The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-30
THE WATERING PLACES.
OsaS FRshionHhis C0rrcsposdencs
COLUMBIA HoUss,
- Al Ii az llE 4


COLUMBIA House.,
CAPE Mar, July rs. 1851
"Trip to Cape Lsland-Croscds- Bathtng--Hops -
Life at Cape Lslawd-1M Grand Si~scy Dress
Ball, etc.
left the city on Wednesday evening, on board
che steamer Penobscot. from the foot of Cedar
street. We had magnificent sail from New York
10 Cape Island, which We made in about fifteen
hours after leaving the wharf in the city. There
Is no of landing passe agers from the steam
crs on the seward side of the Cape, and hence the
boats are obliged to double Cape May, and come
to at pier on the Delaware side. some two miles
from the town. From the pier to the village good
turnpike road affords an sgreable carriage way,
over which passengers whirled 1t twenty five
cents per head, to whichever hotel they may ele,t
as their place of abode. On entering the town. tho
first thing which struck me as remarkable, was
the immense crowds of people that presented them
selves to the view at every turn, Not hotel, not
u cottage, not saloon-hsrdly habitation of any
kind-but had . crowd congregsted about the
DOORS and, as far the eye could penetrate, the
rooms OF the various tenements appeared to be cor
Tespondingly full. This appearance of repletion
Wssfully verified when We arrived At the hotels. A
number Of our company were old travellers, and
hence we knew how to content ourselves with the
evils of the instant, in order to prospective
comforts; We, therefore, with seeming contented-
ness, awaited the time when vacancy should oc
cur. and meantime, consented to occupy q side par
or in which only three beds were at the time made
mp for temporary use being thus domciled, we
awaited the time when departing tenants should
yield to Us their rooms. Our companions, who could
not Ut first think of making any compromise with
discomfort, went about the town seeking for inme-
n anA nda hrtrv of
forwards had an opportunity to congratulate our
selves on our superior sagacity when they returned
after an unsuccessful attempt find more oomforsa
BILE quarters The ruth il, that Cape May is more
than full the measure is hoaped up Have you
not seen bees when about to swarm when the fami-
~ Of young ndustrials have oongregated about the
sppertures Of tho hive, just ready to make their
Cape May at present; and when one sees the crowds
that congrcgate at the doors, and on the porches
he nvoluntarily looks for the means Of conveyance
by which they are to make their exit. Bat they do
not 60, and, although there is already such over
population the cry is still they come and, indeed
come they do Cottages far distant from the ho-
tells are brought into requsition; beds are multi
piled in small rooms, to che utmost extent of the
occupants good nature parlors that can be dis
pensed with, are brought into sleeping apart
ments, and all the appliances, ordinary and extra
ordinary, are used to make capacity more capa-
cious. In fact, il one did not consent to exercise
feeling Of charity and benev olsnee, he would be led
to mako tho acknowledgment that tho town is too
full for comfort. OF course, it will not do to make
the assertion unquali6edly, aud honce We will only
To live at Cape May, and not to battle at regular
hours, would be like going to the opera and play
ing game of chess or back gammon while the per-
formsnce was on. The bath Of the morning, the
state Of the tide, SURF temperature, all topics of
conversation during the afternoon; and to confess
ignorance Of these is to be act down IS blameably
negligent or oulpably unwi.e "What, you say
jan ~ ~. arr;n y, t t i;LJi ~ ~. w
yoinder to confession of not having bathed at the
For ny part, COME IS to Partially for an early
bath une bered with tro xsers, bathing shirt,
or hat and such one is to be had here ut very
early hours in the morning, at = respectable dis
lance from tho hotels. Tue regular bathing hour
for those who wish to eojoy such bath, is only
bathing day Is divided follow ;-The ladies have
from to o'clock, and from I0b to III A. NJ, and
from to j. Nj the gentlemen have tho grounds
from liz 10 l2a In the morning, and from to 9 in
the afternoon. But the great display is in the
morning between ii and IL O'Clock, at which time
the hotels out nearly Ill their dodgers TO wash
themselves in the surf Carriages OF all kinds are
their hotels to the shore, and hundreds Of pedes-
trians clad in all sorts of indescrbable costumes,
may be seen making their way through the various
avenues leading to the grounds. When all are as
region, celestial terrestrial or Internal be ex-
pectcd to produce. They count, not by dozens,
scores, or hundreds, but act aly number thou
sands, Of both sexes and Of AL ages, from
the infant in arms to veterans with silver locks.
There gocs a tall, lank, dyspeptic looking be-
ing, who is known to be Of the masculine gen.
der, not from his dress, bat because he has
beard upon his chin; and close following
in his wake is stout dowage., waddling along at
cost Of most arduous exertion-Iresenty they reach
the surf, and their individuality is lost rs they
minglc with Thousands who there before them
tender parents bear their precious burthens of in
q. khnsx nd volt hus oapfv ralls
robust humanity ts assist in the sanatory oP sration
lads and misses, bellies and beaux join in festivities
aud make the bath instrument of vast dive rsion
while pepss and msmas are too much engaged them
selves 70 keep very severe eye youthful hilarty
All the colors Of painters pallet are represented
by the dresses, while the white surf, dashing con-
tinually in their midst, gives 70 the waves the ap
pearance Of actual life, and the whole picture Is
II old ocean had come on ~ nmer's day to have
play sicll with the mortals Of Cape Island. NJ
one thinks Of making engagements between The
batting and dining hours. The interim Il
ioupgcd away by tho gentlemen till the first bel
give notice that it il time to prepare for dinner,
two o'clock. The ladies probable lounge also II
their rcoms-st AM. rate nothing Is seen OF them
till they appear at table or on their way thithcr
Dinner consumes but httls than an hour
and the remainder Of the day Il devoted, TO
the most part, to carriage riding. There are quit
number Of pleasant drives In the vicinity, an,
always plenty Of vehicles to be had for hire. Tit
evening is devoted to drawing. room conversation
dancing, OF entertainments which may prcsen
themselves In the way of concerts, SC. We had
hop at this house last evening. Ii wa a hne affair
though by no means drcssy. We have an ercellen
band, which plays at dinner time, and which, whe'
occasion requires, forms an excellent orchestra 70
dancing purposes. There were present last evening
some cd acquaintance 10 the fashionable world
among whom Ehone conspicuossly the Misses Aid
rige, % Baltimore. The dancing was kept up I'll
near midnight, but not oeyoud that hour. To
night there Il TO be a bop NJ the Msnsion House
And thus IL goes-sonetimes At one house, and
sometimes at another. There u mo- want Of oppor
tunity for those fond Of dancing to enjoy their IA
voritc smusement. In short, there is no lack o
hesl,hfu! recreation at Cape May. Bowling slleys
billiard roo ms, and shooting galleue, are here Il
abundance, sud are well patrouireA too. 50 "
are, a. you viii zee, no ule people for, what viii
bathing, bowling, CARR ige riding, dining, and dauc
ing, there are lost bours Aud | assure yo
there Il no appearance Of idiencss IL seems As
every one were hard at work, Though their task b
enjoyment There are 10 pssslve delighv here