The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-26
a Diabo1ical Plot of the
Caesarites.
How the Public Mind Is.To Be
Perverted.
"A SLIM ATTENDANCE OF VISITORS.
The Extortions of the Seaside
Sharks.

days OF the Empire when Napoleon was at FOn-
tanebleau the imperial banner used to be displayed
as token Of the royal presence. While General
Grant Is smoking his partagas and remas at the
Presidential mansion the Jersey shore the Stars
and Stripes float from the nagstan on the lawn.
It Is not surprising That the coincidence should
excite suspicion and alarm in the breasts Of those
visitors at Long Branch who have been innocu.
lated with Casarphobia during the heated term;
but when. in addition to this, it is remembered
that the famous cottage by the sea" ia actually
located on the "crown" OF hill that Mark Antony
Murphy watches over the destinies OF mis- chief
from an opposite dwelling; that Bore, Richardson,
Cornell the coming candidate for Governor of New
York, and other soldiers OF the Office holding legion
are in the immediate vicinity that General Sher-
man. the head OF the army, is expected in few
days as guest OF Mark Antony, and that the
mysterious Davenport may be seen at all hours OF
the day and night driving backwards and forwards
along Ocean avenue In o pony phaeton, appar-
emily wrapped up in some secret mission, 1t can be
well understood why elderly patriots and anxious
democrats gather in groups along the seashore
and whisper into each others ears their views Of
the decline and fall OF the American Republic.
Only q few days since report found circulation
that ex-Colector Murphy had been seen on the
beach, clad in the moving white robes OF
. Roman Senator and practising 0beisances
TO the rising sun; but it was subse-
quently discovered that the modern Mark
Antony had only been enjoying dive in the sea
ut an hour sufficiently early to allow him to dis
pense with all supernuous clothing and to disport
himself in the sands clad only in single article Of
male attire.
A SUSPICIOUS GAME
Yesterday new cause for alarm was found In the
sudden appearance upon the splendid lawn Of the
Ocean House OF q singular and picturesque
rangement, the use and meaning ofwhich, although
~ first mystery to the wondering guests, is
evidently mOnarchical in its tendency. At one
end OF this miniature representation Of the Field OF
the Cloth OF Gold is silver Shield bearing engraved
upon 1t the word "sortie" In line with the
shield, occupying q position corresponding with
the first hoop in Cr0quet stands sort OF triumphal
arch or gateway, about two feet high, tastefully
designed in silver plating. In the centre,
responding with the double hoop and bell OF cro-
quet, stands an elaborate piece Of mechanism IN
the shape OF throne, surmOunted by a crown, and
standing over five feet high. Next to this in
line with the shield, is another gateway, and
beyond, at the extreme end or top Of the ground,
IL castle about five feet In height, known as
"Castel Haut." All the pieces are OF the same ma
terial, finely polished silver-plating on steel and
right ana left OF the field, on line with the throne,
are two castles, corresponding with the one at the
Gauche" These castles surmOunted by spears
or battle axes and display kmghtly banners, while
In suggestive proximity appear two silver-barred
nylng omlnous black nags. People were at first
puzzled what to make out Of this novel display, but
Its similarity in arrangement at least to crOquet
ground suggested to q mind more brilliant than
the rest that IL must be some game OF like char
hs o Tine
Rn as sn 1s m nasrs q s paysa
but is far more intricate. The 'sortie" Is
made from the shield the player driving his ball
throne by one Of several passage-ways BY which it
IL surrounded, each Of which bears different num-
throne q visit is made to the castle on the right,
the entrance to which adds certain number to
player returns to the throne, like other modern
occupants making as much out OF 1t as he can
while there Then the other gate Is passed through
'.home stretch" the same play is made on the left
side Of the ground as on the right, a similar
castle and the throne, until the first gateway is
again passed under on the return, when the
as he has been able to make. The object through
out the game IT, OF course to get INTO the entrances
score determines the winner, and not the " FIRST
ont, as IN croquet After making oil the points out
the passage OF the final gateway, the player be-
comes Knight Grant or wandering Maid OF
Honor, as the case may be, corresponding with the
position OF Grover In croquet, and may do as
or her own score as is possible before the last com
panlOn player goes out. During the game the
player endeavors to drive his antagonist into one
OF the 'bastles" and II he succeeds, the prisoner
remains In confinement until he consents TO pay
partner manages to drive his bah into the bastile
and release MIN. The Knight who CALAMITY libe-
rates his imprisoned Maid Of Honor, or the Maid OF
Honor who generously goes 10 the rescue OF her
Knight is rewarded by being allowed second play.
rs 1T A PLOT OF CFsARIsMY
Now, regarded merely as an amusement Tor the
tdlers az watering place, this new game is a
harmless one and nothing can be said against IL.
handsome display, the cost OF the one set out
on the Ocean House lawn, $1,000, will imply. But
now are we TO account for the introduction OF the
game at this particular time and at this particular
place II II be not q dark and diabolica conspiracy
IN the interests t Of CssarismS We are, unnappily,
habits and steady principles OF the fathers OF the
Republic. Plain. ron-hooped croguet has been
heretofore considered good enough game Tor
simple republicans TO play, and 1t is more than
suspected that the White House Court now trans
ierred TO the Branch, is at the bottom OF this
attempt TO supplant that honest CID game by
an imperialsuc arrangement In which
basfiles play prominent part. It is Clearly dc" de
signed to familiarize the public mind with these
appendages OF royalty, SO that the change may be
shabby beaver OF the coming Caesar shall be ex-
changed for the imperial crown now currently be-
and when the fast frOtters and neat wagon now 80
famous on Ocean avenue shall be supplan ted by
the imperial chariot already ordered. Indeed
there IL something suspicousy conspiratorish in
the mysterious manner in which the inventor Of
the inSiduOus game approaches Won with the conf
dental Information that he intends to manufacture
them at prices varying from twenty to two thou
sand dollars. II Is not TO be wondered at that the
waves to-day took an imperial purple hue in view
OF this dangerous innovation, and feel II incum-
bent upon me TO call the attention OF the Demo-
cratic Central Committee, as well as OF Iammany
and Apollo Halls, TO the subject.
SCARCITY OF VISITORS.
Is II hot In New YORK; Here, me weather con,
the delay in the usual mdJuly rush to the Branch.
The West End has been full, on and OF, several
times; but this is manly due to Its proximity TO
the PRESIDENTIAL headquarters and to the liberal
Attendanec Of Casarifes. Power seems TO have an
irresistible attraction for some natures, and II
~ surprising what vast number OF persons who
nave no real business with the administration,
shy pe ionnd visiting Long Branch simply because
sne Tesident aud some OF his Cabinet advisers are
I, ihese people all get close to the Presi.
fni iva. Iesiuence as possible, and hence the
-" attendance at the west End, which
h,s,na,.. present the nearest hotel to rbe