Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-07-01
THE WORLD OF FASHION.
SUMNER sTYLES.
TFron Our 0sc~ COrrespondenf.r

| SUMNER STYLES.
TFron Our 0c~ Correspondenf.r
OCEAN WAVE, LONG BRANCH, June 30, TS.
| The summer residence Of the Executive Of the
nation having been fixed at this favorite water
ing place, has undoubtedly contributed TO give
il the atmosphere Of fashion and distinction
| which Ii now enjoys. Certainly, when Presi-
dent Grant selected IL for summer quarters.
though the attractions OF health, giving air AND
| were over shadowed by certain vulgarity OF
association which had the effect of keeping
| away many desirable people.
This drawback no longer exists. The pretty
| sea-side cottages have passed into new hands
| and many more have been built or are in
in process of erection. General Porter, General
| Babcock, Mr. Hamilton Fish, Jay Gould, and
| other well-known men are among the recent
| purchasers; and with Mr.. q. w. Childs, Drexel
and Selegmsn the bankers, John Hoey and
others no less public spirited and enterprising.
| give tone and fixed character which no other
American watering place possesses; Newport {
being more noted Tor the exclusion and seclu-
sion of Its summer residents, than for the gayety
and activity which their presence adds to the
drowsy little town. The advance in the tone
and Character OF society here, has led to I'M
provements in every other respect. The hotels
are now in every respect equal to the best, the
charges no higher than the usual tariff, and
the cuisine and attendance admirable.
1t Is really marvel how-during 90 brief
season-so much can be afforded, for-I will say
it-so little. am not among those who want
tie moon and then rail at what it costs to get
1t down. Americans are spoiled people. They
want everything at a moments notice, and
Tom, Dick, and Harry TO dance attendance
upon their slightest within. For the food they
at summer watering place; for the personal
attendance they reQuire-and for which an
army Of servants must be kept; small fortune
would be expended every week in any American
city, and could not be obtained at any price
abroad. Why then should FIVE dollars day be
considered such terrible exaction? To those
h,l 4, %l,as- Hill r.
ham Hotel, London, or begged yainly for a lit
tie ice and an extra pitcher of water in Paris,
the charge is moderate and the comfort of un-
limited pitchers Of ice-water great.
ON THE BEACH.
The great point Of attraction to the new conner
is the beach, which here is said TO be one of the
finest in the world. 1t is accessible by straight
walk, and stretches away miles along shore,
smooth and white, the little bathing houses at
the back, under the cliff, the foreground dotted
at this moment with groups of merry children
in sailor or Garibaldi costumes, picking up
shells, making pies, or diving INTO the sand with
gustO which promises i'll for the doctors in
come, so far as they are concerned.
There are not many lady bathers, IL being as
yet early in the season, and the ladies rather
hanging back waiting for each other and for
tue presence of numbers to give them courage.
There is one very pretty girl, however, among
the few lank blue and gray flannel figures. Her
hair is cut short and curls around her head boy
fashion. She wears an ash gray flannel suit
bound with Turkish blue, a Palmetto hat tied
style is known here as the "Ne1lie Grant"
bathing costume, and it was certainly becom-
ing to this winsome little figure.
The cut of bathing dresses has altered some
what during the past few years. Formerly they
consisted OF trousers and yoked blouse, loose
and belted in round the waist. Now they are
Garibaldi waist, injected together by q belt
OF the material, trousers loose at the ankles but
shaped rather close. Coutel and striped bed
ticking-both Of which are thick cotton fabrics,
VI IN
abroad-are used more or less, bound with
bright colored worsted braids; but they are
hard and harsh to the touch; cold, clammy ami
disagreeable when wet and less preventive of
sudden chill than twiled flannel, which is soft
pleasant TO wear, and gets nd Of salt water
more easily.
temperaments amounts to intoxication, and
finds here in this broad expanse Of wonderful
blue its fullest qualification.
There are men and women-more men than
women-who watch the play Of light upon the
waters, the passing Of distant shipe, the eager
advance and sullen receding OF the waves, fro IA
sunrise to sunset, and never seem 70 grow weary.
Are they watchers for that gallant ship that
eternally sails away freighted with precious
hopes and never comes back?
The fashionable hours for driving are as last
season, from to- O'Clock. AZ yet, the number
Of persons at the hotels 10 not large, though in
creasing every day, and promising by early in
July TO equal their capacity for accommods-
with elegant turnouts belonging to the summer
residents. Ladies drive low pony phatons, with
square awning tops, and gentlemen open ba-
rouehes, two seated buggies or English wagons
Gen. Grants love Of good horseaesh has slim
ulated desire for competition in the display
OF fine horses, and the "style" uron the "driyei'
cannot be beaten upon the Bloominedale road
even on the finest day Of the jerome park
races. ..,- = .-.
White summer liveries- instituted by
Gen. Grant-are becoming the rage, and really
show very effectively with a gold band upon
the hat and the color in ribbons or necktie Of the
ladies Of the family.
knell Of the white flannel suits affected of late
years by dandies and travelling ''swells." In
deed, it is difficult to imagine what they may
be reduced to, if one after another their pet
ideas IN costume are to be taken away and
transferred to servants. First, the exclusive
black suit and white necktie were made the
the gentleman; now the white suit is taken pos -
session Of by the coachman and the footman,
and becomes alivery, and what is there left but
the Plckwickian coat with brass buttons?
THE COTTAGES AT LONG BRANCH.
IL is hard to find the reason for Mr.. John
Hoeys selection Of Long Branch as q place of
residence, for his cottage is back, quite out OF
sight of the sea, and million dollars-more or
less-have been expended in endeavoring to
subdue all trace of the sea born sand, and make
it bower Of greenery, with but Indifferent re-
suits.
To be sure the trees do grow and the hedges
arbOr of vite and dwarf pines are thick and lux
uriant, but half the money expended upon A
spot remote from the sea-sAore would have pro-
duced larger results.
Mr.. j. w. wallack, (recently deceased,) was
one of the first Of the noted persons connected
with the drama to purchase property at Long
Branch, which was then-sixteen years ago
quite unknown to fame. He bought a small
farm, upon which was an old fashioned house,
which has since been changed into q beautiful
cottage orn&e. The land was considered dear,
at that time, at one hundred and fifty dollars
an acre; It would be thought very cheap now
at three thousand dollars An acre. 1t Is well
situated, nearly opposite the cottage of the
President, and that of Mr.. G. W. Childe, and
the house is at the end of a long narrow lane,
bordered on one side with well-grown trees 1t
IS uncovered with vines and foliage, and is al
together one Of the prettiest Of the cottage
homes at the Branch.
Being the outgrowth and overflow of large
cities, the habits Of the ccttagers are very dit
ferent from rural reside nts and natives. There
lie no going out "to tea, +" no visiting among
.'neighbors;" no neighbers-in fact, the word
10 becoming obsolete. Every family has its
own set Of invited guests, who come down from
the cities, single gentlemen, forming by far the
larger proportion, for they are more available
TO the ladies Of the family; and, eddy enough,
single men are eourted In fociety, Wksss dngle
ladies Of the same stamp are wholly tab0oed.
Dressing among them 10 not very exs ava