New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-10

which are incompatible, and not at all to
it's hotel accommodations, or fashionable
amusements. They do say it was much
gayer in this respect in ante-war times,
J when it was a great resort for Southerners;
but now it is much duller. At the Ocean
House, as have said, there was very little
dancing, and comparatively little dressing.
The ladies seem to spend the time not en-
ployed at their toilet or driving out, IN
promenading in long hall, full OF drafts
and shadows; the latter very trying to the
appearance of every woman not very young
and superlatiyely beautiful. Nevertheless,
this drafty, unbecomingly lighted passage
is thronged all the time, while the large,
well-hghted drawing room is deserted.
SOME few,aqsyery few, OF the ladies,
/ noticed, made feint of occupation,
by holding in their hands pieces OF
embroidery, into which they occasionally
put stitch 1t was a fitting tribute TO the
propriety of employment, but otherwise not
of much account; as it is more than prob
able the colors with which the pieces are
begun will be faded past recognition long
before the work is finished.
As a permanent summer residence for
persons having homes of their own, New
| port must be delightful. That its charms
| are appreciated is evidenced by the numer-
GUS elegant villas with which the island IS
covered, owned by the wealthy residents OF
| neighboring cities, who have learned the
| delights of Newport summer. We have
| read of the beautiful country seats Of the
English nobility, but doubt that the finest
| of them is much superior to some we have
! Seen here. The lawns are magnificent, the
grass presenting a smooth velvety appear
| ance, and being OF much brighter green
than our bermuda, of which we are so
proud. This grass, we were told, IS found
L iSla nd nd X
| Rhode Island bent. Many of these villas
are inland but some are directly on the
coast, and thus combine the advantages Of
high cultivation with those of unbudled
nature We noticed one, situated on elf,
! the owner of which could gaze from one
side of his house upon a landscape garden
| Of elaborate beauty, while from the other
be could descend by natural steps III the
solid rock down to the very borders OF the
sea.
The town itself presents the contrasts
always to be found in old places which have
lost their commercial Importance and taken
the character of summer resorts. There
ars whole streets full of splendid mansions,
and whole streets full of sordid novels. The
raggedest dirtiest child l ever laid my eyes
on, | saw this morning near an old wharf
in this place.
OF course, Newport has its due allowance
not p, and hotels, and fancy stores; and the
young lady who comes here scant Of hair
may supply herself readily with any guam
tity and shade that she may desire.
Right in the heart of the town, in the
open square opposite the Atlantic House,
is a mysterious structure, the origin of
which is lost in antiquity. The first settlers
could learn from the Indians nothing about
it, except that it had stood there within the
memory of their oldest chiefs. Some say
it was built by the Mortimer during one OF
their earliest visits 70 this country. II is
calle1 the Old Stone Mill. though why. |
can not imagine, as it does not resemble any
mill | have ever seen. 1t Is circular
building of layers Of irregular shaped
stones, cemented together, open to the Sky,
and standing on eight pillars, arched from
one to another The whole structure. which
is about thirty feet in diameter and from
fifty to sixty feet high this is a rough esti-
mattel did not learn its exact dimensions,
is now covered with laundering woodbine,
evidently the work of design, which CON
verts the rough piece OF masonry into
thing of beauty.
have spoken Of the amusements of the
Ocean House, but forgot TO mention an i'm
portant one, namely: sitting on the piazza
and watching the procession Of carriages
which pass backward and forward every
afternoon. Among the lockers on, or else
among the passers by, may be seen at this
time the horid face and flowing red beard
of General Belknap the rubicund vissge
and bold, black eyes of the famous Phil
Sheridan, and the cherubic countenance.
albeit touched with age. Of the genial Gov
ernor Jewell. Considerations of delicacy
forbid my mentioning the names Of the
most distinguished ladies. some OF whom
are young, sprightly and attractive. and
many crowned with those white locks
which should bespeak veneration-nay,
which do, when arranged in q style suitable
TO their color. In word. there are a great
many old ladies here-more than / ever
saw collected together before Some of
them are pleasant to look at, and others not.
There is a corresponding scarcity of gal
lants while of girls there are plenty. 1t is
sad to see so much cOurtabe but uncourted
young womanhoOd.
The hotel is crammed; for people will
come to Newport, and poor as it is, there is
no better here. The fare, indeed Is fair
but the accommodations il the rooms are
miserable-accommoda they can hard
ly be called. For instance, this letter was
begun upon the bottom of a bureau drawer
set upon two chairs, the room not atfording
the luxury of table. The chambermaid
was surprised that should want table,
as the lady who had just left the room
"a very fashionable lady"-Lad been there
Ten DAYS, ana naO never asked Tor such
thing The best rooms, however, are usually
engaged early for the whole season. The,
also, are very poorly furnished. but better
than those kept for transient boardcrs. Per
sons who wish to enjoy the pleasures of
Newport for any length Of time, should
make some effort to obtain more comfort
than is procurable at the Ocean House; or,
if they can not succeed in so doing, ought
to do the next best thing--Iive out of doors
as much as possible, and, in the enjoyment
of nature, forget the discomforts insepara-
BILE from hotel life in Newport i. +. F.