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COIT CORRESPONDENCE:
OK, '
rip k |fw
BT
THE COIT EA.MILY.
WORCESTER :
PRINTED BY CHAS. HAMILTON,
PALLADIUM OFFICE.
1871.
■♦^JT^iJi^^ft-
THE COMMITTEE
WOULD MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATE THIS VOLUME
TO
CAPTAIN S. H. PIKE,
THE NOBLE COMMANDER OF THE STEAMER
" JTew ^Tunswich,"
--«s-^'f»r^8ifiist.<ft-
mmt
PREFACE.
'Hf^^
,IIE first Coit Excursion was made during tlie summer
of 1868, by a party of gentlemen and ladies from Wor-
cester, in a steamer chartered of Capt. W. W. Coit,
of Norwicli, Ct., and bearin;^ liis name. Tlie party visited New-
port, New Bedford, Ed.i,^1rto\\ n and other New England towns.
An account of the trip is preserved in a little volume entitled
'' By Sea and Land."
The second Excursion, made in 18G9, included among other
points of interest. New York City and the Hudson River. The
trip lasted eight days and the steamer employed was the City of
New London. The story is told in a book entitled "The River
and the Sound." The Excursion of 1870 is described in the
present volume.
In weaving into history the scenes and events of our late ex-
cursion to the East, it was our aim to do the work faithfully, and
in such a manner as to meet the approval of the Coit Family.
We endeavored to pluck the fairest flowers in the wide field be-
fore us, trusting they might prove those things of beauty which
are " a joy forever." If the contents of these pages find an
echo in your hearts we shall be satisfled. We feel sure at least
that as a memorial of the " Coit Excursion " of 1870, this little
Tolume will suggest pleasant memories to all who participated
in the trip. The experiences of those bright days of July and
1*
▼I PREFACE.
Au|fU8t will be ever fresh and fragrant. Who of us can ever
forget the grand old steamer New Brunswick, her noble com-
mander, her manly officers, and her genial crew? Who can
forget the cities by the sea that gave us so cordial greeting ;
the coast of Maine, with its grand island scenery ; the Kenne-
bec, the Penobscot, and the St. John— beautiful trio of rivers ; <
the Bay of Fundy on which we tossed, and our first sunrise on
the blue Atlantic? Who can forget those hour? of setting day
and early eve, devoted to social converse, speeches, readings,
music and songs of praise? Who can forget the warm words of
welcome at the hour of meeting, or the yet warmer expressions
of farewell at the hour of parting? More than all, who will
forget that Kind Father, whose footprints are upon the sea and
the land alike, whose tender care preserved each life, ..iid re-
restored us all in safety to the loved ones at home?
* < All is this ruldd by the Sight above.''
♦
OFFICERS OF STEAMER.
1
CAPTAIN :
SIMON H. PIKE, LuBEc, Me.
PILOT :
LEONARD g. GRANT, Rockland, Me.
CHIEF ENOIXBER :
THOMAS MERRILL, Chelsea, Mass.
SECOND ENGINEER :
JAMES H. MERRITT, Portland, Me.
CHIEF MATE :
JOHN THOMPSON, Portland, Mb.
SECOND MATE :
JAMES THOMPSON, Eastport, Me.
STEWARD :
WILLIAM E. LEONARD, Braintree, Mass.
MEMBERS OF THE BAND.
LEADER :
T. C. RICHARDSON
JOHN RIEDL,
VVM. H. HEYWOOD,
T. F. GOODWIN,
G. H. SMITH,
A. A. BICKNELL,
C. A. PARKER,
J. VVOODHEAD,
F. L. BARNARD,
H. W. BATrHELLER,
W. H. BATCHELLER,
OTIS A. GATES,
A. P. PRENTICE,
ED WD. HARTWELL,
H. A. LIBBY.
I
OFFICERS OF THE PARTY.
1
PRESIDENT :
GEORGE R. PECKHAM.
VICE president:
O. P. MAYNARD.
SECRETARY :
WM. MECORNEY,
TREASURER :
GEO. W. WHEELER.
STEWARDS :
HENRY GLAZIER,
THOMAS W. DAVIS.
CHAPLAIN :
Rev. J. V. OSTERHOUT.
surgeons :
Dr. E. SCHOFIELD,
Dr. GEO. F. FORBES.
■'
NAMES OF THE PARTY.
^
E. E. ABBOTT,
Mrs. E. E. ABBOTT.
SAMUEL ALDBICH,
Mrs. SAMUEL ALDRICH,
LEWIS ARMSBY,
HENRY P. ARMSBY,
J. M. ALDRICII,
Mrs. J. M. ALDRICH,
GEORGE H. ANDREWS,
FRANK A. ATHERTON,
JENNIE U. ALEXANDER,
Rev. ASA BULLARD,
GEORGE E. BARTON,
JOHN S. BRIGHAM,
SARAH M. BRIGHAM,
Miss E. C. BOYDEN,
N. A. BOYNTON,
FRANCES A. BATCHELOR,
JAMES BROADBENT,
HANNAH BROADBENT,
JONAS B. BRIGHAM,
MARY U. BANCROFT,
KLIAS T BEMIS,
ELLEN L. BEMIS,
Worcester.
Webster.
Millbury.
((
Worcester.
I.
Boston.
Worcester.
Brookfleld.
Boston.
Worcester.
44
Holdea.
New York.
Whitinsville.
Worcester.
44
Westborou^h,
Worcester.
44
44
*■
12
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
E. G. BOYNTON,
J. R. BOYCE,
GEORGE A. BOSWELL,
Mrs. D. a. BUSH,
Mrs. M. E. BATCHELLOR,
LEWIS F. BALL,
G. D. BATES,
M. A. BARTLETT,
ADIN F. BAKER,
E. W. CARTER.
Mrs. E. W. CARl'ER,
JOTHAM CARPENTER.
Mrs. a. a. CARPENTER,
PERRY J. CARPENTER,
Miss HATTIE M. COOLIDGE,
S. N. CROSBY,
Mrs. M. W. CHAMBERLAIN,
CARRIE M. CHAMBERLAIN,
S. B. CORBIN,
MILTON T. CARTER.
JOSIAH CUMMINGS.
LYDIA A. CUMMINGS,
E. JOSIAH CUMMINGS,
Mrs. R. B. CHAMBERLIN,
SAMUEL G. CONGDON,
Mrs. C. L. CONGDON,
JOSHUA M. GUSHING,
S. J. CHAMBERLIN,
Mrs. S E. CHAMBERLIN,
WM. F. CHASE,
SALEM COPELAND,
Worce.ster.
Springfield.
Worcester.
Webster.
W^orcester.
Westminster.
Worcester.
Shrewsbury.
Brook line.
Boston.
Worcester.
Springfield.
u
((
Worcester.
Boston.
Worcester.
Boston.
Worcester
I
f
COIT CORRESrONDENCR.
13
FRED. CIIAMBERLIN,
ADDIE F. COOK,
S. E. COMBS,
CIIAKI.ES VV. CHAMIJERIJX,
Mrs. E. L. CIIAMBERLIX,
IIEXRY COOLIDGE,
Mrs. ELLEX E. COOLIDGE,
EDDIE H. COOLIDGE,
L. B. CARR,
IIEXRY A. COOK.
ELISHA CIIAFFIX.
Mrs. SARAH A. CIIAFFIN,
AUSTIX CUTLER,
S. A. CARR,
P. W. DUDLEY,
HERBERT H. DUDLEY,
ABNER H. DAVIS,
F. A. DAVIS,
PERRY^ DEAN,
A. H. DAVIS,
SILAS DIXSMORE,
EMMA R. DINSMORE,
JOSEPH L. DAVIS,
Mrs J. L. DAVIS,
PARKMAN T. DEXNY,
THOMAS VV. DAVIS,
EDWIN M. DODD,
DODD,
P. DIGGEN,
CHARLES G. EARLE,.
Mrs. L. M. EARLE,
Worcester.
Sterliiifr.
u
Whitinsville.
(.
Worcester.
Spriiiirfleld,
Whitinsville.
Worcester.
Norwich, Conn.
Webster.
Worcester.
t«
<»
Leicester.
Boston.
Worcester.
kk
4(
t«
14
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
Mrs. L. L. ESTEN,
Webster.
Mrs. MARIA M. EDDY,
Worcester.
EMMA S. EASTMAN,
(•
JAMES N. ENGLEY,
i\
Mrs. J. M. FALES,
West Brooklield.
0. D. FORBES,
Newton.
MRS. M. H. FAY.
Worcester.
Mrs. MAIIY A. FLAGG,
«(
GEOIJGE F. FORBES, M.D..
West Brookfleld.
Mrs. M. a. FORBES,
>i
Mrs. F. M. FOKBE&.
•k
SANFORD FISKE,
Webster.
MOSES H. FAY,
Worcester.
Mrs. CLARA F. FAY.
•k
THEODOKE S. FULLER,
ki
L. A. FOSTER,
Portland, Me.
CHARLES L. FAY,
Marlboron^h.
A BR AM FAY,
Northborou^'^h.
Mrs. ABIGAIL FAY^
k.
Miss REBECCA R. FAY,
Worcester.
Mrs. ABBIE P. FLETCHER,
»♦
Miss KATIE E. GATES,
M
JAMES GREEN,
tt
M M. GARFIELD,
*'
Mrs. L. M. GARFIELD,
U
Mrs. M. W. GERALDS, M.D.,
ik
WM. A. GREENE,
Shrewsbury.
Miss NELLIE H. GREENE,
t(
Mrs. JOHN GREEN,
Worcester.
THOMAS N. GATES,
Westborough.
Mrs. LIZZIE A. GATES,
i(
CO IT COURESl'ONDENCE.
15
IIELEX M. GATES.
CIIAS. GOODWIN,
EDWAKD GRIFFITH,
IIENIIV (GLAZIER.
Mrs. M. II. GLAZIER.
EMERY W. GODDARD,
CLEMENT GAMMELL.
GIDEON HARRIS
Mi{s. SOPHIA R. HARRIS,
N. C. HOWE,
Mus. N. C. HOWE.
Mhs. nancy HARRINGTON.
J. W. HOWE,
L. N. HOLTON,
S. F. HOLTOX,
AARON M. HILL.
Mrs. JOHN HUNT.
Miss NELLIE M. HUNT.
Mrs. R. D. STEVENS,
E. W. HUBBARD.
MARY C. HENRY.
DWIGHT HYDE,
Mrs. D. HYDE.
CHARLES R. HISSRICK,
AUG. G. HILL,
GEO. H. HOWARD.
L. M. HARRIS.
ARMILLA A. HARRIS.
H. F. HARRIS.
MAY F. HARRIS.
EMMA A. HARRIS.
Worce.«!ter.
u
Boston.
Worcester.
Webster.
West Boylston.
Worcester.
It
(•
It
*i
((
n
((
East Donrrlas.
Vernon, Vt.
it
(i
Westboron^h.
Brookfiekl.
St. Louis. Mo.
Boston.
VVest Brooklield.
Oakdale.
tk
(t
i,
it
\
1«
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
CHARLES S. HENRY,
JOHX HOMAN,
JOHN HILLARD,
Mrs. JOHN HH.LARD.
MATTHEW B. HERSEV.
ABBIE T. HARLOW.
HERBERT O. HOUGHTON,
ELMER P. HOWE.
L. W. HAWARTH,
JA x£S HUMPHREY,
ALliERT HOBBS,
ELU^HALET HOLBROOK,
JOEL HOWE.
C. CENTER JOHNSON,
EMn.Y A. JOHNSON,
ABNER KELLEY,
SUSAN M. KELLEY,
HENRY E. KNAPP,
JOSEPH F. KNOWLTON,
SARAH E. KNOWLTON,
HERBERT J. KNOWLTON,
WM. T. KIMBALL,
W. A KIMBALL.
THOMAS S KINSMAN,
WM. II. KEXDALL.
H. J. KNOWLTON.
WM. LUCAS.
H. H. LAMSON,
Mus. H. H. LAMSON,
Master LOUIS E. B. LAMSON,
CHARLES D. LARNED,
THOMAS M. LARNED,
Wcstborouffh.
Worcester.
Marlboroiijyh.
Worcester.
tt
t(
Webster.
North Brookfield.
Worcester.
West Boylston.
Quincy.
Worcester-
Shrewsbury.
Lawrence.
Sprhiocfleld.
East Doii*rlas.
Worcester.
hi
♦ *
Webster.
r
COIT COHIIESI'OXDENCE.
17
THOMAS KEEFE.
IIEN*RY C. LIXDLEV,
FERDINAND P. LAKKIN,
II. II. LINCOLN,
II. A. LIBBY,
E. L. LOVELL,
OTIS L. 3IANSON,
Mrs. HARRIET E. MANSON,
Mrs. M. D. MASCROFT,
CHARLES W. MASCROFT,
FRANK B. MERL\M,
Mrs. F. B. MERIAM,
VVM. MECORXEY,
CHARLES MARVIN,
O. P. 3IAYNARD.
Mrs. M. L. MAYNARD,
Mrs. BETSEY MIDGLY,
JOSEPH MANNING,
GEORGE H. MELLOR,
R. E. MCNEIL,
SYBIL MOORE,
ARTEMAS MERRIAM,
MARY A. MIRICK,
F. A. NEWTON,
Mrs. F. a. NEWTON,
Rev. J. V. OSTERHOUT,
EMMA J. PARKER,
GEORGE R. PECKHAM,
Mrs. G. R. PECKHAM,
Master GEO. F. PECKHAM,
LEVI PEIRCE,
Webster.
Dudley.
Worcester.
Bo.ston.
Worcester.
t.
i(
Ik
Northbri(]<?e.
.<
Nashua, N. H.
Worcester.
kh
West Brooktleld,
t> kt
Lowell.
Marlborouii^h.
Webster.
((
Hoi den.
Westminster.
Oxford,
Worcester.
«(
Webster.
Worcester.
((
(»
it
18
COIT COUUESI'ONDENCE.
ALMIKA PEIRCE.
S Y LVESTEK PKESCOT T.
Mrs. TKYPIIENA B. PKESCOTT,
CHARLES PALMER,
C. L. PROUTY.
MARY K. PROUTY,
DEXTER IL PERRY,
C. OTIS PARKER,
HENRY F. POND,
F. F. PHELPS,
RENA J. PETRIE.
