, 1876-07-16
cH1cAGo As A SUMMER RESIDENCE.

The extreme hot weather which has pre-
vailed in all the large cities Of the country
outside of Chicago has in the extent Of its
consequent mortality had the effect Of an
epidemic. The mortality is MOTTO be meas
ured by the number of those perishing
directly by what is known as sunstroke, but
it includes the thousands of feeble persons,
infants, aged, and inyalids, upon whom the
extreme heat has had fatal effects. The New
York papers Of Friday, July II, contain the
daily record Of the effects Of the intense heat.
Work on buildings had been largely discon-
tinued, the thermometer in exposed places
reaching $50 to 160. On Thursday the ther-
mometer in the shade marked SO. For the
week ending July the mortality was 83s,
and for the five days following it was 966.
The infant mortality exceeded 100 day. AL
the papers of New York, Philadelphia, Balti-
more, and other places, publish long Lists of
peysons stricken down with the heat. In
Philadelphia, on the 18th and 18th, the heat
ranged at 90, and the suffering, and distress,
and mortality were excessive. The Ledger
contained on the 18th and 14th over two
columns of death-notices. The st. Louis
Gbbe of the 14th says: "The thermometer
indicated 30 at o'clock yesterday afternoon,
less than at the same hour for several days
previous" In Cincinnati the temperature
has been as great as in St. Louis. This seq
son of extreme hot weather in all these cities
began IS long ago as the 18th Of June, and
the occasional rains that have visited those
places have failed to mitigate the severity Of
the weather.
In delightful contrast with this protracted
season of extreme heat has been the temper
ature of this city. The first day on which
there was any uncomfortable warmth YVES
July 6, and during the next four days there
was unusually warm weather-for Chicago.
But, except for persons working in the sun,
the greatest Inconvenience was in the sudden
change. During the whole time, until the
18th, there was an incessant breeze, making
it comparatively comfortable in the shade.
There was but one night when there was the
least interruption to the great luxury Of Chi
cago-cool nights. On the 11th Of July the
shot +" spell, which would have been cool
elsewhere, passed away, and summer over
coats again were in demand for evening wear
while driving after sunset. Since then Chi
caeo has been enjoying her usul summer
weather, which is not to be found in any
other city in the United States.
Apart from the agreeable temperature Of
the summer in this city, Chicago has special
advantages to offer as summer residence to
the unfortunate victims who are compelled
to reside in the other large cities. The st.
Louis or Cincinnati people, or residents of
other cities, can find no relief in going to
New York, or Saratoga, or to the sea shore.
Going there as mere visits to fashionable
gatherings to compare millinery and to
see and be seen, is one thing; but to
escape the heats and discomforts Of
home, and to enjoy the summer as
it can be enjoyed nowhere else, the only
place is Chicago, with its metropolitan luxu-
ries and comforts, and at the same time its
unequaled surroundings. In the first place, it
has inerhotels and more of them than can be
found in any other city in the country; there
is no lack Of accommodations for visitors
and there is an unfailing supply ct better and
purer water than is to be had elsewhere in
the country.
Chicago has already system Of parks and
drives which has no rival in the United
States. This is notlike the one park at New
York, but large succession Of large parks,
connected by drives, extending on all sides
of the city. These parks are all accessible
by good roadways, affording to those who
visit them a magnificent extent Of perfect
carriage-road through landscape hand
somely adorned. Three of these parks, with
their roadways, are near Lake Michigan,
itself an addition to the view hardly to be
equaled. ..-
The market of Chicago is supplied by the
whole country. California supplies Us twice
q day through the year with fruits and fish.
On the east side Of Lake Michigan is the