The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-14
TIE SUMMER RETREATS,
CAPE MAY.
CAPE MAY, Aug. II, 1854

House took place last night, aud was truly
very brilliant affair. l suppose there must
have been two thousand persons present-all
elegantly dressed. The great saloon Of the
hotel fairly flashed with beauty. The walls
were decorated with red white and blue bunt-
ing, punctuated-if / may use The word-at
each Above and window by national flags and
evergreens. From the northern extremity
down to the centre of the hall, the avenues out
side Of the alcoves were partly covered by neat
tricOlOred hangings, forming a supper room,
spacious, elegant, and secluded from the hoor
where the dancing was going on. The decora-
tions were all made by a Philadelphia uphol-
sterer, under the supervision Of Messrs. John
Thornley,, James s. Wallace, and T. B. Peter
son, selected by committee of the managers
for the purpose.
The supper was furnished by Mr.. Peleter,
formerly of the Crystal Palace, in your
establishment at Philadelphia. The o.
naments of the table were the handsomest
ever seen OF Cape May, and the whole supper
Was one OF marked pre-eminenoe. Peleter has
entwined never-dying laurels abou his brow.
His artistic efforts in this single essay deserve
immortalizing by no less gourmet than Bril-
lat Savarin himself. He viii be the spasm'
among Philadelphia fashonables next winter.
But TO the ball. Dancing commenced at half
past nine O'Clock, under the management of the
following gentlemen, who were distinguished
by white and blue badges : Judge Robinson,
James S Wallace, Augustus H. Raiglel, Jasper
Harding John Thornley,, I. B. Peterson, A. Nc
Maxim Samuel Bronson, Thomas Hartley,
james Ii. Devine, William w. Harding, G. w.
Eldridge, j. Hart, Michael Dallett, A. Fl Lud-
lam. l.. HARDWOOD, Jr.. A. Hopkins, A. J. Drexel,
George w. Sloat, j. Derby shire, W. d. Jones,
Thomas S. Ellis, j. III. Brown, J. NJ Pendleton,
r G. Saxton, w. B. Miller f. G.. Cattell, and
several others.
Tire music was furnished by Bedi's celebrated
Philadelphia band, increased for the occasion
very decidedly. OF course they performed de-
lightfully.
noticed prominent on the floor Mr. r. Morris
the editor Of the Pennsy lvania Enquirer, as
also his wife, son, and daughters (the two latter
commanded unusual attention; Mr.. Harding the
publisher of the Inquirer, was also prominent,
giving life to all about him, by his pleasant
sallies of wit. Chancellor Johns, Of Della
ware, and Judge Robinson, of New Jersey,
were likewise present, imparting decided dign-
ty to the occasion. So were DR.. Samuel Jack
son, of Philadelphia, and Mr.. Mathews, British
Consul at that port, the former accompanied by
his Intellectual and elegant lady, the latter by
his graceful and agreeable daughters.
Among the bellies Of the ballroom were the
Misses b. and w., from cottages at the Capes:
the Misses NJ, Miss Sally T., Miss j. Nom, of
Philadelphia, and many others cannot men,
ton The Misses p, of Burlington, N. j.. left
the Mount Vernon day or two before the ball;
their presence. Miss V. p, by the way, is
superior person in all respects. While at the
Mount Vernon, she won many heart by her
various accomplishments. Her performances
on the piano are as tine as ever heard from an
amateur. The sister, it should be added, ia alsn
great fayorite, 90 where she may. She sings
like nightingale.
Miss G., of Cincinnati daughter OF cele.
brated painter, and her fair cousin, Miss v,
also left before the ball, and the company lost
the pleasure which their presence would have
impaired. The Misses B., of Burlington, ais,
departed day or two before the occasion
causing great regret; also, little Miss L.. of
Philadelphia. As we have before limited, all
went, ne nevertheless, as
Merry as a marriage bcl.''
Dancing was kept up until Two or three
O'Clock in the morning.
supper was served at midnight. and was par
taken of with high relish. The dishes were all
commended and the entire arrangement elicit
ed the most uneluivocal appreciation. Final
~
prietor of the Mount Vernon and all concerned.
1t will long he remembered; indeed, thus far il
is the only truly gcnteel and entirely proper
thing Of the kind which has ever taken place at
the Cape.
The season will continue here until the first
OF September. The Mount Vernon has still
about four hundred guests, the United States,
Columbia and Mansion are also handsomely
patronized. Mr.. Woolman intends next season
to have accommodations for at least one
thousand guests at his house. lie sends every
body away pleased and this must call back to
him q new and increased army of patrons in
1855.
| shalt leave to-day, and this letter hence is
the last which You will receive from my poor
pen During the season j have spoken Of things
as they have impressed me. plainly and honest
ly. If have offended any one, it has been
done with no malicious motive. Let me here
thank Messrs- Woolman Hopkins, and HARDWOOD,
Of the Mount Vernon the United States, and
the Columbia for their constant and unceasing
courteeies. To the two former am especially
indebted. Your agent Canning. has also been
very polite. l cannot close my series Of letters
without remembering particularly all Of these
gentlemen.
Cape May must grow more and more popular
every succeeding year. The Mount Vernon is
the Inauguration of new order of things. The
island only wants few more new and couve-
nient houses to take the lead of all places Of
the kind. confess, indeed. wrote you thus
that my first impressions of the place were
any thing but agreeable. II grew upon me the
loager | remained. Tire bathing ground is,
a aubtiess. the best in the world.
lie. me add before concluding. that many
Improvements are already on the taps here,
independent OF the new hotel and its surround
ings Among them may be signalized the
building Of a very substantial bridge over the
inlet dividing Cape Island kom the Lighthouse
UoCnos. by Mr.. Mark Devine, Of Philadelphia.
thus scndering a drive round to the steamboat
landing by the beach nearly always feasible.
Mr. Devine--a noble fellow by the by-cop-
templates the erection of q refreshmeut saloon
near this bridge. the water Of the establishment
t. be furnished by an artcsian well, which i