The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-20
SALT WATER DAYIN JERSEY.
A Time-Lionored Festival that the Farmers
Celebrate Once Year.

From time immemorial-thatis, is, since the
first proprietors, Carteret X Berkeley. conceded
to the people the right to the waters Of Rari-
tan bay west Of Perth AnbOy, for fishing and
bathing-there has existed custom among the
good folk OF the two counties Of Middle-ex and
Monmouth, which for many generations was
unique. In late years. however other commune
ties in various parts of the country have adopted
n similar custom, modified to suit their sur
roundings and tastes
In August Of every year the residents OF the
counties named hold high carnival on the north
shore Of that arm of Raritan Bay which sets In
to the west, and between which and the bay
proper there Is the narrow strait that lies be-
tween Perth Amhoy and South Amboy. Tho
DAYS thus devoted 10 merriment on the side u
kAritan are called " salt water days, because
they are. at least Tor the greater part ~ tho
merry -makers, the only days on which they dip
into the hriuy wave, or In fact, oven snin the
breeze from ocean or any Of its numerous
bays. within the memory OF Inhabitants not
yet old. the salt water days were celebrated on
the beach at Perth Amboy, but as population
Increased 1t was thought best to select grounds
further removed from the growing city. be-
sides, Perth Amhoy had come into the dignity
of being port Of entry 1t had its Custom
lector, and its Collectors clerks and such open
air hllarty as was INDUCED in by the hard
handed farmers and their brown faced bright
eyed daughters, was not I'm keeping with the
staid and dignhed character Of II city which,
than ten per cent. Of its custom house expenses.
boasted charter one day older than that Of the
Metropolis So the salt water days were cele-
bIatei afterward AT point further west.
Yesterday was salt water day. soon after
dayhrrak wagon loads Of country girls, with
their heaux and their baskets, began to come
down from the nearby settlements, and at 10
O'Clock Florida Grove and Eaglewood Park were
alive with happy, rollicking gathering OF freck-
led girls, broad faced and sunburnt gallants,
dren. As hour succeeded hour the throng in
4a1 a a Al
vehicles on the ground, and fully 300 persons,
~ all ages and cond itions ia llfe' were enjoying
to the utmost the balmy sea breeze, the picnic
lunch the lager, the swings, the ride ON the bay,
or he may dance.
There we're two dancing floors, one al JrcscO,
under the shade of spreading oaks, the other
under the shelter Of the roof Of what seemed at
nrst rlght 10 ne feihsSlVahia Darn All dy
long these noors creaked and groaned under the
superimpOsed weight Of agile II not graceful
dancers, and all day long the string bands. linz
tied, made music Tor light ana heavy fantastic
toes. Hard by the larger dancing door number
~ showmen had pitched their tents, wheTefrom
issued an unending strain of melancholy discord
ground out II wheezy organ, and accompanied
by tho rattle Of kettle drum. and the hollow
"boom' Of bass; making ,s,nch music
he swallowed the pilgrims and their
stayes.. There was wonderfully fat
II farmers; there was the lovely Indian
snake charmer, native OF MackerelVille; there
was IA Circassian princess, born in TppeIary,
with head II hair like the mop Of a 1'itan's
broom and there were peanut vendors without
number, and merchants IN wax, and dealers IN
hue iewery, and prize candy men. \ versatile
genius, with more whiskers than capital, set up
" sweat cloth ' on "A disused lunch table, and
-auh hi- fortune. He then established "A bank
- discount In a shady hollow. and with bor-
rowcd funds and three well worn cards, sought
to retrieve BY inducing simple fools to invest In
monte Failing In this branch OF business, he
and his partner separated, and wound up tho
day rs nimhlc knights Of the road.
Two or three times during the day small sec
tlon Of the water space in front Of the grove
was hlled with bnthcrs. The costumes worn
were, as general thing superiuous adorn-
ments, but the water was pleasant, and the
bathers enjoyed IT, The little children, tram
melled as they were by clumsy garments, had
jolly time In the quiet tide, and m they splashed
Of delight. The day passcd on peacefully, there
was only one fight at the grove and when at six
o'clock slight shower began to fall, the baskets
were collected, the teams hitched, and every
body hurried home.