PARKS AND ENCAMPMENTS.

THE THOUSAND ISLAND PARK ASSOCIATION.

The idea of establishing an International Camp Ground and Summer residence of a strictly religious character was originated in 1874, and has been attributed to the Rev. J. F. Dayan, of Watertown. 1 The suggestion was readily received by prominent Methodists on both sides of the St. Lawrence, and an excursion was planned early in August of that year, for the purpose of selecting a location. It was composed of some fifty clergymen and laymen, and visited Alexandria, and the lower end of Wellesley Island, and parts adjacent. On the 16th of September, another excursion was arranged, and after due consideration, the head of the island was selected, as from its exposure to westerly winds, and otherwise fine location, it was deemed most favorable. An organization was formed under Chapter 117, Laws of 1853, entitled "An Act to authorize the formation of Corporations for the erection of Buildings." These articles were dated on the last day of that year, and filed with the County Clerk January 29th, and with the Secretary of State, February 1st, 1875, under the name of "The Thousand Island Camp-Meeting Association"; but

(1) The Thousand Island Park at Wellesley Island; Progress as an International Centre of Moral, Religious and Scientific Thought, and Health-giving Summer Resort. By Ar thur W. Moore. Montreal, 1877, pp. 267.

by a Special Act passed Jan. 18th, 1879, this was changed to the name given at the head of this article. From its location, it was necessary that the trustees should be citizens of the United States, although many Canadians have taken an interest in the enterprise from its beginning.

The capital assumed by the Corporation was $15,000; shares, $10; and duration 50 years. The Corporators

named in the Articles, were John F. Moffett, Isaac L. Hunt, jr., John Ferdinand Dayan, A. P. Baltz, Jeremiah Wait, Charles W. Haven, and G. W. Candee. The first Trustees were Willard Ives, of Watertown; Eliphalet Remington, of Ilion; James Johnson, of Clayton; Rev. J. F. Dayan, of Watertown; Rev. E. O. Haven, Rev. D. D. Lore and Rev. E. C. Curtis, of Syracuse; Rev. M. D. Kinney, of Watertown, and A. D. Shaw, of Toronto.

The management is under those of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, although many persons not of this connection have residences upon the grounds, and participate in the proceedings.

Early in 1875, excursions were repeatedly made for the purchase of lots, as soon as surveys permitted. The lots were about 40 by 80 feet in size, and their prices ranged from $25 to $100, according to location. The site was mostly covered by a thin growth of deciduous trees, with some pasture ground, embracing a tract of about 983 acres, comprising what is known upon Capt. Owen's British Chart of 1818 as TALAVERA HEAD. It was surveyed by Frank A. Hinds, of Watertown, early in 1875. At the beginning of the enterprise, a series of regulations was adopt

ed, consistent with the object in view, among which was a rule forbidding any travel to or from the grounds on the Sabbath, and the prohibition of the sale of ardent spirits at all times. To give effect to these rules, the lands under water have been acquired along the adjacent shores, so that an action of trespass might be brought in case of attempted evasion of these regulations.

A dedication of the premises was held on the evening of July 21st, 1875, when a sermon was preached by Chancellor E. O. Haven, (now Bishop Haven), from Matthew v. 1., and a camp-meeting of two weeks' duration followed. These camp-meetings have been since held annually, and for 1880 the appointment extends from July 11th to 18th.

In 1876, there was added a Sunday School Parliamentin 1877, an International Christian Temperance CampMeeting, and an Esthetic and Scientific Conference, which have each been held since annually. In 1880, the International Society for Investigating and Promoting the Science of Teaching, and a Course of Lectures on Social Science are for the first time announced in the programme.

About two hundred cottages have been built upon the grounds of the Thousand Island Park. Their meetings are held in a large tent at the head of St. Lawrence Avenue.

Not the least interesting feature of this Association-and the same may be remarked of all the others that have since been formed for Summer residence and for Social and Religious improvement in this region,-is its international character. It brings together with equal freedom, and, as it were, upon neutral ground, the citizens of both countries,

and tends to the promotion of that friendly feeling that results from personal acquaintance, without the least reference to differences of Government, or the political relations that may have been established by international law.

This point was beautifully expressed by the Rev. T. Bowman Stephenson, B. A., who in one of the visits he has made to America in the interest of Homes for destitute Boys in England and in Canada, attended the Sunday School Parliament at the Thousand Island Park, in August, 1877. Being upon the platform, he came forward in the interval between two addresses, and sung before an immense audience a piece written in the interest of the cause that he represented, but inserted upon this occasion the following impromptu stanza, that commanded unbounded applause:

"A line runs through these Thousand Isles
That stud the river's breast;

All Northward owns Victoria's sway,
The Union claims the rest.

The Statesmen say the line exists
In treaty-parchment fine,

But when I hither came to-day

I did not find the line."

THE WESTMINSTER PARK ASSOCIATION OF THE THOUSAND

ISLANDS.

This Association was incorporated under the same act as the one above noticed, by articles dated September 10, 1877, and filed in the office of the Secretary of State, September 17, and in County Clerk's office on 18th of the same month. The proposed term is fifty years; capital, $30,000; shares $100 each, and number of Trustees, 9. The corporators were Andrew Cornwall, of Alexandria

Bay; Solon D. Hungerford, of Adams; John D. Huntington, of Watertown; Rosell C. Collis, of Theresa; George Gilbert, of Carthage, and Stephen B. Van Duzee, of Gouverneur. The first Trustees were the persons above named, together with Patrick H. Agan, of Syracuse, Lewis Lawrence, of and Philemon H. Fowler, of

Utica.

This Association, which is under Presbyterian management, purchased a tract of five hundred acres of land on the lower end of Wells or Wellesley Island, known on Capt. Owen's chart as POINT VITTORIA, directly opposite the village of Alexandria Bay, and about half a mile distant. In addition to this, it owns Mary Island, containing twelve and a half acres, having in all a frontage of about five miles.

The survey of these grounds was made by Mr. Hinds, of Watertown, in the Autumn of 1877, and an opening sale of lots was appointed to be held on the 22d of May, 1878.

Upon an eminence called MoUNT BEULAH, a Chapel hav ing five sides, of sufficient size when the sash are raised to accommodate nearly a thousand persons, has been erected, and from its tower, 136 feet high, a superb view. of the River and Islands is obtained.

A large Boarding Hall and a Dormitory have been erected, and well finished and furnished.

In addition to religious meetings on the Sabbath and at other times, a Sabbath school Assembly was arranged for the year 1879. The programme for 1880 had not been arranged at the time of our writing.