The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-08-22
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from a Watering Place.

Letter from watering Place.
The season at Saratoga = Great Multitudes
at the springs-Hoteis and medical insti-
tutes--Sleepiaq an q church and rouqhinq
Il In an omnibus--Chdrdcter Of the springs
Efficacy Of mineral baths = That some
come here for--And ,chdt Others come for
The turn oats"-Notdbilities at Sdrato-
ga-Ihe National Sabbath Conrentioa.
DIR. Hodge Judge ELLSWORTH = Prof.
Schaf Prof Parker, NJ D. Prof H.
b. Smith-The time to come 10 Saratoga
Best hotels.
SARATOGA, Aug. 1868.
The season at Saratoga is unprecedented
1t has been crowded place before, but now
it is superlatiyely and overfowingy full. Sar-
atoga numbers in population about seven
thousand. 1t is said that there have been dur
ing the past week for the entire period over
ten thousand visitors, and that this number
will decrease none for the week to come. Sar-
atoga has character decidedly unique -
village amsng the hills with sixteen hotels
some of which are very large-iour large med
ical institutes and over thirty public boarding
houses. OF these hotels the sUniied Stats"
"Union Hall" and Congress HALF have each
dined nearly two thousand day for the past
week. 1t is reported that few nights ago,
after every bed in the village had been filed.
that forty weary unfortunates who came in
late Train, were of necessity quartered in the
Methodist church, while two gentlemen from
the luxures of New York city roughed il by
sleeping in an omnibus. Everything in the
shape of a couch commanded high prices that
night.
The chief attractions here are supposed to
the waters. Congress SPRING is most pop
ular. The Empire" and the Saratoga, each
have their pilgrims also, and it is singular
fact that here in close proximity, bubbling up
from the ground, are "boiling coldr waters,
each spring of which is specific for different
complaints, and which are varously prescribed
by the most celebrated physicians Of the
country.
The Congress, Empire and Saratoga springs
are frequented most by dyspeptics and those
afflicted with bilious troubles. The Columbi-
an, Clarendon, Hamilton and others are used
as powerful tonics, being strongly impregnat-
ed with iron. There is certainly virtue in the
waters and the mineral baths are Justly cele-
brated for their speedy efficacy in cutaneous dis
eases. Everybody "drinksp here elike fish,"
but everybody did not come to drink. Mr.. A.
came with his family because it was hot in
New York, and he was half afraid of the chol-
era. Mr.. BIS family are all here because he
must go somewhere, and Saratoga Is a good
place In which TO keep cool, and is decidedly
a most fashionable "thing to do.r
Mr.. E. and +. and e., with their families,
are all here because they have made money
out OF the war, have not got country-seat yet,
imously for Saratoga as the best place for the
exhibition of their new but awkwardly setting
jewelry. Hence a great deal of "shoddy' IS
represented here, and the man who has any
love at all for his mother tongue is panied ev-
cry day to hear the exquisite young men and
delicate young creatures who affect to lead the
styles, as they murder without restraint the
Kings English. 1t is good place to study
some phases OF human nature, to stand at Con-
m arlv tha al
titude "come to drink" Not without shud-
ders' however, will a stranger see Arabella tip
off dozen glasses without wink. and then
wonder whether she hadn't better make il four
more.
There are some turn outs here which are
excessive in their splendor. Perhaps the one
that is considered most gay and festive is low
cabrioet with prancing bays driven by Miss
Vanderbilt, whose lackey sits behind on seat
high and prominent.
But 1t is not all dash here. There are many
worn and weary looking ones who find the
waters here like the fabed fountains Of perpet-
ual youth to them. should Judge that there
were hundred and fifty clersymen in this
place; and they may be known afar off: with
out exception they have a look OF care and ia
tigue, which they do not throw away so soon
as others among the various callings in iie
There are many men of note here now, LII DIS,
and Professors enough to extemporize a col
lege. There are few celebrated NJ DIS, some
ID. Ds, more A. Ms, very many newly made
A. Bs, recuperating after college commence
ments. but the title which is generally consid-
cred TO be most numerously represented here
is A. A. S.
Perhaps the greatest object of public interest
now here is the National Sabbath Conyen-
ton" now in session.
A large audience assembled on the morning
OF the ilth inst, pursuant to call of the N. Y.
Sabbath Committee.
DIR. Hodge of Princeton, New Jersey was
chosen temporary chairman, and Prof North
of Hamilton College, n. Y, temporary secre-
tary.
Subsequently permanent officers were cho-
sen, consisting of Hon. w. w. Ellsworth.
Judge of the Supreme Court of the state of
Connecticut, President, with Vice Presidents
who are gentlemen of distinction from all
the loyal states, and among the names is that
OF Judge Wayne of Georgia. Prof Philip
Schof, ID. d., read deeply interesting paper
on the Anglo American Sabbath In the
evening Dr. Willis Parker IN. d. of New
York, gave most valuable and learned paper
on the .Physioiogy OF the Sabbath" /. e.-the
saboath CONSIDERED IN relation to the physiol-
ogy of man, the laws of labor rest etc The
next day the Rev. Prof. Henry B' Smith Of
New York Theological Seminary, read . na.
per on the philosophy of the Sabbath So
one in Portland needs to be told that il was
most able and well received. The National
Convention held its sessions during 1.-THE week
following, and papers were presented by some
OF the best thinkers in the country.
Saratoga two weeks from this time win be
rld OF the rabble crowd, and will be most ex-
ceiient place quietly to recreate and try the
re)uvenating power of the waters The "Cla-
renaon and Congress Halls" are perhaps the
Ia h..sx IL q