The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-03
AT THE SEASIDE.
F)s,R AtleNt t,'e CITY Lstter--Ths Height OF
IN. as.son-~'hs Drowning Disasters
Th. Erw,s. Of Reckless Daring A
Corr err Stone Lnfd.

People who have been in the habit of fire.
quenting Atlantic City every year, and who,
therefore take a sort of fatherly interest In the
place, are positively assured that last night
there was o greater number Of persons asleep
upon the Island than at any time during It's past
history. The Surf House, the United States
Hotel, and every other establishment in the
place had its full complement Of guests, although
1t is probable that the living contents of still
another train could have been slowed away
with some degree of comfort more agreeable
night for sound, refreshing sleep could not we'll
be imagined The day had been like one of those
days of which the poets sing, and which incred-
ulous humanity affects TO regard q mere
creation of poetic frenzy; ard the night was a
fitting one to follow 1t. The sun was escorted
to his resting-place among the western hills by
o rugged troop of som bre, threatening clouds
whose burden of rain in due time fell to gladden.
the hearts of men. What with this refreshing
shower, and the bracing ocean breezes, laden
with melancholy murmurs of the deep, the nigh
was night for kingly revels.
As a matter of course, when the Island is so
populous, its frequenters make good use of both
day and night. On Saturday evening, and in
truth on almost every evening of the past week
music and dancing have held supreme sway at
before stated, is under the leadership of two of
the best of Philadelphia professionals, Carl Sentz
being stationed at the Surt House, and Simon
Hassler at the United States Hotel. The
dancing was in the hands of those who were
only too eager for the sport and all the comfort
and exercise that could possibly be extracted
from the incessant whirl and turn of the most
mysterious and intricate figures were brought
into full demand.
But it would seem to be an approach to the
baser sort of ingratitude to resort to such an
artificial method of amusement when the strains
of music are almost lost in the deeper melody
of the sea. In all the category OF remedies for
human ills, whether of the mind or body, this
wrestling with the demon of the sea stands pre-
eminent. The Norsemen of olden times became
more than men through this strife and so do
we Of this weaker race and more enervating
civilization. But the rarest of all luxures is
not unattended with peril. By the exercise Of
the ordinary share Of discretion of which all
men are supposed to be possessed, there is no
more danger attending an ocean bath than is to
be encountered in pent-up city natatorium.
Whenever life ls imperilled 1t is almost inva
riably the result of daring, reckless spirit,
which seeks to strike the more timorous bathers
with sense of mingled admiration and awe.
To persons who become possessed Of this ventur-
some spirit warnings are of no avail. No one
but an excellent swimmer will run the risk of
danger; and an excellent swimmer, as mat
ter of pride, laughs at the warnings of the
timId.
During the present season thousands Of per-
sons who could no more swim in a rolling,
surging sea than they could fly through the air
against gale Of wind, have taken their daily
bath without dreaming that they were imperil-
ling their lives. Their confidence has not been
misplaced. Two mere children, suffered by
their friends to straggle off from the crowd OF
bathers, wandered into deep water a few days
ago, and sank to the bottom, locked in each
others arms. With that exception, all the
mishaps of the summer, as far as l can learn,
have befallen those who could not only swim
well, but who were warned of the peril in which
they placed themselves, and entreated not to
encounter it. On Saturday morning. while the
bathing was both excellent and safe in shallow
water, the danger OF venturing far out among the
breakers was increased four.fold by the preVa
lence of remarkably stiff breeze and its frequent
accompaniment, chopped sea-" Into this
perlous conflict of waters three or four good
swimmers ventured, and when the dead bodies
of some of them washed ashore, the sad fruits
of their daring sent thrill of agony through
the hearts of the throng along the beach who
had been powerless to extend a helping hand.
The accident was melancholy one-all the
more SO because 1t was the result of downright
recklessness. But it reads lesson to all fire.
quenters of the seaside, and it is to be hoped
that the lesson will not soon be forgotten.
On Saturday evening q meeting was called in
the parlor of the Surf House to take some action
upon the disaster. The room was crowded with
the guests of the house, but not more than halt a
dozen of those present participated In the pro-
ceedings, and some votes were cast in the mega
tive when the resolutions were declared unani-
mously passed. 1t was the general opinion that
they were of too positive character, although
every one heartily endorsed the proposition
recommending the procurement by the authori-
ties of life.boats, to be ready for use in such
emergencies. But the intimation either direct
or indirect, that the disaster was In any degree
the result OF carelessness on the part of persons
other than those who suffered by it found no
favor with those acquainted with the facts. The
beach is as safe for bathing purposes as any on
the Atlantic coast, the only requisite on the part
of the bahers TO ensure their entire safety being
the exercise of the common instinct of self
preservation.
Yesterday afternoon quite q large company
assembled at the corner of Massachu and
Pacific avenues, to witness the ceremony of lay.
Ing the cornerstone OF the Protestant Episco pal
Mission Church. Bishop odenheimer, Of New
Jersey, officiated, and after the stone had been