The New York herald., 1879-07-02

ing breakers lift themselves in translucent green
high up into the air slowly curl into milk white
foam and dash resistlessy on the gistening sands.
The sound is like prolonged peal of muiied
thunder. resembling the deep diapason or Niagara.
Far away in he distance faint line OF smoke from
the chimney OF passing steamer may be noted, and
here and there cloud of white sails relieves the
wide and blue expanse.
HOW THE GUESTS PASS THE TIME
On the inland or bay side of the island feet of
broad ceptreboard catboats are anchored near the
steamboat pier. and these the guests take out
s ton q is at Fire Island fa' Fss Sssssa ~assrs
the bluehsh variety is the great attraction. Pound
nets have been abolished. and it is the custom
known as "chummlng." The fish are compara-
lively small, running to about three pounds weight
but the more adventurous fisherman. who goes out
side of Fire Island Inlet does not fear the swels
OF Old Ocean, may catch monsters weighing from
ten fifteen pounds. These fish are also taken with
hooking shark Later on in the season the sum-
flight OF bay birds begins. and the gunner
N IN for as OF snS DaS
heads. blackheads, malards and other ducks
Along with bathing in the morning, fishing. boat
ing and shooting in the day. the guests contrive
with billiards. bowling alleys. conversation. music
and dancing to while away pleasantly the hours Of
the evening
NAMES OF THE QUESTS ON TILE Island.
Among the guests Of the Surf Hotel are William
II. Pomeroy and family. Il. g. Dun and family. ex-
Mayor William Ii. Wckham ana family, Senator
Alfred wagstaff. William Habcrshaw and lady, Will
lam L. Pomeroy and family, John A. Foley and
nard and family. Harry N. Alden and family all OF
New York; Henry Crawford and F. w. Huidekoper.
and New
lady. Cleveland Ohio: James NJ. varnum ana fam
lily, New York. and A. Bleecker Banks and family.
Albany.
HOW MAYOR wIcKHAM REcREArEs f,-ff.
Ex-Mayor Wickham yields his time and mind to
no such place on the Atlantic coast for the enjoy
ment of the pastime equal to Fire Island Inlet.
When he seeks variety he takes his gun along tho
beach and finds snpe, tern and curlcw in abundance,
while inland quail partridge and grouse equally
numerous. The Long Islanders living on the south
side greatly delighted with the change which has
come over the prospects OF their villages within the
past four five years. New Workers have taken
kindly to the island of late and every eligible site
for a private residence in healthy location
and within view of the is promptly pur-
chased, either for immediate personal occupation
in the future. Many OF the residences around Baby.
Ion paatal, the houses being built in the most
ornate style OF architecture while the grounds are
art. In former times q brindled COW was supposed
to be match in speed for the average train on
Long Island railroad and the COW frequently won in
the betting; but that is all changed Express trains
with Pullman attached now make the journey
from Hunters Point to Babylon in hfty-fve min
utes, that person can leave New York in
tho morning and spend whole day fishing or
shooting around the waters OF the Great South Bay
and have dip in the surf Of Fire Island and yet be
back to bed at night in the CITY, The scenery i'm
mediately around Babylon is Of the quiet. rural
kind. Inc houses IOr tne most part are empowered
in foliage the trees consisting chiefly of naples.
willows, locust, cottonwood. sycamore and butter
nut trees. Flower beds and trailing vines are fre
quent before the many snug cottages that scat.
tering about the village. Many of the dwellings
are old and quaint, with high pitched roofs
and towering brick chimneys. These have
charm for the dweer among the streets and ave-
of houses that only the creation of yester
day. 1t is pleasant to old. sleepy maes
that antedate the Revolution. many of these
Babylon houses do, for the village founded 200
years ago by Puritans from Connecticut. who gave
it the startling scriptura name that has haunted 1t
ever since without hurting 1t to any extent. The
visitor who comes to reside in Babylon for the sum-
mer makes it . point 1T some period of
II nothing else, the lighthouse is worth
visit 1t has diameter OF 80 feet st tho base is
166 feet high and Is ascended by 204 steps, 1t holds
revolving light of great power and Is attended to by
q keeper and two assistants. who with their wives
and families live in abiding harmony in dwelling
adjoining the lighthouse. At the hotel the ther-
mometer on the hottest day never exceeds rs de-
grees of heat that blanket may be ut night
with comfort. The beach is considered perfectly
safe for bathing and the hotel can take care Of i've
hundrad