep gullies, while at its base is a rocky shore, and hedges of rocks run out into the ocean underneath the waves from its foot. On the highest point of the cliff is the Gay Head Lighthouse, fifty feet in height, with the finest light on the coast - a Fresnel lens, composed of 1,003 prisms, or pieces of purest glass, so arranged as to concentrate the rays at a vast distance, and in a clear atmosphere to show a brighter light at twenty miles than at a less distance. The inhabitants of the region about this headland are of Indian descent. A small wharf now affords a landing for steamers, and visitors are allowed to examine the light and house. The opportunity to wander over the cliffs and inspect the variegated color of the clays is an occupation of which visitors never tire.

Points Of Interest. Hotels

eTiiel Monee, Snes Cottage ity, including Oak Bluffs, the Camp Ground, Summer Toboggan Slide, near Skating Rink. waekars Highlands, East Chop, Eastville, Lagoon Skating Rink, at Oak Bluffs Wharf. f ° ; Horse Railroad. from Highland Wharf to Camp Ground. |_. Vineyard Haven, chief Ep in town of Tisbury, Norris Wharf, Eastville. situated on west side Vineyard Haven Harbor. New York Wharf, Eastville, Edgartown, on Edgartown Harbor, six miles south Oak Bluffs Wharf, Oak Bluffs, from Cottage City. Highland Wharf, Vineyard Highlands. oo two miles south of Edgartown, on the south

PLACES OF WORSHIP. The township of Tisbury stretches directly across the island, and embraces four villages, many coves and in- ' lets, and a series of great ponds on the south shore. The Methodist Tabernacle, centre Camp Ground. village of West Tisbury is a little to the west of the quan Methodist Church, Broadway, on Camp re of the island, and has an academy and two round. churches. Grace Chapel, north of the Methodist Church Camp| Chilmark lies next west of Tisbury. Here are found Ground extensive beds of valuable clay, which is utilized for Union Chapel, Narragansett Avenue, near Circuit. making brick, oil cloths, etc. Cliffs are found on the Baptist Church, Pequot Avenue. shore 150 feet high. In the north part of the town isa Trinity Episcopal Church, opposite Sea View House. pond of very great depth and seventy feet above the Catholic Church, Circuit Avenue, on outskirts, beyond | sea. : S 3 thickly settled portions. Gay Head is at the western extremity of the island. Baptist wehin le: on Vineyard Highlands. The inhabitants are of Indian descent.

Surreys And Traps

With increasing demand for novelties, we have made it our especial effort to bring out,bothin fine and medium grades, an exceptionaly large line of these, both in colors and

Natural Wood Standard Styles

In Buggies, Rockaways, Broughams, in several sizes. Dog Carts, Phaetons, Etc., which have been prepared by us and the best manufacturers of New England with the utmost care.

| The improvements in this popular vehicle are worthy of note, and our stock will comprise several weights, adapted | to both town and country uses.

Victoria Phaetons

Beach Wagon, in which we have many grades, including pat- J terns not shown by any other firm, while some at popular twenty years, are sold (only) by usin Eastern New England prices are very desirable. | at factory prices.

Inspection Invited. All Work Guaranteed As Represented

PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS, « History of Rhode Island for 250 Years, by WELcoME ARNOLD GREENE, assisted by other prominent writers. Price, $3.00, Plain Edge; $3.50, Gilt Edge.

Part Sixth

A SEA-GIRT ISLE - ITS PROBABLE GEOLOGICAL HISTORY - DIMENSIONS AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS - THE HARBOR - THE ABSENCE OF TREES - THE FLORA - PICTURESQUE BLEAKNESS - MILD TEMPERATURE - NAMES AND DISTRICTS - THE APPROACH TO THE ISLAND BY STEAMER - THE APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN AND ITS PECULIARITIES - THE RAILROAD - SURFSIDE - SIASCONSET - SANKATY HEAD AND LIGHT - -WAUWINET - THE COFFIN SCHOOL - -PUBLIC SCHOOLS - THE ATHENA2UM - NEWSPAPERS - OLD HOUSES - PUBLIC BUILDINGS - CHURCHES - BRANT POINT AND THE LAND CONTROVERSY - THE WHARVES - FIRE DISTRICTS - THE JAIL - TOWN CRIERS - HISTORICAL NOTES - THE WHALE FISHERY - SHEEP RAISING - STRANGERS' GUIDE.

