Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-08-01
THE WORLD OF FASHION.
SUMNER STYLES Ar LONG BRANCH.
Famous People Watering Place
IOilettes and Eathing Costumes
what We DO. and What is To he
Done.

IFasAion Correspondence e he Erening STAR
NEW YORK, July 81, 1872.
'Ninety-eight in the shade" has been the
regular New York bulletin the su INNER through,
until now when it Is nearing the close of July.
No wonder the city became intolerable. With
dead horses, sunstruck people, a sliding atmos-
phere, and close brick walls, is it surprising that
appetites failed and Summer night concerts
lost their power TO charm? Anticipations even
in regard 10 Long Branch were not lively. We
remembered it IN the old days as a place occu-
pied by long struggling country taverns. and
more recently as gwen over TO the Philistines,
apd spoiled for all honest purposes. But we did
the renovatiBg power, and grandeur of its
natural resources injustice. As the wise old
German said it takes a great deal of laundering
to spoil anything; and Long Branch is not
spoiled by any means. On the contrary 1t is
more brilliant. more gay, more thoroughly en-
Joyable than any other watering place that L
have seen. The long stretch Of road along the
beach affords the finest opportunity for driving,
and from four until seven p. IN. it is thickly
covered with magnificent turnouts, from the
low basket wagons driven by ladies themselves,
men and millionaires. Saratoga in the height
of its most brilliant season had nothing to COM
pare with it. The reason is to be found partly
in the numuer of cottages which have been built
here within the past five years by wealthy New
York and Philadelphia men, and partly in the
close proximity OF Long Branch to the two great
cities, which renders 1t perfectly easy for those
who spend even a short time here to bring their
carriages and horses, and enjoy to the utmost
extent the charming drives in the vicinity.
THE BRIGHTON OF AMERICA.
Some people have chrstened this the "Brght-
on" OF America but it does net do half justice TO
the charm of our beautiful seaside watering
place to compare it with that dull English town.
The ocean view directly opposite the Ocean
House is probably unsurpassed in the world and
acrocs it comes to US every morning three thou
sand miles Of ocean breeze, fresh, strong, invig-
Grating, and as pure as the blue above and the
blue below can make it. Certainly it would be
impossible in this climate to keep down an ele-
ment like that. Back in the country a mile the
land becomes garden. Monmouth county is
the richest IN the state and every item of pro-
auction finds its way to its two vast markets,
New York and Philadelphia.
The aggregation OF artistic and fashionable
social lie here Is greater than at any other sum-
| mer resort, and this also makes great point of
| attraction. The favOrite drive along the beach
| takes you past innumerable cottages owned and
| occupied by persons whose names are recognized
| at once, and whore very vicinity has fascina.
| ton for the army of the unknown.
There is the Swiss cottage built by George W.
| Childs, but which he exchanged for another,
owned by Mr.. James L. Brown. Down q sort Of
| Lester Waiack's "hut," hidden among the
trees; and further back still, Edwin Booths
"snuggery," where he is at present, but from
of an OId-fashioned mansion on the Hudson
river. One of the prettiest places at the Branch
| is that owned by Edwin Adams. 1t Is close BY
II. r.
Adams has the advantage in a Corner lot,
| with an abundance of shade. Three cottages
| built nearly alike are owned and occupied by
Mr.. Jeremiah Curtis, his sons, and daughter,
Mrs. Laura Curtis Billiard. Mrs. Billiard is
esteemed both for talent and social pre-emi-
nence, and draws around many Of the bright
| est spirits of the day. Mrs. Louise Chandler
Mouiton, the clever Boston correspondent of the
New York Tribune, is her guest at the present
time.
Miss Rhoades, of New York, a woman whom
/ " 6rst
one to build q cottage on the other side of the
pond" where many Of the finest cottages are
now located, the Presidents and Mr.. George W..
Childs' among the number. Mr.. Childs' is the
most perfect model of Swiss cottage that
have ever seen, and the only one that coyet.
1t is absolutely charming, and his perfectly ap-
President has rented the house which was pre-
sented to him, and built another after his own
plans. It is necessarily laIqs. put modest and
| the other day, riding on horseback, during the
| fashionable hours for driving. He rode dark
grey horse, and was entirely nth alone, not followed
| served, determined man that he is. made up
| my mind that his greatness consists in his will
and power to keen his mouth shut.
TOILRTTRs AT LONG BRANCH.
Whether Ii Is want of eyesight or natural ca
pacity to see as others, do not know, but
| am always unable to discover those wonderful
| toiiettes, at least in any number and variety,
| that other correspondents dilate upon and de-
| scribe. Fashionable summer resorts seem to
me the most democratic places in the world.
| So far as dress Is concerned, you can dress and
| you can let 1t alone. Ne one troubles them
selves about It one way or the other, so far as
4 have observed.
The morning dress, which is always a walking
dress of some kind or other, is worn until it Is
| time to dress for the drive, dinner and the
hop" in the evening, and one dress answers
white or light materials over colored silks; mar
| ried ladies, handsome silk costumes, or astriped
or figured polonaise over self-c0lored silk skirt
cLs 81 lonl hns~ tw1I II
white or striped fOulard waist, with the uniform
colarette of black lace, is the favorite morning
| costume, varied by polonaise of white linen or
eera 6dtiste over founced summer silk, muslin
| or black grenadine skirt.
The driving costumes look very gay, because
20 many young ladies wear white muslin, or
mouslin de soil, over bright, yet delicate silks
pink, pale blue, green and mauve, and wear
| them without additional covering upon the
beach, in low, open carriages. The present
fashion which ordains high neck and long sleeves
| for the under as we'll as the over dress, admits
| Of doing this without any improperly. A few
| years ago the Innings OF all their dresses were
plainly seen beneath the diaporous covering.
This is not now permitted. The tendency of all
fashion, in spite of the efforts of some ignorant
dress, and those who keep this fact in view, and
dress In accordance with it, will save them
selves many blunders Black grenadine is
with thin black silk; white or light striped
gauze and grenadines are lined with white silk,
and self colored tissues with silk or lawn match
ing in color.
The most useful dresses for the seaside are soft
summer silks, pineapple cloths, foulards, Chi
nese silks, and linens. These do not shrink or
collapse in the salt air and mist which some
times envelopes us at nightfall, but which no one
thinks of avoiding, because it IL not injurious to
anything but starch, and shQddy mixtures OF
cotton and wool, and silk and wool, with paper
filling.
Laundresses do not flourish here as they do in
Saratoga, for the stiffest white muslin outings
fall limp and pIostrste before the salt moisture
In the atmosphere, and except, therefore, upon
the occasion Of 9 grand ball, ladies have relin-
pushed the futing business, and wear that
which viii hold its own the longest. Only two
Dolly Vardens are to be seen here; one was worn
BY an elderly lady, Of large and portly presence,
the other By slim little Gown mafd'' to two
young ladies. Poor Dolly Warden!
Ameng the prettlest costumes which have
been worn here, was one OF white French mus
lin, trimmed with black lace and black velvet.
Another was complete In two shades Of blue
gloves, bonnet, porasol-all matching. A deli
cate stone colored game was worn over stone
colored silk, and trimmed with silk lace, and
ribbons flor looping and bows,) matching in
color. A wide Roman sash gave color, and
heightened the eject Of this toilette. A dress
oT fv,Ht n, a. a.