The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-03
THE WATERING PLACES


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the Pdce-Hamiton Housc-Hs Architecture
Once the Quarters of General Washingtor-Recen
improvements Health fnlsess ofthe Piace-Pr,vat
RESIDENCES AttracAbns for Ladies' fus1c--Ak
boni, &c.
1t is almost impossible TO realize the change that
comes over both mind and body on breaking up the
settled habits Of town lite-whether professional,
mercantile, of fashiOn-to enjoy respite from
every absorbing care, with every thought turned
free in the mind, floats the free air We breathe
Both mind and body relax Mt once on the withdraw
al Of the stimulus Of the never ceasing duties in
| civic life, and every who knows how to enjoy
the country In manner most conducive TO health,
falls impreceptably into state of easy, comfortable
Incidence, dreaming day dreams-each ono in his
| own way-the lawyer of cases, the merchant Of
commerce, and the clergyman Of creeds But what
the subject may be- it along in the mind at
easy pace, and with inclination for the poetical
Such are the delightful influences of freedom Of both
body and mind, TO be enjoyed in the country, with
green fields shady groves and pure air. and in this
way the body gains new vgor, the mind new ener-
gy, and life is prolonged and rendered more happy
| have been accustomed in past years to look for
these advantages only in distant places, and il Is
| with no slight satisfaction that find ] have
been MISTAKEN and that this airy retreat Possesses
all the good qualities Of other resorts remote
| besides many others not to be found elsewhere. II
| one seeks quietude more favorable place could
not be found anywhere than Fort Hamilton. within
the regions OF those things essential to happiness
| everywhere
| Fort Hamilton is very fur from being merely the
fortress that many suppose; but, on the contrary
more delightful cluster Of elegant residences and
ornamental grounds cannot be found far or near
and conspicuous among them, with two fronts facing
the sea, is tho Hamilton House, which, with it's
light, airy architecture and elegance its well shaded
park in front, and fine prospect seward strikes tho
mind ut once one of the most delightful places
nature and art combined could provide for sum-
mer abode.
One would hardly suppose, in looking upon this
building, SO modern in appearance, that any part of
II had ever been occupied by General Washinton
but such is tho fact. The centre of the ediGce was
once an elegant stone mansion, and on the front
wall is now m inscription tablet bearing date
175l, and the room Washington occupied is retained
the same as In the beginning; while, upon the out
side, two proongations have been extended from
the original building making two fronts Of 500 feet
in all which covered by piazzas of style which
is decidedly unique and beautiful.
The last and by much the longest addition has
been made under the administration of Mr.. Clapp,
the present proprietor, in order to make room for
the yearly increase of guests; and higher
| dalton than this could scarcely be offered Of his
| skill in catering for the public tastes With house
| so admirably adapted for the accommodation of a
large number of families, and most literally pro-
vided with the 9 creature comforts, together with
the facilities for passing to and from the city,
it is not by any means matter of wonder that it is
| favored resort Of New Workers as well as other
| citizens.
almost every other, its proximity to New York,
the remarkable healthulness of the atmosphere from
the almost constant sea bree2es, the beauty Of the
scenery, the capital fishing, and last, but by no
means least, the character of the permanent resi-
dents, many OF whom are persons of high cultiva-
ton and TASTE who seek to make it desirable as q
place OF residence not only for themselves but for
transient visitors. Every one who has visited Fort
Hamilton must have noticed the elegant mansion OF
Mr.. Gelson, to whose enterprise the public is in
debted for the establishment ofthe Hamilton House
also the exquisite taste and air Of refinement exh-
bited in the grounds and conservaories Of Mr. Cum
mings, with many others scarcely less tasteful or
! elegant.
| These things, in the aggregate, contribute much
| towards rendering place desirable, and help to
| pass the summer months in manner not only more
happily. but contribute also to the preservation and
acquisition Of health II, for instance, bright
| particular stars appears in New York-such n.
Aboni-who it is desirable to hear. we have but to
step on board the May Queen at night, and pay a
SHILLING. and return early in tho morning or if
business calls US there curing the day, the May
| Queen John Hart affords CONVEYANCE M in the
a a g' up the Hand Tie IS seess no to
where else surpassed and Remsen is well known to
keep conveyance to suit every taste. The ladies'
who proveIbial for their fancy for bright uni
forms, and military honors, may listen to tales of
heroic Get Is upon the battle field from the vertable
warriors themselves and marriagoable ladies. who
ale expert in setting caps, may catch a husband
The young moon which sheds her radient beams
upon Us now nightly. renders the evenings more
than ever delightful while the military band from
Governors Island, ''discourses sweet music" in
honor Of her coming or the coming guests. By the
way in speaking Of music, have understood that
Albon is to spend part Of the summer here. and
better place she could net select for recruiting her
musical organs for the fall campaign. r.
Our Old Point Comfort Correspondence.
OLD PorNT COMFORT, June "a 1852
The Southern Summer Rereat-O OPENING of the
Season.
Very few of your readers, perhaps, who have even
passed within sight of this spot and the fort adjoin
ing-which is the largest military work we have, by
the way-are aware of the great attractions to be
found here a watering place; and as the season
has just fairly commenced, with some two hundred
visitors. there is doubt that the present will be
the best season that the 'Hygeia" has yet seen
Sontherners find every advantage that any others
possess further north, and have some advantages
which they do not possess. the Maine Liquor law
not yet having become an ingredient Of the laws
either of Virginia of the United States--the hotel
and Fort Monroe, adjoining, standing ground be-
longing to the United States government.
Al this fort are stationed several companies who
drills daily. accompanied by the Old Point Band of
the fort, attract ali the vstcrs they have
dqfune. on breakiusted. The officers and families
resident here add much to the pleasure of the hotel,
hy then daily visits to the ballroom, which Is open
twice daily.
TIE ballroom here is / think, the finest ever
saw and when il i brilliantly illuminated with gas
ia the evening and filed with the beauty of Bati-
more, Richmond, and Norfolk, and tho State yeo-
nanny, il will bear comparison with any ballroom
Of Saratoga or cold water Newport. We have the
advantage of two excellent bands Of music-that Of
the --ursurpassed-whic gives free concerts
three times week, and the band of the hotel, con-
sistipg of some Ten colored performers.
enclose YOU the bill Of fare Of yesterday: and il
soft crabs. FISH Of the best kinds. and oystersyes,
oysteIs-have any attractions, / shall not be sur
pfised to bear Of even you, Mr.. Editor, being n
Visiter at Old Point Comfort ere long. You need
fear the want Recommendations ms the hotel
is the largest ever saw. being capable Of sleeping
some nine hundred persons.
Sentence OF Death upon Thomas Davis.
From the Boston Traveller June ISL
At ten o'clock this morning, the Supreme Court
present Chief Justice Shaw, Judges Dewey and Met
ealfe-cnme i'll to sentence Thomas Davis found
q Al Il. -