The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-20

| the rlpe, yefOW corn waves genuy IN INC fDTeeZc
And X should not be fersoen thai since the South
| sade road was opened the land 10 becoming
more valuable, so that II win not b
surprising If long the vultures In real estate viii
! ponnce upon II with relish. In minute or so we
| come 10 Pearsalls Corner end very nice and ami.
mated corner 1t Is, judging from the congregation OF
| country damsels with sinewy arms that had seen
| the sun. and the crowd OF vehicles upon whose
most renovating effect Bat they carried their pas
sengers just well without IT, and they went their
ways right merrily. BaldwinsvIle was reached In
gage car, scores OF baskets, suspicious or
having loyal contents were strewn upon
and sSp rustic osasy, puresque and enliven
ing. And the same may be said OF FreepOrt with
the exception that 10 Is perhapsmore tbicky wooded,
though Its dimensions are scarcely so extensive.
The next station IN order Is Merrlck retreat yet
destined TO be Of the most fashionable places
along the line. Already the signs OF Its becoming
are most favorable and before long brilliant equip
ages VIII roll briskly over the handsome and pictu
rescue drive which has just been completed, and
which passes the summer residence OF Mr..
Fox the energetic and enterpr,sng president
OF the Southslde Railroad. Indeed, TO his eXertions
the suceessof the undertaking Is greatly attribut
able. Passing hdgewood ana South Oyster Bay we
come TO Amltyville, pretty little place, with many
delightful shaGes- Wildwood Is next and then
Babylon, where the passengers fer Fire Island
alght. But the road runs some twenty miles fur
ther and winds mp after very pleasant trip at
Patchogue. II is bnt Just 10 credit the management
OF the Southside road with thorough Willingness to
accommodate the travelling pubic, evident from the
efliclent manner 10 which the entire arrangements
are carried out. Moreover property along the
route has considerably increased in value since the
enterprise was first commenced
Fire Island however, is the destination and Baby.
lon the starting point therefor. The Babylonlans,
by the way, are proud OF their ancient name, and
evidently intend to retain i, since even the en-
deavors OF the Soutnsde Railroad Company TO
change 1t to Seaylew-and the prospect from Baby
lon is charming proved unavailing. The mail
train leaving New York at eight O'Clock IN the morn
ing, and the express at halfpast three the after
noon, connect with ii steamboat Tor the Surf HOTEL
Those travelling by the other trains, how
anlI
boat which, N the hands or one OF
the efllcent boatmen, runs speedily across.
Beware of calm and delightful evening with
scarcely breath OF air 10 ripple the shallow waters
OF the bay; but more of that anon. After little
plodding we turn around 10 face the channel and
partly hug the Long Island shore. The scene is en-
chanting, for the sun has set behind us, but the
TT aces OF his disappearance yet lnger over the
horizon and the sea shmmers with beautiful scar.
let tnge. AS If envious OF the sight the pale-faced
moon peeps forth timidly but now as the shades of
evening begin to close around, her light be-
tIul queen OF the night trumphantly reigns
in the armament The boat slowly craWls
along, for our sail hangs loosely and the symptoms
OF coming wind are poor indeed. The sounds OF
joyfulness echoed from the Shore and the merry
laughter is strangely mingled with the barking or
dogs as probably some cheerful lads and their faith
iul ANIMALS are together, gambolling in the water
But another sound-stranger and more solemn than
the other. AT first it Is Understandable, but growing
louder, the distant notes OF harmonum are clearly
heard. Doubtless the choir OF the parish church
along the shore are hard at work for their
for one note only is distinctly heard and that a
monotonous humdrnm dfrge. Nearer and nearer
II comes when suddenly dark cloud obscnres the
sting on the nose, another on the cheek, another
and another and the grand spectacle of the sunset,
the harmoDizlng influence OF the moon and the sem
timents infused by the country choir, vanish like
phantom. Sting follows sting and lust when
about to doctor the last one another comes
than the one preceding. ill at length grinding our
teeth in complete paroXysm OF fury we smite our
faces and despatch two. or three invaders Then a
and revergefuf hum myrlads OF regiments marshal
IN array, and, preparing their daggers, which, how
ever do not glisten In theuQonllgnt, exclaim-
And shall our brothers die,
ND shall our brothers die,
Then twenty thousand mosquitoes
Shall know the why.
Fooled of their prey by sudden gust of wind that
blew them 10 their home on the Long Island shore,
we dart rapidly through the water reoiced at our
ring, 'heaviiy punshed.n Our little boat shot along
like a racehorse and ere long we reached the rustic
avenue or bridge which leads to the Surf Hotel, a
cheerful looking structure and most agreeable
summer residence. 1t was now late, and nearly all
the guests had petlred TO rest Sleep was easy to ALL
and at midnight Fire Island was wrapped in blissful
repose, while the majestic pillows of the broad At
lantic dashed furiousy upon the beach, sounding
IKE the SIMULTANEOUS padding OF thousand steam
boats.
During the winter MI D. S. Samiss, the proprietor
OF the hotel, has made very extensive alterations
known as ''rhe Cottage which is connected with
the main building by a long PIAZZA. There is also
plaZZa at tire rear oil the h0te Where one might SIT
the velong day and watch the large breakers ashng
against the beach. The guests at present number
about $50 and the most complete enjoyment seems to
prevail. Established some thirteen years since on
Fire Island, the Surf Hotel has continued to be the
summer resort OF substantial and highly fespecta
Die community from nearly all the counties In
the state. Year after year tue visitors have
steadily increased in numbers, and though the
additions to the premises are spaciou5, the
growing demand VIII doubtless render further in
provements necessary. As 1t Is, however, MIR.
Samiss, a genial lttle gentleman, Of long expert
ence, has made the most judicious arrangements
possible, and nothing is wanting to render the seclu
Fire Island very comfortable In the extreme
As already mentioned, Fire Island Is not what IS
generally known as fashionable watering place. Far
from It,; fashions votares would weep death in
this sandy desert But while 1t is devoid of osenta-
tious display and revery 1t has advantages far
perior to most OF the summer dancing resorts Its
sea bathing certainly unequalled for more magni
hcent surf not easily TO be found; and, the other
hand, those who prefer still water wherein TO gam
Dol and refresh themselves can enjoy that luxury
the opposite beach, Then there Is splendid boating
and fishing, and above all the purest air from the
! Atlantic ocean, which sweeps In bany breezes
| across the island. fine lighthouse stands to the
| tanned The visitors spend their time easily and
cheerully, and complete regeneration Is the result.
| The island ls, of course, almost desert, ana a
rugged one, SO that instead Of Ioling III carriages
visitors are compelled TO explore on foot, and they
are all the better for IT, In fine Fire Island Is most
desirable LOCALITY TO those who love solitude, wish an
appetite and desire that peaceful enjoyment which
| health and c0ntentment can alone AFFORD.