The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-21
SUNDAY ON COMFY ISLAND.

monte men, swarming also on hot Summer days
with people, the rank ana file OF the population OF
New York, q place where bad lager Is sold
at an ex0rbitant price, where the sound OF noisy
laughter can be heard across the river, spoo
which Is the paradise Of the deni-mOnde and the
sharper during the heated term; spot conse-
Grated to fun and buOonery OF the lowest type, but
attractive in spite OF oil these drawbacks by rea-
son OF It's splendid surf and delightful bathing-f
you can imagine oil this-y0u have COney Island,
the most essentially democratic of all the watering
places on the Continent.
"COney Island" Ia o household word in certain
circles Of this city, in others 1t Is as little known
the desert OF Sahara. For the information OF those
who don't know anything about the characteristics
or geography OF the place some information may
be desirable and perhaps profitable. 1t is sit
uated at the mouth OF the Narrows. and from
the sea presents the appearance OF o barren
heap Of sand. 1t sumbers behind the guns Of Fort
Hamilton, while across the narrow stream OF water
the guns ofthe fortresses on Staten Island sterny
confront. Gravesend Bay is in the vicinity,
and through this bay the steamer must pass on its
way to its landing. Plumbs Inlet. Barren Island,
Hog Island Inlet, Himpsted Bay and numerous
other creeks, crevices islands and shoals extend
to Montauk Point.
There are several ways OF getting to Coney
Island but the most popular is by steamboat. Two
boats are kept constantly running, and they
invariably Understanding room being almost at
discount. The fare on these boats is twenty-n Ave
cents a head, and for this sum you can
dance, sing, swear and perspire. you
don't wish to 60 by steamboat you have
another alternative. Cross Fulton ferry and make
q rush for the ears with the name Coney Island
upon them. II you do not rush and secure q seat
the probability is that you will have to stand up all
tha Will haad hmm MI tho NJ
and sides Of the car at every turning
you make. For the trip You will have to
pay thirty cents. and 1t takes something
like two hours time before you reach your desti-
nation. When you do reach 1t you are thoroughly
tired and worried out, so we would advise all who
60 in for days enjoyment to take the boat. A
HERALD reporter took the latter course yesterday,
and description OF the people who were his ira
Yelling companions, and how they enjoy liIe given
for the benefit OF those who were never fortunate
enough to make the eventul journey.
Christopher street. II you go to the dock at the
foot OF the street about three O'Clock Sunday
afternoon you win have the most company and the
most animated scene Of the day awaiting you.
The boat is made last to the pier by means
at t@e '0 snTsnsed ' Wit% peops
pressing and jostng each other to see who win be
crowd, and though they chafr each other inces-
sanity, rows are Of rare occurrence. and the SER
dock are scarcely needed TWO men stand at
s9e Sldes assist ns Sangway and xhey
the gentlemen to shift for themselves. The boat
continues to Ill until the deck is almost level with
the water, and when no more can be decently got
upon it anchor Is weighed, and we are OF. While
on the way let us look at the various groups who
are scattered about the vessel, and endeavor to
study their characters from their faces. There are
numbers OF hastily dressed young men with
gaudy shlrt-frOnts and diamond studs, some
hpa a v al m
frequently and do the amiable to the fair and
blushing damses who are their partners for the
business. They are pckpockets, and their pres
ence on the boat Is a happy combination of
opportunities TO steal, and they win steal even
from the girls by their side Mingling are three
car card monte men, snorougn a1nsns, VINO Dexter
to hand and lie in wait for an unlucky greenhorn
who win be fool enough to invest his money when
Then there are bartenders on their Sunday
out the lower type of the New York
fous i with scattering Of respectaSie.icosins
persons VINO are going n TO tine island rom
the eost asc belong To
class Some OF them are handsome, many
Of them beautiful but the majority are hard
pretty, bear upon their faces the unmistakable
something which proclaims that they are outcasts
dressed in rustling silks and are gorgeous with
feathers and ribbons. few, who give evidence of
rennement
neatly and tasteiuy, but the greater portion Of
them Guido the thing, and are vulgarly got up
regardless OF expense" The black mustached
men make love TO these young ladies increasingly
until the boat touches the island, when there
general rush made to VINO will be FIRST Oh. The
crush Is awful, and some Of the dainty hats are
knocked out OF shape and the silk dresses sadly
ruined before the landing Is safely effected.
one stands face To- lace with the ocean. fresh
breeze Is blowing, and the air Is delicious In the
extreme. The bay IS white with the sails OF innu-
vua hla MI gnra oh cta
outgoing and incoming steamers and trading yes
sells Of every kind Staten Island Is now directly
er its white villas and cosy residences glistening
In the rays OF the sun. Sandy Hook is visible In
OF waters stretch unt they are lost to sight below
the line OF the horizon.
Several thousand people are either in the water
or preparing to get into IL. Some OF the men
in bathing dresses--most OF them-but there are
some men In the water with the upper portion OF
two or three sleepy Brooklyn policemen who are
on duty should take steps to prevent Its recIr.
seeSe the t Isshns Water e anH sss
that can be witnessed at any Summer resort
in the country the girls dive ann and AND
friends zealously assist In the work. All parties
come out OF the water clean and fresh. weeks
rosy tinge upon the women's countenances which.
under other circumstances, would have to be pro-
CLANS are a standing attraction on Coney Island
Every visitor feels 1t to be sacred duty TO eat one
or more dozen, and groups seated In all quarters,
are busiy devourng them There Is one particular
place where the consumption OF clans Is awful.
three men, working like niggers to supply the ever
increasing demand. The smoke OF chowder ascends
In all directions, and skeletons OF lobsters broken
bottles and full and empty beer barrels litter the
ground In all directions At q short distance
rom the boat landing there is q hotel. It is sur
rounded with piazza, and Is flied with fast men
and women, who are talking loudly and drinking
deeply. There Is constant izzing of cham
payne, and Bass ale and Dublin porter dis
appear with rapdty which Is marvellous
a Inn fiat
and furious TO use an original exprcssion), and
the hair OF the young ladies' becomes slightly
dishevelled and their faces flushed with excite
meDt and wine. The voices OF the gentlemen get
thick and their ideas rather confused and they
finally relapse INTO such o state OF inserl-
sibty that all they can do when the wait
ers come around IL to point TO their mouths. The
waiter understands the signal, and drink is
supplied until the stomachs OF the "swelsv can
hold more, and they either. are carried outside
the hotel or to bed, where they have an oppor-
tunty to sleep away the effects OF their lbati0ns.
They liable 10 wake with the gloss taken of