The New York herald., 1874-07-08
TEE SURF METROPOLIS.
The Chief of ths Nation I'm His Ocean
ViIla-Presidest Grant Takes N Ride
The Reign of Peace at the Favorite
Metropolitan Watering Place.

The Reign OF Peace at the Favor1te
Metropolitan Watering Place.
LONG BRAsoR, July ~, 1874.
Nothing could be more inviting to one burdened
with the cares OF q great nation tnan the pretty
little cottage wherein at present reposes the Chief
MAGISTRATE OF the great Republic. Nothing also can
be more typical OF true republican simplicity than
this humble mansion with Its unpretending exte'
riOr and neatly kept grounds, and many strangers
at the Branch are puzzled TO know which is the
Presidential mansion, aud incredulous waen 1t is
pointed OUT. The habits Of the distinguished in
mate OF the cottage in question quite in keep
ing with its unpretending character. 1t seems to
MIN refuge from the turmoil and hurry buriy OF
political lie and national AFFAIRS and a sane
tum from the Logans. Mortons and Buffers
oil the seething capital. one may feel
pardonabe pride in the stanch spirit
or democratic Ideas in this country and the ab-
sence OF everything the line OF pretenson In this
seat OF government by the sea. There ale no he'll
meted dragons at the entrance no insignia what
ever to mark the difference between the cottage
and its numerous neighbors. Around it, at a veIy
short distance, are Tar more pretentlous buildings,
with grounds thckly decorated with statuary, &c.
But, save the ensign OF the country that waves
from flagstaff in front Of the house, looking sea-
ward, the grounds OF the Presidential mansion are
as bare as when naughL was known OF Long Branch
but Il stray New YORK visitor a couple of Barne-
gat wrecKers. The President has remained in
strict secluson since Ills arrival at his seaside cot
tage, except when this morning he RODE down
ocean avenue on magnificent gray horse. Even
then the well bred poteness OF the visitors the
Branch, and there were some hundreds out at the
time, cOntented themselves with casual glance
and ew aside remarks. the deluge OF politicians
ana western COnpreSsmen has not yet July set in,
and the soldier or Appomabtox may now enjoy
MS otttns cum dfg'sitate without intrusion.
This watering place, although crowded on Sun
Gay last, was slnguary barren OF visitors to-day.
Even the races, with all their attractions, seemed
inadequate TO Ill the hotel registers COnse-
quentiy the average clerk was in process OF mere
semi-ln1ation, and was disposed to unbend from
his awful dignity to answer one question out OF 4
dozen. The enormous Increase In cottages for the
past couple OF seasons has inuch TO 90 With THIS,
and the iac1lites offered TO patrons OF the course
enabling them to leave and return 80 New York
The bands at the various hotels last night could
scarcely attract over a hall dozen couples at eacn
place. The comet was a more powerful magnet,
many OF the guests preferrlng to outside on the
dun ana DISCUSS the celestial visitor and its tail.
The Brancn being now provided with all the
order. Near the railroad an establishment of that
Kind, leaning towards negro mnstreisy Ill which
the majority or the performers have little need 10
black their faces, is in full blast. SO is the sewing
machine agent, the patent medicine man, the lung
tester, the weighing machine and the balloon Ven
dor.
drive through the outlying districts further
removed from the sea, brings the visitor amid the
haunts OF the dramatic profession. The shining
llBntS oil the stage have chosen cosy little hooks IN
the woods for their summer vacations, and one
may learn lessons In farming and the raising OF
stars, known only In the winter through the
medium OF Thesplan binOcuiar.