by Marguerite Aspinwall

DANIEL WEBSTER AND NANTUCKET

23

"Not long after this tour to Nantucket, the people of that island petitioned Congress for a breakwater, or rather for an appropriation for survey of the island and the waters washing it; which at length settled into an appropriation for deepening the channel to the principal harbor of this island. For ages, all the large vessels had to unload wholly or principally before they could be brought to the wharves. This probably would not have been brought about, if the information which Mr. Webster had obtained on his visit, had not in his forcible manner been concentrated and given to the Senate. To them, it was as novel as an Arabian tale; and as they knew he never spoke without day and date, words and figures, for proof, it satisfied all, the appropriation was voted for, and the work is going on with success."

Nantucket Fall

Again the lacelike foam will reach to trim The long expanse of pink and shining sand, Where tufts of beach grass bend and sway and stand In ragged clusters under the dune's high rim. The tide will fill the children's wells a-brim — Or were they castles that the builders planned? Or pirate brigantines with contraband? The beach is empty and the light grows dim — Then flame and ruddy gold and amethyst The moors will stretch behind the dunes like fire: A wind will blow that smells of pine and sea, October smoke, and salt October mist, And strange far lands of all our hearts' desire. 0 lovely Island Fall, go laggardly!

Marguerite Aspinwall

First published in T h e I n q u i r e r a n d M i r r o r , Dec. 3, 1949