The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-08-17
Roadside Reminlscences-NO 2.
Correspondence of the Herald

SARATOGA, August l4Ih, lSf3.
Balls, Concert, FTe,oorks Politicians, Gunpooder
aud good tiping-Mr. Pan Buren,, Madame Cas-
fcIan, and the state Of the Thermometer.
DEAR SIR
pass over the space intervening between the
ocde OF the date Of my last and this to OF dewn the
dongs of this place at present
reached here on Monday last, and have thus
had week tor observation In that time there
have been three balls-one at the United States
-one at the Pavilion, and one at Congress:
Hal--a concert by Madame CASTELAR,, an cxhibi
ton OF fireworks by Edge, Of Jersey City, fight a
Union Hall and another at the States, any quantity
OF quiet Irritation, some considerable amount of ma
noeuvrng on the political chess.board by Mr. Van
Buren, and his friends, several thousands of gallons
water drank, and not few hundreds of bottles Of
W inc.
Now for the details The ball last Tuesday a,
the Pavilion was one of the best affairs of the sea-
son-there was as much or more beauty than at any
previous ball at any place. Nearly all the ladies
were under thirty, and there were not three that
were not good looking out of 100 The belle of the
evening was Miss G, H. McC-k, from Hart
ford county, Maryland, very lovely and amlabe
young lady, whose first season alike in Saratoga and
the fashionable world this happens to be- She Is
here with her sister, Mrs. McL--n Capt Nc
LII made an excellent master of the ceremonies
on this occasion
The ball at Congress Hall on "Wednesday was a
very recherche matter; it was well managed IN the
minutest details, and the presence of Mr. Van Buren
Tor few minutes, drew a number. OF handsome
women and fashionable trfers TO the place The
ball at the United States on Friday was very bril-
liant one-here also Mr.. Van Buren, was the | on of
the evening. The Hon. Frank Granger and his ac.
comp!lshed daughter were present, also the for
| Il 4.
| raj distinguished ex-members of Congress, a very
few officers of the U. S Army and NAVY, and a
great number of Mr.. Van Buren's political fle-ead-
ers from all parts OF the Union joined in the witch
ing maZes oil the dance, and for few hours threw
aside the trlckeries and cares of politics, for the
more powerful fascination of woman 3 charms 1t is
needless To particuarse-these balls rolled through
the evening very much IN the manner Of other balls
that have preceded them, and very similar, feel
certain, TO snndry other Saratoga balls that will
come after them In after years. There was much
less expenditure in dress, however, than any pre-.
vlously remembered fashionable season here, and
several of the gentlemen danced in boots and &C.
cessaries to metch-indeed every lady and gentle
man seemed to have dressed as best suited their
purse, pleasure, or pursuits-a plan that is muc II
more pleasant than any other to a majority of the
parties concerned, and one that s much less trying
or troublesome to taors. Major B of Bati-
more, was as good as any master OF the ceremonies
on this latter evening.
Madame Castelan's last Concert was very FASH
lonably attended, and went off with immense tciat
as the critics say. There were about 100 persons
present, at 81 per head. Her last piece from In
Sonnambula was lieralIy vociferously applauded-
The young gentlemen present from all parts Of the
Union, made an exceedingly loud noise by rapping
their sticks on the foer, and shouting "bravo,''
encore" "magnlhque," NC; and few juveniley
dressed, good looking and good natured old gen.
tlemen, whose wives are well aware that they
are "ont," were equally enthusiastic. Apropos
of Madame G. Mr.. Van Buren is not himself on
this subject, for several occasions he has beer
known to commit himself warmly and even raptnr
ously in praise of her singing; he has even rode
out IN the same carriage with her, and other ladies
and gentlemen; and one day last week, whilst
was fishing on Saratoga Lake for those ANNOYING
perch and understood sun fish that bite mans bali
of his hook ten times before he gets bite in raali.
ty, heard the most delightful warbling ever lis
tened to, In the shape OF subunary sounds the
music of the spheres" being all universal excep
ton to every thing mundane. Turning round I
saw in boat not far from me Madame CASTELAR,,
another LADY, Mr.. Van Buren,, and gallant Major
from Baltimore, who shall be nameless; Madame
had been frequently importuned to sing to the Ex-
President in private, and had pernaciously refus-
ed, upon the very proper ground that IT she sang for
one, she must sing for all, or give offence and this
was the way in which the little Undertook mag
clan contrived to induce her to change her views
upon sober second thousht;" for though she would
not sing tor HIM In private, yet when on the beau-
u Lake OF Saratoga for the first time, she could
not withhold the tribute OF melodious praise to the
works at nature. Who says that Mr.. Calhoun
stands the slightest chance OF getting the nomina.
ton over Matty next May, after this
The foregoing is sufficient for one letter. have
abundance OF matcrid, which shall deal out gra-
dually to your numerous readers In broken doses
day by day The only other facts necessary to
state are, that the village now contains about 200
strangers; the United States is crowded inconve
nience; they dine $40 almost daily, and numbers
have to sleep out; thew refused to take any new
Corners on Saturday. Union Hall is also uncom-
fortably crowded. Congress Hall is full; and the
Pavilion has only room for about 20 OF 80 To be
sure, the departures each day nearly counterbaance
the arrivals. The above four are the principal no.
tells, and they are all admirably kept. / have been
to them all; but Tor real comfort, quiet elegant re-
tlrement, good society Invested OF the hollowness
and ickleness OF fashion, far prefer the Pavilion
II is infinitely the best location in the place. and
there not that eternal noise and racket which pre-
walls at some places, that cannot, Casca-llke,
"seep O. nights" ils close TO the best spring in the
place, and an exact medical walking distance
from Congress Spring, which nvalids should drink
every morning fasting, in quantities of not less than
five, and not more than fourteen glasses; though
one unfortunate gentleman the other day contrived
to dispose Of b. in fit OF absence of mind, and
did me- discover his mistake until he tried to drink
glass of brandy and water at Fuller's bar after
that, and found he was " full 10 overlooking" The
Pavilion IN former years has been poorly managed.
and the proprietors this year, with great deal OF
prudence, IN order to raise it TO the highest tone of
excellence, ssntlfor Mr.. A. S. Barnum, to take the
management OF 1t. He comes from a good old
stock, long celebrated for excellence in hotelkeep-
ing, being the nephew OF that universal favoriie
with travellers and veteran In his line, David Bar.
mum OF Baltimore. MIR. b. has more than equalled
all the expectations formed for him; for though
called upon late in the season, month after all the
other hotels had opened. by his excellent manage
ment, judgment and skill, he has made this the
most comfortable house in the best sense of the
word in the village, and made for il this season, a
name aud lame that will be fortune to the pro.
pretors next year, and cause it to be full with the
L..
has the management of it. The breakfasts here
far excel the celebrated ones at the Astor House;
all the accessories OF the sleeping rooms are excel
lent, aud the smallest details throughout the house
are IN keeping there with.
The summer was so backward, the season so late
to begin, and the weather now so delightful and
healthy, that hundreds of persons have made up
their minds to stay here till the close of September
the grand month of the season; and the most poll
tico fashionable ball 10 be given here about the I2h