The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-08-19

SroET, OF THE SvRF.-A lady correspondent
Of the Washington Union, who has been :" 20
ing down 10 the sea" at Cape Island. gives the
GLOWING description Of the aquatic enjoymcnts
of the place:
The attendant upon the bath was taking a
prominent part in the conversation, as usual.
while Immediately behind her crouchcd her
daughter, negro girl of twelve or thirteen
years Of age laughing and rolling the whites
her eyes IN ecstacy at all that was going for
ward Beside large tub Of water in the CEN
ire of the floor, knclt or sat several ladies inst
from the surf in all the various stages of dis
robin@, each intent upon her own arrange
mcnt. and utterly regardless of what was pas
sing around her. Others were preparing for
The BATH laying aside their dresses. OF rather
suffering them to he laid aside by their maids
whilst the latest corners were removing their
shawls and bonnets, and exchanging greet ngs
with their acGuaintances. For the first few mo-
mcnts We were deaiencd and bewildcrcd the
sight of some dozen females, only partially
dressed, and that in garments perfectly satu-
rated with sea watcr-the busy waiting maids
passing and repaSsing; or drying and comb
ing the streaming hair of their mstresscs--the
subducd laughter and whispered gossip of a
bcvy OF lovely, chatting girls murmnring along
in an undcrcurrent of sound-parties of romp-
The dense atmosphere; which made us struggle
Tor breath-and to crown all. the sudden burst
ing iolt Of chorus of girish voices into one
oi the Widest sweetest OF negro melodies that
was caught up and flung back by the roar of
the waves without-all combined to form a
picture odd indeed.
Following the example OfOthcrs, we exchanp-
ed our double wrapper for a wooden bathing
dress. covered our hair, and with the friend
who had accompanied us, we hastily made our
exit from this crowded Babel and on crossing
the threshold VIC were met by our male escort
equipped for the sea. The sight outside that
met our vision was still more bewilderng than
the one we had left.
The sight of nearly one thousand pcrsons in
various costumes-the shrill, laughing cries Of
Inc bathcrs, heard above the roar of the surf
parties OF children in the arms of nurses. strup
gun? Tor brcath--the ladies, many in BRIGHT
piaid dresses, with fancifiIlly trimmed straw
hats on their hcads-and, to end all the appear.
a., OF The bathers as they came out, looking
.'kc congregation OF resusctated corpscs fc-
vcred, all combine to form a picture like the
Illusion OF dream. almost leaving the behold
or III doubt whether that on which he looks il
indeed realty. or the mere creation Of a distem-
pered brain. There is nothing very exclusive
IN the bath here where the belle is placed in
uXtaposition with her waiting maid !; indeed it
would be difficult to distinguish them. as no
costume in the world leads itself more readily
Or more conveniently to the purpose OF dis
suisc One popularity is the utter disregard
Of many Of the male bathers to being knocked
Town by the breakers and drowned. Thew
will move out and out, and when warned that
hat they are almost outside the breakers, thew
ook as though they wondered at the wanton
waste of words bestowed upon SO insignificant
! piece Of information How many ofthose
ecklcss bathers escape drowning, we cannot
axe upon ourselves to explain.