The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-25
LONG BRANCH.
The DfscOmfOrts of a Rainy Day ut the
Scasidc-Thc Presihent-The Influence
or the Weather Upon His sickness.


or the Weather Upon His Sickness.
Long BRANCH, June "a, 1879.
Long Branch, in the midst of drlzzng cold
rain, has none OF the attributes OLA Summer
watering place.
MORE DREARy PROSPECT
than that seen from the hotels Is impossible to inn
agine. In 'front.' the frothy upheaves in never
ending monotony. phantom ship is dscernlbe
now and then vaguely through the thick drapery
OF fog that hangs above 1t, and the line of the
horizon is wholly lost in the vapor leaving one in
doubt where the ocean ends and the sky begins.
Both ocean and sky are equally cherries, and
both seem 10 be utterly wretched when out in the
rain On the drive there is nothing visible but the
long eXpanse Of surface, dotted thickly by the
patterng drops Of rain in the wagon ruts. Here
and there, perhaps, MAY be seen drag or
fly or express wagon, but 1t is closely but
toned up, and the driver has hidden himself
In some snug corner OF the vehicle, to keep from
the rain, and the whole concern has the appear
ance of some bedragged monster suffering the
agonies of q wetting. The Summer houses on the
beach and the music stands all look az If they
ought to be brought indoors. The prospect is not
much more cheerful inside.
OyERCOATS AND BLANKETS
are In demand, and even coal fires are warmly
welcomed by the more sluggsh-bo while hot
drinks are temporarily revived, and apple jack
Groups have no way to afnuse themselves except
by cards or billiards. and both cards and billiards
seem very unconventional at the seaside and In
the daytime. few groups sit at the open door
way shivering and telling storles-the ofttold tales
OF the past naf dozen seasons-or recount old Jer-
seymen's
NARRATIVES OF sHIPwRECK,
including the fate OF the good ship Era which wene
down on this.yery coast about seven years ago and
three hundred lives were lost. The thrilling terror
OF these narratives enchans the attention SO Tar.
who saw and participated in them, that an un-
christian desire to see shpwreck takes posses
sion OF the nearer, and some less cons1derate audi
express the wish that there might be just such
a shipwreck there now. But wishes bring no ships
TO port, nor in the present instance to wreck, ana
the old Atlantic beats in its dreary, wet-weather
way upon the Long Branch shore, guitlessSthere
at least, of wrecks or ruin.
The rain has rendered
EVERYTHING DREARY,
the drive the ocean, the landlords, the cottages.
lawns. which Is already dancing and laughing under
the happy showerlng. The landlords look, without
the season for a week. People that were coming
likely to unpack and walt till the city becomes
weather and think it would have been better to
remain in town a week or so longer. Altogether
the rain is great discomfort to everybody.
AS TO THE PRESIDENT,
he, perhaps enjoys 1t. He has not been out riding
to-day being still sufferer from his attack or
sickness To the sick man rain 10 described IN
poetry as most refreshing, and probably General
Grant feels its influence in that way. He Is not SO
III, however, to be unable to enjoy anything else.
He Will doubtless be in his usual health tomorrow.
General Babcock arrived here to-day and called on
him.
The hotel proprietors bear this temporary eclipse
with heroic forttude, and expect to make hay in
the shape Of q large innux Of visitors as soon as
"Sunshine sets in again.
THE WEST END HOTEL,
although comparatively new structure, has been
entirely renovated. without 1t Is the only building
of the Kind In Long Branch which may lay claim to
any consistent style of architecture; Within its
large cool halls and corridors tastefully decorated
present sight which Is at once imposing and re-
freshing Mr.. Prestbury, one OF its propretors, ID
gentleman OF the old school, and does the lOnneurs
with the grace and dignity OF feudal lord OF some
ancient castle. Among the distinguished residents
OF the West End Hotel are Miss Nelson, the TRACE
dieDne, who is rep0sing here from her late ardu-
Gus labors preparatory to her departure for Eu-
rope. She Is the observed OF all observers and her
graceful presence lends q peculiar charm to the
spacious and elegant drawing room. There are also
expected at the West End Governor Whyte, OF
Maryland; Senator Stockton, of New Jersey, and
many other notables.