Tuirty miles south from the outer shores of Cape Cod, and about fifteen miles distant in a southeasterly direction from Martha's Vineyard lies the wave-wornislandof Nantucket, a veritable sand heap amid the waste of waters. In no part of the island does the land rise to 100 feet, the ocean is continually gnawing at its sandy shores ; and subjected to the influence of the conflicting ocean currents, the sand from its beaches is in some places being carried out into: the sea, there forming shoals and bars, while in other places the substance of the submerged land is returned again to the shores of the island, which is there advancing into the ocean. All around the island, but particularly on the south, are extensive shoals, and they extend also in the direction of Martha's Vineyard, making probable the opinion that in the geological ages these islands and the adjacent sea bottoms formed either a large island or a portion of the continent. An

Indians was to the effect that their island extended southward twenty miles further than its present limits, and about the extent of the outermost shoals. At present the southeast corner of the island is steadily growing out into the ocean, caused by the accumulation of sand there, forced landward from the shoals, by the meeting of the tides from opposite sides of the island, which as they vary in their rise and fall from one to two hours, rush together here with much force. The expanse of water between Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Martha's Vineyard, is known as Nantucket Sound, and forms the vestibule to the comparatively narrow Vineyard Sound.

There is a remarkable similarity in shape between Cape Cod (almost an island) Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, in that each terminates on the east in an arm, with distinctly marked elbow and long finger, those of Cape Cod at Chatham and Provincetown, those at Martha's Vineyard at Chappaquiddick Island and Cape Poge, and those of Nantucket at Siasconset and Great Point.

The island of Nantucket is about fifteen miles in length from the ''cut-off" at Smith's Point to Siasconset Cliffs, and varies in width from six and a half miles at Siasconset, the widest place, to a stone's throw at either '* Point" the width being the same in scarcely any two places. A walk of seventy-five miles, provided you could finish by a single stride across the mouth of the harbor, would give you the entire circuit of the island. The highest point 'is Macy's Hill, in the middle eastern part, ninety-one feet above the sea level.

Like Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket has on the south a succession of ponds. These increase in size till you come to Long Pond, near Maddequet Harbor, at the west end, which is three miles long, and reaches nearly across the island at that point. These ponds abound in fish, and, in many cases, have a valuable stratum of peat underneath.

The line of the shore is remarkably unbroken on the outside from Great Point clear round on the east and south sides to Smith's Point, also on the inner side from Great Point to Eel Point, near Tuckernuck, with the exception of the opening of the harbor. It is also sandy and free from rocks, with the exception of a small reef in Muskeget Channel, and a few scattered ones on the south side of the island and Tuckernuck.

The harbor on the north side of the island is seven miles long, averaging one and a quarter in width, and has an area of about one hundred acres of good anchorage, where the depth is from nine to eighteen feet at mean low water. It extends along the inner edge of the island on the northeast, being separated from the outer waters by a long, narrow, sandy peninsula, called Coatue. The entrance to this long bay is about half a mile wide and lies between Brant Point on the west, a low sandy projection, and the extremity of Coatue peninsula on the east. The town sits on the bluffs southward along shore from Brant Point, and faces directly up the harbor, the anchorage ground being that portion of the entire basin directly in front of the tewn. At the further extremity, at what is called the Head of the Harbor, a narrow sand bar is the only separation between it and the ocean, and is called the '* Haul-over," from the fact that fishermen can bring their boats over, instead of sailing around

The Landing Place, Nantucket

Great Point. The upper part of the harbor is used only for boats and shallow keels. To reach the harbor from the outer waters it is necessary to pass over the celebrated bar, where there is less than seven feet of water at low tide. Two jetties are now in process of construction by the national government, one from Coatue Peninsula, and one from the shore half a mile outside of Brant Point, which, when completed, it is believed, will so direct the currents as to keep a clear channel fifteen feet deep at low water.

