64 FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK. 



A Day at the Beach. 



The spirited illustration on tlie opposite page tells its own story, and the 

 scene is an extremely pleasant one to gaze upon. Many who will peruse 

 the "Fishermen's Own Book" will readily call to mind such a festive occa- 

 sion, in which they were among the happy participants, either at Coffin's 

 Beach, Good Harbor Beach, Half Moon, or Niles'. The first-named is a 

 favorite of ours, and where we have passed many pleasant hours of Summer, 



Starting from town in a sail-boat similar to that delineated in the picture, 

 it proves a most delightful trip to sail across the harbor, go through the 

 canal at the Cut, then follow on until the draw at the railroad bridge allows 

 a safe transit, and from thence sail down the Annisquam River, past cozy 

 Summer houses and white tents — the homes of the merry campers, who 

 joyfully greet us as we sail along. With a fair tide and good breeze the 

 passage is quickly made, and we run into Ipswich Bay, coming to anchor off 

 the long white beach, which is so inviting that one longs to wade into the 

 waters which lave the shore and run over the smooth sandy surface spread 

 out for miles. The scene is one of enchanting beauty — the wide expanse 

 of water in the foreground, with the white sails dancing up and down with 

 the billows, and the hillsides dotted with Summer houses — that belonging to 

 Mr. George J. Marsh, so charmingly attractive, commanding particular no- 

 tice, sitting as it does on the very edge of the water, with its solid rocky 

 foundations, its cool and cozy verandas, and its hospitable and restful ap- 

 pearance. 



But let us return to our party. We must get them ashore, just as in the 

 picture. The boys are wild with delight, and the girls not much better. 

 See how one waves his hat as he stands with his trousers stripped up. He 

 is impatient for the party in the boat to land and join him in his sports. 

 One youngster is fanning the fire with his hat, while another is tugging 

 some wood to keep the blaze agoing. The four girls will have to be brought 

 ashore in the young man's arms — and they are not at all averse to such a 

 landing. The old lobster-trap on the sand looks natural, and the dinner 

 pot, kettle and basket are suggestive of the chowder and lunch a little later. 

 The fishing and rambling, not forgetting the visit to the sand dunes, the 

 bathing, wading, sailing, and that dinner, with the prodigious appetites, are 

 among the pleasing episodes of the day, and when twilight gathers, once 

 more the boat is entered, and with a fair tide and light breexe she skims 

 homeward amid song and mirth from the party who have thus spent a de- 

 lightful Summer day at the beach. 



