The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-10

General Grant has informally, and without
the oountersign OF the State Department
| opened the Summer season. He and his fam
lily have gone to their cottage by the sea at
Long Branch. All seekers of pleasure and
health are hereby notified that the sun
has attained its meridian glow and
intensity when the hegira of citizens
to the seaside and mountains is ex-
pected, when the business world should relax
its cares and labors and when the young
and gay are invited to renew their firtations
or to mako more serious engagements for con-
summation in the Fall and Winter. The few
hot days we have had, too, since the month of
June commenced have given the example set
by the President more force, and have stimu-
lated the city mammas and the young folks
to overhaul their wardrobes and to
begin packing their trunks. When Queen
Victoria leaves London for Balmoral
or some other country retreat the
fashionable society Of the British metropolis
follow as a matter Of course. The Empress
Eugene used to lead the gay world of Paris
in the same way. Why should not the Chief
Of this Republic, his excellent wife and the
charming Miss Nelly have the initiative also in
such movements? However. our SILENT self
composed and unartistic Chief has no ambi-
ton to be the leader of fashion AT race
course or troting match he might desire
unusual prominence, but not among the but
terfies of Summer resorts. He is made Of
sterner stuff than that. While he may, then,
in an involuntary or unconscious manner,
inaugurate the Summer season, his object
only is to seek repose from the cares of State,
to maintain his health and to have an agree
able time with his cronies while being freed
from the stiffness Of Washington official life.
| II is worthy of note, by way of showing
something of our social life and the indie
fatigable enterprise of newspaper correspond
ents as well as the tendency to initiate the
obsequiousness of Europeans to distinguished
people," to recall the remarks made upon the
advent of the Grant family at Long Branch.
They arrived precisely at fifteen minutes (the
seconds are not mentioned) past five on the
afternoon of Friday last in Pullman palace
car. The Presidents baggage had been ar
irving all day, and required eight furniture
wagons to convey it. There is delicate
omission in not stating what the wagons con-
veyed, particularly as the sovereign or subject
people of the United States would like to
know what provisions the Chief of the Repub-
lie has for his Summer entertainment Still,
we do not see why the President should not
enjoy himself and have what creature COM
forts he desires, like any other gentleman,
without the prying curiosity of outsiders being
interposed. AS to the carriages, horses and
Miss Nellie's turnout these are matters of
public interest, because everybody at Long
Branch will talk about them and because they
will be things to envy or initiate. We think
General Grant shows good taste and prudent
regard for his health and that of his family by
going early to Long Branch and making it
his Summer residence. It is healthy and
charming place. and within convenient dis
lance from the capital 1t is near New York,
the centre of intelligence and movement, from
which the President can learn more if he be
SO disposed than among the boosters and
local politicians that congregate at Washing
| ton. Besides, our institutions are so adj
mirable that the country can govern itself if
let alone. A Iaissez fdire Chief Magistrate ss
General Grant well understands, is about the
best we can have under ordinary circum-
stances. Ii the society that crowds around
| the President at Long Branch is not as choice
rs that which Washington or the other Presi-
dents of former days would have desired or
| sought it must be remembered that the times
have changed and have become more demo-
cratic or socially republican A public man
reaches his ambitious aims now more by
mingling and Identifying himself with the
people than in the earlier history of the Re-
public.
The Summer residence of the President at
Long Branch will, no doubt give fclat to that
interesting and health-giving place of resort,
and draw an increased number of visitors.
Crowds will go there on that account. The
Branch is, in fact, becoming year after year
a more favorite place of resort. Nowhere in
the United States can be found q greater mix
ture of individuals of all classes, from the
highest to the lowest. Take it all in all it is the
most representative Summer place in every
! phase of American life. This arises in part
from it being SO convenient to New York,
TniIsueipnia anu otuer cehlres VI PoPuiaucH.
But Long Branch cannot contain all those
who fly from city life in the Summer. Then,
the tastes of people differ. Newport has its
peculiar votaries in the rich, aristocratic and
quiet families, that eschew the mixture of
Long Branch and love their cottages and
the choice assemblies of the old Rhode Island
city. Greater wealth and refinement and
fewer shoddy spendthrifts 60 there. Saratoga
and Niagara take all classes for the water, the
splendid scenery, the races and the fashion,
though less of mixture, however, as a gen.
eral rule, tan Long Branch Then there are