The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-06-28
OUR LAKE SHORE.

We commented yesterday on the lack of en-
| terprise Of the Pontchartrain Railroad Com
pany and on the consequent stagnation Of
business in the once fashionable summer re-
sort to which their road is now the only out
ct, the old shell-drive being in such condi-
| ton as to make it nearly valueless to the few
who can afford to use carriages. In our
younger days, family parties to Milneburg
were of daily occurrence, and half dozen first
class restaurants were doing there a thriving
business. Entire households, from pateyta-
milias to crying babies and their nurses, would
take the early train, and fishing,
bathing and sail-boat excursions filled
up the gaps between breakfast and dinner
such breakfasts and dinners as could be pro-
cured no where else in the same perfection on
this continent. As the night came, the sounds
| Of merry music foated in the breeze, and in
promptu q,ladrilles and waltzes gathered to-
gether the beauty and chivalry" Of the
period. Rowdies and females Of doubtful
character rather Stunned the place, or at least
did not parade themselves conspicuously be-
fore the orderly and respectable habitues of
the old lake.
OF late years, and particularly since the war,
the society has become somewhat mixed
but although lake excursions are no longer
fashionable with the few well-to-do people who
do not go North, OF repair to the watering
places, there is a sufficiently numerous class Of
respectable business men, Of lawyers, physi-
clans, clerks, mechanics and artisans as well
as of persons whose limited incomes do not
allow them to live out Of town during our long
and trying summer, to revive the habits Of
better days. The fresh, health-giving breezes,
the aquatic and piscatorial sports, are still to
be had at the old lake.
Although the glories Of Boudros exquisite
fish suppers now only live in the grateful
memories Of ante-bel,tm epicures, his culinary
sceptre has passed to no unworthy successors.
Excellent caterers still preside over the Wash
ington Hotel, with its broad verandahs and
cool, spacious rooms. Our old and valued
friend Miguel - the Nestor Of the pro-
fession, and one Of the very best concocters
Of bouWe-a-baisse and contribution that ever
tickled the palate Of a connoisseur, is ever at
his post, nor has age dampened his culinary
ardor or struck out one single leaf from his
Apician wreath; and last, though not least, his |
worthy pupil, John Trisconi, has just opened
the punch Bowl which, from its position at
the extremity Of the wharf, is probably the
coolest place of entertainment to be found in |
and is equal to the best Of them in
the quality Of its cuisine and the excellence OF
It's wines. .M.a |
With such attractions to recommend it, we
see no reason why Milneburg should not again
become the most popular summer resort Of
our pent-up city residents if the means Of ac-
,ess to the lake are made at once cheaper
md more frequent, and the cars kept running
Until at least eleven o'clock at night. These
'ars ought to run as far as the family bathing
house instead of stopping, as they now do, in
ront OF the Washington Hotel, for the con-
against smoking in the ladies' cars should be
more strictly enforced than it is now, 1t is pre-
,osterous to compel people who go to the lake
o return to town at half-past 9, and two hours
more should be allowed to those who wish to
njoy pleasant supper, or to walk in the
moonlight on the Companys wharf If it was
nee generally known that the present absurd
md highly Objectionable Instructions to their
astes and pleasures no longer exist, thousands
Who now stay at home Of an evening, would
axe the afternoon train, and restore anima-
ion and life to the g Sleepy Hollow of New
orleans.