The New York herald., 1874-08-24
FAR ROCKAWAY.

FAR ROCKAWAY.
Popular Summer Resort and It's At
tractiOns-Scenes in the Surf-The
August Atlantic as a Big Bath Tub
Fashion by the Sea-Fishing for the
Dwarfs and Giants of the Deep.
FAR RocKAwAY, L. l., August 20, 1874.
Amid all the claims OF rival summer resorts
Rockaway not only holds its own, but is advanc-
ing to a still higher position in public estimation,
This is due to Its favorable location as popular
bathing place ana TO Its proximity to the great
metropolis. ride OF an hour over the Long
Island Railroad and through a country dotted
every three or tour miles with cosey little
villages brings the visitor to his destlnaion
The means Of travel SO far as this road Is con-
cerned are susceptible OF marked improve
ment. The cars are poor concerns at best, and
the time made, with all the stoppages- eighteen
miles an hour-talls far short OF the requirements
OF the travelling public in these days OF rapid
transit. 1t only proves, however, that fast pol
jtician like Oliver Charick may be slow coach in
other respects and that a man may own rail-
road with little regard to the public interest as
ne runs a municipal department.. Yet Rockaway
even with this drawback Is not only one of the
most popular resorts but yearly increases in pop.
town itself the number OF visitors would be much
greater than at present. There are many people
who would prefer going by sea were 1t not for
this one serious objection, and who 60 by rail
simply because they can't do otherwise without
considerable trouble and inconvenience. All this
Will, of course, be improved in time, and then
let Long Branch look out for its threat
ened glories, Its big hotels, its fashionable
foes and its Presidential attractions. In one
particular Is certainly ahead OF the great Jersey
resort-in the safety which attends bathing in the
surf, every precaution being taken against the
possibility or accident. And then for those who
prefer to battle in still water 1t possesses This
great advantage over Long Branch, for here
when there Is heavy swell and the great waves,
rolling in on the beach. render surf bathing
serious matter, there Is an inlet or little bay
almost landocKed and which, except when the
winds are high and the Storm King Is on the RAM
page, is as placid as mlllpond.
THE SEASON AT ROCKAwAY.
During the present season Rockaway has been
crowded with visitors, crowded in fact that the
accommodations were unequal to the demands
made upon them and sleeping apartments were
improvised in every conceivable place. The
visitors come from all parts of the country,
from North, South East and West, and
among the number not few from the villages
are an appreciative people, no matter what may
be said to the contrary and do not leave to stran.
gers the exclusive enjoyment of the advantages
which they possess. The season Is now at its cul.
minating point and train after train Is ul OF pas.
sengers; the town has put on It's most pleasant as.
pect, the ferries Of salboats which convey bathers
to and from the beach are doing O thriving busi-
array OF saloons, which, ike the human body, are
"fearfully and wonderfully made, presents most
lively and animated appearance. Here are all
kinds OF people III all kinds OF costumes, and here
in the midst OF them the great high keeper Of the
wardrobe and Neptune's deputy lieutenant mt
aqueous domain-no less a person than
Bernard Smyth. Bernard-or Barney as he is ia
nS 81 3naF M ns
OF being able to "suit everybody. He is o charac-
ter his line, and It is doubtful II Rockaway could
two years he has been
THE PRESIDING GENIUS OVER THE BEACH,
and is as full OF information OF all kinds as an egg
Is full of meat. Talk to him Of Long Branch as
compared with Rockaway, and II you are fond OF
argument you'll get more than You bargained for.
sons were drowned on this beach the other day.
YES Of course s, they were" said Barney; "out
that business to Long Branch and Coney Island,n
and, satisfied that he had squelched that SANDER,
vded for bathers, the lines of ropes and the outer
line OF Duoys, as convincing proofs 10 support Of
the claim to s1psr0rtH lori possessed BY Rockaw
|
FELICITY FOR THE INNER MAN.
| The beach OF RocKaway has been celebrated in
song, Dut lts attractions have not received full
justice from the muse. Nature, OF course, has
done her snare, but art has done far more. There
are structures which or variety OF design surpass
anything to be found elsewhere in the way of
architecture. Temples dedicated to the worship
OF Bacchus, for the Jolly god has entered into
Pafaersnlp ,tne Win Neptune, and While the
the other reves in an infinite variety.
| Wherever you turn you are confronted with
Information that all tastes can be gratided; that
| you can ascend as high as champagne ana descend
terated Hennessy or Martel can be mad for the ask
| ing -and something else; tnat those who are in
| favor OF the Bourbon can be accommodated; that
| sherry can be cObbled In q style that viii AFFECT
going Through the rye" in q way that even Bobby
Burns himself might envy. Then there are clam
chowders to no end, and for those VINO are desi.
rous Of getting into stew or Q broi the best OF
oysters are always on hand. Talk of the superb
not to be compared In the same day with those of
the Beach. In fact, 1t Ia the Beach itself that
makes the great attraction OF this place for what
can be more bracing and invigorating than
A PLUNGE INTO THE SURF
In these exhausttng oppressive August daysf The
very sight OF that great swelling wave, gathering
strength and volume as IL rolls toward the shore,
and then, gracefully curving It's white Crested sum-
exniiaratng. But to enjoy IL fully 1t is necessary
to 20 into the breakers and TO rcvel in the surge
| as 1t seethes and glistens around you. Do not,
however allow yourself TO be carried away by your
enthusiasm or some OF those treacherous waves
may get the better OF you, and the nsid0us under.
tow, which has hurried not only many bather,
but even many q strong swimmer into eternity,
may prove as fatal to you. Keep within reach OF the
rope and there Is no danger; and do not venture,
unless you know your own powers a. .
Az linn a