At present the island is almost destitute of trees. There is scarcely any doubt, however, that at the time of the first settlement forests existed in various sections, if they did not entirely cover its surface, and the probability is that the wood was gradually cut down and used for building or for fuel until none was left. Attempts at arboriculture within recent years have not resulted successfully, either from the fact that the varieties chosen (pines chiefly) have not been adapted to the soil and climate, or else the island is too exposed to the elements, too much swept by the winds, for the trees to obtain a foothold. As a consequence, large portions of its surface are bleak, moor-like wastes, and in the widest part, north from 'Sconset to the shores of the Head of the Harbor, where the highest land on the island is situated, the surface is formed of low rounded hills, rolling irregularly, and the scene is one of gray desolation. Traveling across this region, when one is at the bottom of some of the deepest valleys, or pockets, as they are in fact, nothing is in sight but the rounded, treeless eminences, and if the day is dull the feeling of eerie lonesomeness is similar to what you might experience on the bleakest of the Scottish moors. But notwithstanding this appearance of bleakness, the soil of the island is prolific, and botanists report that an unusual variety of plants are found here, and a great deal of the land is well adapted to the growth of garden vegetables and small fruits. Indian corn grows luxuriantly, rye, oats and barley do well, and grasses grow as well as on sandy loams elsewhere. A recent writer says:

'' Nantucket's beauty is not that of the rugged grandeur of lofty mountains, or the winding panorama of broad streams and sparkling brooks. Hers is rather the beauty of loneliness - a gray spot in a grayer sea. The sea itself is a mighty charm. There is something broadening to the mind to gaze upon its

> tranquil surface, ever widening to the horizon. Anon it rises in maddened might, and dashes impetuously upon the shore, each foaming charger trying to outdo his neighbor in their grand rush for the beach, while all the air is filled with the roaring of their anger.

'¢ The island is peculiarly of more even temperature than the neighboring shores of Cape Cod only thirty miles away. Often and often snow on the main land is rain on Nantucket. This mildness of temperature may in part be accounted for by the fact that the Gulf Stream flows nearer to Nantucket in March than at any other point on the coast north of Hatteras. This fact - the evenness of temperature - is making the island more favorably known as a desirable place of residence, not only in summer, but all the year round. Numbers of people have come to make their permanent home here on this account. In the summer days people come from all quarters of the land for a breath of cool, invigorating air which always sweeps across Nantucket's plains, and thousands are thus reinvigorated for new labors."

Nantucket is the name of a county, a township, an island, and a town. As a county and a township it is the same, embracing the main island, Tuckernuck, Muskeget, the two Gravelly Islands, and, when cut off by the sea, Smith's Point Island. On the island is the town itself, the village of Siasconset, the summer resorts of Surfside and Wauwinet, and many separately named localities or districts, as Coatue, Squam, Quaise, Polpis, North Pasture, Middle Pasture, and South Pasture, the Plains, Maddequet, and Great Neck.

