The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-08-10

M rarael In one case. ths doubt Of being able y
get that essential meal proceeds from the poverty
Of such ~ entertain it but. IN the other u Eises
from the operations Of dark conspiracy 10 wren
the negro walters Of the United States Hotel are
engaged to levy black mail on the guests under
the penalty Of starvation. The way inc consRtIs
tors effect their purpose is simple ana unique Eaen
sarbo has some six or eight persons surrendered 10
bs tender mercies or at least his duty Is to attcnd
10 the occupants OF six or eight chairs. placed
under his Immediate supervision, and these seats
he let's out to the highest bidder stranger, ~
norapt of the taxing custom, or mon conformist,
who thinks his board bill is quito high enough al.
ready enters the dining hall after the gong has
summoned the impatient crowds to dinner. He is
about to seat himself ut the festive board, but is
informed by the ebony official that THAT ERE seats
engaged" He offers to take the next, but
is prevented by q like intimation. lie essays
another and another, each time with the like result
Perhaps he crosses round to the other side; but all
his efforts to obtain seat foiled, till at last re-
duced to terms, he gives nod or significant look
to the waiter who understands its meaning and In
stanty finds out just one seat, which the hungry
man may have, and thenoeforth is all attention
and obsequioumess-anticipat his every want,
and brings him whatever dish he desires. The ex-
pediency man thus fares sumptuously, while the
Observation-Disclosures if he has obtained a scat
the picks he has been able to snap from some Of the
dishes revolving near him. This is one of the
comicaties Of Saratoga and, certainly, to such as
have forked over, the dinner scene is highly ludl-
nate victims Of the negro conspiracy, and OF their
own obstinacy.
BY the time dinner is thus ended-a feast to some,
but mere collation. to others-the day IS too
far advanced to permit any extended drives or
walks, even if such a deviation from Saratoga
etiquette might be ventured on The piazzas and
grounds Of the hotel then become the great
promenade and show ground of the fashionables,
and present most amusing and diversified moving
panorama. There may be seen, sailing by in solemn
stiishness, and withal, an air ofjuvenity. group
of antquated virgins, escorted by dandes OF the fret
water, albeit, perhaps, :" in the sere and yellow
leaf" Then comes, bounding along, a merry throng
of children, polkaing to- the music of an excellent
band in the esplnnadc, and. unceremonously, sepa-
rating ladies and their admirers Here many eyes
directed to the passing form OF an amusing author,
celebrated divine, or an eminent artistic, as each
of them makes his appearance on the stage, chat
ting in quiet way with his companion. That
steut, sturdy built lady, dressed in plain black silk,
without any head gear or ornaments, who IS crossing
the area at quick pace, is Madame Albon the re-
nowned Italian contraho. From her rapid gestures,
she seems engaged in earnest conversation with the
foreign looking gentleman by her side, who is said
to be her professional agent. On every side may be
heard observations in her praise-some lauding her
vocalization, and some her generosity. She de-
parts from view, and now attention is directed
the very pink Of fashion, and looking to be among
the most polite and well dressed of the crowds,
though they only fishing for new victims, and
plotting scheme for the evening. Youth and
L
the throng, and throw charm around the scene,
frightening the diversified tints Of the picture,
which is thus agreeably composed Of light and
shadow.
Such is sketch of life in Saratoga, as it appears
on the surface. What closer investigation into its
mysteries might disclose OF immortality and dissipa
tion, we will not venture to conjecture. And
this is what fashionable people call high life, plea
sure and enjoyment, and what those shallow minded
persons, who initiate their fooeries, are content to
take substitute for the real joys pleasures and
benefits, to be found in quiet country retreat For
this miserable mockery, the seabeach, and the lofty
mountain, and the quiet valley, where mind and
body would become refreshed and inyigoratcd. are
neglected by these worshppers at the shrine of fash
ion, who content to endure every sort of dscom
fort for the sake of Boosting that they spent the
son at Saratoga.
The grand fancy dress ball of the season will
take place about the 18th, and you may be sure
active preparations are already being made by all
who purpose taking part in the affair. A gentle-
man from Italy, Sgnor de Montassini, an accom-
plished professor Of dancing, has arrived at Sara
toga, and begun to form classes. This gentleman
has followed his vocation in Paris and in Cuba and
is fortified with the highest recommendations. He
disapproves of the system adopted in New York, Of
introducing ballet girls into the schoos-a practice
which he regards ruinous TO the morals of many
young men. He purposes going to New York at
the end OF the season and pursuing his profession,
confident that his system viii be approved Of, and
that he will be pctronized by respectable families,
who will be glad to entrust their youths his care.
This place may have great natural superiorities
to other watering places in the excellence OF its
mineral waters but these. to my mind are
more than counterbaanced by the fuss, and lur-
~, and inconvenience which obtains here, and
by the unpleasantness Of being subjected to the
manGuvres of half dozen cliques of fashionables,
who strive to control affairs Saratoga may be very
well adapted to the taste and nclinations of those
who frequent it, but such persons as wish for quiet
decorum, comfort and healthful recreation, will
hardly go there in search of such desiderata.