Walter Deane papers

72 Magnolia Mass. 1901 Aug. 2

A brilliant day, sky bright blue with fleecy clouds breeze very light, south. Mercury 70° {degrees} 8 A.M.

This morning M. & I walked to the rocks on the point. It is a beautiful spot, the bold rocks facing the broad ocean and handsome well kept residences lining the way. We sat down and read aloud and watched the waves and passing crafts of all kinds. I am reading "The End of an Era" by John S. Wise. Continuing our walk round the point we stopped for a while at Crescent Beach, composed of nothing but boulders. From here we saw the light on Gloucester Point. We passed the Ocean Side Hotel an immense structure with six adjoining cottages. There are five hundred guests there at present though one meets but few people walking. We returned to lunch at one.

This afternoon we walked out to Norman's Woe along a very attractive wood road. In one place Sericocarpus conyzoides was abundant in flower. From the cliff, on the shore, Norman's Woe is seen, an immense rounded rock, at least one hundred feet long, not very far from the shore. Further out in the channel is a bell buoy, mournfully sounding as the waves toll the bell. The view of the harbor with Gloucester nestled at the far end is very beautiful. Returning home we took a wood road that led past a pond from which ice is taken in the winter. It is a beautiful spot with rich vegetation on the borders. We dined at 6 o'clock. We spent the evening in our room (electric light) reading and writing. 14 sps. {species} of birds to-day.

73 Magnolia, Mass. 1901 Aug. 3

Clouds and fog, light rain in the A.M. stopping by 10 o'clock. During the rest of the day, cloudy with bursts of sunshine, fog hanging on the horizon. Temperature comfortable. Mercury 68° {degrees}, 8 A.M.; 72°, 6 P.M.

This morning after some letter writing I walked round to Mr. John Allyn's house a short distane. His house is on a hill very high above the road, and commanding a glorious view over the country & water. I saw Mrs. Allyn and her daughter and brother & family. Mr. A. was in Boston. In front of the house I caught with my fingers and brought home a Butterfly (Papilio troilus) I saw two others. I shall mount it.

This afternoon M. & I walked again to Norman's Woe. We first visited Rafe's Chasm and sat on the rocks a long time, admiring the bold rocky cliffs and glorious views. The Chasm is a deep rent in the cliff and all the surroundings are wonderfully impressive. At Norman's Woe we sat on the rocks for some time. Many craft were on the sea, from the dainty yachts gliding along with sails wing to wing to the large black paddle wheel steamer, City of Gloucester, steaming into the harbor, well freighted with human beings. Cedar birds were flying about and resting on the rocks. Kingbirds also were flying close to the water, young Orioles were in the short Pitch Pine's and I saw many other birds. We returned by the main road. This evening I read aloud —

74 Magnolia, Mass. 1901 Aug. 4

Light, gentle steady rain all day, with no breeze. Fog shut out the ocean and more distant Mercury 75° {degrees}, 8 A.M.; 72°, 2 P.M.; 74°, 6 P.M.

It has been a rainy Sunday. I devoted the morning to writing letters. This afternoon I walked to the Post Office and continued on through several of the short streets on the point boardwalk, most attractive houses. I found the moisture in the air was worse than the rain and I soon returned.

A Yellow Warbler and two Black and White Creepers were added to my list. There has been little to record to-day. The Song Sparrow that I referred to in my notes on August 1, enlivens us continually by his wonderfully rich song. His favorite perch is on the top of a Red Spruce close against the house by our window and there he pours forth his beautiful notes. A Wood Reserve inhabits the grove by the house and utters at intervals his plaintive notes.

75 Magnolia, Mass. 1901 Aug. 5

A most glorious day, clear as crystal. Mercury 70° {degrees} at 8 A.M. The breeze has been north-west off shore and consequently it has been rather warm in the sun, but very comfortable in the shade.

We intended going to Marblehead to-day, but as I have not felt quite up to the mark, we gave it up. We took a walk after breakfast by the rocks on the point and sat there for a good part of the morning. The view is very beautiful and there is a never failing interest in the passing craft. I read aloud from "The End of an Era". It is a book of such power describing the Civil War and its causes, and the question of Slavery, from the point of view of a Virginian.

We stayed at home this afternoon, writing and reading.