The only way of getting to the island is by the line of steamers from Wood's Holl or New Bedford, v7a Martha's Vineyard. A run of about two hours from Oak Bluffs will take you across Nantucket Sound. The low land of Muskeget, Tuckernuck, and the western end of Nantucket first comes into view to the southward. 'Two or three miles from the mouth of the harbor the bar is crossed, and if the tide is out or a fog is on the water the steamer has to proceed very carefully, and will be fortunate if she gets over without scraping bottom. If the day is clear, as the weather usually is in the summer, from the steamer approaching the land the most conspicuous feature is the high bluffs to the right along shore, on which are perched numbers of fine summer residences. Soon the steamer passes on the right the end of the jetty, a line of huge stones piled upon each other in a confused jumble, and which on that account offer better resistance to the waves than if they were built up in regular courses of masonry. Directly in front is the mouth of the harbor. On the right is Brant Point, a low, sandy promontory, with a lighthouse, a large hotel, and several cottages on its extremity. The hotel is the Nantucket, one of the largest on the island, and it, as well as the cottages, look, metaphorically speaking, as if they had their feet in the water, or would have at the next high-tide. | Opposite, across the entrance from Brant Point, we notice another jetty built out from the shore, similar in construction to the one close to which the steamer passed, but not so lengthy. Passing between the point, the town of Nantucket lies in full view before us, presenting the appearance of a considerable place, nay, looking like a small city. It rises up clearly defined from the water's edge, seemingly on a hillside, but in reality on bluffs, faced by lowlands on the water front, which fact gives it a terraced-like appearance. For more than a mile the town extends along the shores of the harbor. On the heights a number of large churches, several with fine spires, - and other large buildings, hotels, and schools, tower above and through the trees. The two most conspicuous objects are the towers of the North and South churches, from either of which extensive views of the town and vicinity can be obtained. Jutting out into the harbor are a number of wharves, at which are moored many sailboats, small yachts, some coasting ; vessels, and several small steamers. At the nearest one our steamer comes alongside, and very soon we set foot on the island of Nantucket. The fact of its isolation so far out in the sea, and the comparatively bleak appearance of the island, leads the stranger to expect nothing more than an_ ordinary fishing village, but as he walks up the street he finds instead, a city in appearance, of rather an old-fashioned character, it is true, but with paved streets, well shaded with fine trees, lined with substantial business buildings and _ residences, lighted with gas and supplied with pure water led in from a beautiful little pond two miles back in the country. The town is, as nearly as possible, the centre of the island. The chief streets are paved with cobble stones, and the side-walks with concrete or large flags. Many of the houses have a spacious and aristocratic air, evidently having been planned by sea-captains who desired to compensate themselves for their confined quarters on ship-board by a proportionate extension of their domain on land. The Grecian temple is the favorite style of architecture for the larger houses. A little off from the principal streets, and especially in the older parts of the town, the houses are chiefly unpainted, and are shingled all over. Many of them have look-outs or '* walks" on their roofs, from which the occupants can overlook the town, the island, and the waters. Some are adorned with vanes, a whale, or some kind of fish, being the favorite emblem. Fine trees abound on the streets, and these, with fruitful grape-vines, make attractive the gardens and grounds.

From the steamboat landing the traveler proceeds up a long wharf, and emerges on Broad Street, which well merits its name : a short square-like space, lined with fine trees, and bordered with large mansion houses. At the head of the street on the left is seen a large brick building, the Ocean House, one of the chief hotels. Half way up Broad let us turn into Federal Street, leading out to the right, midway along which, on our left, we pass the Atheneum, a churchlike edifice, and one of the chief institutions of Nantucket. A few steps further bring us out on the '* Square,"the lower part of Main Street. Itis a wide space, about an eighth of a mile in length, is lined on both sides with stores - the life and business of the town centres here ; at the foot is the Custom House, midway is the Post-Office, the banks, and the newspapers look out upon it, and last but not least, it is the scene of the auctions and the stamping ground of the town criers. The buildings bordering this space are, many of them, substantial in character. At the head of the square is the Pacific Bank building, while the Custom House, with the United States Signal Service apparatus on its roof, is conspicuous at its foot. The Square is well paved, is lined with trees, all the principal streets in the town run out of it, and it leads up a gentle incline from the Custom House.

Main Street continues westward out of the Square, and at a distance of less than.a quarter of a mile Monument Square is reached, the junction of Main, Gardner, and Milk streets, in the centre of which is the Soldiers' Monument. From the Square up to the monument, the street is lined with mansion houses of imposing size and substantial appearance, and some very large trees shade the street, larger by far than one would expect from the general treeless character of the island. Midway up, on Winter Street, running from Main on the right, is the Coffin School, a substantial brick building.

