The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-07-30
LIFE At LONG BRANCH.
Retirement Not One of the
Features.

Correspondence OF the N. l. Tribune.
LONG BRANCH, July 19.-The success
of the season here is already assured.
A few weeks ago, when the cottagers
were putting their houses in order. old
patrons of the hotels were quizzing the
landlords about prices, and suggesting
reduction from those of last year.
The times were hard, they said, trade
dull, almost as many as last year going
to Europe to save expense, and unless
content with empty rooms the gushing
hotel keepers must lower their rates.
The latter were not so sure about it..
Theirs were the pockets interested, and
they had theory of their own. New
cottages were building, the President
was coming as usual, and money had
been made since the panic. The class
that spend the summer at the Branch,
they concluded, would crowd their
houses this season. Terms, therefore.
for the most part. held their own, and
now the boats from New York
are as heavily loaded as ever,
and last Sunday the crowd
outnumbered that of the corresponding
Sunday Of 1873. Many went to the
races at Monmouth Park on Saturday,
and many remained at the Branch over
Sunday, while hundreds besides the
regular guests sought relief from the
discomforts of the city for a single day.
To imagine that any one comes to a
Long Branch hotel for rest or retirement
would be a most singular conception.
Such pretense is seldom made. In
general, people come here as they would
20 in winter to continuous Academy
ball-with intermissions of daylight
for sleep and dress. There is varia-
ton in the hours, to be sure, but only
such as the fashion makes. Those who
do the proper thing, sleep later than in
the city. but they dress oftener, and, if
anything, with greater at
tempt at display. What
wonder that many sensible
New Workers seek the remote resorts.
such as Rye Beach, the Isle of Shoals,
and Mount Desert. where they can do
as they please, without diamonds and
in ignorance of the latest fashions! |
am not saying that there is no enjoy
ment here. A few there are who make
the best Of their surroundings, battle,
romp, dress naturally, and are indie
pendent and of course everybody
drives out every day. for, thanks to
Gen. Grant, or some one else, this is
fashionable. Then there is dancing,
evenings, at the hotels, for which good
music is furnished. The preparations
in the shape of toilets are very elabor-
ate, and occasionally betray signs of
good taste. Certainly there is no lack
of richness and expense, and what other
considerations are requisite at Long
Branch! Where these are possible, it
is. fortunately, not essential that there
should be any remarkable degree of
beauty intermingled.
ACCOMMODATIONS.
Whoever comes to Long Branch ex-
poets to pay for it, and in this respect
he is not disappointed nor does he have
his heart set upon anything extravagant
in the way of apartment, while he is de-
termined to be content with whatever
the poor landlord can afford him at the
table at pittance of SIS per day. He
has the good fortune to get room with
a window, and large enough for wash
stand. bureau, bed and chair. all well
tested by use. A candle gives the best
light for the eyes. and the stump is bet
ter than whole one, for it reminds one
of the time for retiring. There is no
bell-cord in the room: but what can
lone bachelor want of bell-cord The
man who smokes or drinks can appre-
ciate at Long Branch as nowhere else
how great Injuries a domestic
cigar and mediocre wine are.
He swears off. The dining rooms are
we'll attended and the variety Of dishes
is good enough for half the money, but
no better than scores Of lesser resorts
provide for the half or little more. If
there ever was place where prices
ought to be reduced or accompoda-
tions bettered. that place is Long
Branch. Of course this is a general
statement. There may be items that
are reasonable and hotels not exorbi-
tant for the quality Of things which
they provide. have not tried all of
them as yet, and have not sampled
everything offered for sale.
The prominence which Long Branch
has gained. and the demands made
upon it, are impelllng the real estate
owners and residents to think of further
improvements. The size and import
ance of the place seem to them to war.
rant increased OUTLAWS of money and a
different government. They want the
State to throw the commissioners over.
board. and give the government more
popular character. 4 sea.wall is also
needed to prevent the encroachments
of the waves. This. it is estimated.
will cost S2.00O,000, and if the State
will assume portion of the expense
such desirable Improvement may be
effected at no distant day. What may
be done in the way or building this
fall is uncertain, but the season has
opened so we'll that landlords are talk
ing Of enlarging their hotels, and real
estate men and builders are making
new plans.
A young girl who had an offer Of
marriage which she wished to accept,