The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-25
LONG BRANCH GOSSIP AND
SOCIAL.

SOCiALs
--~~-~~~~~~~
LONG BRANCH, August "a, 1863
Last week has been busy one at the Branch po-
litcay and soclally. The gathering of public men
has been larger than ever and hustle and excite.
ment In and about the Mansion House, Stetson's and
other hotels have given evidence of the near ap-
proach Of the Democratic State Convention, as wen
as Of sudden activity the part OF the Iepubli-
cans. We have had an important gathering Of New
York conservatives III the interest Of Grant, and it IL
rumored that they have been called together in order
to receive the report OF the progress of movement
inaugurated some time since by Thurlow Weed,
which looks to the control Of Grants administration
in case of his election, by the cOnserva-
tive element headed by Senator f. d. Morgan.
and the demolition Of the Fenton faction. Hamilton
Harris, the chairman of the Republican New York
State Central Committee, has been here and Is said
to secretly favor the movement Indeed, It'll report
ed that portion of the arrangement contemplatea
the election of his brother Ira Harris, to the United
States Senate in place OF Morgan, and Morgans
transfer to the Cabinet as Secretary OF the
Treasury. Ira Harris 1t will be remetn-
bcred, was thrown overheard by the FentOn
at the close OF his term in the Senate and Kos
coe Conkling was elected in his stead. Although
Hamilton Harris has held with the Fenton party and
just been chosen by them chairman of the Central
Committee he is in the strlctes sense of the term q
family man, and understands the value of having .
relative in the Senate chamber OF the national
capitol. Among those present at the Branch
on Saturday. and supposed to be in the
Morgan intrigue are Ham Harris United States rev.
enue officers Shook and Spaulding, ex-secretaIy OF
State Elias W. Leayenworth, Hugh j. Hastings i'm
parchment WOoiey, Rams Van Vakenburg, tho
Washington Treasurer, RUFF Andrews and farmer
Abell EX-State Senator Low, OF Sullivan. was On
hand to watch the man9uvres of his fellow commit
tee man. and left this morning post haste TO report
progress to FentOn. IL II certain That the con-
servative portion OF the republicans are highly elated
at the prospect before Them and boast that IN case
OIL Grants ANTI tey % h Gaa e zane IN 'ea
Grants Old disgust of Butler, which the recent sin.
gular disclosures of George Wilkes have not helped
to remove free them from all fear Of the radical IN
fiuence ut Washington while they assert that they
are in possession OF letter from Wash
bnrne, heartily endorsing Morgan and express
ing his best wishes for the success NJ
the New York movement in his favor. George
Wilkes was also down on saturday watching tho
conservatives and anxious, II is said. TO place him
self confidential relations with them, but they
fuse TO receive him into their bosom.
Among the democratic politicians here this past
week, in addition to Chamberlain SweeDy, has
other .oId residents, were Police Commissioner
brennan, G. l.. vaandigham Brick Pomeroy, Sena-
tor Wall, OF Fort Lafayette notorley; Alderman Tom
John Morrissey was also here. but as he Is just
backing Grant and breaking down TamInany no
stands in the position OF glorious Independents
herO-in for free fight and no favor Indeed.
where his personal feelings enlisted the gallant
Offices to the four winds. He Is bitter against
Holman, and IN the event OF his nomination win
bet great odds against his election and in favor Of
Grisw0ds as he offered immediately after the Demo
cratic National Convention against seymour and IN
yallandigliam gives good democratic account OF
the West, and talks modestly, but firmly, of certain
democratic victory. He declares his conviction thai
OHIO will be carried by the democracy by from three
to four thousand majority, and his own election over
Schenck, who will receive the republican nomination
next Thursday, he considers certain. Last year his
Congressional district gave democratic majority
the State ticket of four hundred and seventyseven,
the United States senate, he carried the Legislative
ticket by over eight hundred majority. lie has
been as far West as Iowa, and represents
believe may better their condition and which they
know cannot make 1t worse than it is after elgh1
years of radical rule. Vallandgham makes no
boasts, but to look into his eye Is to know that he at
least firmly believes all he promises.
Fernando Wood will be at the Branch on Thursday
next having engaged rooms for that day at the
Mansion. lie is working hard to wiring from tho
Tammany leaders denomination In his district, bus
not with any good prospect OF success.
The weather has been beautiful during the pase
than ever On Tuesday last juvenile fancy dress
ball was given ut the Mansion, and 1t was most
brilliant success The attendance OF children, al
richly dressed In character was quite large the courts
OF Charles, Elizabeth and Louis were properly repre-
sented. There was George washington as high ~
table and Martha Washington as tall as the seat
Of a chair. There were ten year old armed
riors. five year old sailors and little two year
belle OF the seventeenth century. There were
Scotchmen, officers, nower girls, Spanards,
Greeks summers, autumns, springs, f0llics, clowns.
pantalOOns, harlequins, cOl0mbnes and angels u
all ages and sizes and the whole formed scene Of
fun, gayety, grace and beauty not to be surpassed
In addition to some eighty or hundred children an
elegantly dressed, there were some two thousand
grown persons assembled, and the event was ons
that will long be remembered at the Mansion, and
indeed all over the Branch. An elegant supper was
served at nine O'Clock ana ut ten the party broke
up. and .the little kings, queens, knlghta
princesses and other fanciul characters were 5000
afterwards pattering with their little bare feet to
bed and quickly dreaming In their white nightcaps
and nightgowns of fairy palaces and liiliputian
courts IL was delightful affair.
on Saturday DR.. Helmbold gave a splendid enter.
tainment to party OF gentlemen only at his elegant
cottage, TO meet Simeon Leland, who by the way,
rumor hints Is about to build a counterpart OF hLs
Saratoga Congress Hall at the Branch. probably %
the old Clarendon SITE which has lust been pur-
peity-nfteen acres In all-for $4,000 Among tina
guests at this delightful reunion were
simeon Leland, James ". Waack John
Brougham and Harry Sanderson the great
pianist. Beck's Philadelphia hand performed q
serenade during the evening. and the hours dew
happily away. John Brougham viii open his new
theatre In New York about the end of November
with two new pieces from his pen. one ~ q
TWO act comedy, already competed. and the olnes
VIII be an extrayapailza, the inspiration Tor WINCH
the accomplished author Is seeking at the BraaCn.
We know of no better subject than seaside iilo
affords for the exercise of his wit and humor anu
believe that regular bathing scene with manulac-
tured sui, would be highly entertaining on tne
stage We give the hint as a novice for the Dri'iiah
BrOugham's consideration.
The grand ball Of the season Is to he given AZ shs
Mansion House next Thursday.
GENERAL GEORGE II. THoMAs.--The Nashville rebet
nv nnp hat An