One of the chief attractions of the old town is the South Church Tower, not so much for itself as for the view to be obtained from it, Here spread out before you are charming and magnificent views of sea, harbor, and shore, the old houses of the town, the broad substantial mansions of fifty years ago, with the lighter and more fanciful ones of modern construction. |The numerous fishing and pleasure boats and yawls that gather about the wharves, buildings now unused that were connected with the industries of the whale fishery, the railroad winding across the meadows, the steamers coming from or going to the Vineyard, the daily line of pleasure boats skimming the harbor to Wauwinet - all this moving panorama, especially if the day is clear, will repay you a hundred times for your visit and the climb up the stairs. This tower was constructed in 1795, and the bell hung in 1800. If you wish to know the history of the bell you will find it in good print in a frame on the stairway, and any of the town criers, who may be found in their rooms in this tower, will gladly inform you in regard to any mooted point. The tower is usually open and is free to the public, although a small gratuity to the care-taker is usually customary. All the principal buildings can be easily discerned from this outlook. Northward is the square tower of the Congregational Church ; near it a little to the westward is the bulk of the High School; eastward are the Veranda and Springfield houses, two of the largest of the hotels. To the northeast is Brant Point, with its lighthouse, cottages, and hotel, while between it and the observer are all the wharves and the harbor, the whole very sharply defined. Stretching away in the distance is the long harbor and its natural breakwater, the peninsula of Coatue, every curve and sinuosity of its shores clearly discernible. Westward and southward is the principal part of the old town, almost due south, the old wind-mill being a conspicuous object, while beyond, in the outskirts, are seen the various graveyards, and further away, the low hills and glimpses of the ponds in the western portion of the island. A very conspicuous object to the northwest is the standpipe of the water-works.

In walking about Nantucket town the visitor will observe that the elevations are bluffs with their faces toward the sea, instead of hills with gradual slopes, and that in general their character has been preserved except in the central portion around the Square and its neighborhood. Orange Street, leading out of the upper part of the Square southerly runs along the edge of a bluff for half a mile or more, the streets and houses easterly from it being on low land from the base of the bluff to the water's edge. <A similar but higher cliff or bluff extends northward from the town, and is the principal location of the expensive summer residences, as it overlooks the sea and the entrance to the harbor, is separated from the shore by low flats terminating in Brant Point, and known as Sherburne Heights.

Of course one of the chief attractions of Nantucket is the sea bathing. In a sort of acove just north of the steamboat landing is one of the beaches, known as the '' Clean Shore." Here are extensive bathing-houses with all necessary facilities, and if you want a warm salt water bath, by paying a small sum you

: : will be accommodated. 'On the low shore running out from the base of Sherburne Bluffs and inside the land end of the breakwater is the most popular bathing place. Here there are several extensive bathing establishments where can be found all suitable conveniences at a small charge. As this place is half a mile or more away from the central portion of the town, a small steamer plies from one of the wharves, and public carriages also run there from the Square, charging a small fare. At neither of these two places is there any surf, but the

Sir Isaac Coffin, a native of Boston; but a descendant of the Nantucket family of that name, and who had risen to the rank of admiral in the British navy, visited Nantucket in 1826 and gave the sum of $2,500 to establish a school for the benefit of the Coffins and their descendants. The school fund at present amounts to $50,000. The school was established in 1827, the present building on Winter Street was erected in 1852. Besides those for whom it is designed. all are now admitted on payment of a small fee.

tality of S. H. Jenks, editor of the /zguzrer. Indeed, it was at his suggestion, that Admiral Coffin established the Coffin school. The present efficient High head of and facing Gay Street, and accommodates beside the High School, a grammar and intermediate department of two grades each, and also a primary school. Inthe Town building on Orange Street there are two schools, an inter-- mediate and a primary. At each of the suburban villages, 'Sconset, Polpis, Madasket, and Tuckernuck, there is one school.

should visit, was incorporated in 1834, anda suitable building erected, into which were gathered specimens of most of the wonders of the world, and curiosities.

