The New York herald., 1870-07-31

The President and the Races at
Long Branch.
Monmouth Park Trotting-P President Grant De-
clines to Attend--He Does Not Want to be
Considered a Sporting Man-The Fine
Turnouts at the Branch-The Sunday
Crowds-Hop at the West End.

LONG BRANCH, July 80, 1870.
That assumed gift OF prophecy which so many
bring into constant active play regarding the pro-
posed movements and purposes OF President Grant
was never INDUCED In with greater assumption of
confidence than as regards his attendance at tho
races so successfully and brilliantly inaugurated
to-day at the Monmouth Park race course. 1t was
universally supposed he would go. Everybody
prophesied that he would be among the first in
attendance and among the last to leave. Nobody
supposed in fact that anything could keep him away
"Going TO the races, supposef" said gentleman
meeting him this morning. .....
''No, sir" answered the President.
"NOt sick, hopef" observed the gentleman with
surprise.
mo; but am not going"
'Waiting for the races to get under good headway
1rst2"
'Not at all. I do not propose to go to any of
them.n
III am surprised. Nothing In the management, I
trust. you don't approve9n
mo fault to fnd with anything or anybody con-
tlnued the President. "If was only visitor here
might casually attend; but, living here. have de-
cided to stay away altogether
And the President did stay away ana. It is unne.
cessary 10 add. greatly to the disappointment OF the
great majority who were present. 1t Is evident that
however great his londness for good horses he does
not choose to be regarded as one Of the victims OF
passion Tor horse racing. At all events, it is un.
doubted that this marked Difference to the
general public sentimentfor such II most certainly
is-will meet with most extended appreciation.
Meantime, the President remained quietly at home
nearly all day, taking with the members OF his
FAMILY his usual dday bath In old ocean, and buf-
fetng It's bounding blows with more signal success
than the Wild waves Of the tempest-tossed sea Of
politics.
This afternoon he took also with his family his
customary evening ride. most OF the magnificent
surnouts returning from the races bearing him COM
pany.
GOING TO THE RACES.
II President Grant did not go to the races nearly
everybody else most assuredy did. There has never
been livelier morning than this morning about the
hotels. The large hotel omnibuses With six horses
attached, were filed TO OverlOwing outside and
inside. with eager and anxlously expecant sporting
mentheir eagerness being TO get TO the course be-
fore the races began, and their expect
ancy TO bring back more money than they
took with them. In the first regard they were not
disappointed, but very many in trusting to the tickle
fortunes Oi the reacnerOu5 turf did so to their
serious pecuniary cost and grievance. Soon long
rows OF carriages were, one after tho other busiIy
richly toileted ladies. There was no end
To single buggies, while chiefly attractive
anu casting all the minor vehicles In
the shade were the splendid six-in-hands OF
jim FISK. Jr., and Mr.. HclmDOld. Mixed up with
the trOnR or departing cOnveyances were also scvc
raj IOurin hands, All the fine turnOuts OF tile Branch
joined IN the general exodus, and away in their COM
Dned vehicles went all the wealth, beauty and
fashion OF the Branch There was Uncomfortable
dulness at the hotels. The surf had but few
patrons. Bartenders, BARRIERS and billiard
markers had q day OF respite. Everything wore a
banquet hall deserted look. BY ve p. M the crowds
however, returned some smiling and happy over
their winnings and others groaning In spirit over
their losses. Such as did not bet and therefore did
not have occasion foy either extreme OF jubancy
or grlevlng, pronounced the day OF magnificent
sport.
AND STILL THEY COME.
Tonight brought in the usual Saturday night
crowd from The city, but greatly augmented by
coming to remain during the ensuing race week
Inc hotels are already crowded, and IL Is problem
with the hotel prOprietors to know how to dispose
premium and half beds are discounted freely
at par value. pillar OF porch to lean against is
q luxury. The worst S-that Is, for the guests but
the best thing for the hotel mentls state OF things
VIII continue through next week.
TIE HOP TONIGHT.
Most ample preparations nave been made by
Messrs sykes, Gardiner G Co., OF the West End
Hotel, to make the invitation hop here tonight one
OF the most splendid OF the season The large dining
been the multiplicity Of Invitations Including
all the prominent people OF fashion on the Branch,
mat 1t Is doubtful II this Is large enough to give
ample scope for dancing for the unusual number
expected to be In attendance. As stated IN my YES
terday,s correspondence the President and Mrs.
Grant have accepted the invitation 10 attend and
ther presence, OF course, Will give extra cat to the