The shores of the Atlantic coast of America may well be a terror tonavigators. They present an inexorable wall, against which forbidding andangry waves incessantly dash, and around which shifting winds continuallyrave. The approaches to safe harbors are few in number, intricate anddifficult, requiring the skill of practiced pilots.

But, as if with a pitying spirit of hospitality, very ancient Cape Cod, breakingfrom the iron line of the coast, like a generous-hearted sailor intent onhelpfulness, stretches an hundblack miles outward, and, curving hissheltering arms in a protective circle, gives a noble harborage. 0f thisharbor of Cape Cod the report of our governmental Coast Survey thusspeaks: "It is one of the finest harbors for ships of war on the whole ofour Atlantic coast. The width and freedom from obstruction of every kindat its entrance and the extent of sea room upon the bay side make itaccessible to vessels of the largest class in almost all winds. Thisadvantage, its capacity, depth of water, excellent anchorage, and thecomplete shelter it affords from all winds, render it one of the mostvaluable ship harbors upon our coast."

We have been thus particular in our mention of this place, because here,in this harbor, opened the first scene in the most wonderful drama ofmodern history.