It was, however, rebuilt in 1846-7, opened in 1847, and the present library of | 8,000 volumes and the present museum began to form. The building, which is.

of the Grecian style of architecture, is on Lower Pearl Street, corner of Federal two minutes' walk from the steamboat landing. The upper part is a public hall for lectures, concerts, and exhibitions, while on the lower floor are the library ter, and it is especially rich in materials relating to the whale and whale-fishery. It is open every day from about 9 A. M. to 5 p. M., a small fee is charged, and the wonders are well explained by the obliging curator. The library is available. to summer visitors at a slight charge. It is open every afternoon from May 20 to September 20, from 2 to 5 Pp. M.; during the remainder of the year it is. open every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon, at the same hour, and every Saturday evening in the year from 6 tog p.m, The table is supplied with all the leading magazines of the day.

Although the island has a population of less than four thousand, two newspapers are published, of which the oldest, the Zzgucrer and Mirror, dates back to 1821, and is now a live weekly newspaper published by Roland B. Hussey. The other paper, the Nantucket Fournal, published by A. H Gardner, was started in 1878. Both papers derive much of their support from the circulation they obtain from the summer visitors and from absent natives of the island.

There are many old houses in the town that will afford an antiquary all desirable scope for research into the history of the past. On the outskirts on Uriah Gardner Hill, so called, reached by going up West Centre Street, at the top of a bluff, a little distance from the road, is the '* oldest house." It was built in 1686, fronting due south, according to the custom of the times, and guarded against witches by a horseshoe of bricks let into the chimney. The claims of

The principal public buildings are the Town House, on Orange street, the Custom House, foot of Main Street Square, the Pacific National Bank, head of Main Street Square, the Nantucket Institution for Savings, near the head of the Square. The large asylum, with its farm grounds, is on the outskirts at the south of the harbor, on the left of the road leading to Siasconset.

The old town is well supplied with churches. Standing on Orange Street, on the highest point in the central part of the town is the Unitarian Church, whose high tower is the most conspicuous edifice to meet the eye from the harbor or adjacent shores. The church and tower were erected in 1809. Near the head of the square, on Centre Street, is the Methodist Church, a large structure in the Corinthian style; further down the same street is one of the meeting-houses of the Society of Friends, while still further along Centre Street, perched on an elevated site, is the First Congregational Church, which has a large square tower, from where also excellent views may be obtained. On Fair Street is another Friends' Meeting-House; corner of Summer Street and Trader's Lane is the Baptist Church; on Fair Street is the Episcopal Church ;

A stroll around the water front will bring up before the visitor a vivid idea of the departed glories of Nantucket as a whaling port. Reaching out into the harbor eight hundred or a thousand feet are five wharves, all but one in a more or less decayed condition, while the intervening docks where the staunch whale-ships formerly floated are now filled up with sand, leaving only water enough in most places for small vessels.

The old town is divided into six fire districts: No. 1 is north of Main and west of Centre Street; No. 2 is north of Main and east of Centre Street; No. 3 is south of Main and east of Orange; No. 4 is south of Main and west of Orange; No. 6 is the Square and vicinity; No. 8 is the outlying territory. A watchman is always stationed in the tower of the Unitarian Church, and he gives alarms of fire by strokes on the bell, there indicating the location by the number of strokes. The fire apparatus consists of hand engines, but the supply of water is excellent, and the 'head of water is sufficient to reach any elevation in the town.

acres in extent, two miles westward from the town, on the north shore of the island. The water is pumped from the pond into an iron tank, whose top is forty-two feet from the ground and 144 feet above mean low water. This tank is one of the first objects seen when approaching Nantucket in the steamer. Service-pipes extend over about two-thirds of the town, and the water is supplied to each family at the rate of $8.00 per year.

