Whimwhams, by Four of Us

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1828. Excerpt: ... LEGEND OF THE SHOALS. The Isles of Shoals are a duster of rocky ledges, situated in the Atlantic, off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire. One or two are inhabited by fishermen, but most of them are entirely desolate. Although these islands are little known at the present day, for the antiquary, the cloud-gazer, and the lover of marvels, they possess abundant features of interest. At an early period of the settlement of this country, these islands were notorious as the resort of pirates; among whom the celebrated Captain Teach, called Blackbeard, was the most conspicuous. He is supposed to have left, buried on the different isles, immense treasures, some of which, it is said, were discovered and appropriated by a succeeding resident; and there is sufficient evidence that much remains unfound. Yet, of late years, all attempts to recover the hidden riches have, from some mysterious circumstances attending them, proved fruitless. The various legends and relations of the fearful sights and sounds, which have hitherto terrified from their purpose those adventurous money-seekers, as recapitulated by the old islanders, would amply suffice to open the mouths and ears of all the marvel-vampyres of the states; and I must confess, that for some of them there is no slight foundation. As for the antiquaries, a whole society might find employment in ransacking the ancient graves with which one of the islands abounds; and of the origin of which, so great is their apparent antiquity, no conjecture has been formed; while to the lovers of scenery, notwithstanding their forbidding aspect, these barren places present some of its most beautiful combinations. It was for the last of these enjoyments, as well as for the benefit of sea-air and sea-bathing, that the writer, duri...