Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-07-17
I Special Correspondence CJ the Enquirer.
HYGEIA HOTEL, OLD POINT,

july II, 1867.
Tha r"season'' here NAV now be said to be al il
much beyond its usual length. Young and old, grave
aud gay, are all represented in the large copcourse Of
visitors, now gathered together at the "Hygeia,'
from all paris Of the country. And "sliil they come"
on board The Baltimore boats about sunrise; OH the
Richmond stcainers in The afternoon; from Norfolk
morning, noon and evening; and, from York River
and its tributaries, the graceful little "Sca Bird
comes twice a week with q complement of stair wo
mon nnd brave lnen," worthy types OF genuine Vir.
GINA society. This Incompatible seaboard retreat is
evidently beginning to he appreciated by those who
sock either health or pleasure. The Baltimore aud
Washington penple, who have heretofore contributed
so literally to Tue wealth and beauty, intelligence and
fashion Of some Of the watering places Of the North,
seem, at last, to he turning their attention 10 the at.
fractions of this delightful resnrt. North Carolina
always sends a delegation, OF which any State in the
Union might well DO proud.
Virginia never fails to attest her appreciation Of The
advantages of Old Point; and the States still farther
South seem to be awakening to the fact, that in the
Old Dominion, at a most accessible point, they may
find a most beautiful, pleasant and healthfnl retreat
from the summers sun. The last season here gave q
guarantee OF success TO the place, which liz corrobo.
raBd beyond the mort atribilariouS scepticisn. The
"lfygeia,' has been noted, for q number of years,
within n certain circumference of country, for ito I'm.
riyalled attractions. But, until recently, it's reputa.
ton has not been sufficiently known to give il a III,
tiOnsl name.
Last summer was the first season under the pro.
prietorsllip Of Joseph Segar, Egg. With that char
acteristio ~liberality and energy which have ever dis.
tinguished his political career, he has left nothing un.
done that money or industry can do, TO render this
hotel unexceptionable TO the most iastidious taste
Everything is clearly, comfortable and neat. The
dining room has been made much more airy by
means OF several spacious door ways, in addition to
tho old entrances, which, together with the large
windows on eillier side, ~ventilate it admirably, and
ranunr IL lelip1dTulIy pnn1 A Daw nnyilInn haa plsD
been erected in front Of tho hotel, within O stones
throw Of The blue, hriny road stead expanding 30
sublinlsly before the lazy lonker.on. The billiard
room, bowling saloons, pistol gallery, bnth houses,
sail-boais, are all literally patronized. Tho phte.
tons, omnibusses and hacks are on the road every
morning and evening, filled with ladies' ami gentle
msn, INDUCING in n drive 10 the adjacent town of
Hampton. Fishing parties have "line fun and, in.
few Of the past times, there is no want of means Of
amusement aud diversion here. The garrison here
is at present supplied with an unusually large mum.
Der OF troops. and the officers arc said to be very in.
telligen,, accomplished and agreeable gentlemen, by
no means an anomaly either in our army or navy, it
is true; but those at this post Just now are considered
particularly 40.
There 10 ons characteristic Of the society here.
strikingly in contrast with that usually ssen at some
other watering places, aud particularly those Of the
North. 1t il that indescribable, high. bred ease of
association and elegance Of intercourse. unsmbar.
rassed by foolish furmalitias OF purse proud parrenms
AMI hlnDitlOls lnltdlOTS oi vulgar lenders OF fashion.
All the grace and courtly conventionaliiies which
distinguished the old cavaliers of Virginia are eyi.
dont here; aud hence the plain, republican,, genuine
good breeding which, prevails.
Last night was, perhaps, the most brilliant Of this
seeson. The splendid ball room, comln0dious HIS it il,
was we'll lilled. The monody OF the murmuring sea
WAS answered with an eclIOirs anthem uf in~spiritinv
music from the orchestra; the gentlemen bore them.
selves like knights, aud the ladies', graceful as fairies,
described the ..poetry Of motion beyond the bower
Of pen and ink, pencil or chisel to portray.
Hon. a. Dudley Mann is still hurs. On the 9th
and 3Otli insts. there is to bu u convention at this
place, for the purpose Of adopting measures for The
iurtherancs Of his laudable enterprise, relative Ia tho
ocean steam ferry. 1t is expected that sons of the
most distinguished men of the nation viii be present;
among them Gov. Wise and Gov. Floyd.
The Hotels i'll Hampton are filling up with visitors.
The TX eek aughtan. or, as it is more faniliarly
known, "Burcher's." is rs delightful US eysr. It's in.
telligent aud hospilable host is the anne entertaining
and accommodating gentleman; his hog fish are ~ fat,
his sheepslIead ID superb, soft crabs as delicious, aud
wines as mellow as in other days. "Burcher's' is an
institution inseparably associated with the hospitality
of Hampton.
Chesapeake Hall, kept by DR.. Banks, 10 receiving
daily. The excellent table. green, grassy,
rural looking lawn, neat, airy rooms, and beautiful
ball room. are attractions which must satisfy the
vo,arists OF pleasure, as we'll as those in search of
health.
Old Point is synonymous for luxury, health. beau.
ty and fashion. There is a large number here, but
IL. them come. JuNIUs.