PART II.

I-BICYCLE RAMBLES ON EASTERN POINT.

And now let's take our wheel for a short run along our harbor road to East Gloucester, and note the many points of interest on the way. The start is made at the Gloucester Hotel-the headquarters of all visiting wheelmen in this city-at the corner of Main and Washington streets; from thence the journey takes us over the rather uneven surface of Main street, going directly toward the east. In a few minutes we pass the Post Office on the left, and soon leave the noisy business portion of the street behind us, then, ere we are aware of it, we reach and quickly climb the slight eminence known as Union Hill. Once over the hill the road has a downward grade, with generally a very muddy surface, but on through this we propel our machine to the curve in the road at its junction with Eastern avenue. Το the right we follow the now well trodden thoroughfare and again pedal quickly up the steep incline before us. Now the machine is well taken in hand, and with a sharp look-out ahead a pleasant little coast over the gently sloping road is cautiously indulged

in; down, down we spin, following the main road to the right over the well worn surface, and on, on we glide, past the dwellings of the rich and poor, directly through the business section of the settlement, until in a few minutes we reach the "Square," so called, at the village center. Passing the pump at this place on our left, we continue the ride over the mud-covered highway, enjoying highly the magnificent stretch of harbor scenery before us. A short distance, and the first dismount is now taken at the foot of a rough incline known as "Patch's Hill." At this place are a number of prominent Summer cottages, among them being the Delphine House, Craig Cottage and Brazier Cottage, each affording first-class accommodations, with facilities for bathing, fishing and boating in close proximity. Once again we bestride the slender wheel and continue on for half a dozen rods or more to the gate-way at the entrance to Niles' Beach, which marks the terminus of the public way.

Our trip on the bicycle in this direction has finished, and so we sit awhile on the near-at-hand rocky bluff and watch the merry throng of bathers in their sportive antics in the cooling sea, and inwardly wish that we were among them in the refreshing exercise. At our back, as we sit facing the sandy shore, is the little Summer abode of the well-known authoress, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps-the cottage in which she has already penned a number of interesting works, and where she passes the greater portion of the long, warm Summer days. Directly in front of us, at the further end of the beach, is the old mansion house of the Niles family, and still further on, at the extreme end of the rocky shore, is the tall stone column of Eastern Point Light.

The walk across the beach and over the narrow winding treebordered path is well worth taking, and makes a pleasant ramble for the visiting tourist. At the lighthouse the visitor should

These

certainly pass a few moments-the tower is well worth careful inspection; and the fishing, with long bamboo poles, from the rocks in this vicinity, affords considerable sport, being generally attended with satisfactory results. The old fort on the left, as you proceed along toward the Point, should not be missed-you enjoy a pleasant half hour by just sitting on the ruined parapet and gazing out over the bosom of the grand old sea. fortifications were erected during the "late unpleasantness," mounted ten mammoth guns, and at one time was a military post of considerable importance, commanding as it did the entrance to our harbor and a wide range of the adjacent bay. I believe, though, no occasion demanded its active services during the entire season of its occupancy. "Niles' Pond," a beautiful lake of fresh water covering nearly thirty acres, will also be noticed in this vicinity.

Returning from the pleasant walk around the Niles property, we again secure our position on the pear-shaped seat, and once more resume our ride, this time following along the Point road, over which we recently came, for perhaps a quarter mile, then turning up the long incline leading to Mount Pleasant avenue at the right, near the entrance to which stand the two large icehouses of Mr. Patch, we continue the trip over a fairly good surface and through a particularly interesting section of the town. On we go, flitting by the dwelling houses and green fields at a lively canter, passing the cemetery on our left, and finally reach a more open country. Now we drink eagerly of the deliciously cool sea breeze that comes over the farm lands from the deep blue waters around us, and for the first time notice, with a keen sense of enjoyment, the beautiful panoramic picture spread out before our eyes. We are loth to leave the vicinity, so impressed are we with the magnificent stretch of land and ocean scenery;