Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-09-27

where were not only assembled the bellies
and beauties ofeyery section OF our WIDE
ly extended country, adorned with all tlat
taste and wealth could lend to set of.
the charms with which nature has so lib
orally endowed our fair country women,
but YOU would find the statesman and the
scholar, the lawyer and the divine, the
merchant and the planter, and all that is
wise and lIlustrIouS in our land, revolving
around one common centre Of pleasure
and rcyelry.
Nv residence here enables me to Clas-
sify and speak undcrslandlngly of the So
cicty of Newport, aud IL gives me plea
sure TO say, that It cannot be surpassed IN
the summer season, ifcquaed, by that Of
any city or watering place IN the Union.
First, there is the permanent society of
those who reside here, the whole year
round; this comprises large circle Of
the most cstmablc and agreeable people,
who are most ready and happy to receive
into their circle, the strangers who may
take up their summer quarters here
The second division Of Newport society
consists of numerous families from the
chief cities, but mostly from the south,
/. who either own or hire the cottages which
| have described, for the entire season,
from June to October, and which are al
SO literally opened To those who make
transient visits TO the great hotels. The
Inequalities Of Newport are most LIBERAL
ly dispensed by the occupants; the visit
ing is social and unccremonlous; evening
ca Is are most common, and most agree
able. Every house is accessible of an
evening, and every lady and gentleman
prepared to receive their friends. To no
gentleman are the strangers who visit
Newport, more indebted than 10 Mr. X.
G. Derby, formerly Of Boston, but who
now permanently resides here, in very
elegant Gothic cottage, lately erected byI
hm, and furnished with great taste and
elc lance. His collection Of paintings
and staiuary, with his large mirrors and
furniture corresponding give an air OF,
great elegance and refinement to his cot
tage, which is so arranged as 10 throw
,he pag'c,s hall and dining room into one
large saloon. Mr.. D. literally entcrtains
his friends from morning 10 night, for
three times a week he gives his dgcuRcr
n Ia fGrcaettc, which is considered a very
sensible and pleasant mode Of disposing of.
two or three hours ia the morning Us well
as Of the good things provided for the
guests.
The third class Of Newport society is.
the floating mass of strangers, who come
TO spend few weeks or a few days, and
put up either at the great hotels, or at
the private boarding houses, which are
very numerous, and adapted to the tastes
and persons Of the various visitors.
1t is sand that there has been a greater
number of strangers of this class, than at
any former season, and the incessant roll
ling Of carriages throughout the summer,
would indicate mighty gathering. Ey-
cry section Of the country, from the pine
barrens OF Maine, TO the orange groves of
Florida, and from the Atlantic Ocean to
the valley ofthe Mississippi, has been well
represented, and with very little variety
in manner or style Of dress, though com
ing from all parts of a wider spread terri
tory than the Roman empire ever was
This congregating in a common centre,
does much to rub off the sharp points of
local prejudice, and to make the citizens
Of the far separated sections Of the coun-
try, better known to, and appreciated by,
each other. The Americans are a trav-
elling people, and the free interchange of
sentiment, from free intercourse with
each other, tends much to form a general
national character.
1t must not he supposed that the break
ing up Of what is called the "Season at
the Hotels" puts an end to society here.
In fact, it Just then begins. Newport,
| though not throngcd with strangers, as
it was fortnight ago, is yet more pleas
ant end agreeable, as now the parties and
social visiting, suspended during the gay
season, giving way to the hops and balls
at the llotels,) have recommended, with
what spirit you may Judge when inform
you that this evening there are TO be two
rival bals--one given by Mrs. V---n,
at her elegant mansion in the vicinity of
Newport, the other by the officers, at the
Fort, in return for the hospitaIities ex-
tended 10 them by the residents of New
port; both are expected to be very clc-
giant affairs, and the whole town is in
commo.ion, preparing for the evening"
These parties will be followed by many
smaller ones, until the chilling winds of
November shall scatter the remaining
cottage residents to their winter homes.
In conclusion, add that the weather is
glorious, the bathing delightful, and New
port at no part Of the season, has been so
enjoyable as now. JomN Smith,
Not Of Arkansas,)
sCe Hon. Charles Francis Adams, at
the conclusion Of his second speech at
the Worcester Convention, bid the Free
Democracy there assembled, 4 hearty