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

Especial Correspondence of the Republican,
OCEAN HOUSE, NEWPORT, August 90, 1871.
From New Orleans to Newport-how easy
the transition, how great the change.
There, during these August days, the heavy
hours perspire with the exertion of drag
ging themselves on: here, the gentle mo
ments glide along, waited by soft sea breezes
the temperature is neither hot nor cold, but
deliciously Notwithstanding to out-of-
doors life at all hours of the day. But be-
fore expatiating upon the delights or dis
comforts OF Newport-the former lavished
by the hand of nature, the latter yielded at
high prices by the oupidity of hotel keep
ers-I must touch lightly upon our journey
hitherward
From New Orealns to Louisville the trip
was pleasant but uneventful, the most note
worthy feature being an abominable break
fast furnished at stopping place called
"62Ia Miles Siding" Avoid that place, all
We who have any regard for either palate or
stomach Eat whatever may remain IN
your lunch basket, or rather be certain to
supply enough to carry you beyond that
point.
At Louisville we remained over few
hours to enjoy the luxury of resting,
bathing, and taking meal at that capital
hotel, the Gait House, and a ride through
the city-a plan / would recommend to all
tourists not pressed by business, or that
still more imperative mOtiye-the desire to
be at ones journeys end. From Louisville
to New York we travelled by the Erie route,
taking (so-called) palace sleeping car at
Cincinnati; and, by the way, the very long
omnibus ride through the least admirable
portions of that city forms an Objectionable
feature OF this route True, this disad
vantage is partially compensated by the
taking of broad gauge car, which is very
easy in its motion, but otherwise in no re-
spect superior to the palace cars running
from New Orleans to Louisville. Nay, the
one we took was inferior in one point,
there being no inclosed toilet arrange
ments for the use of ladies and children
matter of small Importance, perhaps, but
inconsistent with the boastful descriptions
we SO frequently hear of the Injuries Of
travelling north of the Ohio river. From
Cincinnati to New York the only incident
worth relating was detention of few
hours at Saegertown, Pennsylvania, caused
by an accident to a freight train ahead of
us. When one is not in haste, such deten-
ton is rather pleasant than otherwise, af
fOrding an opportunity to take walk, and
see the country at leisure Most of the pas
sengers availed themselves of the chance:
two of them to their cost, as the train moved
on and left them behind.
We reached New York on Saturday
morning about eleven O'clock making just
sixty-nine travelling hours from New Or
leans, and put up at the Gilsey House-a
new hotel, on the corner of Broadway and
Twenty ninth street, of palatial dimensions
and appointments, kept on the European
plan"
For the benefit of other "innocents abroad
who may not know what the European
plan is, and may feel tempted to try it, 1
will sacrifice my 0n,ore piOpre and tell our
experience.
In the first place, we got a very elegant
room, only one story above the dining
room and parlors, furnished with velvet |
chairs and sofa, Brussels earpeting lin the 1
bath room as well as in the bedroom), a
fine chandelier, and two mirrors-these |
having the drawback OF being both station |
airy and so arranged as to afford only bust |
view of the person, instead Of full length. |
There was no rocking chair, but one was
furnished on request which completed the |
furniture of the room-tbe cost of which |
was six dollars day. Il enter into. these |
particulars for the information of the I'M
sophisticated; old travellers may skip them.) |
The meals are served Ia carte, |
that is, the price of every item mentioned
in the bill of fare is set opposite its name:
so that each guest can keep his account as
he takes his meal, mind and stomach both
working at once, mingling of occupations
less favorable to digestion, as a general
rule, than the American plan, which post
pones all thought of payment till the bill
comes in. At dinner choice is offered
either to avail ones self of the table d'hote,
getting an excellent dinner at set price
a dollar and a half piece-or dine q Ia
carte Most persons choose the former, pre-
ferring the mere gustatOry enjoyment of
a few superhuous delicacies, for which they
would haveto pay highly in time, patience
and money, to the superior enjoyment OF
being served promptly with plain, palatable
fare, and devoting less thought to the opera
ton. In fact, the fare, for the most part,
was excellent, with the exception of tea,
coffee and eggs, all of which were exeerable.
After day or two, however, we learned
that cup of good tea or coffee might be
obtained by ordering extra" and paying
double price, that is, fifty cents-for one al
lowance. Remember this, lovers of the
cheering herb and the exhilarating berry.
AS for the eggs, think large supply must
have been laid III last April, when the house
was opened, which. is not yet exhausted. !
They VIII not pOach, and it is a hazardous
experiment to bring boiled ones to the table.
The corridor Or open space around the |
broad Staircase On the main floor of the
Tiisey House Is furnished ike a dra wing .
'oom, and forms a pleasant promenade aud ,
reception room. Many seemed to prefer it ,
% the parlOrs, which was mistake in one J
aspect, for if it is possible for a woman :
,ver to look well at all, she must do 40 in :
he parlors of the Gilsey House at night :
he faint pinkish tint Of the walls, the
oseate glow from the curtains, and the ,
yht crimson gauze which drapes the \
handeliers. throw bloom over the com
lexion infinitely preferable to that sold at I
he perfumers | noticed more than one