The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-02
LIFE AT LONG BRANCH.

LETTER FROM TIE FAMOUS AMERICAN WATER
ING PLAoE-1HE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF THE
SEASIDE REsoRT-PREsIDENT GRANTS EVERY
DAY LIFE AT THE SUMMER CAPITAL.
LONG BRANCH. July go 1875
The Long Branch season was at its high tide
when the sudden succession OF showers came to
dampen its career. The hotel keepers sympathize
with the sufferers in the French provinces as they
look out upon the damp piaZZas and think what
the trains might have brought but for the unwel-
come weather. However. this Interruption has
been but for day. Long Branch now is very
full, and there is no better prospect Of American
life and society than can be obtained by an even
ing stroll along the ocean roadway. Much
Of the interest that formerly centred in Long
Branch has been diverted TO the attractive spots
In the neighbornood which have slowly grown up
into unusual prominence as seaside resorts. The
term Long Branch, SO far 1t applies to the sea
shore must be used in some sense as we use the
term New York when applied to your city, The
real New York embraces not only the inhabitants
OF Manhattan Island but all the cities and towns
surrounding it. The real Long Branch embraces
Monmouth Beach, Sea Grit, the Highlands,
Branchtown, Eaton, Asbury Grove and a dozen
other minor places, all OF WHICH come within
reach Of New YORK city and may be visited in an
easy afternoon drive.
To this extent therefore, Long Branch has at
tanned an Importance that is not generally under
stood. The special attraction OF the Branch, OF
what we call Long Branch proper, is the high
blun that leans over against the so that you
may stand in the field OF corn and throw pebbles
into the foaming breakers. Here we nave not
only the ocean but country prospects, fine drives,
an agricultural country second TO none In the
Union rlcn in historical associations, In the char
acter Of its people, their enterprIse-a history a
worthy Illustration OF the American Republic.
Here we have the new Long Branch and the old
Long Branch growing together side by side, types
OF different civilization which never mingle and
which have their marked traits.
OLD LONG BRANCH.
little, quiet, attractive, sleepy village. set back
mile or two from the sea, so that the winter
storms Of the ocean would not disturb the peace
ful Inhabitants, It goes on from year to year in
a steady round or modest life and temperate en-
jOyment, looking upon the summer as a harvest
and regarding the tide OF summer visitors as they
would a field OF rpening corn. Old Long Branch
has its churches, its town houses Its little So
ciety, and am told that the winter season Is ex-
ceedingly pleasant, the inhabitants spending the
long evenings in discussing the success OF the
summer that has gone and the anticpations OF the
summer that is to come. The sudden rise OF prop
erty mas made many OF these farmers rich but they
content to husband their wealth. for a rainy
day and I've honestly ana humbly, even as their
fathers dill. The new Long Branch changes from
season to season. There are a few old residents
who coma every year. or at least who have been
coming for ten ana twenty years, which Is old age
in the life Of watering place. The general aspect
OF the society mere changes with each season. Inc
wandering American likes to spend his holiday at
different resort each summer. There are many
also who make the rounds OF all the watering
places. Tney begin at the Branch ana when the
races end nock on TO Saratoga and from thence TO
tue mountains, winding up, perhaps, at Newport.
The proximity or tAis place and New York brings
every day large crowd OF hasty visitors, who
dome down on the evening boat to snln the salt
air and hurry back on the morning train to the
daily routine OF duty, SO that you cannot expect
a steady society at Long Branch. The faces on
the avenue change, aud th!s TACT gives a variety
and lfe TO our society WHICH you Will rot md at
other seaside resorts.
THE SEASIDE METROPOLIS.
Long Branch must always be prominent and
attractive watering place, mainly because OF It's In
nerent advantages ana also because proximity
20 New YORK and Philadelphia lt lies virtually
between the TWO great cities. Although the
Pniladelphian, as general thing, prefers Attain
tc CITY because OF its being some what nearer
than Long Branch, stu the arlstOcrauC Pniladel-
phlGn IS more satisfied 20 spend his summer days
IN the metropolitan suburb Of new YORK. some
OF our most prosperous residents are Pnlade-
phlans. The finest cottage on the beach, IN some
respects, IS owned by Mir. Cnilds. OF the Phlladc
pnia Led9ttT whose hospitality has gwen the
Branch new attraction.
OUR SUMNER CAPITAL
MT. Chlds house IS aDOu. the centre Of what
mar DC Gales the West End, or the fashionable
part OF the Branch. Around him tie Presi-
dent and Mr.. Scngman, the governments
bankers Mr.. Pullman. ex-Collector Murphy.