The New York herald., 1879-09-01
NARRAGANSETT PIER.

RUN DOWN FROM NEwPORT-pLEAsANT CON-
rRAsTs AND PICTURESQUE DELIGHTs-A
QUESTION OF BEAUTY-PEAcEPuL RETREATS,
BATH AND A GOOD APPETITE.
NARnAGANsErT PIER, August &C. 1870.
As variety is truly tho spice of life there is bet
ter way of adding that condiment to summer life at
Newport than to take across the bay to Nara
gansett Pier and to enjoy few days comparative
rest from the constant round of festivities ut the
greater watering place by indulging in the quieter
but less pleasant and charming life at the Pier.
Aside from NarraGansetts resident clientele there is
daily large number OF visitors from Newport. who.
acting the suggestion above written. cross
the water the little steamer which
plies between the places. and. laying aside the
stricter conventionalites Of life Bellevue avenue
enjoy mornings bathing and fishing a ramble
among the hills and drive through the quiet little
villages which lie here and there among the wooded
valleys beyond Narragausett Heights
On the pier at Newport from which the steamer
leaves there is gathered each morning a bevy of
ladies and gentlemen anxiousy awaiting the start,
whose animation and "chirpiness." as an observer
describes it, is in marked contrast to the silence and
utter languor which settles down the uniniiated
tho boat rounds the Beaver Tail Light and the
ocean swell begs the attention Of the passengers.
But this. after all. is but of short dura-
ton. and hours trip brings tho small
steamer to her landing at the Pier and
the closing of the orthodox drama. the final bell is
rung a tabieau depicting general happiness. The
visitor his initial trip naturally looks about with
searching eyes for "the Pier expecting to observe
u huge specimen of submarine engineering art. but
he must learn at to regard nomenclature
lost science ut this resort and in this connection he
may well know first last that the pier proper
WA ain deaf nv tha haiti
boasts tower that "the studio possesses neither
palettes brushes. but is simply q restaurant.
where woodcock is served under the sobriquet of
'owls." and that the "Ocean House." though SO
called. is furthest from the water. These trihing
dsappointments accepted. all else is represented
charming. delightful and enjoyable.
The place has been called Picturesque Narragan-
sett. :" and approaching it from the is
apt to be disappointed in ats appearance. which
sents view of almost treeless shore, rockbound
and irregular. and occupied by series Of hotels.
not particularly remarkable for beauty Of outline.
matter how great may be their interior capacity
for giving comfort to those making them their
homes. True. this impression may be the ono first
made upon arrival at tho dock. bur Nara
gansetts charm lies in the here and there.
halfhidden from the by these rocky points; in
the cove beaches, which soping and firm and
free undertow; In the shaded walks and drives
which extend back from the beach through the pic
turesque country beyond. and to the magnificent
views, to be had from the overlooking heights. OF
the bay and the beyond, which lie to the south,
ana OF the hills and valleys lakes the north.
The handsome residences and stylish equipages
OF Newport are missing, and no such cottages and
grounds have made that place famous and beauti-
ful here noticeable but IL does not profess
claim excellence except for its bathing cunning and
shing and for it's air OF freedom and repose 1t adj
nraby fuhs that which it promises to the sum-
mer visitor. II is essentially place in which to
''aze'-to enjoy quiet sail ON the bay. a rambe
among the rocks the shore to stroll about in
shade OF the byways near the lakes; to enjoy ham,
mock cigar and u book In some quiet nook among
the hils-in short 1t Is. except in its hotel life,
antidote to surfeit of Newport or Saratoga.
LIFE THE PIER.
the pleasures of Newport, such as provided
by the Westchester Polo Club. the Queens County
Hunt and the Narragansett Gun Club, unknown
to the Pier and the day Is passed in morning at
lawn tennis. sailing and bathing; the afternoon IN a
rambc the cliffs and the and drive along the
shore or toward Peacedae; the evenings devoted
to germans, hops or fancy balls at the hotels and
dinners and theatrical parties in the private parors
of 1.-The cottagers" Eleven o'clock in the fashiona-
BILE hour here, as at Newport. for bathing and at
that time the hotels deserted for the beach, which
slopes so gradually and is so hrm and smooth that
1t makes delightful carrageway tor three miles, to
the Point, which runs far out into the ocean. IL
has been said that the Narragansett bathing beach
presents the most picturesque sight OF any In the
country, by reason of tho exceedingly pretty toi-
judgment OF even tho most experienced aud har-
dened old bachelor readily admits that II Is tho
superior standard OF beauty observed IN the occu-
pants, and not In the dresses, that has founded
the report The number OF pretty girls ut the Pier
this summer has been universally remarked. and