Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-08-14
From New Jersey.


FRIEND McMAsTER.
On the 23d inst. the brethren and
sisters of the Baptist persuasion, re-
siding in parts adjacent to this place,
went on a big excursion to South
Amboy, by rail, and thence per steam
er "Richard Stockton" up the IIud
son as far as Fort Washington, stop
ping to land passengers at Castle Gar
den and at 4Sth Street. The Smith
vile Cornet Band, having received a
polite invitation to accompany the
party, accepted, and hence your COR
respondent was compelled to "asslst." "
But going on excursions was never
a weakness of mine, and | don't think
I will do it again.
l might here remark that the peo-
pie of this section of country annually
suffer from severe attacks of the ex-
cursion mania. Everybody goes on
excursions, and most of them seem
to like it. Mechanics societies, and all
other kinds of societies travel off
somewhere at tangent, and take
their friends with them; get immense
ly tired, and quite probably awfllly
tight, and then occupy themselves for
several days atterward in trying to
make each other believe that they en-
joyed themselves hugely. Pastors take
their focks under their care and pro-
lection, and skedaddle for some sylvan
grove, where they beguile the hours
with edifying conversation and with
the contents of many large baskets
and bottles, prepared with thoughtful
care by the members of their congre-
cations. AS previously remarked,
everybody goes on excursions, except
me.
On this particular occasion the spec
ial train consisted of fifteen passenger
coaches, accommodating something
like 800 persons. Evidently the re.
sources of the railroad company were
taxed to their utmost capacity, for
some of the cars were evidently built
in the days when King Solomon
fourished, and he probably used to
often travel down to Long Branch in
them, when fatigued by the impor-
tunities of ce-seekers-as our noble
President does to day. One momen-
tarily expected them to suddenly crum-
bio to dust, like the time honored
zone hoss shay" Into one of these
antediluvian conveyances the Band
was ushered, and then the engine with
a convulsive effort started, and we
were fairly off.
On the way to Amboy we beguiled
the stoppages at different stations with
music, and arrived at that place with
out especial incident, but in a wilted
and damp condition. We took up a
position on the promenade deck, and,
very shortly steamed out of the har.
Dor, playing meanwhile.
The day was excessively warm, and
the steamer densely crowded. 1t was
not always pleasant. Ifyou stood in
a meditative mood looking at the fish
ing boats and other beautiful craft in
the distance, and dreaming of the
pleasures of 'life on the rolling
deep" you were in imminent danger
Of having your ribs punched or your
favorite corn stepped on by some one
who was bent on having a good time.
l played cornet until my unmention-
able garments were wet with perspira-
tion, and about quart of it stood on
my manly brow. Yet suffered and
was strong-though beginning to feel
an intense longing for dinner. After
while there was prospect Of this
wish being gratified. An American
citizen of African descent travelled
about the decks, ringing a bell, and
informing the people that collection