Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-08-18
FOR the Delaware Journal.
VISIT TO CAPE MAY.
Ma. EoKEL

Ma EcKEL;
Having paid q flying visit to Cape
Nay, we dot down the poidents Of the tri Tor
the statesmaD's columns or sorap-basket, as you
may elect. We left Wilmington at II SO A. NJ. f.,
Thursday last, 10 the Cape May train for New
Castle, to join the steamer Manhattan there.
Atthe junction OF Delaware and baltimore roade,
Nmile from town, We awaited the Baltimore
train which soon came whistling up, and dis
embarked some twenty-five to forty persons and
as many trunks, "saratogas," "dOg-house" and
"NOAh's-Ark" styles, which were speedily
transferred to our care, and off We bounded, and
10 five or ten minutes were aboard the large
steamer "Manhattan" and heading down the
Delaware river, passing Fort Delaware with its
froNnng guns, and neat prison barracks, for the
sons Of our erring sisters, contrasting strongly
Apd no wise credtably with the AndersonViile
Hoekades Of the aforesaid HayWards. We had
70 amuse ourselves by oonjecturiug what towns,
lighthouses and islands we were passing for we
know Of no book giving this simple but gratifying
Information, and steamers crews cannot always
be appealed to. Many vessels were met or
oTertaken but they were mostly sohooners or
herm.- .-brigs,-only one bark and no large ships,
though when we approached the ocean, several
of the largest class were visible, standing in or
cut. 1t HhoWered from 2 to 80 P. NJ. on the bay
suite brisk and steady, but cleared away until
Y, when it rained again for an hour. No rain fell
hero in Wilmington at all, we were told. At
We could see the pure white sand beach Of Cape
Nay and soon the immense lighthouse loomed
pp. At 3 P. M. We steamed up 10 the "Wharf,"
which is an entirely different structure from our
lasa Of wharf, being built on piles driven into
the sand aud extending quarter Of q mile into
tne bay, looking like a long rustic bridge
sdorning some park or garden. This wharf was
crowded with elegantly Rttired ladies and
gentlemen, who had driven over from the ocean
alaeto the bay to sec the arrivals Their dsshing
lurnouis awaited them on the shore. We were
Poop IN Cline wagons" kind Of stage for con-
Veying US 10 the hotels, three miles distant, over
road made smooth and firm by clay, straw and
sand, being turnpike but differently construct
90 from our own In this section. AS We steamed
up to the wharf in the bay, we passed under the
bows Of the propeller effort" which we next
iay saw advertised as an estray ia the Fort
honrOe despatch Of August ii papers, having
1sAppeaFed from New York under Suspicious
preppaIapees Poor thing wholly unconscious
pI tue wicked slander II went on Friday on an
excursion to the fishing banks about eight miles
Oh Cape May on the ocean side, and we saw her
steam up in front Of our hotel and land her
party, Oh the return, In her skiG and the Cape
May whaling surfboats. The hotels are un--
comfortably crowded, il being difficult TO ind
resi- up TO Tuesday night anywhere, but the
saEniVal ball Of that night nvsr ""~-'- -
having remained to it. We had sky parlor
allotted us until better could be obtained next
day, at the new Atlantic Hotel. Supped with
some three hundred and fifty to four hundred
others apparently, and strolled around the
Island. At sunset We were on the beach
promenading with others toward the light house,
Distant three miles, where bay and ocean meet
aud intermingle, at what is called the "pOint Of
the Cape" being really Cape May proper. The
light is what is termed a flash, glowing brightly
for few seconds and then disappearing
entirely, the result OF q combination Of powerful
lamps, retieciors and shades understood best By
the .. 8. light house board. On the opposite
Cape, called Henlopen, fifteen miles distant, arr
two lights aud the protecting BreakWater, th'
brightlights plainly visible TO us at Cape Ma!
aud the land and houses perceptible on yer!
clear days,
At Congress Hall, the largest hotel. We foun
crowd VI guests seven hundred stopping ther
one time this season, it is rumored
excellent band sested in on arbor on the law
we're entertai6ing the visitors. Thence W
Visited the "Centre House." Omitted States,
oceAn," and lastly the "Columbia, while
meny claim as the most fashionable, but n
S'nerWise superior to it's neighbors. Here '
iouna Preparations for "Hop," as the soci
na1eing entertainments are termed, and after
r NJ, it began, aud we saw many toilettes, bo
feminine and masculine, as elegant as it "
we, our good fortune to witness, participant
u Tne dance or promenading and looking on.
meIound many Wilmingtonians at the Allan
aNn US, and war~ ted TO join a boAti
party to c~-' the .,sosuds'' next da
water are called.
n ---- afterwards described