The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-19
OUR WATERING PLACES.
HIGHLANDS OF NAVESINK.
TaOnPsON'S ATLANTIC PAVILION,

TaonPsoss ATLANTIC PAVILION
NAvEsINK HIGHLANDS, N. j. July II. 1851
TIA. Scenery Of the Shield of Acahes applied to these
Highlands Comparisons Mag be Od,o,s, but still
w, Can't Resist Fe,c, as bet,veen This and Other
Noted Summer Haunts-7he Old Womons PhiIQ-
sop.y Brought TO Bear-Solid CouVoJS the Real
Desiderotum litter Al, &c,
Ia Homer Spiendid description of the shield OF
Achilles, he gives us a series OF graphic pictures IL
hstfatve of the arts of peace and war OF the ancient
Greeks, as they were embossed upon the shield by
the stilfu hand of the immortal Vulcan and then
we are told that around the rim he made
me waves Of ocean roll,
wassh beat the bucklers VERGE aor bound the whole.
And here, these beautiful green highlands, en-
bossed with the scenes and arts OF peace, and sur
rounded by the shining waves of the sounding sea,
form grouping Of picturesque effects of land and
water, worthy the most elaborate and finished des
eruption which even the genius of Homer could
give All this, too within two hours distance from
the foot of Robinson street, New York. Some five
summers ago, chow time fiesD in passing down this
pemarkable ocean inlet towards Long Branch, we
were attracted by the excellent situation of this
house, the instep Of this little mountain, with
the emerald fields and luxuriant woods in the
rear ard with the great Atlantic, and the broad en-
trance to the golden gate of the imperial city of
America full in front, and then we resolved to try
th@ place Tor week or two. Since that day
regularly every summer, we have brought down our
httle domestic republic for a month two at
Thompson's To be sure the advantage which the
locality affords for the day to business in town, and
the eveniDg and early morning to the refreshing
ocean and land air Of these highlands and the in
MIGRATING waves Of the sea, has been an important
item in favor of Tnompsons; but in truth there is
not more beautiful locality along the Atlantic sea-
board from Nahant to the Florida Keys, than this
magnificent Point Look out of the Jerseys. And
now for a few comparisons by the way.
at Saratoga, glass of salts and magnesia from
the several springs OF the marshy meadow, game
at ten pins, and dusty ride out to the lake. does
up The history OF the day; at Newport in addition
10 the surf there fine rides and drives but
they are scarcely less thronged in the afternoon
than Hyde park or the Bloomingdale road; at Ma
hant We are fixed upon naked pronontory bis
teriDg aud bleaching in the sun; at Cape May we
buried in desert of burning sand; ~ Niagara
look upon the falls, take "a hasty plate OF SOUP"
visit the suspension bridge, and hurry off IN escape
from the 1ocks of Jeremy Dlldlers that infest the
place; at Lake George we Gnd some interesting
scenery and fishing, but considering the altitude and
latitude of the lake and its surroundings, it is
deruIly warm up there towards shutdown. The
White Mountains are we'll enough for day or two;
hut the valleys and trout streams thereof awfuly
hot aud infested with mosqnitoes-never saw more
of them anywhere else north of the dreadful swamps
OF South Carolina. The top of Mount Washing
TN il clear of them and cool: but IL affords very
limited area for open air exercise.
Tn, Catskil Mountain House is fine situation for
buds eye yiewlofty and breezy; but it les olt Of
the way aud soon becomes monDton0us. At Long
Branch the green fields great relief 10 the eyes and
nose extend from the interior TO the very brink Of
the sea; and the surf is splendd-but then We have
nothing but the surf, and the green fields and the
hotels. But here at Thompson's we have the ocean
surf; an extensive picturesque ,akc-lke inlet, for
sailing and rowing amusements: and IN endless ra
Indication of wooded bills aud valleys, md country
roads villas and villages In the If us aord!ng
the amplest margin for rides, aalks sun and moon
hight excursions clam bakes aud pi mica In addition
To all TINS come and sit down IN tho piaZZa, about
five o'clock in the afternoo1-say Wednesday-au1
watch the outgoing ocean steamers i-ou New York
saue bound eastward, some sorthvard and see
il they do not form ore 81 the most
spleudid sights in the living world And
there is scmetbmgi TOO, in the regular
daily arrival az and departure from our dock of the
fur five s'eant @ts that ply this inlet for the
daily arrivals and departures u passengers at every
wa.ri.g lace form qate an interesting feature in
he chapter Of the DAY events. And here we have
ten, several indreds ut time all under review mt
o glance, Including all the travellers 10 all the va
Branch
We say, a. the old woman said, every one 70
Their hking;" for your old woman ia generally per-
son vi experience. and Of wisdom, whose opinions
entitled In respect. Some people may prefer one
summer resort. some another; tins young lady may
prefer the gay throng at Sasatoga, aud this young
ckcvaer may give the preference 10 the snobbery of
Newport; bur there are others who word choose the
substantial enoyunnts and advantages of such
place Thompson's where comfort, and not fashion,
l. the order Of the day. We are Of this class. We
have had our OF the foes and ffpperies, and
Wild oats Of liie's pleasures; and yet more
comprehend the philosophy Of a summer retreat TO
~, solitude ~ country farm house. than the folly
cf s-hiop's routine at Saratoga. OF all the pro
&c, - OF mere veg alton that we know Of that OF
truptiy trn house approaches the nearest TO
tlc eNeleilCe NJ q cabbage; while on the other
hand, tie a,,pr Of clam digger Il light
compared with The dressing and fussng OF n fash.
nnshr 6lbhcr' gbbet at tho springs or the seaside
Ne, &c avoid both extremes we retain oil the ad.
ysntages OF cheerful society, variety, aud plenty Of
w. while Dispensing with all the tomfoolerier Of
-bobb,ry and nnnkeydom. Take our landlord,
Th.mpsOn practical, substantial, sensible genial,
unpretending man. and yet one who likes to see
everybody happy around him, and you have a type
Of tie happy community under his care.
Finally, temperance is one of our virtues, yet.
there stands u sherry cobherb before Weare fresh
from the surf and this Is prescription ordered 10y
q corsideratc lady; snd a. she says Il viii d. IA
gocd, we, with a sigh 10 .lc memory Of Father
Matthew drink to the roof that shelters "a. and to
the bridge that carries Good doctrine, that,
sbl GoVd bye.
ROCKAwAY.
MsRrSs PAVILION,
RoexAwAY, July l5 lsjs.