One of the institutions of Nantucket, for which in the past there has not been much use, is the jail. It is an ordinary looking wooden building, which would not hold an ingenious criminal very long if he had a strong wish to get out; but there would be little use in '* breaking jail" here, because it would be so difficult to get off the island afterwards.

One of the amusing features of life at Nantucket is the survival of the old custom of disseminating news or making public or business announcements by a town crier, who promenades the chief streets, ringing a bell, tooting on a fish horn, and bawling at the top of his voice the subject matter of his announcement, but usually with such thickness of utterance and volume of sound that unless you follow him up it would be hard to discover what all the uproar is about. There are three of these functionaries, and happily for the welfare of the summer visitors not more than one breaks loose at a time. Another peculiar feature of business life on the island is the prevalence of auctions, usually held on the Square, and which deal with all kinds of commodities, '* meat auction" being especially popular. These auctions are the favorite announcements of the town criers. The bell of the South Church is rung every day by '' the watch," who is usually one of the town criers, at 7 A. M., 12 M., and g P. M., the last indicating to the towns-people that bed time has come, and its admonition at all times of the year except in summer is observed implicitly.

During the summer season there are two boats a day, connecting with the Vineyard, Wood's Holl, New Bedford,and Boston. The once busy and famous wharves, beginning at the south, are Commercial, South, Straight, Old North, and New North. The boats land at the last named.

From the earliest times the people of Nantucket have largely depended on sheep-raising as the most effectual means of securing the scanty products of the soil. During the time of business prosperity thousands of sheep dotted the hills and plains and roamed at their own sweet will over pretty much the whole island. In the month of June the sheep were gathered on Miacomet Plain, east of the pond, to be sheared. On that day all other business was suspended, and, early though it was in the season, the great harvest of the year was gathered. But sheep-raising as a business, in Nantucket, has had one, and one only, successful rival, namely, whaling.

No people in the world achieved so high a reputation for ability and success in the whaling business as the sailors of Nantucket. The island has been called and for a long period was indeed, the '* home of the whale-fishery." Whales, at first, abounded in the waters all about Nantucket, but the earliest settlers did not know how to catch them. This state of things continued till, one day in the year 1668, a whale, by coming into the harbor, so plainly '' offered himself" that the inhabitants determined to take him in, if possible. They accordingly extemporized a harpoon, and sailed forth to the attack. The contest was sharp and decisive, and the whale himself was soon drawn, flukes up, to the shore. Shore whaling ceased about 1765, having been followed for nearly a hundred years. The whales caught from the shore were all right whales, otherwise sometimes called Greenland whales, yet paradoxical as it may seem, they were the wrong whales after all, for they are decidedly inferior, both in size and value, to the sperm whales. 3

In 1712, Captain Christopher Hussey, while cruising for whales, was fortunately blown out to sea by a gale, and there captured the first sperm whale. This gave new impetus to the business, and from that time vessels, at first of about thirty tons, but afterwards of vastly larger size, were fitted out and voyages were greatly extended. In 1775 there were 150 whalers from Nantucket, manned by some 2,500 seamen, out of a population of 4,500 whites. In 1791 the first whaling-vessel went from the island to the Pacific. This vessel was the Beaver, and was the first American whaler to enter the Pacific. She returned February, 1793, with 1,300 barrels of oil.

its conclusion reduced to two. The business afterward quickly revived, however, though not to its former extent. Just previous to the War of 1812 there were forty ships in the business, which at the close of the war were reduced to twenty. In 1840 these had increased again to seventy, and the business involved a capital of $9,000,000, the population in that year being 9,712. There were at this time in Nantucket five long wharves, ten rope-walks, and thirty-six candle factories, with sail-lofts, cooper-shops, boat-shops, and blacksmith-shops, such as would naturally accompany the other activities.

