The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-09
Summer Enjoyment for New Workers.


summer Enjoyment for New Workers.
It is probably safe to say that not since
the panic Of 1873 have so many people been
compelled TO remain in town during the
summer as are kept here this season. Many
men who, five years ago, felt themselves
amply able 10 maintain residences both in
the city and country. now find il difficult to
bear the expense of a house in town alone.
As n consequence OF this change Of fortune,
largo numbers OF elegant country seats on
the Hudson and In other once favortc To-
calities are now seeking market at prices
which barely cover the amount OF their
mortgages. The smaller and cheaper places
are naturally less affected by this decline in
value, due to the hard times, than those upon
which men OF large wealth lavshed their
money. and which cannot be kept In
proper order, except by owners who have
handsome incomes. But all sorts Of country
property adjacent TO the city have suffered
great diminution in their marketable
worth.
From Newport we hear Of many cottages
vacant, and comparatively few visitors at
the hotels, while at Saratoga, even though
one Of the largest hotels has considerably
reduced its prices, the season has not open
ed cncouragingly. II promises TO he shorter,
less brilliant, and less prosperous than the
last, even Tho same story comes from other
fashionable and expensive watering places.
and II is likely to loo long before they again
reap the profits to which. ten years ago, they
thought they were entitled.
But the people OF the city who cannot get
away for longer vacations in the country,
have this summer unusual opportunities for
days recreation at delightful resorts
within sail or ride of an hour or two.
Concy Island, with its fine beach washed by
the broad Atlantic, was. until within three
or four years past. so largely frequentcd by
bosterous and vicious characters that re-
spectacle families were often afraid TO trust
themselves in the throng Tho means Of
communication with IL were few. and the
steamboats, which carried visitors to the
island were often the scenes of rowdyism
and bloodshcd. There were no satisfactory
hotels, and other convenienccs were lacking
But now Coney Island may be reached In
several ways by land and by water; the
best OF order Is preserved from one end Of
it TO the other; there are well-appontcd and
commodious hotels; the facilities for bath
ing are not cxccled at any other sea beach ;
| n variety OF amuscmcnts Is provided; the
walks have been vastly improved. and the
| place is frequcntcd daily by many thou
sands of people Of rs good a class as New
| York and Brooklyn contain.
BY this happy transformation OF Concy
| Island We have gained n seaside resort
which offers rs many advantages rs Long
Branch or Atlantic City, and which may be
enjoyed by citizens who can spare the time
and money to inhale the ocean brrezcs for n
fcwhours only II makes New York a far more
| desirable place to live In at this season than
| formerly and contributes greatly TO the
| health and contentment of hundreds OF
| thousands of the Inhabitants Of New York
| and the ncighbOring cities. The enterprise
displayed in the improvement of this now
favorte resort has been so richly rewarded
that Concy Island is likely every year to in
crease is Mt rnctions for visitors. What IS
mpcrativcly needed Is more cars and more
boats to carry the crowds who flock to It,
especially on Sunday, so that the enjoy
mcnt Of the day of rest and recreation shall
not be marrod or destroyed by tiresomc
waiting or close packing.
BeSldeS toncy lslhnu, Long brancn II now
very accessible, and excursion steamers
take passengers up the Hudson and on the
Sound at moderate prices. Never before,
indeed. were the various resorts in the
vicinity Of the city in SO good a condition as
they are now, while Central Park is bloom
ing with a beauty which only n spring and
summer Of abundant rains can nourish.
The people who nre obliged to stay in town
this season, il they have "A little money {,
spend for pleasure, can get through tn,
warm days very comfortably, and, likely
enough, they will find themselves just as
vigorous, when autumn comes, as thell
richer neighbOrs, who arc now tanning
themselves on the pinzzas Of country hotels