The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-18
LETTER FROM THE SEASIDE.
Prom an Oooasie,,ol oOyvesgOndent.


ATLANTIC CRY, Aug. IL, 1870.
MY DEAR TELEeRAPH:-It is so long since
you and have had chat together, that beg
you will privilege me to say, without ofense q
few impertinent and perhaps foolish things that
are floating uppermost in my mind write you
from this cool and delightful "City by the Sea-"
into whose tranquil enjoyments no disturbing
element has entered AS linger hear OF the
doirgs at other seaside places, and as I read
how in the glare and glitter of gas lights, and
the flare and futter of tallow dips, the ''gay and
Afestive" dance their nights away, / wonder
how, fleeing from the heat of great city, they
can find enjoyment and recreation in all this
tomfoolery. ] read of grand receptions and
counter receptions, where the "Star
Spangled Banner and "Dixie" alternate
where brass buttons and brass bands dazzle
the eye and deafen the ear; where distin-
guished and disinterested politicians, who would
be esteemed patriots, spout long-winded, grand,
eloquent reception speeches, meaningless as
empty air, almost as sparkling and altogether as
effervescent as the champagne taken before and
after the mighty effort.
At times have almost faucied could hear
the turmoil, where brass and balderdash were
uppermost where, amid flowing wine, seductive
music, and the reeling dance, gallant men off
and fair women on active duty mingled, and
as Ipondered over all almost began to doubtmy
judgment as against such a mighty army of
jewellers.
Do not belong to the school of Rip Van
Winkle drivellers, who, after waking from a
long sleep, imagine every one moving in a
wrong direction, and that the "times are
out of joint?' 1t may be so and yet
at the risk of sneer l must make
the honest confession that to my
benumbed and old-fogy comprehension
it would be much more rational to have all
these receptions, dinners, and grand dances in
the fall and winter, when they could be enjoyed
without requiring the constant attendance of
physicians and coroners. Even the delightful
strains of "Dixie" and "My Maryland"-we will
not name yankee Doodle" - would sound
sharper, sweeter, and clearer on the crisp breath
of November morning than amid the swelter-
ing, breathless heat of July.
Reasonable gayety and life are not only desi-
rable but delightful at our summer resorts. But
when the heat is aggravated bv late hours, wine,
gas light and exhaustive dancing, it becomes a
wicked dissipation, alike destructive to health and
happiness. Blessed are we who can turn our
backs upon the exhaustive heat of the city for a
sojourn in some cool mountain retreat, or by
the breakers and amid the bracng air of the
sea-coast that our wasted energies may be
recruited, and our health, mental and physical,
restored. What we most need is quiet, whole
some diet, proper exercise, cheerful conversa-
tion, good companionship, and reasonable en-
joyment of all kinds. The very opposite of all
these you too often find are practised by very
many silly and, strange to say, some few, in
other respects, sensible people. Late hours,
running into the ''wee sma'" ones of the morn
ing, dancing to the verge of utter exhaustion,
Incorporate and unnatural excitement, sus-
tanned too often by artificial means, these are
the sappers and miners that have destroyed,
alas! many and many promising future.
/ came here needing rest, and under the
bracing effect of air and ocean 1 feel renewed
and reinvigorated. To those who are fond of
driving the wide, gravelled avenues afford the
finest carriage ways possible, equal to those at
Long Branch. The bathing near the Sea View
House is as fine as any l have ever enjoyed.
The atmosphere is dry and delightful, closely
resembling that of Italy. The fishing crab
bing, and sailing are charming and yield rich
return in health and pleasure. l shall shortly
take up the burden of life again and turn my
face away from all these pleasant and delightful
things, and / assure you it will be with regret.
As one holds with tender pressure the hand of
departing friend, linger regretful that l must
say farewell 10 place where the rich wine of
pleasure and health has come to me mingled
in the same cup. RANDOLPH.