CLOCK, TOWN. 79 



F. C. Sanford, Esq., is authority for the statement 

 that the first public building ever erected on Nantucket 

 was a meeting-house for the converted Indian, John 

 Gibbs, to preach in. u Thomas Mayhew had sent him 

 to Cambridge to be educated, and he became a famous 

 preacher." 



Cliff. 



The " Cliff" is a sandy bluff about a mile north 

 from the town. A number of cottages have been 

 built here during the past few years. The view is 

 superb. As one stands on the Cliff, the whole bay, har- 

 bor, and town of Nantucket lie before him. Thou- 

 sands upon thousands of vessels of all sizes pass and 

 repass, bound to and from the various ports upon the 

 coast. Frequently as many as one hundred are in sight 

 at one time. At the foot of the Cliff are the bathing- 

 houses and " bug lights." Eastman Johnson, recogniz- 

 ing the advantages of the locality, years ago erected a 

 house and studio in the near vicinity. Certainly no 

 better place upon the island could be selected if one 

 desired to build. 



Clock, Town. 



The compiler is under great obligation to Dr. Arthur 

 E. Jenks for the following article in relation to our 

 clock : — 



One of the most valued public benefits to any com- 

 munity is the town clock. For over half a century the 

 clock in the Old South (Unitarian) Church had marked 

 time, and had served as a faithful chronicler. But it 

 had grown old in the service, and at last it held up its 

 weather-beaten hands in a mute appeal for an infusion 