CHARLES E. PARKER,
ELIZA E. PARKER,
FRANK PERKINS,
A. P. PRENTISS,
Mrs. D. F. PARKER,
ANSON RICE,
Mrs. L. H. RUSSELL,
JOHN RICHARDS,
Miss HATTIE E. RICHARDS,
EDWARD J. RUSSELL,
Mrs. LUCENIA RUSSELL,
HENRY W. REED,
Mrs. GEO. H. RAY^MOND,
JONAS RICE,
WILLIAM A. RICE,
THOMAS B. ROBINSON,
SUSAN B. ROBINSON,
HENRY W. ROBINSON.
C. A. SAWIN,
THOMAS STOTT,
LEAH STOTT,
Worcester.
Rutland.
Worcester.
n
Westborough.
»k
Worcester.
Sprinjjfleld.
Worcester.
Northborough.
Worcester.
«i
Westborough.
(»
Boston.
Worcester.
*(
a
Hartford, €!onn.
Wtwcester.
I
COIT COIIRESPONDENCE.
JENNIE STOTT,
Miss MARTHA H. SHUMWAY,
ELIZABETH S. SCOTT,
FRANK STONE,
TIMOTHY S. STONE,
JOHN P. STOCKWELL,
Mus. FRANCES L. STOCKWELL,
AHBIE M. STONE,
EDWIN B. SMITH,
P. SWALLOW,
THOMAS F. SMITH,
CHARLES C. SIBLEY,
HENRY A. STREETER,
Mks. HENRY A. STREETER,
E. SCHOFIELD. M.D.,
Mks. SARAH SCHOFIELD,
19
Worcester.
Web.-ter.
Worcester.
Marlboroii<rh.
Westtield.
Worcester.
it
West boron «!fh.
Worcester.
t«
»i
E. SPURR, '
H. M. SPURR,
N. J. SPURR,
F. R. SPURR,
S. D. SPURR,
GEO. L. STOCKING,
NETTIE E. SPALDING,
HENRY A. STONE,
Mrs. R. C. stone,
HENRY O. SAWYER,
DANA E. SARGENT,
C. A. SMITH,
AUGUSTUS STONE,
WM. S. SARGENT.
GEORGE E. SAUNDERS,
Mrs. LUCY S. TEMPLE,
Brooklyn. N. Y.
Worcester.
Si
H
n
Boston.
Grosvenor Dale, Conn.
Worcester.
West B03 Iston.
Ne\vt0!i.
Webster.
Worcester ■
Newton.
Cambridge.
Northborough.
20
rOIT CORUESrONDENCK.
CHARLES W. UXDEKIIILL,
Miis. C. B. WHITING,
II AUK Y A. WILLAHD,
DUANE B. WILLIAMS,
GEORGE W. WHEELER,
Mrs. GEO. W. WHEELER,
MiS8 MARY G. B. WHEELER,
WASHINGTON WHITNEY,
Mus. WASHINGTON WHITNEY,
ISAIAH WHITE,
FLORA A. D. WEST,
WILLARD WARD,
NELLY A. WHEELOCK,
FRANK J. WARREN,
JAMES J. WARREN,
Mus. J. J. WARREN,
FANNIE E. WARREN,
ELLEN E. WARREN,
MARY W. WARREN,
JOHN M. WARREN,
C. N. WALKER,
LIZZIE L. WALKER,
LUTHERIA S. WILLIAMS,
F. EDWIN WILLIAMS.
Mrs. J. A. WEST,
HATTIE N. WRIGHT,
Miss IDA B. WARD,
M. J. WOODHEAD,
Mrs. M. J. WOODHEAD,
AMOS M. WHEELOCK,
Mrs. a. M. WHEELOCK,
Winchester.
North BrookHehl.
Worcester.
li
tk
Whicheiidon.
Qiiliicy.
Woreester.
u
(k
Brooklyn, N. Y.
BrinifteUl.
ki
Ik
ki
kk
Worcester.
u
kk
Sprinj^tleld.
Worcester.
((
ki
ik
.
I
CliUISE OF THE COITS.
Originally publislii'd In th« Worcester Kvoning Qa/ette,
Portland Hahbor, July 27, 1870.
HE Coits have just waved and slioutod adieus to
^ their Portland f)ien<l«, and are ot!' for Bath.
Tlie scene is ins[)iriting — u faultless sky above,
the air astir with a tonic breeze, the sunshine on the water
glorious. I take oif my unwilling eyes from the ever-
shifting beauty of the sea and shore, shut my unwilling
ears to the sense and i)ossibly nonsense of gleeful voices,
and force my unwilling fingers into this epistolary service.
Considering the magnitude of the excursion party, the
many and complicate<l arrangements to be made, too much
praise cannot be accorded to the Coit Committee for the
facility and dispatch with whicli they have adjusted every-
thing. Leaving IJoston at 12^ m. we were at Gloucester
about 4 p. M. Meanwhile the state-rooms, 34 in number,
were sold l)y auction at juices ranging from $27 to $50.
It was short work — " going, gone !" Then, because 300
1
22
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
people could not conveniently — or, at least, properly — sit
down to dinner in about 150 stjats, the <>reat company
WiXH bisected, the energeitc steward, ^Ir. Gla/ier, perforniiiiiif
the mournful task in a few twinks of your eve. This
surr/e-iGii\ operation seeminii^ to have spoiled nobody's
appetite, it was announced as one of the Coit regulations
that Division No. 1 would be served with -meals first on
that day, on the next Division Xo. 2, and so on in alternate
measure ; that is to say, the first should be last and the
last should be first to the end of the chapter. It seemed to
have occurred to the managers that the enter})rising pur-
chasers of state-rooms might not attempt in a fit of social
generosity to acconnnodate the whole party with lodging,
and therefore, dinner intervening, drawing for berths
was the next thing in order.
Domestic arrangements perfected, we were at libei'ty to
do Gloucester until 11 o'clock, the time of starting for
Portland.
I wonder if anybody except myself got beyorid the
smell of fish. It certainly is not a <lifiicult thing to do, as J
found by a five minutes ride to " Little Good Harbor." Let
every fagged-out mortal go there if he would be rejuve-
nated, lie will find the sea in its grandest aspects, a fine
beach for bathing, no dust, the ruggedest rocks to
climb and prospect from, delightful company, and the
house under ]Mr. Whitin<»'s charge almost a model in all its
a})pointments. Nearly a year ago the Gloucester people
COIT COmiESrONDEXCE.
23
lost by fire tlicir new C'itv Hall. It is evidence of ijood
pluck tliiit they are rapi<lly buildini^- another at a cost of
about $100,000.
The passage to Portland was too (piiet to gratify any-
body, T believe, desirous to be sea sick. For mvself, I
awoke, ujion the arrival of the boat, at C^ a. m., with the
consciousness of having slei)t well, and with the impres-
sion, justified l>y appearances, that everybody else had
done the same thing. It was decided that we should sail
again at 2 r. m. The time allotted was most satisfactorily
spent in walks and (h'ives about the most beautiful of our
eastern cities. State street with its fine old mansions and
double rows of lofty elms, the beautiful City Ilall, Long-
fellow's home — a Avell preserved three-storied brick buihi-
ing of olden fashion, the eastern and the western
Promenades and the magnificent harbor, are among
the pleasant things U) be remembered.
One can hardly realize that but four years ago one third
of this city was in ashes. Scarce a sign of the disaster is
to be noticed, exce])t the absence of shade trees where the
fire swept along. The new buildings are finer than the
old ones, giving the impression to the visitor that the city
received a blessing in disguise. It is not so, however. To
encourage rebuilding, directly after the conflagration, the
city loaned money on easy terms to all who would eiect
buildings. In the expectation of liigh rents, which has
not been realized, men built too extravagantly and find
y^^i^Bf^mim^r^^^mf^ 1 1
24
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
themselves now struggling under a burden of debt they
can not i^ay. Then too, Portland has depended largely,
in years past, upon the West India trade, which has been
seriously cut down by the late political disturbances in
Cuba. Not a single ship, a gentleman tells me, is owned
in Portland. Notwithstanding all this the city is not
drying up, or going to seed. It is very gradually growing
m i)ro.sperity and will ever continue to be a most charming
place of residence.
A. II. D.
Fox ISLAND TnOROUOHFABE, July 28, 1870.
Brisk and most enjoyable sail of three hours
^ brought us to the mouth of the Kennebec, and
to the city of Bath, formerly famous for ship-building.
As we steamed in on the quiet water, the Band struck up
a lively air, and the astonished natives thronged the
wharves to greet us. The glory of Bath has departed.
Only two or three small vessels are upon the stocks. Not
many years ago one could almost throw a stone from one
ship-yard to another all up and down the Kennebec, or,
as it has been more strongly expressed, "they used to
COIT CORRESPONDENCE .
25
to
build sliips licro by the mile and cut tlieni off as ordered."
The Maine-iacs are hoping, I am told, that the European
war may create sucli a demand for 8hij)S as will give their
ship-building towns a new lease of life. ]3ut even now
there is no lack of demand for vessels of every sort. The
State has treasures of good lumber, the skill and the will
to fashion it into floating [)alace8 ; but she can not j)ay the
duty u})on iron imported from England, and compete with
the British Provinces. So they, for the present, build the
ships. Still Bath gives abundant evidence that money
has been made and saved there. She has manv fine
[)rivate residences, and some very creditable public
buildings, among which may be mentioned the Sagadahoc
House, and an elegant High School edifice.
The Coits had but two or three hours of daylight in
which to view the externals of the city, but this sufficed
to give a good idea of it. In the evening the attractions
were a social meeting on board and a concert ashore. At
the meeting Mr. George li. Peckham presided, speeches
were made by Rev. Asa BuUard of " Well-Spring' fame,
Mr. Mecorney, and others ; the piano was made to
discourse " most eloquent music " under the touch of fair
fingers, and some admirable humorous readings were
given by Mr. Lincohi of East Boston. The concert
would have delighted a Worcester audience. Indeed it
had that, for Columbian Hall held a Large part of the
excursionists. The performers were Miss Sarah W.
8
26
COIT CORRESrONDENCE.
Barton, tlie (listingnished sojn'nno, of Salem, Mass., Mr.
Carlyle Petersilea, pianist, Mr. Skinner, ballad singer and
conductor, and Mr. C. 11. McLellan, barytone. " In JNIay
Time," an Englisli Ballad sung by Miss Barton was
rapturously applauded and encored. Later, when most
of us were ])acked away, like so many herring in our
berths, the Bath Glee Club favored us with a stirriiiix
serenade.
Precisely at four o'clock r. m. the cables are unloosed
and we are on onv way direct for Eastport — distance 170
miles. It is thought best to get on towards St. John
as fast as possible while the weather is propitious. Drop-
ped stitches can be taken up on the homeward track.
Going by day, too, we are able to take whr^t is called
" the inside route," winding along through the most
glorious island scenery. When I began this letter —
which has been written by snatches during the day — we
had just passed Owl's Head, a rocky promontory, with a
lighthouse at its extremity, around which a little inland
we could plainly see Rockland, famous for lime. A little
farther on, appear the Camden Hills, with the pretty
village of Camden in the foreground nestled at the water's
edge. But it is impossible to desciibe the scenery we are
passing ; one wants to photograph it all. Everybody is in
the exclamatory mood. The hurricane deck, with the
Band in front and in full blast, is covered with eager
gazers ; so is the promenade deck, and every outlook has
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
27
:i lookor-out. The we.-ither is su[)erb ; the waters sj)arkle ;
every inoineiit reveals soiDe eliarming cove fringed with
boats, or grand headland, or fisher's cottage romantically
placed The scattered inhabitants plongh only the sea.
The soil is unkind, and gives birth niainlv to stunted
evergreens. A thousand bewitching suninier resorts flit
past us.
Fox Island Throroughfare, wiiere I began these notes,
runs along for several miles like a broad river ; emero-in*^
from which we iind ourselves anon seemingly in the centre
of a great lake, for the far-otf land almost encircles us.
Thus the scene constantly shifts.
At this moment, as I write, we are directly oi>i)osite
Blount Desert, 10 miles from JJath and live hours from
Easti)ort. A fishing smack under full canvas dips her
colors as she shoots by, and we return the compliment
with a vociferous whistle. Mount De.sert is a misnomer.
The original name given by the first French settlers
conveys the right idea— J/oh^s Deserts. Thirteen huLre,
bahl, mountain-heads stand close togetlier in crescent
order, as if in council. As many lakes of fresh water, they
say, lurk here an<l there upon the island. Right ui)on the
crown of one of these lioary heads, we could descry " The
Sununer Resort, " a rude hotel, and imagined the party
of New Yorkers — said to be sto})ping there — vainly sM'ug-
gling to hold their hats on while taking in tlie view of
fifty miles around. "Mein Gott ! vere ish dervind!" in
wi.<f-»j»»;pipipw*^pipij(«
'
28
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
dignantly exclaimed tlie Dutchman, whose cheeks were
ah-eacly bursting, wiien urged to play "louder, louder!"
It must be up there. But I shall have more to say of
Mount Desert on our return, if we touch there as now
proposed.
We shall })resently be in Eastport — at least before dark.
The plan now is to spend the m<M-row there fishing. Then
hurrah for St. John !
It Avould delight your readers to look in upon this great
meandering family, and observe how pe ^3ctly the arrange-
ments secure every body's comfort. Do you want the
doctor ? State room near the gang way — there's the sign
— Dr. Schofield. The barber? In the gentlemen's cabin,
forward, sir. Look at this placard at the head of the
tables :
u
MEAL HOURS.
Breakfast,
Dinner,
Suppei,
7 A. M.
1 r. M.
6 1'. M.'
The meals are served jiromptly. Fifteen hired waiters
move nimbly about with hot coifee and English breakfast
tea, twice a day. At dinner, cold water ; no wine ; no
beer. Nobody eats till the cha[)lani says grace, and all
is orderly as a dinner at the Bay State House.
Everybody is getting accpiainted with everybo<; •.