As I make it out, there are at least three Song Sparrows about the house, singing [Fine songs of Song Sparrows] lustily. This includes the fine songster I have mentioned before. They are all exceptionally fine singers and while their songs are different they all end in a somewhat similar manner, suggesting a yodle.

My pet Melospiza has two yodles on the end of his song. The Song Sparrows that I hear in my walks about here have a fine note, but not up to the richness of the birds by the Oak Grove House.

I saw two specimens near the house to-day of the Blue-eyed Grayling Butterfly —

76 Magnolia, Mass. 1901 Aug. 6

Cloudy with northwest wind, no rain, pleasant day. mercury 72° {degrees} at 8 A.M., air comfortable —

This morning we walked over to the Ocean Side Hotel to the Fair in aid of the church here. Mrs. Hunt, who owns the Oak Grove and is here at the house in one of the cottages, is one of the leaders in the Fair. We purchased a few things, met the two Miss McCleans, Helen Hinkley's friends, staying here, and we went over the Hotel, and saw the immense parlors, the huge dining room, spacious balconys, and we even ascended to the tower where is a magnificent view. It is a most attractive place with a glorious view. Manchester, Marblehead, Marblehead Neck, and farther on south the fainter lines of coast, Gloucester Point and the bay stretch out to the North.

[Fishing] In the afternoon I indulged in an old time ex- perience. I went fishing off the rocks with Mr. Kelso & Mr. Blair, both at the house here. Armed with lines and clams, we walked to the Flume, in the direction of Norman's Woe. The Flume is a cleft in the rocks, I should say, 100 feet deep, 60 feet high from the bottom, and not more than 4 ft. wide. It is extraordinary. A boulder caught in the cleft is used as a stepping stone, but to reach that one must take two or three steps between the brink and a big boulder on the edge, along a ledge about a foot wide. Passing this we were on a mass of hard rocks. Descending to the edge of the sea, we fished two hours or more catching 40 t0 50 perch. I caught fourteen. The view was very fine. Yachts and other craft were always passing. We got back to dinner before six.

77 Magnolia, Mass. 1901 Aug. 7

A showery day with sunshine at intervals. Some thunder, wind east, mercury 71° {degrees} at 8 A.M.; 70° at 11 A.M.

[Fine Surf] We walked to the rocks on the point this morning. Miss Johnson accompanied us. The strong wind had made a heavy sea and though the tide was low, it was very fine. The lashing of the waves on the bold rocks attracted a great many people and we watched the scene for some time. We then went to Crescent, or as it is sometimes called, Cobblestone Beach. The scene was fine but not equal to that on the point. It rained very hard for most of the afternoon but cleared at last. About 4.30 we again went to the point and this time it was very grand. The tide was high and the continued east wind had increased the size of the waves. They pounded with terrific force on the rocks boiling and foaming, leaping forth and sucking back. It is many years since I have seen such a sight. From one hundred to one hundred and fifty people were gathered on the point. We walked from here round to Crescent Beach and saw the surf beating on the rocks as far as Rafe's Chasm. Knots of people were to be seen here and there at favorable points for observation.

Mrs. Johnson & her two daughters who have been here since our arrival left this afternoon in a pouring rain.

This morning before breakfast, I saw a Great Blue Heron flying over the marsh opp. my windows.

78 Magnolia, Mass. 1901 Aug. 8

A glorious day, clear morning with a few light clouds heavy thunder clouds in the afternoon passing round to the north and depositing here but a few drops. Fine sunset, and a starlit night. Mercury 70° {degrees}, 8 A.M., 78°, 1 P.M. 71, 10 P.M.

I am still a little under the weather and shall probably go up to Boston to-morrow for 2 or 3 days. This morning we walked out to the point and watching the varied scenes upon the water. The waves of yesterday was gone, the sea was quite smooth and many craft were plying here and there. At 12 o'clock we called on Mr. & Mrs. Tilton of Highland St., Cambridge at the [Arbor?]. They room is one of the cottages and have a superb view of the water which they are very near.

This afternoon Mrs. Kelso joined us in a walk to the Flume. By walking round to the head of it we could see its entire length and depth with various boulders caught in the narrow crevice. Returning we walked through the woods to the ice pond, a beautiful piece of water some 6 to 10 acres in extent, set in thick woods, and bordered by carices, sparganiums, and the like. We sat here some time and returned through the woods to the house.

