The New York herald., 1879-08-30
CoNEY ISLAND.

CoNxY ISLAND. August 20. 1879.
To-day has been gala day on the island. and even
the most sanguine of the Bonifaces have been sur
prsed at the crowds that have come to enjoy Of
the most delightful days OF the 1t has been
neither too hot too COOL and the supplementary
season." as the managers would call 1t, bids fair to
be moro enjoyable than the regular season.
The greatest crowd has been around Brighton. a.
was expected since the great attractions of the
day and evening were there. During the day one
pretended to talk anything but horse. the races
were. Of course. uppermost. but toward evening
even greater throng came than had come to the
races.
At halfpast eight O'Clock, when the fireworks were
being shown In front of the Hotel Brighton greater
number of people were gathered there than had ever
been seen before. Even on the Fourth OF July rLe
crush was not great though it was greater than
had ever before been known.
The effect Of the fireworks. seen at distance. was
marvellously beautiful and was admired by
thousands along the beach and from the iron pier.
Great clouds of smoke arose. tinted with the
changing hues of the fires from which they came
and transformed the heavens into gorgeous canopy
Showers OF colored sparks and balls of fire foated
gently down into the smooth sea- dimming the
calcium lights along shore by contrast. And, far
the eye could reach seaward, stretched silvery
lane to the broad full moon. No more beautiful
Everybody on the island mistakenly attributed
portion the crowd that there to the fact that
o ball was to DO given the iron pier in the even
ing, and from the number OF times one could hear
mentioned during the day 1t was TO be supposed that
the ball would be success, at least numerically
considered. 1t is not. There are very few persons
there. and no decorate ons or preparations for ball
excepting that the pier restaurant has been cleared
of its tables and portion of the pier band are play
ing in there. A tew persons are dancing. and few
more-mostly and boys-are looking on.
One of the comcal and yet unpleasant sights
m
this evening the Concourse. There are scores OF
stages and carriages plying regularly between the
Hotel Brighton and landowners, but to- night there
many hundreds to go. and for an hour after the
fireworks there was tremendous rush for
about, and were forced to dodge the teams that
drove up rapidly as they could for fresh loads.
scenes when there is such a crowd to
accommodate. yet certainly they ought to be pre-
it hard for the women aud children to avoid It,
The comical side was shown by an incident which
only comical tho triing misforunes of others
generally funny. An elderly lady got half way INTO
large stage and suddenly refused to got either in or
out ill she should learn whether Maria Van pcit
there. A hundred men were behind her. scram-
bling seats but she could not DO moved. IL was
dark and Maria could not be 1t was noisy and
Msria could not be heard. The crowd pushed and
the driver swore. but the old lady would not stir
maria Van Pelt, she called. and at length dozen
voices took up the cry, Maria Van Petit Maria
was not there last the old lady stepped down
aud out into the crowd to look for Maria in the dark
The Montgomery Club. OF New York. dined vt the
/
ono of his happiest after-dinner speeches. He was
followed by Colonel Abbott in speech OF welcome
to the island.
Tho enthusiasm swimming continues to in
crease. and, Notwithstanding the GOODNESS OF the
weather, great numbers OF swimmers to be seen
In the water every day. The approaching swimming
tournament excites great interest, aud bets are al
ready offered Webb against the ield. even before
II IL known who will be in the field. He will have
some strong competitors. Company q. of the Six
teenth battalion. from Peckskiii. the island
yesterday with all their friends. or ut least goody
number of them.
Maurice Daily, sexton and q dozen Of their friends
are dining at Cables tonight. It's jolly party.
Downing has been giving the Turkish Reveile.'
by Michaclis that has become such q favorite this
summer He was the frst to play 1t on tho island
and gives his own arrangement of IL most admir-
ably.
Lcvy is having great "The Heart Bowed
Down." aud the people who hear 1t like it as we'll
he does.
Collector T.. A. Merritt and Mr. A. I. Hall, of tho
Chicago. burlington and Quincy Railroad Com
pany. are Mt Manhattan.
The Countess dc Faetaus. OF Paris, is at Brighton
escorted by Mr.. n. B. Tyson. OF Baltimore. General
Roger A. Pryor is also there.