Everybody is happy. At all events, if anybody has the
bad taste to be miserable in this goodly company, with
'
iiia|lW|ii|jn.|iiMi<i
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
29
tliese siUTOuiulings, and tlie present anticipations, tliere
is nothing left for that poor moi'tal but a plunge over
board.
A. II. I).
IM^
Eastpoht, Me., Passamaquoddy House, July 2J), 1S70.
HE weather seems determined to acconnnodate the
Coit Excursion; for to-day it is a little cloudy,
just right for fishing. A more jubilant i)arty than ours
never landed in Eastport. Our coming had been antici-
pated. Crowds of men, women and diildren at tlie
wharves and in boats bade us welcome, with shoutin«-s
and waving handkerchiefs. The Coits responded in
gallant style, and the band rang out liilariously. The
excitement on board was intense ; emotions were tem-
pestuous and irrepressible. Tuesday was r/ood, Wednesday
was better, and yesterday best. Superlatives will have
to be coined before we reach St. John.
The most persistent search fails to discover an unhai>py
Coit. The most exquisite ear (letects no I'ar in our m-eat
household. The social meeting, held in the saloon last
evening, was a great success. Short speeches, spicy anec-
r
80
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
dotes, instruinentiil and vocal music, a capital reading by
Mr. Lincohi, a variety of " quips and cranks," the wliole
concluded by a short but fervent ])rayer by Ilev. Asa
Bullard hushing all instantly to a becoming sobriety of
behavior, made up the progrannne. It was ten o'clock.
A ball was in progress at Memorial Hall. A serenade was
proposed ; Cai)tain Pike, a splendid specimen of a man and
a Coit at heart, lead the way. The band and "two hundred
and fifty Coits followed in a long and silent procession.
Assembled before the door, and waiting for a pause in the
festive music within, the leader, Mr. Richardson,
" With a gesture of command
Waved his hand"—
The melody leaped upon the air. There was a sound
of flying feet. Up went windows ; out came heads. The
music done, clap went hands. A cordial invitation is
extended to come in. Our committee decide to let us
trespass for a half-hour. So we go quietly in, and are
most .courteously-treated guests.
Memorial Hall is a fine building completed last May, of
which the city is justly proud. The interior spacious
enough, is gas lighted from above, and very tastefully
finished. But who could look up, except to rest his eyes
from the dazzling beauty upon the floor ! I think those
of our party who knew previously little of Eastport, were
surprised to witness in this little city of 4,000 souls,
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
31
situated at tlie "jumping oif place," so mueli beauty,
gniee and polish. The ladies' toilettes were excpiisite
and in great variety. White sliijpers, white kids, white
waistcoats, and dress coats were in the ascendant. Our
distinguished bearing may be supi)08ed to have made
ample amends for any infraction of etiquette as regards
dress. The Coits before leaving engaged the hall for a
dance to-night, and invited our genial entertainers to be
our guests in turn. I think we shall be forgiven, but the
truth is, that when we returned to our quarters about mid-
night, the most of us were throughly intoxicated with
ardent emotions. We slept ourselves sober, however,
before morning. Breakfast relaxed the facial nmscles
again, and the merry twinkle of every true Coit's eye
said as plainly as the imploring words of Oliver Twist—
"More, more."
The above was written early this morning. It is now
past noon. For the first time, we ai-e obliged to adapt
our plans to the weather. We were to start on a grand
fishing frolic at eleven. But the clouds frowned and
frowned, and finding us still heedless, at last '' came down
on us." We yield gracefully, except a willful few who
are risking the rage of Jupiter Phivius. May he pity
their temerity, and disdain to launch his bolts !
On boai'd a novel scene presents itself; that is to say,
the books look like it, which some of the young ladies are
IT
32
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
readiniif. Whist and eiutlire i)!irtios are clustcM'ed licro and
there. An occasional couple are deep in checkers or not
so deep in backganunon ; some listen wiiile Philomela or
some otlier lady sings ; and yet others are inditing mes-
sages of love and recording iin[»ressions for the gratifi-
cation of dear ones at liome. Fortunate in havini' had a
previous acquaintance with this region, a little tramp and
cursory look about town yesterday afternoon enables me
to note most of the changes of twelve years. P^astport as
seen from the bay is a pictures(]ue town, rising abrujttly
from the water, and protected by Fort Sullivan, which
crowns an emhience in the backm-ound. Uncle Sam's Hag
floats there, and we respect the symbol, biit can not hel})
pitying the fifty soldiers, who have nothing to do but go
through a daily drill and i)arade for $16 a month. No
wonder desertions are frequent. It is only a mile dii'ectly
across to Campo Bello. A stolen boat, or perhai)8 a
Byronic swim conducts the dripping and disgusted hero
safe under the broad skirts of Victoria. Fort Sullivan,
named for Gen. Sullivan, dates back to the struggle for
indei)endence. It is an earthwork in good state of pre
servation as originally constructed. The most notable
object within its area is a genuine Block House. Its
timbers are huge and hard enough to defy the jaw-teeth
of Time a century longer. Its figure is square, and the
second story juts out like beetling eyebrows on every side,
somewhat suggestive of an elevated hat bathing tub.
COIT COURESPONDENCE.
33
A little boy of our j.arty tli(Mi<rl,t it was ji heii-housc.
Vom- rejulers may be aware tliat Eastport is an island
connecting with the main land by a bridge four miles
from the city. It was captured by the liritinli in 1812,
and thougli peace was declared hy the treaty of Glient in
181.-), owing to some complications reKi>ecting l)omidarv,
it was not surrended to the United States until 1818.
The Passamaquoddy House takes its designation from
the Indian name of the bay it overlooks. It is a three-
storied wooden structure with a ^Mansard roof, (piite
imposing in aj.pearance, containing 80 guest rooms,
haiKlsomely fitted up and provided with every convenience
of a first class liotel. The clean, cool looking, uncarpcted,
hard pine Hoors are refreshing to look at. Witli no help
from the Coits, every room but one was occu]>ied last
night, so Mr. Taft, the gentlemanly i)roprietor, tells me.
This fact would seem to imply tliat P:astport is appre-
ciated as a i)lace of summer resort.
Our tarry here to-day affords our energetip steward, I\Ir.
Glazier, a fine opportunity to take in provisions, and lie
knows how to take advantage of it. 2000 loaves of bread
are baking, an ox and 14 lambs are to be slaughtered, the
Eastport hens are trying to lay all their eggs at once, and
a native lias been dispatched 17 miles into the country for
12 bushels of i)ease. What hapi)ier conjunction can be
imagined than tliose pease with the St. John salmon the
steward has jiromised to feast us with for the next three
days!
Ill
34
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
Wi'U, wo Hhall all take with uh pleasant iiieinories
of KastjHH't, ami i^ood wishes for its hosidtable |)e<>|>le.
Their excellent hc]io(>1m make them inteHii,'ent ; their
transient, but oft-reeuniiiuj inteicoiirse with the polite
worhl, imparts a culture and retinemeiil umisual in com-
munities so far removed from i^reat cities ; an<l their
isolation fosters a kindly feeling for strangers.
To-morrow morning, at 4, we set ot!' for St. John.
What there awaits us will be told in another letter.
A. II. i>.
Bay of Fundy, Jply 30, 1870.
E arc bounding along this morning, with im-
^^^ petuous speed, to exchange caresses with one of
the British whelps. Proudly conscious that Uncle Sam's
eagle eye is upon us, we shall try to behave with propriety.
If the youngster, mistaking the spirit of some good-
natured pat, " gets his little back up," we shall instantly
strike a contemplative attitude, make the thing a study for
the benefit of the Worcester Natural History Society,
and wait for it to come down again. The St. John Guide
Book is eloquent in its description of this Tory-founded
COIT C01{UESrONI>«:NCE.
35
city and siirrounrlintrs. Wo hIkiII see if the reality
" COMICS up to tlK. I.i^h tiud s(,uiM]i„g phrase of the
manifesto."
The sea is so niucli rou-},er than heretofore, that some of
our party Hnd it tli«i<-nh ^o cw/to/,, their-theiraainiration.
Several of the "weaker vessels" abruptly (juitted the
hreakf'ist table without lueutioning the cause. As they
Hhot past, alarmed friends encpiired, "Pray, are you ill? "
And with handkerchief (juite stopping the entrance of
that " most miracul«,us organ " whence is M'ont to issue
tiie divinest of sounds, a woman's voice, and with eyes
convulsively closed as if to prevent i)ossible egress there,
the fair fugitive touchingly munmired,
" Entuned in hire nose ftj] swetely "
" M m, m ni "— .
" Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme."
T believe it is Carlyle who characterizes r\an as «a
walking stomach." A sea-sick individual accepts the
definition.
I continue this letter after a long and long-to-be-
remembered day in St. John. Indeed, we excursionists find
ourselves obliged to adopt the eight horn- system, i. e., eight
hours in the forenoon, and eight hours in the afternoon.
Warily advancing through the partially illuminated fog,
i
'
36
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
listening to the steamer's impatient cry, " where are you,
old fog-y," and to the deep bass of the fog bell, as it seemed
to answer like a " spirit from the vasty deep," O-v^r
he-re, o-ver he-re, slow— ly, friend, slow— ly, we at last
pass Manawaganish — vulgarly styled Mahogany island,
then Partridge island, and lo, through the misty air loom
the shipping and rocky heights of the commercial capital
of New Brunswick. We ride into the harbor to the tune
of " God save the Queen," grandly i)layed from our
hurricane deck, and are met at the wharf by a multitude
of mutton-chop whiskers and small boys. But certain
gentlemen having long whips in their hands with which
they kindly beckoned to us, saying constantly " Av-a cab-
zur," "av-a-cab-zur ?" appeared most gratified to see us. Not
comprehending what part of the government they repre-
sented, though plainly perceiving that they were indulging
in expressions of welcome, we imitated the example of our
reticent President Grant, bowed with dignity and passed
on. Whereat, observing our urbanity, they were so
delighted that they exclaimed the more, "Av-a-cab-zur!"
"Av-a-cab-zur!" So cordial a greeting, of course,
awakens the best sentiments of our nature, and assures us
that we shall like these foreigners.
But all pleasantry aside, it is not too much to say, that
from the moment of our landing we have been treated
more like brothers than mere visitors. The Mayor has
dined with us, and citizens have vied with each other
COIT CORRESrONDENCE.
37
in Gxtendinij to us delicate .attentions, .accom])anvin<j: us
to points of interest and sho^ving us just where and how
to ffet the finest views of this most attractive refjion. We
are again blessed witli the glad sunsliine, and breathe
exhilarating air. ]My observations in so short a time must
of com*se be j)artial, like a soldier's on the battle-field.
The Coits have been active. Some have been after the
speckled trout, and some after kid gloves — real Joseph's.
at 130 IT. S. cents a pair — some driving, and more
promenading. A few, alas, have found the Insane
Asylum the Penitentiary, the Jail, or even the Poor
House so attractive and well suited to their resj)ective
conditions, that there is little ho})e of luring them back
to Worcester. One elderly Coit in particular, who is
" mad only nor' nor' west " gives glowing accounts of the
Insane Asylum. For myself, I confess while i^triving to
be as ubiquitous as possible, I caught myself more than
once gazing pensively upon the Poor House. The
above-mentioned institutions are represented by respecta-
ble edifices and are among the most noticeable of a
public sort. The Custom-IIouse and Hotels generally
are rather seedy looking buildings. The Theatre is a rude
and rickety affair, so small that the orchestra, consisting
of a bass-viol, three fiddles and two brass-horns, can
easily "split the ears of the groundlings." The parks
are small, unkempt, and destitute of 8j)ecial ornament.
The dwelling houses, and lesser business establishments,
38
COIT COHHESI'ONDEXCE.
liavo in genornl a battorod look. Tlie market-place is a
dinn'v au'Lri'eu'alion of stalls where exeelleiit beef can be
bounht for 13 cts. a pound, engs for 23 cts., butter for
30 cts., blueberries and rasj)berries for 4 cts. a quart. On
the other hand, the sti'eets ai'e refreshingly broad, and
not a i'vw very imposing structures of brick or stone,
adorn the busier thoroughfares of trade. The II()S])ital
toj)s a considerable hill which not only ai^brds a healthful
site but admirably displays the tine j)r<)poriions of the
bnildinij. From this itoint is obtained a most ravi.shin<jr
view of Mount Pleasant. Reed's Castle, so called, crowns
the summit. On either hand stretching awav on the left
to Paradise, on the right to — well, for a guess, to the
Land of Canaan, and all atlowu the unev'cn sloj)e before
us, are ensconsed beliind thick-growing cedars very maiiy
of the finer residences of the citv. Tiie beautiful oardeus
and grass plats which surround these villas are hid from
our view by the foliage, as are also most of the villas
themselves, except their Gothic roofs and towers. A light
haze softened the [>icture as we looked and gave to it that
fairy like charm which twilight sometimes lends to the
landscape. This view captivates all and is worth coming
to St. John to see. Still facing Mount Pleasant, directly
below us in the valley, is the Victoria Skating Kink, the
larirest in America. A little to the right is the Convent
of the Sacred Heart, where pious maidens ne'er look upon
the face of nature or the face of man. A few steps bring
1
COIT COKlJESrONDENCK.
39
that
upon
bring
ns to tlie Bisliop's palace and to llio Catholic Cathech'al
whoso grand bulk and pleasing ai'dntocture excite our ad-
nii.alion, St. John is mpliaticallv a citv of cliurches ;
from Carleton Ileiulirs alone niav be counted the turrets
or sj)ires of twenty-live, h'roni Hospital hill, facing about,
we look out ui)on Coiu'teney l>av, where the surf is di-iven
in upon the flats l)y a tide which rises 40 feet at the
wharves. Mount Pleasant overlooks Lily Lake, a half-
houi-'s walk from King street. This sheet of watei",
about three miles in circuit, is oblong, lias a sinuous mar-
gin and is the home of the j)ond-lilies. The banks clothed
with spruce and cedars rise 100 feet or more with only a
slight slope from the water, addiu^ uniipieness to the
whole effect.
