The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-23
THE SUMNER RETREATS
LAKE MAHOPAC.
LAKE MAHOPAc, !


70 Fashion-Descr ptio of Beauty
a F2ohHa-Race Betreen the "Biael
Charger and LA P,erre"-IHe Latte,
Tfctorions--.another Roce-Black Charge,
1riumphant-Hop at Gregory's-.husic on
The Water at Night Cro,cded Hotels
Whoever has rode from Groom Falls to this
lake (Which, ly the by, is most romantic
ride, especially after sundown) must have OBJ
served tall poplar tree, standing SOLITARY
and alone by a stone wall in an open field,
upon the top Of hill. Although the road over
which you travel twists and turns in many
devious way, yet you never lose sight of this
poplar, which seems to stand guide to point
out your way to one OF the most lovely lakes
Of its size in The world. Yes, say world; and
who will gainsay It? And when he does, let
him name ore like it, / do no. boast of
having been out of my native country-but I
will venture to say that even Europe, with all
her pretty little lakes, has not one to match
it. We all know that Lake George is the most
beautiful in the United S ates, and that the lake
of Cogo is the most beautiful that Europe can
boast Of but these are on a large scale, and
that is why they have become world renowned
But this little sheet of water with a modesty
only equalled by its beauty, wins the apprecia-
ton of the real lover Of nature, who enjoys its
beauties silently, without that bosterous mirth
which mars the effects Of the country; and thus
il assumes quietness which keeps its fame
within bounds.
There is fishing to be had here; but one must
baye patience to catch those that are worth
having Three OF US went out the other day.
and although we exercised the patience of Job
for four hours, yet he only rewarded us with
live fish. One is worth mentioning, it having
weighed two-and-a-half pounds. Pickerel aud
bass are the kinds that most that abound.
Fashion does not appear to reign supreme
here. Ladies show uncommonly good sense
in this particular in not initiating Newport and
Saratoga. How much can one see aud enjoy
of the country if she dresses five and even
seven times day, as / have\ seen many of
them do at the aforementioned places. Talk
to them of time, they only know Of its exis-
tence in the changes they undergo from a
hounced silk to Swiss muslin, and SO on.
Fashion may be tiattery to the pride Of many,
but it is not comfort. ! trust the ladies here
will ever preserve that plainness Of attire
which go well accords with the simplicity Of
the lake, for (" beauty when unadOrned is
adorned the most
l cannot fOrbcar mentioning that there are
several beautiful young ladies here. / speak
of both houses, for Gregory has the majority
but there is one at our hOuse that is worth all
the rest When first saw her, how irresistibly
came upon me the portrait that Wordsworth
has 80 beautifully drawn oil his own wife!
She phantom OF delight,
When FIRST she cleaned upon my sight,
Aud then. as the reality broke upon me,
saw her, upon nearer view,
Aspiril-yet woman, too.
Just Of that age when girlhood has burst into
womanhood with all that full maturity which
gives to the figure stately and digniicd ap-
pearance. With face fair as fair can be, over
Swallowed by dark hair, not plainly combed
down in front nor hung in curls. but looped
with kind o. twist, aud tied behind; and arms
round aud full, tapering gracefully to the wrist.
But ii was the eyes that melted you into admit
ration, if not love, at once. They were so
witchiug-sO full of tender and atfectonste
fcelir g-that spoke within of heart guilecss
as virtue itself. | trust she will pardon the
publicity of this for when beauty is met with,
lis worth describing. In truth, she was
Aperfect wcrao pobly planned
To warn, to conf ,rt, and command.
Those who may recognise this imperfect
sketch will readily admit | have not done JUS
lice 10 the original.
very novel affair was got up on the lake
the other morning, the first OF the kind have
ever seen here, \ fotilla, consisting OF five
sail and thirteen row-boats. 1t was led by the
Black Charger, then La Pierre, next, Lady Of
the Lake, after her Emma, and lastly Maho
pac; these were followed by the thirteen 70 "
boats all tied 10 each other il was a beautiful
sight 10 stand on shore and see one after thu
other move along and gracefully turn. like
serpent that held uodsputed right of its way
What made the scene more enlvening. a bant
ou board the Emma poured forth strains tina
came floating TO thu shore, swectcned and mel
lowed by the water and distance
feeling sprung up last Saturday between
the oNncrs and admirers of the Black Charger
and La Pierre. as to the sailing qualities Of The
two yachts; aud ii was determined TO decide il
at oncc by 4 race, "a there was q, fine breeze on
the lake that afternoon. The Black Charger had
always been what is termed in c ommoa parlance
the cock OF the walk She had been tried
and known to beat everything on the lake
aud when the La Pierre entered for the first
time TO contest this cl.im- although her model
was beautiful, (iar more 50 in my opinion, than
the Black Charger,) and her sailing qualities
good, yet the well known character OF the
Black Charger, progressed many in her favor
and bottles of champagne were stakcd freely
upon hcr. The distance 10 be run was. | should
Judge, some six mites around the island Of Re
ira, back TO the starting point, which was
STAKE. boat, around which they were TO turn
and come in shore. | need but say, that III,
race terminated differently from what was cx
pecttd the La Pierre won. and the shout
that rose rs ste rounded the stake was almos
he0itnns She beat the Black Charger Us
,osuc !our minutes. An excitement like this
Wa not allowed to die away 50 easily. tn,
tp.it a. rivalry was up, aud il was determined
10 try another race in day or two, watch ac-
ccfaire;y came OF. In nearing the goal, the
Black Charger which was ahead, had 10 tack
toward tic opposite shore. and in doing 90 ran
90 far IN when she grounded aud 81 course
she FvcC was up. Sho would have beaten bat
fcT tbs mishap. aud TO make tho matter honor
able and satisfactory TO all concerned, they
tried II oocc more, aud the Black Charger again