Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-08-15
Correspondence.
Amusements at Long Branch.
LONG BRANCH, AUG. 5, 1855

FRIEND CONNOLLY ~ Ou- reproached me
not long since with my epistolary silence, and
of my 'breach of promise" in not communica-
ting occasionally with you acknowledge
the business of your reproach, and assure you
it has been owing rather to my constitutional
dislike for letter writing, and to the height of
the mercury, than to any want of interest in
your valuable journal, that | have been so long
neglectful. Having promised thus much, let
me think what | shall write about.
In the first place you must know that this
is one of the most beautiful and picturesque
spots upon the Atlantic coast The boarding
houses all stand within a few rods of the beach,
sufficiently distant to prevent persons, enjoy
ing the cool breeze upon the verandas, from
being annoyed by the dust. The surf this year
has been unusually fine, and the bathers all
seem to enjoy it exceedingly. In fact, Long
Branch is just the place to spend the heated
term.
If you are disposed, for exercise, you can
either walk or drive through as fertile and lux
uriant country as New Jersey can boast of !;
if not there is the bowling alley or the billiard
room, where an idle hour may be passed very
pleasantly. Almost every evening there is a
" hop" at one or other Of the houses, where the
lovers of the dance to music sweet, trip light
ly," until the "witching hour of night" gives
her parting hand to the advancing day. and
then, you can go to bed, and, lulled to sleep
by old oceans solemn roar dream of what YOU
please
On Saturday last, as was walking listless-
y up and down the veranda of my hotel,
smoking cigar, and Eliminating upon what l
should do my eye was caught by a small man
uscript notice, pinned to a post in very I'M
pretending manner. Perhaps, thought l, this
will be the means of determining my actions
for the afternoon. | read it, and found it to
be an invitation, calling upon all people good
and true" to adjourn to the house of Mr..
SAMUEL LAIRD, (who, believe was formerly a
townsman of yours, and a capital fellow for
the purpose Of witnessing "Sack Race. p
Never having seen any thing of the kind my
curiosity was excited and went. Arrived at
the place, | found about a thousand persons
collected to see the sport. To tell the truth,
had feared lest it should prove only hoax,
but when saw so great a gathering, con-
soled myself with the sage reflection that if |
had come on FOOLS errand, would have lots
of company. As some Of your readers may
never have seen one of these novel races,
brief description may not be uninteresting The
purse" is made up by the boarders, and the
competitors, in this instance were darkies, from
the different houses. The lists being staked
off, and cleared for the race, they were " trot-
ted" to the starting point, and each one envel-
oped in a long sack, with the exception of the
head. The sacks fitted very closely to the
body, making it almost impossible to move
either hand or foot. Five negroes thus attred
and equipped, were ranged along in row, re-
sembling huge pillars of granite, with apices of
glistening ebony and black wool. At length
the signal is given and" pop goes the weasel
L mean off go the racers with jump, and now
the excitement becomes intense. The crowd
rush forward, and every one urges his favorite
onward with such accams as ego in, Mansion
House." stick to him PavitliOn," never fear,
Metropolitan" "that'S your sort, United States,
&C., &c. Young men and maidens, old men
and children" catch the enthusiasm, and shout
and clap with "all their veins" Lucky is the
pillar" which jumps to the goal without hay
ing at least one fall. We ourselves saw the
" National House" snub it's nose into the earth
three times in one heat, and similar accidents
befell the others. The course was run three
times, and the purse carried off by great
brawny, greasy niger, labeled, 1 believe
Bath House." So much for the Sack Race.
1t was almost too ridiculous to excite merri-
ment, yet all seemed vastly pleased with it,
and therefore / shall keep my opinion mum"
This performance being concluded, we were
treated to another instructing, and vastly en-
tertaining sight, VIZ, creased pole climbing
match A box containing sum of money
was placed at the top which was to be the
prize of any one who could get it. The COM
petitors were mostly boys, who for long time
tried in vain to reach the top, but finally the
box was secured, by mounting upon each 9th
ers shoulders. Verify
ga little nonsense now and then,
Is reshed by the wisest men,"
In the evening we had fine display of fire.
works. at Green's, which as far as your hum
BILE servant was concerned, wound up the fes-
tivities of the day Allnight long, dreamed
that was midway Of slippery pole, with
wheels of fire revolving above me, and five
devils in sackcloth jumping about its base
shooting at me with SLY rockets Faugh
Yours &C., SURF.
~ 1