At the foot of King street is ^Market S(piare, now a
grand stan<l for drays, carts and slovens. Ilci'e, at what
is called The Slip — suggestive M'ord — landed, in 17H3,
the '• Pilgrim Fathers of New IJrunswick," those old
Loyalists whose souls di<l not kindle with oiu" fathers' ujjou
the ''im})erial theme" of the Kevolution. I didn't observe
any monument in this vicinity, but in the Old IJurial
Ground. — which by the way is prettily divei'sitied with
willows, and horse chestnut trees, though otherwise shabby
enough — I noticed a great many deaths of ehieily gentle-
men in 18L>, and conehuled that becoming disgusted with
life they slipj)cd oiV in each others' company as they came.
This letter is already too long, and yet I have not half
40
COIT CORRESrONDENCE.
I
exhimsted tlie scones uikI siglits of this meinorable clay.
I niiist refer you to Mr. Mecorney's letters in the A}>?/
wltere you will find, I doubt not, all the ga})8 filled. Or,
better yet, come yourself and behold this truly noble har-
bor, with is grand semi-circle edged with ships ; the Sus-
l)ension Bridge ; the marvellous }»henonienon of the Falls
at the mouth of the St. John river, where twice a day the
descending waters face directly o})po8ite i)oints of the com-
pass — like little boys see-sawing — and where twice a day
for fifteen minutes and no longer, vessels may pass up or
down ; and, if piscatorially inclined, catch all the trout and
salmon you can. I cannot quite omit, however, my
happie.->t ex[)erience of the day — a visit to the Barracks.
Until recently, England has kept a large military force
here. It was expensive and useless. Now one regiment
of Scotch Highlanders answers for this province and Nova
Scotia — two companies here, six there. These Scotch
bovs fjave us "a Ilin:hland welcome," and took evident
pleasure in giving us information and gratifying our
curiosity. Among other things they showed us a genuine
needle-gun, and explained its peculiar and ingenious
device for exploding the caj). But the noble fellows
wei'e themselves the objects of greatest interest. Many
were in full dress — feather bonnet and hackle, scarlet tunic,
kilt, sporran, hose, white gaiters, and skene-dhu, all eom-
})lete. For undress they wear a buff jacket and the Glen-
garry caj). They belong to the 78th Highlanders, their
■PRHHI
COIT CORRESrONDENCE.
41
regimental crest being a stag's liead witli scroll inscribed
^^CiikUc/in m<jhr or "King's 3Ien," and tlieir war-cry
^^^Carherfeyr The piper, John Duncan, ol,ligi„gly tuned
his bagi)ipe— instrument dear to tlie Iligliland 8cotch,-~
and played reels and jigs ; then, striking a h.t'ticr stra'in,
the "Gatliering of the Clans" and "I'm nearin' awa'
Jean," closed the pleasant entertainment. I tliouojit of
the Scotch piper brought into the presence of Xapoleon.
" Play a march," said the Emjjeror. He played it. " Play
a pibroch." It was played. " Play a retreat." "Xa, na,
I caima play that," was the (piick reply. I shall not forget
Sergeant James Tuite, a liero of Lucknow, who wears
three medals upon his breast—" India," "Persia," and a
tliird inscribed, " for lox<; skkvk k and (ax,,, ('on„u<t.'
How proud I was to gras], his manly hand, and s1k,w my
esteem for his modest merit! Xor shall I let go from
memory the names and faces of Wishart and Willsou.
Good-bye boys—may God indeed be with you.
And now, reminding you that this city is about tlie size
of Worcester,— population 45,000 ; tliat its thrift— for it
seems to be thriving— depends largely upon its trade
in fish and lumber ; that it makes large importations of
British goods, and sells the costliest of them to us
Yankees, whose dollars just now are worth 84 cents,
I tiike my leave of the goodly city of St. John.
A. H. D.
42
COIT CORRESrONDENCE.
PASSAMAQnODDY HOUSK, EASTPOBT, AUG. 2, 1870.
-j^lPi^^I^EE eventful days of the Coit Excursion are to
be im})ei-fectly sketched in this letter. The Sab-
bath was observed as becomes the descendants of the Pil-
grims. Three services were held on board the steamer,
the morning one conducted by our worthy Chaplain, Rev.
Mr. Osterhout ; that in the afternoon, by Rev. Mr. Bullard.
At nightfall, tlie beauty of the sky and surrounding scenery,
together with the softness of the evening air, having drawn
great numbers to the upper decks, and a crowd of St. John
people numbering a thousand or more to the wharf along-
side, it was decided to have the third service in the open
air. Tlie exercises, consisting of hymns reverently sung by
the great congregation ; an elocpient and earnest address to
the young by Rev. Mr. Bullard ; the following pieces by
the Band— "Old Hundred," "The Prayer from Der Frei-
schutz," " The Elegy of Tears," " God Save the Queen; "—
and a closing prayer ; were exceedingly impressive. The
multitude upon the shore evinced their respect for the day
and for the occasion, in a manner so marked as to excite
general comment. Not a single sound of rudeness marred
the sacred hour.
Many of course attended church in the city at places
suited to individual convictions and tastes. Not a few
went to the Catholic Cathedral, attracted by the announce-
ment that Bishoi* Sweeny would give some account of the
T
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
43
lay
nte
i-ed
Ecumenical Council at Rome from which he has just re-
turned, and by the rumor that the Brignoli troupe, now in
the city, were to perform there Mozart's Twelfth Mass.
Scores returned declaring that they distinctly recognized the
great tenor's voice, and were ecstatic in })raise of the music.
No doubt it was good ; but ahis for their ears, the St. John
papers dispelled the illusion next morning by stating that
the Signor did not sing. Baptist and Methodist churches
predominate in the city, and — excepting the single Con-
gregational society — contrary to what one would suppose,
there are least Episcopal.
Your readers are aware that St. John was to be our
objective point. But we have overshot, being induced to
believe that it would never do to miss this opportunity of
witnessing the scenery upon the river, and of visiting
the Celestial city. Arrangements were therefore made
with Mr. Reuben Lunt, the gentlemanly proprietor of the
steamer Rothesay, the fastest and best upon the river, by
which the excursionists could obtain tickets to Fredericton
and back for one dollar. United States money; — less than
half fire. Conveyed by various vehicles, or going on foot,
some two hundred and fifty of our party reached Indian-
town, two miles distant, at eight o'clock on Monday morn-
ing, and embarked upon the steamer. A considerable
company of St. John people, at least forty gentlemen with
their wives and daughters, added themselves to our j)arty
and doubled our enjoyment all the way, not only by their
44
COIT COHRESrONDENCE.
It ■■
agreeable society, but also by indicating all i)oints of inter-
est and conveying nuicli information. Of this mnnber
may be mentioned John March, Esq., editor of the Morn-
ing News, and reputed one of the best jilionctic rejtorters
upon the Continent ; T. V. Ellis, Es(i., editor of the Even-
ing Globe, strangely like the rebel Gen. Lee in counte-
nance, but most unlike him in his political sympathies
during the Great Rebellion ; a reporter for the Daily Tele-
graph ; Dr. Fisk ; Elder Garrity ; Lewis Carvel, Es(p,
General Superintendent of the Euro}»ean and North Ameri-
can llailway ; Rev. A. S. McKenzie, ])astor of the Lein-
ster Street Baptist Church ; and John R. ^larshall, Chief
of Police, who having no duties ajipertaining to his office
to perform in such a company, gracefully discliarged those
of a tine old English gentleman.
Scarcely had we time for introductions and nmtual greet-
mgs before the striking characteristics of the shore ab-
sorbed our attention. For several miles the river is con-
fined narrowly between limestone rocks, somewhat reseni-
bluig the Palisades upon the Hudson, M'hile towering bluffs
and bold headlands mark their grand outlines against the
sky. Passing close under the snout of Boar's Head we
emerge into a broad and beautiful expanse of water called
Grand. Bay. The same majestic scenery surrounds us but
at a further remove. Here we cross the mouth of the first
tributary from the East — the Kennebecacis river, i. e. the
little Kennebec, noted for salmon and boat-racing. At the
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
45
head of Graii<l Ray comes in tlie Nere|»is s])aniie(l by a
bridge a mile and a qnarter long, whose arches were visi-
ble to our glasses far down the Bay. Now we round
Brundage's Point making almost a right angle. Every
eye is strained and every glass is jiointed to behold the
L()N<i Kkach. There it is, for eighteen miles stretching
away, straight as a bee can fly, until it narrows to a
silver thread ! Along the Reach the banks are steep
slopes, presenting frequent cultivated clearings. Near the
head of the Reach, twenty-three miles from St. John, is
Oak Point, with a light-house at its tip, a mere lamp-
post with which every point or /bnoan? piece of land upon
the St. John is extravagantly decorated by the nnmificence
of the Dominion of Canada. Just above, we glide past
Grassy Island, seemingly a mere surface of tall interval
grass growing out of the water. Next we muse upon The
Mistake, where a long landslip parallel with the banks and
})arting the river, tempted the first adventurers to the left
hand course which terminates, after running a three mile
rig, in a cul-de-sac — a i)retty serious mistake. When will
men "seek i\\c right and }»ursue it?" Presently Ave pass
I?ellisle Bay extending on the right 12 miles inland and
fringed with highly cultivated farms. Midway between St.
John and Fredericton is Long Island, shaped like a cres-
cent, and measuring from horn to horn three miles, with a
width at the widest of a half-mile — a beautiful interval
dotted with tall elms, across which as we look is seen the
46
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
line of buslios wlioro winds iin encircling arm of flio river
nnd in tlie background an amiihitheatre (»f lillls wliose
fronting slopes are covered with green Helds and pretty
farm-cottages. On the island itself is a marshy lake where
in Autumn the ducks do congregate and sportsmen love to
prowl. ()i)positc Long Island a narrow strait leads to
Washedamoak Lake, twx'uty miles long.
And now leaving the wild and rugged scenery we enter
upon the interval country. Far almost as the eye can
l)ierco on either hand lie the smiling jtlains. The tall elms,
the yet uncut grass waving in the breeze, the lights and
shadows from the broken clouds, the varied tints of trees
and grains and grasses, combine to })roduce a view, the
loveliness of which is 8im[>ly indescribable. Passing the
head of 3Iusquash Island, we spy opposite through the trees
the Court House of Gagetown, the shire town of Queen's
county. Just here the wind freshens, making us hold our
hats on, but not preventing our exchanging salutes with
the Grand Lake steamer as she tiits by. Indeed, all along,
we meet or overtake vessels laden with shingles, deal and
hay. Over against Gagetown is the entrance to Grand
Lake called the Jemseg, a creek so nan-ow^ that in some
places two vessels cannot pass each other, and yet so deep
that a good sized steamer ploughs safely through. It
winds along between the interval and the highlands for
four miles, to meet the Lake which is thirty miles long
by six wide. Millions of logs annually tloat down the
COIT COllUESrONDENCE.
47
It
lie
Jcniseg. From our Ininicane dock one may see a fine
Hijrjit: Jeniseu:, (irantl Lake, Tlioroii^lifare, ]\ra(iuai)it.
Little Tliorotiu'lifare, and Frencli Lake — all strung together
like beads uj)on a string.
And now, one grand stretch oi' verdant interval on the
left bank, and on the right intervals and hills interspersed,
accompany us all the way to Fredericton — thirty miles. OfV
Grimross Island another steamer jtasses us, the third since
we started. Our IJlue-nose cousins shout, wave their
liats and liandkerchiefs, and we uproariously respond.
Twenty-four miles from Fredericton, Ox and ^lajor Islands
divide the river into three channels. We take the right
a>i<l apjtroach the little parish of Sjiettield. Here a boat
hails us and we take on board Judge Fisher and lion. W.
II. Needham, of Fi'edericton — the latter, a veritable Jack
Falstaif. Close by, the Chief of Police points out to me
a mairnificent farm running six miles back from the river
on which his great grandfatlier, Samuel Upton, settled,
coming from Salem in 17G7. As we near Fredericton,
for twenty miles beautiful farms and farm-houses peep
out between rows of elms and shrubbery which border
the banks. Twelve miles from Fredericton we pass Oro-
mocto village, river and island. From here to the capi-
tal shifting phases of quiet beauty oifei" themselves to the
eye in almost wearisome profusion. But the beauty as
heretofore is of nature and not of art. One cannot hel})
remarking that Americans would hardly be content with
48
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
this " iiatiire imadoriic*!." Stately summer residences
would perch iii>on every bluff or look out from every glade.
" We havn't the money," they say.
Our rec(»|)tion at Fre<lericton Avas very cordial. The
wharves were thronged. Ilatidkerchiefs fluttered from fair
hands in every window. I lis Excellency, the Lieut. Gover-
nor, Ilis Worship, the Mayor, the United States Consul and
many citizens were in waiting with carriages. Presenta-
tions over, the whole i)arty were invited to the Governor's
residence, where a most delightful hour was divided be-
tween the elegant drawing-rooms and the charming gar-
dens in the rear of the mansion. The Governor took each
excursionist by the hand and presented each lady with a
pink. There was little time to linger. A jovial Briton
and myself seize a barouche and elope mth two h'ulies.
A whisk through the principal streets, a passing glance
at the fine Cathedral, at the little and dingy Parliament
Buildings, at the not palatial Queen's hotel, at the Meth-
odist church with a huge hand pointing heavenward with
its dexter finger from the steeple top, and we were up
the hill, and through the birchen grove, and knocking for
admittance at the University of New Brunswick. Dr.
Jack, the President, soon appeared, and politely conducted
us through the building. There was little to see within,
except a good refracting telescope, a respectable museum,
and some pretty hard looking dormitories. But the view
from the roof of the portico, including the city directly in
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
49
"'r
front, around which the river bends in a lon<? semi-circuit,
the far oif ampliithcatre of hills, and the Naslnvaak at
whose mouth Latour built the first fort in Acadia, is mag-
nificent indeed. The Doctor presents us a catalogue, we
raise our hats, and our horse raises his feet in a mad race
to the boat. We have spent two hours in Fredericton,
and are ready to stait again at 4 r. m. A greater throng
than welcomed us shout good-bye, the city band strikes
up, and ours replies as we cast off from shore. Our re-
ception has been more enthusiastic than Prince Arthur's.
A cold, bracing wind made it glorious to promenade the
deck on the downward sail. As it grew dark the company
gathered within and listened to songs, readings, and excel-
lent speeches. By 11 o'clock the Coits were home again
upon their own boat, delighted with their trip.
