Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-07-22
For the Monmouth Weekly Herald.
Correspondence from Long Branch

The yearly wished for season Of mirth and
enjoyment, pic-nics and sailing excursions, crab
bling parties and clam bakes, has at last arriy-
ed, giving to the Branch, which, like the tabled
Phoenix, has again donned its brilliant plu-
mage; a b~ustling and business-like aspect
The numerous hotels are fast filling up, and
the proprietors anticipate a profitable season
in spite Of past forebodings to the contrary,
and the unprecedented hard times. Gay eeMs
and glittering vehicles, pleasure had
coaches of every conceivable size and Hscfip-
ton, farmers carts laden with produce, bakers
butchers and oyster wagons, trotting sulkies
and fish drags, milkmen and news carriers,
pedlars and sporters, equestrians and pedestri
ans, all mingled in one confused mass giving
daily to Ocean Avenue, a varied, busy and
pleasing appearance, while the white sandy
beach as far as the eye can reach, is dotted
with gamblers inhaling the cool refreshing
breeze from off Old Ocean, or sporting amidst
the white-capped breakers. Evening, brings
with it its usual quota of recreation, when the
balconies are thronged with gay parties Of
promenaders and singers, whose voices mingIs
with the roar of the waves, and the spacious
festooned halls echo to the sound Of gay music.
the tread of the merry dancers, and the rustic
of silk and crinoline. The season so far, has
been quite productive of hops, the yield having
amounted to about two per evening, yet we
prognosticate an increase Of the crop, from the
daily arrival of Italian musicians, FreBehh horns,
and gigantic bass viols. From the nugbeE Of
steamers plying dailyFbetweenjNeM Ydfk and
the numerous landings near the hotels com
panniaat;on IS raDJornA for y, 70 ,oacw att1 nroo
ticable than heretofore, and bEhgs ontsHs
of transitory visitors, who would otherwise stay
at home from fear of being detained by insult
fcient travelling accommodations. In fact, the
spirit of improvement is everywhere visible
along the shore, and has done much towards
identifying, and adding to the convenience Of
the numerous hotels, and to the pleasures and
comforts of the guests. A prominent feature
among the summers arrangement, is the start
ing of an omnibus line between the hotels and
Pleasure Bay. This delightful summer resort
is situated about a mile northwest of the Me-
tropolitan, and is, as its name implies one of
the most charming spots to be found anywhere
within the county. The lover of aquatic sports
may here pursue his ~favorlte pastime in a va
riety of ways, while the shady grove adjacent,
with its giant oaks and chestnuts, and its lux
urious carpeting Of green sward, affords a de-
sirable and charming retreat to the lover of
solicitude. Here may be procured the choic-
est fish and oysters, from the river, beside
which attractions, are a host of others in shape
of pleasure yachts, cool paVilions, revolving
swings, and refreshing beverages, under the
immediate superintendance of gentlemanly pr9-
prietors. In fact, to visit Long Branch, with
out riding to Pleasure Bay, and calling upon
Mr.. George Mack, of the Atlantic House, is
to deny ones self an indescribable amount of
pleasure. It may seem invidiousin rs, thus to
particularize the attractions of one place, with
out making mention of the many Others that
are to be found within the e~nvirons of Long
Branch, but time and space does not permit.
On Wednesday last, an interesting, though
not unusual sight presented itself, forming a
picture well worthy of admiration. Standing
upon the sea-bank, the beholder might have
counted two hundred and forty vessels, of va
rious descriptions, floating calmly upon the I'M
ruffled and mirrorlike surface of the ocean,,
which at the time, WAS as traRfaikas an in3snd
lake, undisturbed by a single boeath of air
The clouds of snow white canvass glistened in
the sun as it tapped idly against the spars, the
+" heaye 20" of the sailors, was at times dis
.tinctly audible on shore, and hundreds throng-
ed the beach, to behold the pleasing, and to
many, novel spectacle.
Bit the ride yet cheerful SOUNDS & 4
ner gong, reminds me of the Importance ofhas-
tening to the end of this correspondence as
well as to dinner, should not som unforeseen
occurrence intervene, you shall again hear
from LAUNCELOT.