Attractions of the Elizabeth Islands. 77 



suds, we rigged to the end of our bass-line about two feet of 

 piano wire, on which we wound a hook ^ith 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 gafi". 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 appea,r 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 from 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 oifer 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 watering-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 ? 