Next morning many of our friends came on board to bid
us farewell. His Worship, the Mayor, in a neat speech,
bade us Godspeed and good bye. Our honored president,
Mr. Geo. R. Peckham, called upon Mr. Mecorney to re-
spond, which he did most felicitously. Capital speeches
were also made by Mr. O. D. Wetmore, a Prince William
Street Broker, and Mr. John Boyd of the London House.
It was pleasant to hear Mr. Wetmore utter such sentiments
as these : " No one now doubts that i/ater forefathers were
right" and " We claim a share in the heritage and in the
name of George Washington." With three cheers or three
times three, for the Queen, the President, the Mayor, the
5
ir
50
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
Coits, the citizens of St. Jolin, tlie lady excursionists, the
pretty girls of St. Jolin, and two or three " tigers," we
steamed away from British soil, the Band playing " God
save the Queen." " Tlie Star Spangled Banner " followed
hard after, however, and the wind blew it straight into our
cousins' faces.
The windblcAV high, and by the time we reached Xew
River, where two tides meet, tlie condition of most of
our party was woful enough. Frequent libations were
made to Neptune over the rail. In the ladies' cabin things
were in a general state of upheaval. Coits, for the first
time, looked wretched.
" Man delights not me, no, nor woman neither,"
vas in large type on scores of faces. Your correspondent
meanwhile, deeply penetrated with the ludicrous phase of
the scene, sat over-coated and alone upon the hurricane
deck, experiencing only a sort of delicious intoxication.
We reached Eastport at last ; fishing parties r.tattered
over the Bay ; cod and haddock enough for one breakfast
were caught ; a dance is in prospect this evening, and we
start for Mount Desert at midnight.
Oh, these Eastport girls ! — I mean — " Those evening
Bell(e)s ! " It is late and my mind wanders.
A. U. D.
m^v<,M* mn^^^f^mmr^
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
51
American House, Belfast, Me., Acscst 4, 1870.
fc^STERDAY morning, just as the trumpet's Nour-
ish sununoned us to breakfast, we hove in sight of
Mt. Desert, and soon after landed in front of the Rock-
away House, with full stomachs. Three hours was our al-
lotted time — vexatiously short. Some of our party, in -
eluding ladies, made directly for the Green Mountain
House, situated ui)on the highest point of land. Half Avay
up a glance was spared to Eagle Lake, deeply cradled in
its rock bed. Toiling on, at length the summit is attained,
2000 feet above the sea. My jtencil refuses to describe.
Wordsworth's line is not too strong to utter, standing upon
this lofty dome —
" Oh, 'twas an unimaginable sight! "
The view is bounded only by the power of vision. On
one side islands, the white winged ships, and " old ocean's
gray and melancholy waste," on the other the rivers, lakes
and villages of the far-off main. Ellsworth, the shire town
of the county, forty miles away, is distinctly visible. I
leave this party to get down as it can — jumping myself,
in order to save time.
It is not far to The Pulpit, a rock structure, wonder-
fully suggestive of its n:ime. At a little remove upon the
beach stands Balance Rock, a mighty boulder, egg-shaped
and poised nicely upon its tapered end. It looks to me
11
III
52
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
as if one might overturn it with the hand — a thing that
" all the King's oxen and all the King's men " would sweat
to do. By an extemporized ladder I clambered up his
granite side,
" Perched and sat, and nothing more."
Leaving the Spouting Horn, the Devil's Oven, Cathe-
dral Rock — belonging probably to his Worship's diocese —
and certain other awe-inspiring localities, to be "inter-
viewed " at some future time, I took a comfortable seat in
Mr. Dupee's photographic tent and solaced myself with
their "counterfeit presentment." The pictures taken by
this artist upon the spot, are admirably executed and de-
serve a place in every New Englander's collection of ste-
reoscopic views. Mt. Desert, as seen upon the map, is a
ragged shred torn from the skirts of Hancock County. It
contains about 200 square miles — being 18 miles long by
12 miles bropd. It is divided into three nearly equal town-
ships — Tremont and Eden right and left, and Mt. Desert
through the centre. South West Harbor is in Tremont.
Bar Harbor, our stopping place, and the favorite resort, is
in Eden. Eden is a pretty village of some thrift, derived
mainly of course, from the influx of summer visitors.
There are, however, some 300 voters. The men fish and
run a few indolent saw-mills. There are about thirty
boarding-houses, with grand names, where board is dis-
pensed, or disjyensed with, at $8 or $10 a week, and eight
COIT CORRESrONDENCE.
53
tasteful cottages for summer residence o\vned by gentle-
men abroad. I noticed several of the latter with bioad
piazzas running quite round them, the pillars of wliich
were simply tree-trunks from "the forest primeval," de-
nuded of their bark and horrent with their amputated limbs.
" Little Jane " would have no need here, to " run up the
lane to hang her clothes a-drvino-."
On the east of Mt. Desert is Frenchman's Bay ; the
west is washed by the waters of Union River. Bar Har-
bor takes its name from a sand-bar at its head, across
which the high tide sweei)S, but along wliich at low water
one may walk or drive to Bar Island. The cosy harbor is
protected by forbidding names. The Cat watclies at the
mouth and the four Porcupines round u]. their bristling
backs in line along the sea-ward side. Coming away, we
take a long look at Schooner Head in the distance, where
nature, in frolic mood, has painted upon the smooth and
perpendicular rock the perfect similitude of a little ves
sel — hull, bowsprit, masts and sails complete.
A fine sail brings us to Bangor, with which, our party
wore greatly delighted — especially admiring, as they must,
its clean streets and elegant architecture. This city is well
worth a long letter, but I do not forget that we are Hear-
ing home, and viewing objects with which your readers are
mostly familiar. Belfast detains us about a couple of hours,
and I glean nothing worthy of record about it. Castine,
opposite, contains an old fort and is rich in historic asso-
51
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
elation s. The fact that I taught a winter's school there
when a mere boy, seventeen years ago, forms no part of
the history to which I aUude. The truth is we are at
length gorged with sight seeing, and like Macbeth, though
with somewhat different feelings, we are ready to exclaim,
" I'll see no more ! "
A. H. D.
WoRCBSTKB, August 8, 1870.
JY last letter left the Coits at Belfast, homeward
bound. Creeping cautiously through the fog, we
just miss running down one of the schooners, which show
themselves to our curious gaze like phantoms or spirit pho-
tographs as we pass along, and about 6 p. m. reach Rock-
land, our stopping place for the night.
Rockland has a population of near 8,000. It contains
two fine hotels, and, in spite of its dirt, gives the impres-
sion of wholesome growth. Its business is lime manufac-
ture, fishing and farming. It can make lime enough to
plaster and whitewash all creation. The limestone runs in
a straight vein for nearly two miles — a half-mile wide.
This area is honey-combed with quarries, one of which has
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
55
been worked for seventy yoars and seems yet as imperisha-
ble as the liver of Prometheus. To convert the stone into
lime, nothing is necessary but a tremendous baking. Six
hours " between two fires " hot as wood and Pictou coal
can make, are too much for the volatile nature of Mistress
Carbonic Acid, and she therefore flies to cooler embraces,
leaving her lord to pe.'isb alone.
" Alas for the rarity
Of Christian charity
Under the sun."
Few unions, indeed, could stand so fiery an ordeal. The
deserted partner, "pale as his shirt," is noAV quickly
dragged forth, breaks down under a few buflfets, is tumbled
into a cask, and finally emerges, without faith in human or
other kind, and becomes the companion of "perfect bricks"
forever.
It is hardly necessary to say that the process is a kiln-ing
one. Of patent kilns there are forty-four in operation ; a
few only of the old-fashioned sort. Using the latter, the
fire must be allowed to go out after each burning. In the
furnaces of the former, night and day it is ever burn-
ing like the fire of Vesta. Each kiln produces 110 casks
of lime a week, worth on the average about $1.25 a cask
in Boston.
A few additional facts and figures may interest your
readers. To run one kiln two men are required at the
quarry to blast the rock ; two to cart it, a mile or more ;
56
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
two at the kiln to attend to the burning ; one to fill and
head up the cask ; and two more to put it on board the
vessel. Thus it would appear that about 500 men find em-
ployment in this special branch of industry. The worker
of the quarry pays to its owner, on each cask of lime, 25
cents for the stone ; 10 cents for carting; 30 cents for the
cask; and for shipment to Boston, in summer, 15 cents —
in winter, 30 cents. To this must be added labor not in-
cluded above, at the rate of f 2.00 a day. It will not sur-
prise you, I think, when I say 10 cents a cask is regarded
good profit. But who wouldn't like to oimi a quarry, and
have his " pile of rocks " carted oif to the tune of twenty
five cents a barrel ! A i)retty good riddance to old rubbish !
Here, as elsewhere, it seems, a few favored mortals are
while the multitude
" ful mery and wel at ese,"
*' fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life."
Rockland — I shudder to relate — is doomed to a mourn-
ful pre-eminence among all the cities we visited. It came
near being the scene of a tragedy. The victim was a little
fellow who had been enticed away from home and kin-
dred at St. John by one of our own number, a youth not
much older than himself. The stranger's winning ways
and oi-phaned condition soon won most hearts. A few
jealous eyes shot sinister glances. But who could guess
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
57
the foul intent ! " In the dead waist and middle of the
night " as we lay at Rockland, some ^vi'etch — " O limed
soul " — stole tip-toe to this infant's bed whence issued lit-
tle homesick sobs, clutched its delicate frame and sent it
whirling to a watery grave. I do not wish to doff-matize ;
but what better evidence of a special Providence do you
want than that this passion-blinded assassin flung his vic-
tim in the wrong direction! The bruised innocent was
taken up from the wharf in the morning by a passing
laborer, tenderly cared for and restored to his friends, who
in a burst of sympathy and affection bestowed upon him
the immortal name of " Coit." Wearing that proud appel-
lation, well may he forbear to ferret out the Cain-ine indi-
vidual, to whom he owes it.
At the social meeting in the evening, the Mayor of the
city, the local Editor, and other citizens present, gave us a
kindly greeting and arged a longer stay. But home drew
now like a magnet, and Friday morning saw us on our way
to Portland. At 11 o'clock a. m., in accordance with a
vote passed the previous evening, the whole company as-
sembled in the saloon to listen to the report of the Com-
mittee on Resolutions. The Chairman of that committee,
A. H. Davis, Esq., then read the preamble and resolutions:
^n ^F "V ^F ^ ^V tV' i^ tIC"
The resolutions were heartily adopted. Brief responses
having been made by Mr. Mecorney for the committee, and
by other gentlemen referred to for themselves, it Avas voted
5^
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
that a copy of the resohitions be sent to the editors of
papers in the places visited.
We reached Portland at 4 p. m. Mayor Kingsbury
visited us in the evening and pronounced upon us his
official benediction, in his own eloquent way. A jjurse
of $00 was presented in appro])riate portions to tlie head
cook, head-waiter, and two stewardesses, whose gi-atified
surprise it was pleasant to see. The trumpeter, whose
cheery notes had summoned us to meals, received a silver
testimonial. But the pleasantest recollection, perhaps, of
the whole trip, centers in the presentation by the commit
tee of an elegant silver pitcher and salver, to Captain Pike,
whom we had all come to regard in almost a paternal re-
lation. The good man's words were few. It had been
"the pleasantest trip of his life." He could not keep back
the tears. Who of us will forget the noble Captain !
Saturday morning found us nearing Boston. We ate
our last brcalvfast together upon the Neio Brunsiolck, ral-
lied around the Captain and took him by the hand once
more ; then stepped ashore with elastic step, the ladies
bringing new roses in their cheeks — and I wonder how
many and what new things in their trunks ; the gentlemen
trim as bridegrooms, with " chins newly reaped " by the
skillful hand of our tonsorial artist, Peter V. Johnson.
At precisely one o'clock, p. m., the Coit Excursion moved
out of the Worcester depot. I need not say how happy
we all were at thought of the near homes ; how heartily
i
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
59
we blessed the Band as still leading us, it gave us once
more in fine style the " Coit March," expressly composed
for us by our talented musical townsman, S. R. Leland,
Esq. ; nor how cordially we said many a good-bye coupled
with the wish to meet again under like circumstances.
A. H. D.
LETTERS
Originally published In the Worcester Dally Spy.
Portland, M«., Jxilt 27, 1870.
HOPE your readers will not become tired and sick
of hearing about the "Coits." We are truly a great
institution. Of course you have told the people that we
left Worcester yesterday with full ranks and flying colors.
We certainly had no reason to call for more recruits. We
number about three hundred and twenty-five, besides our
ship's crew. We intended taking only three hundi'ed ;
but so pressing was the call for tickets that we couldn't say
no ; and the result is we are somewhat thick, especially
about bedtime. We have always had the name of being a
quiet, orderly, good-natured set of people, and I can assure
you we shall lose nothing of that reputation in this our
third annual trip. We have a most excellent company —
we could not wish a better. We have started in for a
" good time ; " thus far it has been fully realized.
Our trip over the Boston and Albany railroad was quick,
to say the least. We are indebted to them for gentlemanly
treatment and reduced fare. We made some little staring
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and caused some excitement as we marclied thr()ii<,'h the
streets to the wharf. I suppose the soul-stirrin«,' strains of
our Worcester Brass Band were the cause of it all. We
find tluis far that a band of music is a great addition to
our real enjoyment, besides giving the people a rich treat
where we go.
About twenty of the Bostonians joined our party on our
arrival at the wharf. We found the owners and a<»-ents of
the boat conii)any real gentlemen, and dis])osed to do
everything in their power to make our trip pleasant and
profitable on both sides.
At 12:30 we left Conmiercial Wharf, with flags flying
and band playing. The scenery down the harbor was de-
lightful, and the cool breeze was refreshing to us, who had
for days been sweltering m the dust and heat. O, how we
did snuflT it in ! Two and a half hours' sail brought us into
Gloucester — that town of old renown — not a very enter-
prising town, yet filled with good, sturdy, honest i)eople. A
large number of people are here enjoying the good sea
breeze. About the only excitement here, at the present time,
is making arrangements for the great centennial celebration
of the Universalist denomination, which is to be about the
middle of September next.
