Our Island

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OUR ISLAND.

We gave yesterday a partial description of some of the eastern localities of Long Island. The subject admits of continuation, and is much more interesting than most persons, even hereabout, would suppose. There have been several Histories of the Island, Silas Wood’s, Thompson’s, Prime’s, and others—but all of them merely dry records, like legal documents.

The Railroad from Brooklyn to Greenport has had much to do with opening up the hidden parts of the Island, the last twenty years. But still a great portion of Suffolk county remains in the state we are accustomed to suppose belonging to times a hundred years ago.

Not but what there is great shrewdness and plenty of good-living down there. But we allude to manners, social arrangements, dress, “going to meeting,” the absence of modern literature, and a certain good old-fashioned air among the native residents, in the villages, and along the roads.

When we have been roaming a-foot, of a pleasant summer day, through the country regions toward the eastern end of the island, we have often involuntarily felt the question arise: Where could a moderate ambition be better satisfied to settle down and live, than here? What need is there of venturing so far West, into a different air, upon a different soil?

Land for sale is almost incredibly cheap through Suffolk County. The people will tell you sometimes, half in banter, half in earnest, that it would prove dear enough in the end of the purchase—though you get it for $5 or $10 an acre in the beginning. To such we have answered, that it all depends on the spirit, knowledge, and perseverance of the purchaser. We also believe that there are equally great drawbacks to Western land. Compensation prevails in some form or other.

For instance we have watched the progress and gradual amelioration of a large tract of poor land at “Waverly.” (Couldn’t they think of a better and more significant name than that?) It is a sparse settlement, on the brushy plains, in the middle of the island. The farm we allude to, was “broken up” about twelve years ago, and was improved gradually, until now it has the productiveness of a good, old-established farm, with grass, grain, orchards, &c. We dare say the original cost was not more than $5 an acre.

Reader, if you, for instance, should ever really determine to “go and settle in the country,” in a small way, with your own little farm-house, and a few acres of land around you, it is doubtful whether you could do better any where else than on this very island.

One great advantage, through the entire length, is the facility of transportation. On the south side is the bay, and the sea-passage; on the north, the Sound. These alone would form a priceless convenience; but to these is added the Railroad, running like a backbone through the middle of the island, for a hundred miles, nearly the whole distance from one extreme to the other.