The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-07-11
VIEW YORK. TUESDAY MORNING, JULY H. 1913

'Nu" heUttD we nnu very graphic letter descrlp-
tive OF the past and present condition of the
Springs -
A great change has come over this American Spa
wiinln lew years. We can remember the time
chen it affiliated with the surrounding country only
by feW lines OF stages, put upon the route only
during the watering season." private equipages,
extras exclusive extras, &C., forming the principal
means OF conveyance tor the crowds that cOncen-
trated there. Even the Carolinian and the Geor-
glan, having IN view only few weeks stay at these
springs, would begin their long journey in private
carriage, undiscouraged by the prospect Of bad
roads, almost impossible streams and slovenly ac-
commodations; deeming the exhibition of them
selves tor such brief time there, full compensa-
ton tor all pers and privations encountered while
outward and homeward bound. The classification
OF THESE crowds was then most distinctly ma de out
the mode OF reaching the place marking with the
most obvious discrimination the various grades OF
wealth, II not OF responsibility, prevailing among
the visitors. Those who arrived in coach and four
were wheeled up In the brightest hour of the day,
and when the balconies were most likely to b
thronged with spectators feeling an assurance that
all eyes would be turned on them with curiosity and
consideration, the latter being readily paid in ad-
vance upon such unquesOnabe claims to receive it.
Ihe way was promptly opened to the party, which
slowly descended the steps of the carriage and as
cended those OF the hotel and the saloon was
reached In sort OF triumph, where all was hustle
ana oDsequlousness on the part OF the hest and his
attendants spreading out before them the choice of
accommodations. The geneaogy and public and
private history OF such party Immediately became
matters OF gene al discussion. No gazetting could
have given greater notoriety. Fortunate were
those who could bear the scrutiny without any
loss to that reputation which the equpage sug-
gested: The more modest carriage and pair had
less blazonry than the "four in hand,'' but was
driven up with no misglvings as to its full title
10 respect and complimentary reception
The currlcle and tandem introduced the bachelor
IN full,orbed Pretenslon. In the descending scale,
came the "hack," which could not be disguised,
n n mr.
other cunning devices assuming the resemblance OF
proprietorshlp. The coldshouder was put forward
against all such counterfeit presentmens. The gig
or chase called forth all degrees of indifference,
from the temperate" Of passing glance, down to
the =" zero" oil utter contempt 1t those humble We
hces had an sndlssuised trunk strapped on behind,
IN make-shlt way. showing that It had no fitness
Tor such extraordinary uses, the balconies were
either deserted, or the promenade continued there,
as If no arrival had occurred. If they contained
pair OF the sexes, the chances were, that, after
awaltnsithe coming of a waiter until impatient at
the delay, The woman had to enter and announce
their advent, leaving the man to hold the horse in
ths mean time. No percsp,ible change of crcum-
stances took place, even if ar additional horse was
seen harnessed on the outside of the thlls (the
whlppetree being doomed out to accommodate the
double dratD Its pseudo character being at once de-
tected. A genuine chase passed better mustertha
such semi, deml semi curricle.
The public stages brought up the rear. These
who came in them were crowded, heated, busted,
and generally afforded an exhibition of the piable
and the udlcrous, too tempting to be avoided by
those who had nothing else to do than to watch
the passing scene tor something new and piquant.
AS the passengers, during the trying interval which
determined their fate, whether they were among
the admitted or the rejected, endeavored to con-
ceal themse Ives from view, or boldly sat with look
OF affected indifference, trusting that their flush
ed faces and begrmmed garments, when re-
moved, would leave little or no personal iden
tity behind, hundred merry glances from the
balconies showed that they were privileged spec
re- in afo
legitimate subject of amusement and criticism as
II upon stage. Happy those, who. constrained by
narrow income, or moved by feeling OF economy,
had resorted to this chartered, and therefore des
pissed, conveyance, if some accident postponed its
arrival until the shadows oil evening threw friendly
veil over the approach and entrance, and enabled
the party to escape unobserved to their rooms, with
chance OF emerging thence under appearances
better suited to the pretensions real character Of
those who composed 1t.
The change to which we have alluded, and
which has revoutonized all these distinctions, and
fused all corners, as 1t were into mass has been
produced by the railroads that connect these water
Ing places with the capital of New York. The
humble in mind and in fortune must rejoice in this
evelng effect, however i may chsgrin the million,
are and the subordinate Divcses of the land Amid
the rush that sets from the cars to the hotels the
owner OF the " four-in-hand" is not distinguished
from him who habitually rides in chaise, or even
does not ride at all; while the tumble OF trunks and
carpet bags-all of them of enormous capacity
on the barrows, amalgamates all differences that
hastily read names might suggest; and he who can
walk the eetest, or elbew the best, succeeds en-
erng his on the book at the bar first and con-
sequently, under the impartial rule that now pre-
walls, becomes first served" Favored by such
circumstances, the plebeian may resort to these
Springs as well as the magnae. No externals de-
eide the lot or standing there All, or nearly all,
come and 60. equally without triumph and without
defeat Some, it is true, have name, dependent
upon externals, which floats over the multitudes
at these crowded places as well as elsewhere, and
is always uppermost There are exceptions TO the
general rule; the truly great great at all times
and in all places