Here is where the Rev. John Murray preached Universal-
ism ; here his first settlement was made. This is also the
first settlement of any minister of the denomination in the
United States. One hundred years ago next September is
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to make the hundred yeurs since Murray proclaimed that
doctrine to tlie i)eo|)le of our State ; of course tins is the year
of jubilee to tlie })eo|)le of that denomination. A cordial
reception will doubtless be given to all the |»eo]»le who as-
semble at that time.
Our time in this town was spent in seeing the sights,
bathing, and learning how thev catch halibut, and how it
is cured, salted, iced, sent olf, and so forth. We learned
something about the way they cu.e smoked halibut.
The fresh fish they put into ice, or put ice into it, and
send it to the cities and towns ; this after it lias been
caught several weeks. The doubtful, and that is the por-
tion that begins to look black and smell, they send oft' to
get it smoked ; then the poor fellows eat it down with a
good relish. This is our summer food. I get this infor-
mation from the men who pack and send it to the smoke
houses. I hope that I shall not hurt the fish trade in mar-
ket. The price of halibut here is four and a half cents for
choice pieces. We pay only a small profit at home.
Enough about fish.
We left Gloucester for Portland at 11 p. m., after many
of us had been " bunked " for the night. Of course, no
little anxiety was manifested about where and how all the
party were to be provided for ; but our friend the steward,
Glazier, with coat and hat oft* was busy arranging extra beds,
bedding, and curtains ; as usual, the old flag was put to the
use of protecting the ladies from the impertinent gaze of
COIT COKUKSl'ONDENCE.
68
tlie other sox. Considering,' it \v;is tlie first nii^ht, the ar-
r.'iiinciiieiits were all that eoiiM be reasonably wished.
We arrived in I'ortlaiid ai»oiit 7 o'clock this niorniiKr.
A most deliLchttul njorninu' air, fresh and j»iire. We are
having' a fine time viewinn^ the city. We leave for Bath
this al'ternoou at 2 o'clock.
vr. M.
EA8TPORT, Me., July 29, 1870.
i^K^X the hurry to get my first letter mailed from Port-
^fcf;J land, I neglected to say many things that I
might have said. Our short stay in Portland was very
pleasant. The day was charming, the air pure and brac-
ing, the sea breezes invigorating. Our party improved the
time to the best advantage in siglit-seeing. I think that
the scenery in and around Portland cannot be excelled in
the United States ; in fact those who iiave traveled much
on this and on the other continent, have decided that the
scenery in Portland is unecpialled. The many beautiful
islands that dot the harbor are also attractive. It is com-
puted that no less than three hundied and sixty-five of
these islands can be seen between Portland and Bath.
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The people of Portland are noted for their hospitality;
they certainly proved such to our party ; they seemed to
take pleasure in pointing out the places of interest. They
may well take pride in introducing strangers to their lovely
city. They still are feeling the sad effects of the gi*eat fire
four years ago. It hardly seems possible that so many
acres could have been burned over.
Now we see some of the finest and most stately build-
ings ere^^ted on the spot of the ruins. The new post oflice
building, of Vermont marble, is a most beautiful specimen
of architecture. The City hall is an elegant building ;
having a hall that I had to say was a little ahead of our
Mechanics hall. I am sorry to say this, for w^e have prided
ourselves that we had the best in the country. So de-
lighted were our party with the people and the place, that
they desired to linger a while longer ; but at the time of
leaving, 2 p. m. of Wednesday, we hurried on board our
steamer to feast cur eyes on the sights that were so beauti-
ful from the harbor. Our sail from Portland to Bath was
one of tlie most charming and delightful I ever experi-
enced. Portland harbor is one ^f the finest in the world ;
and to have such a day as we had, for such an excursion,
truly was a rich treat for us all ; and most fully did we
enjoy it. The trip to Bath, I do think, was far ahead of
what we had in going up the Hudson river last year.
We reached Bath at six p. m. Here we staid until four
o'clock the next morning, when we took our departure fo'*
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65
Eastport. While in l?atli we improved our time, as usual,
in seeing the noted places in and around tiie town. Tliere
are not many remarkable places here. It is a smiill, (piiet
place, of about eight thousand inhabitants. The situation of
the place is rather pleasant, being a little elevated from the
river. We did not see many very beautiful buildings,
either public or private, but all seemed to be built with an
eye to rigid economy, with a desire on the }»art of the
proprietors to live within their means. The people here
are of tliat good old-fashioned sort that we usually find in
such a place. They were willing lo show us all the build-
ings of note they had, which vvei-e their j>ost ollice, built of
granite, and a new Methodist church nearly completed,
built of wood, a fine-looking church about the model of
that built by our Methodist friends in Xew Worcester.
The sail to Eastport, one hundred and seventy-five miles,
was also much enjoyed, and at seven r. m. we anchored at
the dock at Eastport. It was <lelightful, and I make no
attempt to describe the trip. One universal e.vclamation
was, " O how delightful and charming this is!" As yet
not a sea-sick person has been seen. We were told many
times a day, for a week before we left home, that we should
*'all be sea-sick," that it was "a terrible rough coast,"
"dangerous, unpleasant voyage," "rickety steamer," and
all such things. We may yet experience it all, but thus
far we have had only cause for joy and thankfulness. We
are now in Eastport, near the "jumping off place " of
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ill i
Uncle Sam's doininions. It is quite a smart place, of
about five thousand inhabitants ; the buildings are rather
plain and ordinary ; the inhabitants are intelligent, indus-
trious, and good livers, though by no means extravagant.
Here is the old "Fort Sullivan" of revolutionary time ; a
rather queer-looking place. It is situated on a high eleva-
tion, overlooking the harbor, and from the spot you get a
fine view of the surrounding country for miles away. The
fort is hard to describe, but one of the boys of our party
spoke out on his arrival, on looking up to the building:
" Here," he said, "is a hen-house." I don't know that I
can add to that description. It is a square wooden build-
ing, with two tiers of port-holes large enough to put the
muzzle of a shot-gun through. I thought to myself that
this " hen-house " would stand a poor chance against the
shot and shell of some of the iron clads of the present.
But these are times of peace, and this fort with its fifty
men to guard it, will answer all purposes. On the arrival
of our steamer at this place, we were greeted by the appear-
ance of nearly all the inhabitants of the town. They came,
men, women and children, at the top of their speed, to the
wharf We stared, they stared, and we all stared at each
other ; we surprised them, and they surprised us. After a
mutual stare we took supper, and they still lingered.
We were informed of a great event to take place in the
evening — the elite of the place were to have a magnifi-
cent ball. At about ten o'clock we, the " Coits," with our
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67
most excellent band of music, marched up to the hall, and
gave them a serer.ade. They were deliglited at this
courtesy from us, and invited us all into the hall, where we
had the pleasure of beholding the beauty and intelligence
of the town. They were very fine-looking people. Our
band have added to their laurels since we left home ; the
music has added greatly to our enjoyment.
We are all well, with good appetites and plenty of good
food to satisfy them. We also sleep well when we get
fairly at it. I think many of the party ought to sleep
well, for they pay for it dearly. Our "state-rooms" were
sold at auction, as usual, and, as usual, they brought ex-
travagant prices. Thirty-two rooms sold for $1,109, and
it was cheerfully paid. The berths of our steamer are re-
markably good, and are satisfactory to our party. We stay
here in Eastport until to-morrow morning, (Saturday),
when we leave for St. John, N. 13., where we shall spend
the Sabbath, and probably two or three days more. This
place is something of a summer resort. The Passama-
quoddy House is a new house and well kept ; the pi-ice of
board is two and a half to three dollars per day. We were
obliged to have on our overcoats all day yesterday and to-
day, and we are a little chilly at that.
I shall ^vi-ite again at St. John, where we shall be under
the protection of the queen, and not amenable to the gov-
ernment of the United States.
w. M.
m
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^P -
m
St. John, N. B., July 30, 1870.
_-yg)ijij DATED my last letter in Easti)ort, Me. As I wrote
/l^ it in tlie fore part of the day, I could not give you
all I wished in that letter about that jHace. We made
quite a stop there, staying over two nights. The only
stormy weather we have had was during the time here.
It rained quite hard during the day ; and we had a chance
of seeing and feeling one of those fogs we have heard
about. As we were safely anchored, we cared but little
about it. In fact it was just the kind of day we wanted,
for one of the chief objects of our stay here was to give
our party a chance to lish ; and well did they improve it.
Their luck was good ; for they came in with bushels of the
very best kinds. We cooked tico hundred 2^oiuids for our
breakfast ; and still we had a " pile " more for another
meal. We made a ' very favorable introduction to the
people of Eastport by giving a serena<le to a dancing
party in the evening. This party was made up of the elite
of the place. After our band had i)layed some of their
sweet strains, all were invited into the hall, where they
received the congratulations of those present. On the
next evening of our stay here, some of our party hired
the same hall and invited the whc 'vn to join in a
social "hop." I rather think nearly all accepted the
invitation, for it was something of a jam. It was very
much enjoyed by all present. The }>raises of the people
COIT COERESrONDENCE.
69
of Easlport f<ir our band knew no bounds. We were told
by them, tliat if we would stop on our return, all the
can-iages and boats of the place should be at our com-
mand, without money or price. Our stay was made very
pleasant.
Early in the morning of Saturday, or to-day, we set sail
for this place. The fog had not fairly cleared away, yet it
did not impede our sail. We found a little more rough
sea than we had in the former part of our journey, but not
enough to produce much sea-sickness. We stood it out
bravely, and ate our rations as usual, which, by the way, is
not very slow. Our cook, who is a veteran in the art,
says that he never yet has seen the people that could eat
quite as much as we. I can speak for one that I am
astonished at my own appetite, for it is not usually small,
but now it is tremendous. We can afford to have good
appetites, for we find provisions cheap this way. In
Eastport they sell beef 13 cents per pound ; lamb, 9 cents ;
butter, as good as was ever tasted, 30 cents : e<x'rs, 22
cents per dozen; pease, $1.50 per bushel ; fish can be had
in abundance by the catching. Who would not eat ? In
this place prices are still lower. If we do not have to pay
duty on what we eat or have eaten we shall make a jiood
thing by coming this route.
We arrived in this city this morning about eight o'clock.
We were i)leased with the looks of the city as we neared
its harbor. The people were out to greet us and hear the
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music. It was amusing to see the people on the run from
every j)art of tlie city to take a look at us Yankees. Tliey
all expect to reap a harvest from us, as we were supposed
to have plenty of money. AVe very easily became
acquainted with the jK'ople ; for they were all ready to
show us about the city — tell of its worth and beauty. It
truly has many attractions ; the scenery is very fine from
many stand-points. The buildings are not of that costly
style that we see in the States. This city is not an old
city, yet it has that a])pearance. Quite a large amount of
8hipi)ing is done here, and many shi|)s are built here.
The lumber business is very extensive here. There
are many very large dry goods stores here, which
do a very large amount of business. The people are very
friendly and hospitable. I was truly happily disaii])ointed
in regard to the place. Most of our party visited the dry
goods establishments and j)riced the goods. Gloves were
the principal articles purchased. I think in that line the
stores must have been nearly cleaned out. It would be
an object to })urchase dry goods here provided we could
get clear of duty, and our greenbacks were worth more
than eighty-two cents on the dollar. Our people were
cautioned, by our good Captain Pike, against making
purchases of silks, tfec, as there might be trouble for us at
the custom house. This caution saved our money and
disappointed the anxious and uniformly attentive mer-
chants. Our party attracted much attention as they
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71
spread tliemsclves over the city. The :\[ayor made us a
visit and took dinner with us ; offered us any favors we
miij^ht ask.
Til is eveninpr, as usual, we heM on board one of our
social meetings. Addresses Avere made by several
prominent men of the city. They were hearty, and were
heartily apj)lauded. Among the speakers were O. D.
Wctmore, Esq., who is a very prominent tem))crance man ;
treasurer of the National Division Sons of Temi)erance in
the United States and l^ritish Provinces. I lis speech was
well received. We luid also Dr. Fisk, :Mr. INIarsh and Mr.
Woodman, who were well received. We have as one of
our party that noble veteran in the Sabbath school cause,
Rev. Asa Bullard, of IJoston. lie is quite an addition and
help to us. Also we have a distinguished reader in the
person of 11. II. Lincoln, Esq., of Doston. Our chajjlain.
Rev. J. V. Osterhout, is winning golden opinions, and
discharges his duty to general acceptance.
The citizens here are very nuu-h })leased at our coming
among them. We are in every nook and corner of the
city and its environs. I think among three hundred and
twenty-five of us we sliall see about all there is to be seen
in this place. It certainly it worth a visit. There were
many plac^^s of interest in the immediate vicinity of the
city. Among them is the extensive bridge over the St.
John river near the rapids. I have often heard the
reuiark, and it is a proverb, that water won't run up hill ;
IF
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"»NDENOE.
I have just seen the place whci it does. Near the above
bridge the tide sets up so strong tliat it forces the water
back, so that it resembles the rapids above Niagara falls.
The tides here are wonderful, they rise and fall from 30 to
70 feet. Since our steamer has lain at the wharf we have
had to change our " gang plank " several times a day.
Sometimes we put it on the huriicane deck ; then we
change it to the lower deck. It is hard getting the hang
of the boat o as to know where to enter or retire. This
is quite strj.nge to us Yankees.
w. M.
St. Johx, N. B., JirtY 31, 1870.
HE day has been one of the most lovely that we
have had since we left om* homes. The air is pure
and bracing; cool, and quite comfortable. The
sea breezes give strength and vigor to our physical frames.
For the credit of our party at home and abroad, let me say
that they have, as a general thing, attended church during
the day and evening. At nine this morning we held ser-
vices in our saloon on board the steamer. Our worthy
chaplain conducted the services. We had an excellent
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choir of singers ; in fact T might say that we are all sing-
ers ; we do sing, whether it is right or wrong.
Our chaplain preached a most excellent sermon to us
this morning. He took for his text Joshua, 2d chap., part of
21st verse: " And she bound the scarlet line in the win-
dow." After a thorough explanation of the text, he drew
forth the princi))le deduced fj-om this history. Faith and
works was the subject. 1. Implicit faith. 2. Abiding
faith. 3. A saving faith. Each of the these points Avas
well illustrated ; made plain to his hearers, and of practical
import. It was listened to by a large and appreciative
audience.
