Page:20th annual meet- League of American Wheelmen, Aug. 14th to 19th '99, Boston, Massachusetts.djvu/65

 connection, as historically portrayed, with witches and witchcraft in the olden time; and even at the present day Gallows Hill and Witch Hill are among the distinguishing features of its territory, though now on account of the extreme beauty of their situation and the commanding views afforded by their eminences.

Salem and Plymouth were the first towns permanently settled in Massachusetts, the last-named antedating the first by only a half dozen years. Throughout the Revolutionary period the utmost of patriotism was manifested by the Salem population, and its people participated with the largest enthusiasm in the grand struggle which then took place. Indeed, the events of that war were often brought to the very doorways of the inhabitants of the North Shore, and they had not far to travel at any time within its opening years to find themselves in the very thickest of the fray.

In Salem Nathaniel Hawthorne was born, and here he passed the greater part of his life, serving the National Government as an official of the customs department, while he pondered the events and creations that he afterwards made immortal by his writing.

Like Marblehead, Salem has its "Neck"; and at the extremity of Salem Neck located "The Willows," the resort of this section for the multitudes who throng the neighborhoods in summertime, led thither by its proximity to Old Ocean, the variety and delights of its outdoor sports, and the extreme beauty and attractiveness of its sur- rounding scenery. But the city itself has a fascination for every class of visitors, its historic associations and monuments united to its unusually fine natural endowments appealing to the traveler of wealth and culture, as well as to the average mortal who is seeking as best he can to pass a vacation season profitably and pleasantly.

Beverly has its main village near the point of junction with the mainland of the promontory known as Cape Ann. In all essentials of makeup and characteristics its community establishment is almost identical with those which have been referred to in the foregoing sketch; but as regards the number and quality of its summer resorts and the extreme beauty of its natural scenery and situations, it must be regarded as the very "gem" of the North Shore. A recent writer has said of these Cape Ann localities, "This region is one of the great summer parks of New England." Beverly has a shore front of more than seven miles in extent, made up of alternating beaches, headlands, and rocky surf lines scattered about in the most picturesque manner. Practically, every mile of the coast within Beverly limits is made available for summering purposes, and the number of ornate villas and costly summer establishments to be found along these shores is most remarkable, even in a section where wealth is lavished almost without stint in the securing of facilities for summer enjoyments. Its seven miles of shore are broken in the most fantastic and irregular way by coves and inlets, and by the alternation of hill and plain, cliff and sandy formation. Scattered along in front of them, the sport of the storms of Old Ocean, are numerous islands, large and small, often little more than a solid rock-mass rising above the surface of the waters, the temporary resting place for gulls, and a point upon which maddened billows dash wildly, sending their fragments in glistening sections and particles high into air.

Following along the shore, we go through Bev- erly Farms, Pride's Crossing, to Magnolia. Going down to the rocky barrier, one has an excellent view of Norman's Woe, the scene of Longfellow's poem, "Wreck of the Hesperus," with Gloucester harbor in the distance, and Eastern Point lighthouse, from which all the fishing vessels to the Grand Banks take their bearings. From Magnolia we go over the new State highway, the greater part through the woods, to Gloucester, the pioneer fishing port of this country and the largest fishing port in the world; passing old Stage Fort, where Massachusetts commenced her history in 1623, and the Puritans landed and built their first house. In the afternoon, the last steamer for Boston leaves at 3.15 P. M.; tickets 50 cents, wheels free. In going back to Boston in this way one has a delightful sail in Massachusetts Bay and Boston Harbor, and is well worth taking. Those that do not care to return by boat can take the train home. Fare, 75 cents. Distance for the day about forty-two miles. Those that do not care to go the entire distance, can take the train from the Union Station for Salem at 10.10 (fare 35 cents), and ride from there to Gloucester, and up by steamer with the rest of the party. Salem to Gloucester about fifteen miles.

8.30 a. m. Leave Copley Square for a run through Middlesex Fells, Lynn Woods to Nahant. The route takes you through Cambridgeport, Somerville, Medford, passing old Royall Mansion, old Garrison House, built in 1640, and the Craddock House, supposed to be the oldest house in the country now standing which retains its original form; over the old Medford bridge to West Medford; from here we go through Middlesex Fells Reservation of the Metropolitan Park System for several miles, visiting Lawrence Observatory, from which one has an extended view of miles around the Hub. From here the road winds in and out through the woods and around a large basin or reservoir, until we reach Forest street, when we turn right towards the town of Medford and then left past the Langwood Hotel and down the Glen Road to Melrose and Wakefield, and from here to Lynn Woods, a park system following the shores of the Reservoir and through the woods, the scenery of which is grand, to Lynn, the "City of Shoes." From here we go to Lynn Beach, where we stop some little time, and then ride over the neck of land, three miles, to Nahant, where several hours will be spent and a good shore dinner can be obtained—all the fish, clams, lobsters, and fried potatoes you can eat. From here one can take the boat to Boston (fare 25 cents), or ride up over the road via Lynn, Saugus, Maplewood, Malden, Fellsway, which is a part of the Park System, to Somerville and Cambridgeport, to Boston. One can take in this run and by taking train at Lynn reach Boston in time to attend the races in the afternoon.

9.80 A. M. National Assembly of Local Consuls, Old Colonial Club.

12.80 P. M. Luncheon, Old Colonial Club to Local Consuls.

2.00 P. M. Run to Charles River Park.

5.00 P. M. National Championship Races at Charles River Park. Band concert by Cambridge Manual Training School Band.

Two Mile National Championship. L. A. W. Medals, Gold $24, Silver $15, Bronze $5.

One Mile Handicap. Diamond $80, Onyx Clock $20, Bicycle Suit $10, Training Robe $5.

Half Mile National Championship. L. A. W. Medals, Gold $25, Silver $15, Bronze $5.

Five Mile National Championship. $175, $75, $50, $25.

One Mile Handicap. $100, $50, $80, $20.

Second Heat 20 Mile Middle-Distance National Championship. Winner to qualify for final, $150, $76.

Special Amateur and Professional Mate Races to be announced,

7.00 p. m. Leave Copley Square for a blind run through the suburbs of Boston, arriving back in time to attend the Stag Smoker in Mechanics Hall.

8.00 P. M. Entertainment and dance in Paul Revere Hall, Mechanics' Building, for ladies and escorts.