Natalie | Page 6

the natives; but rather let
me, in as correct a light as I may, set forth to those who have heretofore
known but little of those who inhabit that triangular bit of land in the
wide ocean, which, when we were six year olds, we passed over on our

maps with the thought, I wonder if they have Sundays there.
Situated nearly one hundred miles, in a south-easterly course from the
city of Boston, and about thirty miles from the nearest point of main
land, Nantucket lifts her proud head from out the broad Atlantic, whose
waters, even when lashed to madness, have been kind to her. And now,
on this oppressive July morning, let us throw aside our cares, and come
out from our daily round of duties, where we have been scaling with
our eyes the tall brick barriers which shut out God's beautiful blue sky
and sunshine. Yes, let us off, anywhere, to get one glimpse of Nature.
On board the good steamer "Island Home," a two hours' sail carries us
over that distance which separates Cape Cod from Nantucket. If you
have not passed most of your days among the Connecticut hills, you
pay little attention to that "green-eyed monster," who considers it a part
of his duty to prepare the uninitiated for the good time coming. Arrived
at the bar, which stretches itself across the entrance to the harbor, our
first impressions take to themselves the forms of sundry venerable
windmills, church spires and towers, representing various orders of
architecture; but that which strikes us most is the scarcity of shipping,
not more than a dozen vessels lying at the wharves. In former times
Nantucket numbered as many whaleships belonging to her port, as did
any town on our seaboard. Indeed, she was built up from the produce of
the ocean, and carried the palm for years as being first among the
American whale fisheries; but her number has dwindled away, till not
one-fourth of those homeward-bound ships are destined for the port of
Nantucket.
The town, we find, is situated on the northern shore of the island, at the
harbor's head. The houses are compact, and most of them built of wood,
with little regard to beauty; though some few residences there are, of
modern style, which do credit to their designers; but the greater number
speak only of antiquity, with their shingled sides; and you will rarely
see a house that has not a "walk" upon its roof, with which they could
by no means dispense, as in case of ship-wreck near the island, the
roofs of the whole town will be alive with men, women, and children,
spyglass in hand. Besides the town there are but one or two small
villages, "Polpis," and the far-famed "Siaconset," or "Sconset," as it is

usually termed,--numbering some four dozen houses. This village is
seven and one-half miles from the town, affording a delightful place of
recreation for families from town, who, as the summer holidays come
round, harness up old Dobbin, and prepare for a six weeks' "siesta." If,
by reason of the great financial pressure, you find you have not
sufficient pocket-money to take you for a short tour to Europe, come to
"Sconset;" it is a glorious place! take a stroll along that grand old beach,
and watch the moon rise from out the ocean; then go to your
comfortable seven-by-nine lodgings, which seems like a palace, draw
the comfortable rug about you, and fall asleep, with old Ocean for a
lullaby, to dream (if your waking hours are fortunately of that bent) of
some old deserted castle, "Salem witchcraft," or a lone "Grace Pool,"
attendant within the attic's most remote recesses.
The face of the island is level, so much so that the flat, bare commons
resemble somewhat our western prairies; and with the exception of the
cliffs at the north, and Sancoty Head, there are but few slight elevations.
Owing to the peculiar shape of the island, its two arms stretching far
out on either side, it does not appear to be as large as it really is,--being
about sixteen miles long, and four wide, affording sufficient elbow
room, however, for its eight thousand inhabitants. The soil is sandy, but
is cultivated to some extent; and though they can boast of no extensive
forests, yet you may occasionally meet with an old friend in the way of
a noble elm, or the pensive weeping willow. The culture of fruit trees,
also, is receiving much attention of later years, and as widely as
refinement must be separated from the islanders, to be in keeping with
your views, their love for the sweet spring flowers knows no bounds.
In your walks of curiosity about town, you meet with a great many of
the denomination termed