The Portland daily press., 1871-10-11
A Jersey Institution.

To the Editor of the Press:
Saltwater day" is one the peculiar institu-
tions of New Jersey. 1t was established in
the belief that an annual bath in salt water
will ward off gout, rheumatism and similar
nervous maladies; and so on the second and
third Saturdays of August thousands of the
lads and lassies, and the men and women OF
New Jersey resort to the waters of Raritan
Bay for day of merry-making and bath.
This year the elect days were charming ones,
as they usually are.
The vicinity of Perth Amboy, where are
two groves, is the place of resort, the groves
being known by the names of Eaglewood and
Florida. 1t is among the trees of the latter
grove that the spacious Jersey wagons and
other vehicles gather, loaded with families of
young and gay; with faded mothers and
blooming daughters. These are people who
do not patronize Long Branch. Their bath
ing-rig of old faded calico dresses would con-
trast strangely with the elegant costumes in
which the Long Branch bellies bathe. And
we may say that the persons of our friends in
calico compared with the dissipated bellies of
| the Branch, presented as violent contrast.
Rugged health, round forms and rosy cheeks
| animate the calico costumes; while faded
| faces, angular figures and broken health tum-
BILE about among the waves in the most costly
and fashionable bathing dresses.
The fashionable bellies have houses on the
| beach in which to make their toilet for the
scar not so, our country bellies. A dressing
room has to be extemporized in the carriage
or roomy wagon, and this is easily done with
| horse blankets or shawls. Some of our lady
readers may regard this as sorry affair for a
dressing-rOom. But what would you think If
you had only single cotton sheet out of
which to construct place to disrobe in and
| make ready for a sea-bath. Se ladies of
Monteyideo, on the Rio de la rata, when
| they bathe in that river undress and dress I'M
der sheet. The writer has often seen them
do it; though how it is done is a mystery to
him, to this day. They go down to the river,
| disappear under the sheet, and soon come out
| in collapsed condition as to crnoline, ready
tor swim.
| While the lassies are making ready for the
bath in the wagons, the lads, under the shell
ter of the bushes at a distance, make them
| selves ready, and then they all 90 in, as merry
who perhaps has not laughed since he was
here year ago, now shakes out every reef
from his wrinkled face, and gives his cheeks
what the sailors call "rap full" Such
shouts of laughter as these merry girls give
come not from lungs that have been. wound
ed with tight-acing. l
The hath ended and the bathing rig ex-
changed for day gear; then came the feast
Huge baskets filled with the good things
which Jersey matrons know so we'll how to
| prepare, were brought out, and their contents
| spread on tables made ready by the proprie-
tor of the grove. There is nothing that gives
so keen an edge to the appetite of person
living inland as the breathing of salt air; a
statement that was fully verified by the rapid
disappearance of the food so bountiiully pro-
| vided for this occasion.
Alter the lunch came the dance. The pro-
| prietor of Eaglnwood Hotel secured the pres
ence of Band on the two great bathing
| Saturdays, and the dancing platform in the
| open air was in constant use, the Band fur
nishing the music. 44a7 .ar
| In the observance of this custom, which
has existed over two hundred years, our Jer-
| sey friends, with their characteristic economy
make an annual visit to the watering place
have sea-bath, picnic and dance.
| . j. S. of MAINE.