After the services on board, we scattered for other
churches. There are many churches here, but none of what
we call the "Liberal faith." The old-fashioned orthodox
faith of forty years ago, in Massachusetts, is now j>reached
here. The great attraction to-day was the Catholic cathe-
dral. Bishop Sweeney has just returned from Rome,
where he has been to make a poor mortal infallible. This
being the first Sabbath since his arrival, as a matter of
course the cathedral would be crowded. Many of our
party turned their steps to this ])lace. The most I hear
about the services is that there was a great jam.
There are some distinguished preachers here, but not
having a chance to hear them, I cannot judge. I have
heard only four sermons to-day. We have held an evening
service on board ; the preacher was the Rev. Asa Bullard,
r
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of Roston. Tlis remarks were interesting. Ilis subject
was the wonders of the IJible. Ilis illustrations were of
the most practical character. We liekl a meetini^ on the
upper deck, in order to accommodato the great multitude
who thronged the wharf. I think I understate tlie number
when I say that there were five thousand of the citizens
of this city gathered to see and hear what was to be said
and done. Thev were vei'v oi-<lerlv and s^jave the best at-
tention. After the services they quietly returned to their
homes.
The city to-day has been more quiet than any I have
ever seen ; and yet it is no more so to-day tlian usual
on a Sunday. The horse cars do not run ; hardly a car-
riage of any kind is to be seen in the streets. I think
some of our cities in the States might take pattern of some
in the queen's dominions. It is remarkable what a vene-
ration is had for Victoria. The man who should say a
word against her majesty, would need to pack his goods
and leave. There is no mistake, she is worthy of her
people.
I promised to make this short ; I must therefore close
that you may get it before we return. It takes a long
while to get letters and papers to us at this place. Our
party seem greatly disappointed since their arrival here in
not finding letters and papers from loved ones at home.
To-morrow morning we hire another steamer, and take one
of the most magnificent trips up the St. John River to
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Frodcric'toii, the ciipitjil of tlie province of New IJruns-
wick.
W, M.
Eastport, Acoubt 2, 1870.
ft^lt^ E are now on our homeward-bound trij). Monday
s^^J^ our party, or about 250 of tliem, took the steamer
liochford, of St. Jolin, for a trip to Fredericton, the capi-
tal of tlie Province of New Brunswick. The distance is
ninety-two miles. The fare to and from one dollar eacrh.
About twenty-five of the most distinguished men of the
city Qf St. John acco!n})anied us on this delightful trii) to
point out the places of interest to us. I find myself utterly
unable to give you even a faint indea of the beauty of the
scenery of this river. I don't know how even to com-
mence the description. Let me here mention the Hudson
river, as many of our people are familiar with its grandeur
and beauty. We thouglit last year that nothing could
eclipse that ; but witliout exaggeration the scenery on the
St. John river far exceeds the Hudson. I of course mean
the natural scenery. There is more variety to it ; the
many islands, the many streams flowing into it, the beauti-
ir*r
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fill bii('k-L?iouii(ls, the ^reat variety of hill and valley, are
all so eluirniiiiir and varied that the picture is complete.
Besides, the fertility of the soil adds much to its beauty
and grandeur. For about forty miles the scenery is
varied ; the other fifty miles of the journey presents
more of a level appearance, with a back-ground that is
mountainous. The inhabitants on the river are scattered.
There are very few villages, and those are very spare in
population. The houses are very small and inferior, most
are one-story, and some a story and a half high, very few
of them painted. Now and then you see Indian wig-
wams dotted along the shore. All there is of beauty is
wliat nature has lavished upon the shores, with here and
there an island dotting the river. The business is farming
on a small scale, and lumbering on a large scale. The
lumber business on this river is probably carried on to a
greater extent than anywhere else in the States or Prov-
inces. Rafts of lumber are met at every turn. Saw-mills
are often seen, doing an immense business. I should judge
that some here em])loy hundreds of hands sawing lumber
for the States and Provinces.
Our journey up this river was the most sublime and
grand of anything we have witnessed since we left our
home. There was one universal shout of praise from all
lips. When within twenty miles of Fredericton we were
met by a delegation from that city, consisting of an ex-
Mayor, a Sheriff and Judge. On arriving we were met by
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an immense concourse of people. Tlic officials of the city
as well as the province extended to us the hospitalities of
the city, and invited us all to visit the Lieutenant Govenor
of the Province ; of course, we all accepted the invitation.
Our band took the lead, and the common })eople marched,
while the more distinguished of our party rode ; some with
the Mayor, some with the American Consul, others with
the Governor, officials, &c. The people of the city
came into line, and thus we started for the head(piarters of
the IVovincial Government.
On our arrival we were met by the Lieutenant Governor,
and received a most cordial welcome to his house, or pal-
ace, and also to the beautiful grounds that surrounded it.
We were told that they are in the real English style. We
have not as yet seen anything at home that we can com
pare with them. We could but admire the governor, for
he is a very candid, genial, talented and social gentleman.
We can also say the same of all the officials whom we met.
They could hardly do enough to make pleasant our short
stay among them. We had only about two hours to slay,
and, of course, we had to hurry up. When we returned
to our steamer, the people all followed, as well as the dis-
tinguished officials. They also brought with them the
military band of the city, to make the parting pleasant.
The bands played, the people shouted ; all distinguished
men and the queen, received the loud hurrahs. Again we
set sail for the city of St. John ; wondering why such »
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i'i\
grand reception was given us by these good people.
Many of the people, in carriages, followed us down the
river for miles, waving their wiiite handkerchiefs. We
did not feel disposed to quarrel or discuss the govern-
ment, or the people of John Bull's dominions after such
hearty demonstrations of hospitality.
As Ave had " viewed the landscape o'er," in ascending
the river, we did not feel so enthusiastic on our return.
We therefore made speeches, and sang songs, to fill up the
time. We had some most excellent speeches from the
distinguished gentlemen from St. Jolm who accompanied
us.
We reached our place of starting about eleven p. m.,
somewhat tired after so much sight-seeing and excitement.
We left St. John this morning about ten o'clock, after a
very hard rain of about three hours ; not, however, until
we had received a large number of distinguished indi-
viduals of St. John, who came to i^id us good-bye, and
make to us some noble speeches. His xionor, Mayor Thos.
M. Reed, made a most excellent speech ; it was responded
to by your correspondent. Our good friend, O. D. Wet-
more, Esq., made one of his best speeches. This gentle-
man has been untiring in his efforts to make our stay plea-
sant. So has also Mr. March, one of the editors of the St.
John l^elegraph, Dr. Fiske, and a host of others that
might be named. The papers here have given daily
columns to speak of our doings. We have truly been
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79
highly favored since we landed on British shores. It will
make us love our mother country all the more. We did
feel as though we would like to tarry a little longer ; yet
the old stars and stripes are just as dear as ever to us.
We love our native land the best, yet we would like to
annex the part we have just visited.
The rest of my letter is not so i)leasant, for we have just
passed through that great trial, '• sea-sickness." I am writ-
ing this letter with the dt:ightful (?) feeling still lingering.
If yoit^hould find it badly composed lay it all to this.
We had a forlorn-looking set for a few hours. But our
treasurer, Wheeler, had the pleasure of administering a full
half-barrel of gruel to us. We are getting over it now,
and we shall be able to soon make up for what we have
lost. Our stewards, Glazier and Thomas W. Davis, are
unceasing in their labors to sui)ply our physical wants.
They are just now the most important part of our institu
tion ; we fully appreciate their labors.
We are having some glorious evening meetings in our
saloon. The speakers and singers are abundant. I could
give a long list of names, but space is wanting.
We go to-night at twelve o'clock to Mt. Desert, stay a
few hours, then to Bangor.
w. M.
S-t»5!SS^3^'»ffSm
80
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
"W0RCE8TEB, August 6, 1870.
sAVING completed our suuiiner voyage, and
received the glad greetings of our friends at
home, I will briefly describe the scenes and events of the
closing days of our journey. After writing my last, we
made a run to Mt. Desert, landing at Bar Harbor. The at-
tractions of this place, so well known now as a summer re-
sort, have been too often and too well described for my
pen to attempt the task. Leaving this island, the gem of all
those that fringe tlie coast of Maine, with its four hundred
sunnuer visitors enjoying the mingled beauties of mountain
and ocean, we steamed away on our course to Bangor.
Although untold beauty had been witnessed in the scen-
ery along the St. John Ei/er, the grandeur that met our
eyes, as we went u}> the river toward Bangor, seemed even
to surjiass what we had seen before. The combined beauty
of the hill, valley, cliff and forest passed like a grand pano-
rama, leaving a i)icture on the mind's vision, more beautiful
than the skilled hand of the artist dare attempt to imitate,
a picture never to be forgotton by the "Coits." Bangor
was found to be the most beautiful city that we had seen on
our tri}), and all ex})ressed nmch surprise, although, owing
— as the citizens stated — to lack of sufficient notice of
our visit, no " grand demonstration " awaited us, still we
found that same cordial hospitality that had characterized
the inhabitants of the cities previously visited.
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
81
All the attractions of the place were pointed out by our
hosts, and our stay was extremely pleasant. Our company
scattered themselves over the city, enjoying the variety of
l)leasure offered as i)ers()nal tastes might dictate. Some of
our number made the acquaintance of the citizens, others
walked the streets to view the line residences — one of the
finest being that of Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, and others
still visited the theatre, to witness the matchless actinf^ of
Lucille Western. Altogether, our stop at Bangor was one
of the most pleasant of all the pleasant visits of our jour-
ney. Tiie next morning, we loosed from our moorings at
Bangor and went down the river to Belfast.
From there we went to Rockland, where we tarried over
night. Rockland is noted for its many lime-kilns and
quarries, which is the principal business. Last year one
and a cpiarter millions of barrels of lime were shipped
from this city of six thousand inhabitants. There is noth-
ing attractive in the place — neither the scenery, public
or private buildings ; great, huge black lime-kilns stare you
in. the face whichever way you turn your eyes. The lime-
stone is found in great abundance at quarries a mile or
more from the village. One quarry, I was told, liad been
worked for seventy years, and yet the yield Avas inexhausti-
ble. The process of turning this stone into lime is veiy
simple. It is placed between two fires, and after a few
hours, droi)S down, is hauled out, broken up, put into casks,
and is ready for market.
In
•mmmmrtmm
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\
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' 1 .
i
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u
82
COIT CORRESrONDENCE.
At nine o'clock Friday morning we started again for
Portland, arriving about tln-ee p. m. We again visited
some of the places of note of that city, and in the evening
we held the last social meeting of our party. The mayor
of Portland, Judge Kingsbury, made a hearty speech of
welcome. We were right glad to take by the hand this
noble specimen of humanity. When nominated for the
office, )ie took in his hand a glass of cold water and lifting
it up said to his friends, " that if he was elected as their
mayor, it would be run on that beverage." And he is doing
his duty in carrying out that })ledge.
At the request of our IVesident, George K. Peckham,
the writer of this was called upon to respond. It certainly
gave me pleasure to take by the hand such a man, and try
in my feeble way to express the gratitude the peo})le of
Massachusetts felt to the peo})le of Maine, for their leader-
ship in originating and enforcing what is called tlie " Elaine
law." Speeches were made by a number of gentlemen
from Portland ; all feeling rejoiced at our complete success
as excursionists.
During the evening Cai)t. S. 11. Pike, of our steamer,
was presented with a splendid silver ice i)itcher and salver.
The presentation speech was made by H. II. Lincoln, Esq.,
of Boston, one of the party. It was well and liandsomely
done. Captain Pike being taken entirely by surprise, and
his feelings completely overcome, begged that some one
would come forward and make his speech for him. None
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
83
caine to the rescue, .-ukI tlie noble man (hrou<»-h tears
tlianked the Coits for their remenibrance. The party were
like children leaving the ])arental home.
Rev. Mr. Bullard, in behalf of the excursionists, pre-
sented Ilirani W. Batcheller, the cornet player, a silver
creamer and salver, in consideration of liis extra dutv in
calling the party to their meals (hu-ing the trip, for which
Mr. JJatcheller exi)ressed liis thanks in a hsxpiw manner.
On SatMr<lay morning following, another meeting was
lield, at whicli the following resolutions were read by the
Chairman of the Committee, A. TI. Davis, Ksi]., the popu-
lar l*rincipal of our High School :
Whkreas, The Coit Excursion of 1870, now nearly ended, has been
a great ScU'cess, far exceeding our expectations, therefore,
1. Rcsolred, That our heartfelt thanks are, iirst of all, due to the
overruling Providence, which has kept watch and ward over us upon the
sea and upon the land, holding us in His hand untouched by any calam-
ity, and now restoring us, invigorated in mind and body, to the homes
we love.
2. Resolved, That every Coit Excursionist owes a debt of gratitude
to the Committee of Arrangements for the thorough and satisfactory
manner in which they have discharged their gratuitously assumed and
onerous duties, enal)ling this great company, tln-oughout its tour, to en-
joy the comforts of home at a trifling expense.
3. /.VWm/, That this excursion |)arty will not soon forget the kindly
care and fraternal feeling manifested by Capt. Pike, the able and gentle-
manly commander of the steamer .Wew Brunswick, or the heaity co-ojiera-
tion of his associated officers.
4. Resolved, That the head-cook, the head -waiter, stewards, and
other employes of the boat, deserve our kind remembrance in considera-
tion of their faithful services.
fT*"
. J ip w i vp wfimm' If ^m|l^tp9l^
84
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
5. Resolved, That Henr}' Glazier and Thomas W, Davis, our ener-
getic stewards, merit and receive our faithful thanks, in view of the ad-
mirahle provision daily made by them promotive of the comfort, health
and happiness of the party.
6. Resolved, That the Worcester Brass Band, T. C. Richardson,
leader, has contributed greatly to our enjoyment, and won for itself new
laurels, and a fame on both American and British soil.
7. Resolved, That to Rev. J. V. Osterhout, and to Rev. Asa Bullard,
acting chaplains for tlie excursion, we are greatly indebted for the de-
corum and high moral tone, which their presence has inspired.
8. Resolved, That to II. H. Lincoln, Esq., thanks are due for the zest
his fine readings has lent to our social entertainments.
