Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-06-17
Visit TO the Highlands.

Our visit to the Highlands, on Thursday
last, was of the most pleasing and inter-
esting character. At the invitation of our old
friend, Mr.. Joseph Thompson-the popular
and gentlemanly proprietor of the Atlantic
Pavilion at the Highlands of the Navesink-
we were present to partake of the Inequalities
rendered by that gentleman to the New Jer-
sey State Officers, members of the last Legis-
lature, members of the Press, and Others, as a
token Of gratitude for the noble stand they
took in resisting the erection of the New York
'sPest Houses" on Sandy Hook, a measure
which was considered so blighting and disas-
trous to our citizens throughout that whole
section of country.
So magnificent and accommodating were all
Mr.. Thompson's arrangements, that he secured
the services of the steamer Long Branch, Capt.
J. P. Corlies, with a portion of Skeletons ex-
cellent band of music, to take down and return
all those guests who could most conveniently
come by New York.
After a delightful sail down the Bay, and
stopping some 80 or 40 minutes at the Gov
eminent Dock, we had a peep at the prepara-
lions making for the erection of large Fort
at that place, for the protection of the New
YorksHarbor. We arrived at Thompson's dock
about 8 o'clock, when We were welcomed by a
large number of gentlemen who had arrived
previous, by way of Red Bank, among whom
we found Governor Newell, and other promin-
ent gentlemen.
About 20 minutes past 4 o'clock, over 200
guests sat down to as inviting and magnificent
a dinner as the Astor or Saint Nicholas could
afford-and as for the refreshments after the
cloth was removed, they could not be .excelled.
Indeed, we never saw SO large a company that
appeared to enjoy themselves SO much.
Several good speeches were made on the oc-
casion, and some excellent sentiments given,
which we would be glad to give our readers, if
our limits permitted. We give at length the
appropriate speech Of our townsman, Jsel
Parker, Esq, who wee lowed by ex-Gov.
Price, Hon. L. A. Chandler, Gen. Darcy,
Morris r. Hamilton, and others, in spicy and
spirited remarks.
Before our departure for home, an invitation
was received from Mr.. Lemuel Smith, who re-
sides some 800 yards south of Mr.. Thomp-
sons, requesting the excursionists to partake
of some refreshments with him before leaving.
We found Mr.. s.. to be a perfect gentleman,
and long shall we remember our flying visit to
his hospitable abode. Wewere really enchan-
ted with the beauty and magnifeence of his
grounds, the comfort and n~eatness Of his e1-
tensive mansion, and the grand and pictures
que view it presents.
We can not, give the names of the distin-
guished visitors, but among them we noticed
many of our State Officers, Judges of the Sn-
preme Court and Court of Errors, Senators,
Legislators, members of the Press, and Others,
comprising, in all, between 800 and 400 guests.
Mr.. Thompson entertained them in magnii-
Gent style, and we regret that we can not find
words to do him full justice on this occasion
In conclusion, we wish he may live many long
years and that his excellent Pavilion may
continue to receive that generous support from
the public which it has heretofore received,
and of which its public-spirited proprietor is
so Justly deserving.