The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-30
Notes from tine Watering Places.
OLD POINT HOTEL, OLD PoINr, Va,
9th AUGUST, 1873.

x'dsry-Bdfhtng. -Snobblsm, S'c. &c.
have been sojourning, MIR. Editor, at this de-
Gghtful watering place for the last few weeks and
as your valuable journal devotes large portion of
itspages TO /" notes from the watering places"
have thought that few notes from this far away
Southern resort would not be unwelcome to your
columns. You are aware that the federal govern
ment the proprietary Of all the land upon this Pc
ninsula Upon it stands Fortress Monroe, one of
the best appointed Notifications IN the United
States; Immediately opposite, and distant about a
mile, stands the celebrated Rip Raps, a fortifica-
ton entirely constructed of stone. These two
works command the entrance into the waters into
which the James and other rivers of this portion of
Virginia dsembogue. The RIP Raps is in nm
finished condition., and though Col. DE Russy, the
engineer IN charge of this werk, asked Congress
last year or an appropriation towards its further
completion, that body refused 10 grant IT, No guns
have ever been mounted within its walls, and
there 1t stands, with Its huge openings and lofty
walls OF granite gaping aud frownlng upon the
fleets that hourly and daily pass into and from
Hampton Roads, monument Of Congressional In
decision. Il has, so far, cost millions OF dollars,
and IT the history OF ITS construction, from the day
II was undertaken down to the day Congress re-
fused TO grant any more money towards Its COM
PletiGs, could be made known to the country in all
the details Of the Influences and motives that
the treasure that was yearly sunk upon this spot,
the people would possess an Interesting chapter
upon the seinterest of their servants The fort on
the Point from which am now writing, and which
Z. rs called 'Old Point Comfort, is another and
different sort of thing from that of Rip Raps. 1t
mas cost millions too, but the cost has not been in
making foundation beneath the almost depthless
waters. Ii has been in building works above the
solid earth, and one has the satisfaction at least of
beholding the form which the federal treasure
has been expended. Fortress Monroe has been too
often described in detail to make it necessary for
me to enter upon thar task IN this letter. To APP
preclatc lhe magnitude OF The whole work requires
personal visit, " Inch survey and contemplation
OF this renal kable iortllcaion will amply repay.
Gen. Bankhead, well known 10 the people of the
Empire city for his courteousness of department
and galanly an officer. Is now In command OF
this fort, and to the visitor he promptly affords
every facility for viewing the works and compre-
bending them in all their details In this purpose
ne is well supported by all the gallant officers of
the regiment now stationed here. There Is, out
side OF the fort large quantity OF ground occupied
by dwellings,, In which those connected with goy-
lic TIMBER and other things are stored. portion
OF this land was originally divided off, and granted
10 certain persons who undertook TO build there
upon hotel, and to keep II open all the year
round. The grant is one OF mere sufierance,
the government having the power to order the
hotel 10 be removed at a moments warning, or,
IN the event OF failure TO comply, to remove 1t by
force or demolition. Within the area thus granted
a comfortable building was erected many years
ago, amply large for all the purposes of a hotel
upon so isolated point but in course OF time 1t
duce ihrong of yisiters in search of salt water
bathing, especially the location was perfectly
healthy all the year round. People began to flock
In here for the benefit OF the sea-bathlng, and,
owing TO the want OF accommodation, there was
the usual depriy alton OF comforts, whence the
voice Of complaint spread far AMI wide against
old Point. Soon MIR. James $. French, of Nor
folk, gentleman well known for his enterprise in
this part OF the country, purchased the originally
built hotel for some $4,000, and bargained with
Hugh Garland, Esq, OF Virginia, once clerk OF the
United States House Of Representatives,, to erect
Tor him new and a spacious hotel, capable OF
accommodating five hundred individuals, for which
house yearly rent OF some ~, 800 is paid Before
the house was finished Mr.. Garland failed, but the
trustees completed n.
1t stands Immediately in front Of the old hotel,
is two lofty sterles elevation. and Is seven hun
dred feet la length. II is composed Of centre
building, IN which Is the great ball room, and two
wings that stretch out on either side in the same
line. Front and rear are large and spacious
balconies, extending around the whole building
The sleeping apartments are divided by central
hall, above and below, running the whole length
OF the structure and are each fifteen feet square,
each having two windows and door with tram
som snsh over IT. In each room is a fireplace,
and every chamber IS supplied with the very best
OF beds, bedding, bedsteeds and furniture Some
OF them connect by an intermediate door, for the
convenience oi large families. The whole OF the
building is Of the best frame work, weather-board
ed without and the walls and ceilings within are
finely plastcred. The space between the from, and
rear buildings is triangular. At the base of the
triangle, and running peipendicularly from the
front building, ~ the great dining hail. which IS
300 feet in length. ~ feet in width, and - feet in
height row Of twelve pillars running down the
centre Of the room. This hall is fitted up with all
che appuTtenGnces OF an eating loom, in the most
tasteful style. IL ventilated with large windows
ON either side, and L. approached by the vislters
beneath wide balconies, both from the old and the
new hotel.
The triangle between the two buildings is laid
ofi with gravel walks andgrass plats, and is shaded
by a complete grove Of magnificent mulberry and
acacia trees. In the hotIest weather, this grove
and the surrounding balconies afford the most de-
iehtful and cool promenade.
The ball room if nearly one hundred feet square,
Is nearly forty feet IN height, and Is supported by
four large pillars. The ceiling Is divided into nine
compartments, and, together with the walls. II Is
painted in imitation iresco work, ct the ncnest
colors, and after the most elegant designs. Inc
walls are decorated with statuary, aud with tour
immense mirrors. From the ceiling hang i've gor-
geous chandeliers, which are lighted with gas.
The proprietor makes his own gas, and ms whoie
house and premises lighted with ~, thus giving
20 the establishment as you approach the house at
night the appearance of a beautifully lighted pa-
lace. Every evening the ball room Is lighted up,
and the yisiters have hop, 70 the music OF a band
of colored performers, who discourse very happily
indeed upon their instruments. They also favor
the company with excellent morceaus during
the hours OF dinner. The people of tins section
of the Union ere great lovers OF dancing ana
assure You, the orchestra is not suffered to be
idle; and though we have not yet reached the
abandon Of polka and German coullien dancing,
as at Newport and Saratoga, we Can teach you
Northern fashionables what 1t Is TO dance Vlr-
ginia reel which has all the action, without any
OF the dlssoutensss Of the newly imported polka
The great defect OF Southern watering places is
the poverty Of their tables; but old Point is en-
tirely free from this deficiency. Mr. frenchs table
is unexceptionsble in point OF variety, abundance,
and excellence. The cuisine is every way equal 10
that of the best hotels IN New York. Every meat
and vegetable Of the season, of the choicest KIND,
l.. H.. thn h.af rlnh
OF the hens cannst speak too highly. They go
TO prove that old Virginia, in this respect, main
tans her wonied reputation. Then there Is the
hog fish, the best fish in the world, next to the En-
pish sole. Imagine yourseli-if you have never
tasted this fsh-eating the most delicate piece OF
marrow or the most tender sweetbread, and you
may have some idea Of the substance. Of tais in-
habisnt OF the deep; but Of It's flavor can convey
10 you no notion. II must be eaten to be realized
They are taken out of the water alive, as, indeed,
everything is coming out Of the water, and intended