The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-15

The Hotels Pretty FuiI-Mosquftoes Nov
ing with n Vcngeance-Thc Delights
Of Fishing in Great South Bay-The
Drives.

BABYLON, L. l., July 10, 1872
Babylon, l.. l., is situated on the South Side Rail-
road, distant about sixtyeght miles from the city
of New York. Being one Of the earliest settlements
on the Island, it is well known and much patron
lied by the older residents OF Manhattan, whom
experience has taught the force Of the oft-quoted
axiom, "You may go further and fare worse" With
such folks enjoy this opinion nothing be said
concerning this place Of Biblical cOgnomen by your
correspondent that would alter their opinion. But
there is an outside unsophsticated public to whom
a few jottings about BabylOn-the m0dern-may
prove both interesting and instructive, in event OF
their contemplating visit here.
There are four hotels here, namely:-The Watson
House, kept by $. Smith, situated on the main road
leading from the railroad depot to the Fire Island
steamboat landing; the American House, kept by
Mr.. Plttmau, late Of the Aston House, New York;
Sumpwam House, by Seaman, and the lie Grange
House. These places of public entertainment are
at present all in a most thriving financial condition
Their harvest Is ripe and the respers busily en-
gagged In cleaning the golden sheas which wave
| phere, which has hurried forward their sweltering
| crop Of humanity from the s.ckly cities
into their rapacions clutches. The bland smile OF
| mine host Smith, as he informs the new
! conner VINO applies for room that ave can't do IT,
my dear sir; re can't do 1t. We are 40 sorry; nut,
you see, We are all full. Try the Sumpwam or the
| American; you may get in there. Good day, sir |;
| me 1t time we hope better luck. Good, day sir
Yes, yesnext time, sir" must be soothing indeed
to the feelings OF the disappointed applicant for
| board
| Sumpwam are, however open to afford rest to the
weary; or the lie Grange, if one prefers to face
down the road for half a mile toward Isp. The
though it's proprietor is an old caterer to the sum-
mer patrons Of this place, having formerly
| furnished. Here praise must cease. The table Is
plain and substantial only, the attendance indrer-
| ent, except in mosquitorial sense. The atten
lions OF those Internal insects, the mosquitoes,
| unremltting. They hover about over ones head IN
view at times, It would seem. Their bite is very
! venomous. The welts raised on some of the
| wealthy patrons are painful to observe, and what
| must they he to endure Several b0ardars left
| here couple OF days ago on account OF this nui
| sance. The mosquitoes are not so thick to-day,
however. the breeze belngt strong for their nav
CATION.
and driving, aud the agreeable though quiet society
! In fishing yachts for q trial OF pscatoria luck in
| the waters of the great South Bay The boatmcn
| are jubilant over their success, not so much in
taking fish rs IN taking parties out at the rate Of
| SO per DAY. The chief yield oil the waters here
MacRerel il looked for by the Old fishermen, who
| know all the movements OF the fnny inhabitants
Of the Vastly deep, about the 25th OF this month.
Parties gong ont in the bay on these excursions
are won't 10 bring with them substantial uncheons
and bountfu supply OF liquids and ''poppermint'
to appcase the hunger which the lnvlporattnp
ocean breezes engender, and quench the thirst
superinduced ny the close proximity to the saline
waters. pays on Great South Bay, when fish run
well and the eycursioDsts enter into the spirit OF
the sport are days to be remembered through
many weary toilng hours OF METROPOLITAN lie and
cannot fail to serve as pleasant picture 'in the
background as II were, with such IS have ex-
pericnccd such dciigfts.
The drives hereabouts, from Babylon to Isllp. for
instance are really beautiful In point of scenery at
this season OF the year. Handsome summer villas
OF wealthy New. YORK gentlemen border the road
side, and rustic bridges crossing svery, scrpenfine
trout brooks running through these Estates the
nodding foliage OF fine trees, disclosing to view the
white weatherboard aud green Venetian Of the
mansions along the route, form chnrmjng picture.
Taken "a whole the attractions OF Babylon are
not meagrc.