9. Resolved, That Mr. and Mrs. Maynard and others comprising our
choir, liave imparted vivacity and good cheer to our social gatherings by
the excellent piano music and songs which have enlivened all our way.
10. Resolved, That wo are grateful to I)rs. Schofield and Forbes, for
professional services, and delicate attentions cheerfully rendered.
11. Resolved, That we tender our thanks to tlie International Steam-
ship Company and its agents, for their successful efforts, made even be-
yond the contract, to insure the comfort and safety of our party.
12. Resolved, That we take home with us pleasant memories of
places visited, and still pleasanter ones of many friends with which those
places are associated ; and that we shall esteem it a high privilege to re-
spond, at any time, to the cordial receptions given us, by a like extension
of civilities.
We arrvied in Boston this morning it 7:30. We tarried
until 1 r. M. ; then, taking the cars, reached lionie about
3 P. M. Thus ends another of those Coit excursions. That
it has been a decided success, no one can doubt, who has
had the j)leasure of the trip.
We left Boston with a company of more than three
i
COIT CORRESrONDENCE.
85
•ried
;ibout
That
lo has
three
hundred and twenty-five, beside the crew of the steamer,
all working together for tlie best interests of the whole. A
majority of our company were ladies. We had representa-
tives from seven States of the Union ; forty towns and
cities, Worcester having the largest number — there being
one hundred and sixty-three from the city. Webster had
the next highest number, seventeen ; Shrewsbiu'y and
Northboro, ten each. We liave traveled over twelve hund-
red miles by land and water, visited nearly twenty towns
and cities ; been absent from home twelve days ; not an
accident happened ; not a mar, nor a jar to disturb us ; all
pleased, happy, and full of enjoyment ; anxious for the
year to roll around that the experiment may be repeated
the next year, if life and health shall permit.
A committee was chosen, before we separated, to have a
book printed that should contain the names of the party,
the places visited, correspondence and other matters of
interest.
We have often been asked, if this excursion is an im-
provement on former excursions of this party. We say
emphatically, yes. First, because the experience of its
managers makes the work easier and more systematic ;
second, the route has been more pleasant and better adapt-
ed to the season of the year ; third, taking with us that
most excellent band of music, our Worcester Brass I5and,
has added very greatly to our enjoyment, as well as aided
in giving us a happy introduction to the people where we
8
II
86
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
have visited. From all lips has corae this one compliment,
that it was one of the best they have had. An excursion
like this again would not be thought of without a band of
music. Here we ought to thank S. II. Leland, Esq., of our
city, for composing a grand march and dedicating i^ to the
"Coits," naming it the "Coit March." It is very fine and
appropriate, and will be the favorite march while the
" Coits " shall continue their organization.
We trust we have left a good name behind, that shall be
a sign of welcome should we again visit the shores of Maine
or New U runs wick. We found warm and hearty friends
whenever, an^l wherever, we made a stopping place ; we
hope that friendship may long continue.
Thus ends the Excursion of 1870.
W. M.
WHAT WAS SAID OF US.
From the Rockland (Me.) Press.
THE COIT EXCURSIONISTS.
The raamraoth party of tourists, organized and known as the " Coit
Excursionists," visited our city on Thursday evening of last week. It is
composed of about 325 persons,— nien, women and children,— the larger
portion of whom are from Worcester, the headquarters of the organiza-
tion, but embracing many from Boston, Springfield, and other Massa-
chusetts towns. The only purpose of their association is, as we under-
stand it, to carry out pleasure tours in the summer season, when weary
hands and heads need respite from their accustomed application and to
be recreated by the sea breezes and the pure air wafted from field and for-
est along the New England coast or adjacent to its beautiful rivers.
Our citizens who made the acquaintance of the party, were much
gratified to find it composed of intelligent, sober, substantial people.
We did not see a sign of intemperance or rowdyism in any of its mem-
bers while they remained here, and did not hear of any. Such a com-
pany visiting us once, establish impressions which will make them
doubly welcome if they should come again.
From the St. John (N. B.) Telegraph.
FRIENDLY VISIT FROM OUR COUSINS.
On Saturday there steamed into our harbor and up to Reed's Point
wharf, the good steamer Neio BrunswickJadQn with New England pas-
i >
88
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
i
iii
senyfcrs, a New Rnj^Iiind brass Ixind pinyinij " God Save tho Queen."
Her arrival was in part anticipated, and a lar^jo number of citizens had
assembled on the wharf to greet the strangers.
***********
Our cousins did not remain long on board their steamer after she had
touclied the wliarf. They soon scattered in all directions over the city,
inspecting tho few buildings of any pretensions wo have to show ; invad-
ing the shops, and making purchases on a large scale — so large, indeed,
that in some articles tho stores were really "cleaned out;" driving
through tho principal streets, and viewing the city from the leading
points favoral)Ie for observation, such as Fort Howe, Carleton Heights,
Mount Pleasant, etc. They rapidly made acquaintances and con-
tracted friendships, and wore quickly installed in tho good graces of our
citizens. They visited the Barracks, whore they were introduced to the
Highlanders in their kilts, (so soon to leave us), and were loud in their
|)rai-iL's of the men who relieved Lucknow ; they rambled through Mr.
Heed's fine grounds, kindly thrown open to them by the proprietor ; they
visited tho Suspension Bridge and admired the Falls at low water, —
and, certainly, a more beautiful scene than was here presented about six
p. M. on Saturday it would be hard to find. Some drove down the
Manawaganish Road, others to Rothesay, — the latter having heard,
even in distant Massachusetts, of the fame of the celebrated "Marsh
Road ;" others again saw and admired our Rural Cemetery, and many
drove or walked out to Lily Lake. The livery stables were denuded of
every horse and carriage that was worth driving — horse-flesh, indeed
was worth money on Saturday.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
ij
In regard to their band, the " Coit P^xcursionists " touched us on a very
tender spot. If there is one thing more than another the people of St.
John enjoy, it is popular out-door music, by a good Brass Band, —
King's or Queen's Square preferred as the scene. On Saturday, under
Mr. Richardson's leadership, the Excursionists' Band played on Queen's
Square, from four to nearly six p. m. The pieces consisted of some
operatic gems, and were played very sweetly. Toward the close " The
Star Spangled Banner " and " Yankee Dosdle," were given in very
good style, and the entertainment concluded with our " National An-
COIT COllHESrONDENCE.
89
thctn," wliu'li cliciteil iv vote of thuriks iinil a rouml of eliecrs from the
asscinlileil crowd. Tlio Antlicm was beiuitlfiilly played and was in ex-
cellent ta8tc.
Wc understand the " Coit Excursionists " pul)lish annually a hook
recordinj^ their travels, and tiie impressions produced. Wo trust they
will he ahle to say of their visit ilown east that it was not marred l)y a
sinjflo uiipropitious incident in the land of the Bluenoses ; that they en-
joyed such scenery as we had to otter ; that they found us liviufj; not too
fast, and yet not extremely slow, and disposed to treat the "Coit F^x-
cursionists," not as stranj^crs, hut as hrothers, entitled to he received into
our hearts, and deserving; of the lirm grip of manly (riendship. We
trust this is not to he the last visit they will make us.
Froin the St, John (N. B.) Globe.
The trip of the " Coit Excursion" Party to Fredericton yesterday,
was pleasant in the extreme. The day was very Kne, and a {gentle Jjreeze
swept the surface of the water, tempering the heat and refreshing the
atmosphere. About two-thirds of the Excursion party were on hoard,
and a number of our citizens, including a few ladies, Ilev. Mr. McKen-
zie, Mr. Carvell, Superintendent of Railways, Mr. Reuben Lunt, Dr.
Fisk, Mr. James Hegan, Mr. John R. Marshall, Chief of Police, Mr.
March, of theA^e^ys, Mr. Chas. Clark, and other St. John friends of the
party. The excursionists had their band with them, and amid the music
of the band, the friendly adieus and shouts of those on shore, and the
responses of those on board, the Rothesay at 8:30 swung out from the
wharf, and was soon speeding up our noble river. To say that the vis-
itors were delighted would give hut a faint idea of the feelings to which
they gave utterance, at the varied scenery that presented itself until
Fredericton was reached. The St. John never looked more lovely than
it does now, its striking and majestic bluffs and highlands, its rich and
wavy intervals, and its thousands of graceful elms, are looking fresh
and lovely, and every turn hut opens some new beauty, so that the eye
uever wearies with the changeful prospect before it. The number of
churches along the river served to give the visitors an idea of the good
8»
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IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)
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1^128 |2.5
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£: y^ 112.0
>- u
1-25 mil 1.4
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III
1.6
f^s
90
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
chaructQr of the inhabitants, and the absence of paint on many of the
houses and of whitewash on the barns did not escape their observant
eyes.
At Fredericton the population turned out en masse. The wharf, bar-
rack square, and the streets were thronged with people, — many of them
ladies, looking their very loveliest. Mayor Gregory came on board and
readily extended a welcome to the visitors, and Spafford Barker, Esq.,
the Vice Consul, and his amiable lady, were also at the wharf. Mr.
Barker, as the representative of the United States, receiving the party, and
introducing to them Mr. Gregory, the Mayor. Mr. Barker also con-
veyed a message from His Honor the Lieutenant Governor to the party
to visit Government House. Preceded by their band, the whole party,
forming four deep, marched through the street to His Honor's residence.
The Governor was in his most cordial mood. He shook hands with
every member of the party, telling them to walk in, and assuring them
that large as were their numbers there was room for them all — in his
heart. He invited them to inspect the gardens and grounds, which are
now looking most lovely, although all vegetation has a parched Ipok.
On the lounges in the parlors and halls of tlie Grovernor's residence,
in the summer houses, under shade trees, the party snatched a few
minutes' rest.
*
*
The crowd of Frederictonians at the wharf, as the time of departure
drew near, had almost doubled, and one of the bands had turned out in
uniform ; there was such a waving of handkerchiefs, shouting and cheer-
ing as the " Rothesay " steamed off that even the most stolid hearts must
have been touched.
The trip was really delightful, new friendships were made on all sides,
and with mutual exclamations of pleasure at having met, and of regret at
1
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
91
parting, the party broke up when the boat reached Indiantown. Horse
cars, omnibuses and coaches were in attendance, and soon all were
transferred to their hotel, the " New Brunswick."
This morninp a large number of citizens, including His Worship, the
Mayor, visited the " New Brunswick," and amid witty speeches, pleas-
ant badinage, and leave-taking an hour passed away rapidly and pleas-
antly. Soon after 10 o'clock, the steamer cast off her moorings, the
band played " God Save the Queen," friends on shore waved hats and
handkerchiefs to those on board, and those on board replied in the same
manner, the band played " God Save the Queen," cheer after cheur went
up, and soon the "New Brunswick " disappeared into the mist, but the
recollection of the pleasant and agreeable ladies and gentlemen compris-
ing her excursion will long last in the memories of those who met them.
From the Portland (Me.) Press.
In truth, it seems as if this was the best and cheapest way to get up
an excursion. This company has had one of the best steamers in the
Union about two weeks at their command, to go where they pleased and
to stay as long as they thought proper. It was one of the most cheerful,
happy and well-behaving parties that ever visited our city.
CONCLUSION.
I HE Committee, to whom was Intrusted the duty of pre-
paring this little boolc that we might have a lieepsake
to remind us of the happy hours of a very successful
excursion, beg leave to make some acknowledgment to many
friends along the route whose name's are omitted here. Many
good things were spoken and written of us while on this tour.
The outstretched hand was ever extended, and the heartiest
greeting everywhere awaited us. Strangers to each other at
first we very soon were exchanging friendly offices and regards,
for we recognized in each other kind and warm hearts, though
our homes were far apart. The Press without an exception
wherever we went, had hearty, cordial words for us. W \
most commendable liberality, they gave a large portion of their
editorial columns to a report of our movements. We would be
glad to make fuller extracts from the several papers that so
kindly noticed us did our space allow. Indeed, should we pub-
lish all that was said in the public journals concerning our party,
it would make another volume as large as this.
Among the many papers that spoke favorably of us, we must
in justice mention The Portland (Me.) Press, The Eastport (Me.)
Sentinel, The Rockland (Me.) Gazette and Press, The St. John
(N. B.) Telegraph, Morning News, and Globe. These all spoke of
COIT CORRESPONDENCE.
93
US in terms that would make us a little airy were we made of
fliglity material. Nevertheless, we were highly flattered, which
we hope will only make us desire to be the fine fellows these
good friends say we are. We return to them our sincere thanks
for their hearty welcomes, their many kind words, and !>ood
wishes. The personal favors we received will long be treasured
in our memories, and we shall look back to those bright days
with unusual satisfaction.
We would not forget to mention several of our own party,
who held correspondence with papers in and out of our
city. Mr. J. Cummings of Springfield wrote letters to the Spring-
field Bepublican. ''ElV wrote a solitary letter to the Worcester
Daily Spy, judging from which, he might with credit to us and
to himself have continued the correspondence ; but for some
unknown reason he made a sudden stop. ''Eli was all right,"
as far as he went. His trump gave no uncertain sound.
We hope, however, he will blow more than me tantalizing blast
should he be placed in like circumstances again.
Other letters were written by the editor of the Webster Times,
who accompanied us as far as Portland, Me., and met us at the
same place on our return. To explain this gentleman's so
marked interest in the Coit Excursion, it is only necessary to
say that about thirty of the elect of his townspeople helped
swell the size and enrich the quality of the great Coit Family.
Tlie correspondence of our noble brother, Rev. Asa Bullard,
of Boston, who wrote several interesting letters for the Boston
Daily News under the signature of ''An Observer," is deserving
of special mention. We were highly fortunate in sharing the
company and friendship of tliis distinguisiied man. We omit
his letters with reluctance. But it seemed, on the whole, best
to make the book less expensive by reducing its bulk, and to
94
COIT OORRESPOXDENGE.
restrict the contents of the volume mainly to what was written
expressly for the community where most of our party reside.
Very much of repetition Is thus avoided— too much of which,
we fear, will appear in the book as it is.
Finally, and in a wor^, we have performed our task, to the
best of our ability and discretion, under the circumstances.
"1;'
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ritten
iside.
hich,
the