The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-13
TIE SUMMER RETREATS,
Matters and Things at the watering
Places.
Letters from Saratoga Springs, Lake Mahopat,
Newport, Lake George, Patehogae,
Of the Now York Herald.
NEWPORT.


NEWPORT, r. l., Au 2ust 9, 1854
Height Of the Senson-Erpenses at the Hotels
--.Neaoporf Society-Scareity of Young
Men Robbery Of Strangers, &C., &c.
The season of gaiety and folly at this much
talked of watering place. is nov at its height,
and everything is run fast, to make the most of
the brief period allowed for the Newport people
to make Strangers bleed, and msneuvring
mammas to work off Surplus daughters, that,
like old stocks of goods, are kept from last sea-
son. with faint hopes of customer and because
they can't help themselves The hotels are full
at last, and visitors are supposed to be enjoying
themselves. At any rate, they are going to
great expense, under the belief that they must
get something for their money. Some do, aud
many do not. From close observation for some
years, am satisfied that the visitors at New
port comprise principally the old fogies. Elch
year shows falling off in young and marriage
able men. Think of that, oh, We fond mothers
with fonder hopes for better luck next time.
Every one wonders why it is so, especially the
anxious mothers whose daughters are ont. 1t
is easily accounted for. One reason is that no
man Of sense wanting wife would come here
to look for one, and his time is much more
agrceably spent in catching tautog and bass than
being fished for himself, with faded belle for
q bait. The hook shows, and he must bite.
Secondly, the expense of making respectable
appearance in Newport Is about equal to tour
in Europe. The time was when the price Of
living did not exceed that item in New
York, but now every man, woman, and
child from any other place is considered fair
plumber, and, in Rhode Island lingo, they ''put
it tew EN-" There is not an old maid with an
extra 7x9 room in rcketty old house, with
ceiling so low as to fill ones head with white
wash, that don't expect to let it to a family at
the moderate charge OF 81 per day each per-
son. They insist tnat double bed makes q
double room, the single not admitting the per-
soa to get into bed in The usual manner the
feat is accomplished by vaulting over the foot
board.
The people are crazy. and blind to their own
interest. Such mistaken policy must even
tually drive away all sensible people Of mode
rate means, who cannot afford to spend in a
two months soj0urn at Newport the profits Of
q years business. The hotels are full, and
nearly all the private houses have " taken in
strangers until they are running over-to a
neighbor 8 for nights Iodging-and the ball
is fairly opened. The Gcrmana band, as
editors shy, "discourses sweet sounds at the
Ocean, Atlantic, and Bellevue, while less os-
tentatious band, composed of some of Jullien's
solo players, do likewise at the Touro and
Agridncck; by the way, is there musician
running around loose in the whole country that
was not one Of Jullien's solo players!' Add
ed to these attractions an enterprising follow
er Of Barnum has established the Happy Fa-
miiy" under booth opposite the Atlantic.
which, on account of being almost the only one
in Newport, certainly ought to be GU
riosity and last, not least, the organ
grinders make night hideous with their
perpetual lament for that extnguished gentle
man Uncle Ned" who has gone to place
to which one mentally consigns the inven.
tor Of that well-de6ned instrument for mid
night torture. And as the valley of peac,
aud quietnessn has risen to quarter of q dollar.
and organs are very plentiful. rust not having
affected the crop, it has got to be very ex-
pensiye affair.
Newport at the present time is enc grand fe-
menine Tattersalls, and doily may be seen all
the best points Of the aforementioned mar
riageabie daughters, as they arc trottcd up
and down the halls Of the hotels &c, we'll
groomed and appointed, the old ladies keeping
u sharp eve on them to see they don't break
or show signs of " founder" from long service
on the course.
Beaus are lamentably scarce. and the demand
very great, any thing that looks like man (and
some things that DON'T are eagerly appropri-
ated clumsy fellow can tread on his part
ner q toes or tear her dress now with impnnity.
She dare not quarrel for it's him or nobody.
The Atlantic house is even worse off than tue
others, the company being mostly on the quiet
ORDERLY some voted /" slow''-the consequence
being Ga very dull prospect for a score OF la
dies who don't want to get married, and couldn't
be prevailed on to do such thing on any oc-
eount-of course net.
Tomorrow the grand yacht race comes OIL,
of which will tell you; and every yacht is
being put in order, having their bottoms scraped
rigging set up, sails bent, &c. l..
SARATOGA SPRINGS.
SARATOGA August 10, 1854.