In 1841 there were about one hundred ships employed, manned by four thousand men, of which one thousand, the officers, the best seamen and the captains, were Nantucketers. But other whaling ports were growing in importance, and the great fall in prices in 1842 and 1843, the great fire of 1846, and the taking away of many of the most energetic of the young men in 1849 by the discovery of gold in California, all helped along the decadence of the business in Nantucket, which gradually dwindled until in 1870 the last vessel sailed from the port. \ .

The earliest settlement on Nantucket Island was made at Maddequet Harbor, by Thomas Macy, in 1659. The island then belonged to New York, and continued so till 1693, when it was ceded to Massachusetts, at the request of the proprietors. In 1672, according to Ewer's map, the site of the town and the name were removed from Maddequet Harbor to Wesco, its present location.

In 1673, by order of Gov. Francis Lovelace, of New York, the town was incorporated as Sherburne. Wesco signified '' white stone," and the Indians so called the place from such a stone which lay on the harbor shore, but which was afterwards covered by a wharf. For more than a hundred and twenty years, or till 1795, the present town of Nantucket was called Sherburne. In that year the name was changed.

In 1663 there were about fifteen hundred Indians on the island. For the hundred years succeeding the settlement of the island by Macy and others in 1659, the Indians steadily decreased, till, in 1763, there were but 358. That year a '' plague" swept off 222 of these, leaving but 136 in all on the island. In 1795 there were but three wigwams remaining. These were at Squam. In 1822 the last full-blooded Indian died, and in 1854, at the age of eighty-two, the last who was possessed of any Indian blood. This was Abram Quarry, who lived at Shimmo, on the other side of the harbor from the town. There is a fine oil painting of him in the Atheneum showing him at his home there.

It will be interesting to the visitor to look upon the sites of the Indian churches, school-houses, and burying-places, which the inhabitants are still able to point out. Their first preachers came from the Vineyard, having been instructed there by the Mayhews. They read in Eliot's Indian Bible (the New Testament), and sang in their own language the Psalms of David.

There have been three notable fires in Narftucket - in 1836, 1838, and 1846. That of July 13 and 14, 1846, destroyed wharves, stores, factories, shops, and dwellings valued at $1,000,000.

The larger whale-ships were lifted over this bar by means of what were called '* camels," contrived by Peter F. Ewer, a perfect model of which may now be seen at the Atheneum. They consisted of two immense, fiat, shallow, water-tight structures, made to fit the ship in its whole length, one on each side. These were floated out to the ship, and when placed on either side, by letting the water into them were sunk to their decks. They were then lashed tightly to the ship and the water was pumped out. As they rose they took the ship with them, and carried her over the bar.

The first lighthouse was erected on Brant Point in 1746, and was the first in the United States; it was burnt in 1759; the second was blown down in 17743; the third was burnt in 1783; the fourth was merely a wooden-framed lantern between two spars; the fifth blew down. Until 1791 this light-house was maintained by private enterprise, but in that year the government assumed the responsibility, and has since maintained the light-house and renewed the building as occasion demanded. ;

Ocean House, Charles L. Stewart, manager; Mrs. J. S. Doyle, proprietor ; corner Broad and Centre streets; 60 rooms, Rates $2.50 to $3.50 per day.

Falmouth, Mass

Menanhant Hotel, Floyd Travis; Vineyard Sound, seven miles from station; hotel coach meets every train; 70 rooms. $2.50 per day; $10 to $15 single rooms per week. $18 to $28 double rooms.

Buzzard Bay, Mass

HINGHAM, Boston Harbor. Rose Standish House, Downer's Landing, J. McGilmanh; 100 rooms, $3.50 per day. Cushing House, Geo. Cushing; 35rooms. $2 per day. 32 rooms; single

4@-This table will also show the time of the tide at other places on Narragansett Bay and adjacent points, by means of the following easy calculations :

EXAMPLE. - Suppose you wanted to find the time of high tide September 13, at Cottage City, Martha's Vineyard. Looking in the table you learn the tide is full at Newport on that date at 10.13 a. M. and again at 11.00 p.m. Add to each the ratio given for Cottage City, and the result will be, for the first,