ATTRACTIONS oF tHE Exizaseru Isnanns. ae 
suds, we rigged to the end of our bass-line about two feet of 
piano wire, on which we wound a hook with copper wire. 
Then we anchored on the edge of the tide, and cast out a 
hook baited without much care, and the moment afterward 
we were saluted by a jerk and a summersault a yard clear 
of the surface, and a short, vigorous fight to bring the blue- 
fish to gaff, An hour of energetic sport, and twenty bluefish 
of from eight to twelve pounds each, generally satisfied us; 
and though the fish challenged us by menacing leaps to con- 
tinue the contest, we preferred to retire-—-however ignomini- 
ous it might appear to them—and recuperate for another 
time. 
It was hard to part from those charming scenes and the 
healthful recreation. The doctor decided to return home to 
England, arrange his business, come back, and spend his life 
at Pasque Island. But how to leave those captivating aquatic 
scenes, ranging irom simple loveliness to grandeur, and some- 
times rising to sublimity ? What scene can be more refresh- 
ing and exalting than an expansive view of the mighty waves, 
dotted here and there with such beautiful islands as those in 
the Vineyard Sound? The Elizabeth Islands offer the condi- 
ments of existence to season the dry hurry-scurry and com- 
monplaceism of the business world on the main lands of 
America; and they will, before many years, be numbered 
with the waterine-places of the world par excellence. While 
aquatic birds skim the waves, and the gulls are screaming, 
dipping, and darting over a shoal of bluefish or menhaden, 
vessels outward and homeward bound are always passing, for 
it includes in its range of view the packets and steamers for 
England, and the steam and sailing crafts between New York 
and Boston. We have here the foreground and perspective 
worthy the pencil of Claude de Lorraine, while the back- 
ground is formed of the granite shores of Massachusetts, with 
its improvements so varied and important as to give surety 
of an intelligent and industrious population. Who would not 
delight to angle here? 