This evening we had a performance in the parlor by a quartette of colored boys from the Snow Hill Normal & Industrial Institute. The principal, Mr. W.J. Edwards, attended them. He gave an account of the Institute. It was very interesting. A collection was taken.

79 Magnolia to Cambridge Mass. and return 1901 Aug. 9-12

Not feeling quite well, I thought that a trip home for two or three days would be good and so we took the afternoon train (2.58 P.M.) for Boston, and reached home by about 5 o'clock. We have slept in our own house and taken our meals with Dr. & Mrs. Coolidge. I staid in or near the house on Saturday and Sunday, the 10th & 11th, arranging a few plants for the mounting box, writing letters, &c. I have heard through Mr. Purdie of a white-berried Vaccinium pennsylvanicum from Fitzwilliam, N.H. and I have written for some. I have received recently from Andover, Mass. a whiteberried Vaccinium e. atrococcum. The fruit had an insipid taste. I have put these specimens in to press. On Monday morning I went down to the Garden where I saw John & Gilbert. The plants have made a wonderful growth and there is but little space in the garden not occupied. The pond is almost out of sight. Pickerel weed and Nymphaea cover the surface and the banks are dense with Solidago tenuifolia, Lobelia cardinalis, Lycopus sessilifolius, Cryptotaenia canadensis, &c. &c. The Hibiscus moschatus is out in beautiful flower and the centre bed is a blaze of color.

We took the 4.30 P.M. train back to Magnolia reaching here before 6 o'clock.

The Yellow-throated Vireo was singing in W. Brewster's on the morning of the 11th.

80 Magnolia, Mass. 1901 Aug. 13

Clear, comfortable, warm at midday in the sun. Mercury 70° {degrees}, 10 A.M.; 75°, 1 P.M.; 74°, 7.30 P.M.

This morning we walked down to the point and sat a long time, enjoying the sea air and reading. I never tire of the view and the scene is ever changing as the vessels pass to and fro. Though the sea was calm, yet the waves broke with considerable force on the rocks. A solitary Gull flew by before us, the only bird life over the water. The Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) is budding. Plantago maritima and Atriplex patulum, var. hastatem) grow in the rocks of White Dock (Rumex salicifolius). It was forming fine fruit.

This afternoon we walked over to Norman's Woe and sat on the cliffs opposite the rounded rock. As we looked over the beautiful scene I recited "The Wreck of the Hesperus". It was a fitting spot, but to-day it was a scene of peace. The sea was calm and deep blue, stretching out to be the wide horizon, and studded with boats of all kinds, steamers, sailing vessels, row boats, &c. Opposite was the light-house on Eastern Point and midway between floated the bell-bouy almost motionless, but once or twice utters its mournful tune. There was but little wind and the white sails were scarcely filled. A Hummingbird hovered before us above the cliff, Chewinks was singing merrily among the scrub oaks (small Q. {Quercus} rubra). Swift & Goldfinches were flying overhead. It was a peaceful, beautiful scene.

81 Magnolia, Mass. 1901 Aug. 14

Fog on the water all the morning, cleaning in the afternoon, sky clouded almost all day, sun showing at intevals this afternoon. Cool, morning, 72° {degrees}, 6 P.M.

The fog prevented our intended trip to Gloucester, Rockport, &c. to-day. This morning we took a walk, called at Miss Alice Allyn's who was out, and then strolled along the road west. A pretty sight was afforded by a pasture full of thistles in flower and young fruit (Cnicus lanceolatus) with a number of Goldfinches all males flying about, singing and alighting on the heads, and tearing open the flowers and pulling at the pappus. I captured in this pasture Least Skipper numitor (Fide Sam Henshaw, Aug. 30, 1901.) a Pearl Crescent, Blue-eyed Grayling, Skipper, and what I think is a Green-Clouded Sulphur Butterfly. (It is Papilio troilus, fide Sam Henshaw, Aug. 30, 1901).

This afternoon walked over to Norman's Woe and called on Dr. & Mres. Heard and teh boys. All were at home except Roger. I had a delightful time. The house is built on the rocks just above the water, directly opposite Norman's Woe close by which is anchored their sail-boat. The view from the broad piazza over the ocean is very extensive and all boats entering the harbor pass in front of the house. I visited the vegetable and flower garden made on the rocks . They are in fine condition and most attractive. If pleasant Friday, the 16th, I shall sail with the boys. Dr. Heard sent me home in a carriage.