The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-07-22
VILIEGGIfTURi AT sIRITOGA.
One OF Fashions oldest Caprices-The Daily
Koutiue-Guzziing Mineral waters.

SARATOGA. July 20.-What. except routine
and fashion. brings people to this place itwould
be difficult to say. The average temperature OF
Saratoga Is about us high as that OF New York
or Philadelphia. or scenery there Is none.
The drives are not more attractive than many
which nrc TO be had in the interior OF Long
Island or New Jersey. and the roads are in
many cases worse. There is not n stream or
sheet Of water to look at. except little like
several miles distant from the village. Woods
and shady walks are unknown here. There is
little enclosure called by courtesy" the Park
hut IL is neither much larger nor much cooler
than frying pan. Each time you want to get
inside this enclosure you have TO pay twenty
cents. The village itself consists actually Of
one street. with three immense caravansarics
and few shantes on II. Tho short extension
of this street. with the Clarendon and the Wind
sor hotels on II, Is the only pleasant looking
spot in the whole place.
The springs are supposed to be the great at
Traction at the place. but very few persons use
thcm-at all events in the way in which mineral
waters are generally used in civilized countries.
People either drink them bottled, in their
rooms, or else use them like lemonade or any
other drink.
In Germany. that classical land Of mineral
waters. II perfect system of treatment has been
established for the use Of every particular kind
OF water. II is drunk in the morning upon GER
tain Increasing scale In the nnmber oi glasses
and with strictly observed intervals between each
OF them. Exercise Of not less than an hour Is
always insisted upon before breakfast. dietary
rules are not only prescribed 10y the doctors.
but enforced by tho hotel keepers. In certain
watering places for instance you will never see a
dish OF salad or plat Of raw fruits on TIE tabic
increased by a glass or two in the alter
noon. 1t is never drunk without ,obscrv-
ing certain rules rs TO meals and cNer-
drinks whenever he plcases. and rs much H. ho
peases. Most people don't even consult medi-
oul m ne fn ri H. %
Saratoga visitors seem all to be excellent medi-
Gal. mineral. aud thermal authorities They
know better than any doctor what is the matter
with them, and what spring they should use.
Most OF them order from the barrOOm bottle
or two OF Congress or ueyser, swallow 1t ia ono
gulp, and, without waiting moment. without
taking as much as walk ON the piazza, they 20
straight 70 the dining room. and stun them
selves with raw tomatoes, cucumbers, berries,
and buckwheat cakes.
There arc between two and three thousand
guests here at the present moment. but don't
believe | saw three or four do2ens Of them
drinking water this morning at the springs.
and taking walk before they went TO breakfast.
During the rest OF the day everybody drinks the
water when he feels thirsty. or chances to pass
by the springs.
The natural conclusion from oil this is that.
far from being in need OF any mineral water
treatment the large majority of Saratoga visit
ors arc in such excellent health that even tho
most irrational use OF the water is unable TO
hurt them. They come hero because II is the
fashion to do SO. The life they lead AT Saratoga
is n change only in the sense Of lis being much
here can be called hard workers. Tho work OF
most of them Is to talk about business, and they
90 lust as much Of this sort OF talking hero as in
the city culy. instead of talking at their Office,
they talk on tho piazza Of the hotel. aud to the
coursed by German band. OF entertainments
they have none. There is no theatre no casino.
no excurs ions or picnics. The day passes with
n distressing sameness. Breakfast: piazza with
music dressing for dinner dinner nap drive
dressing Tor the evening supper; more plaza
with music; bed. The next day the same story.
Men have ut least the chance Of slightly varying
this programme 10y taking occasional drinks.
playing game Of whist or poker, or making an
evening call at Morrissey's club house. But
the situation OF the indies must be unbearnble.
They have no resources except gossi y and tho
study ot each others dresses They have no
chance even to firt at this season OF the year.
for the hotels are half empty. and consequently
everybodys movements are much exposed.
II Is anticipated. however. that livelier times
will begin to-day or tomorrow. The races,
which are to last, with short interval. till the
end OF August. are expected TO I'LL the hotels
and to give greater opportunities for enjoyment
to the rustleating fashionables Of both sexes.