177 



Excursion to New Castle, jST. H., Friday and Satur- 

 day, September 10 and 11, 1880. 



The circulars, that were previously issued, announced 

 that the excursionists would leave Salem on Thursday, 

 the 9th inst., at 1.10 p. m., with the proviso of a post- 

 ponement to the day foUowing, if the weather should be 

 unfiivorable. Owing to the prevalence of a storm, the de- 

 parture was deferred, and the party left on Friday, by 

 the Eastern Railroad, reached Portsmouth at about 2.30, 

 and at once took carrias^es to New Castle, makino^ the 

 Wentworth House, their headquarters. At the time of 

 leaving Salem the weather had not entirely cleared, though 

 indications were favorable and soon after the arrival at 

 the place of destination, hopes were realized by the 

 lightening up of the western sky and a glorious sunset 

 was observed from the piazza. The effects of the storm 

 were visible in all directions, — the dashing of the waves 

 against the rocks, or rolling in on the beaches, — the wreck 

 of a vessel breaking up, etc. Schooner Eddie F, Ilodg- 

 f/o?!, wood and slate laden, bound from Bangor to Boston, 

 was compelled to anchor off Frost's Point, parted her 

 cables, and the day before at noon drifted ashore, and be- 

 came a total loss. 



An evening session was held in the larcre music room 

 at 8 o'clock. The President, in his introductory remarks, 

 spoke of the great pleasure of coming to this old his- 

 toric town, around which cluster so many interesting 

 associations connected with the colonial and provincial 

 periods of our history. These have been well described 

 in the " Rambles about Portsmouth," by the late Charles 

 W. Brewster, the first series published in 1859, the sec- 

 ond in 1869, after the decease of the author. He alluded 



ESSEX INST. BULLETIN, VOL. XII. 12 



