The New York herald., 1879-09-15
UNHAPPY EXCURSIONISTS.

A RAINY DAY BY THE sEAsHoRE AND UP THE
RIvER--HoPING FOR BREAK IN TEE Sky
A more disagreeable Sunday for pleasure seekers
could scarcely be conceived than yesterday. The
early days Of the first Of the fall months looked
forward to with anticipatory delight by those who
do not fancy the hot glare of an August sun. But
with cheerless drizzling rain oven the spirits Of
the most inveterate Mark Tapley among the
pilgrims of Manhattan fell below freezing
point. and many . rueful countenance scanned
the leaden sky in quest Of relief. The
goodly array Of steamers that form the city's
summer pleasure feet at their docks at the
usual hours, and steam whistles footed and bunting
waved gayly ever. But in vain did each boat
put on holiday attire and the strong lunged runner
proclaim her wondrous qualities. The multitude
assembled not. A few shiverng groups gathered
here and there the piers and were coaxed on
board the boat bound for some suburban resort
tor sail mp the Hudson. Coney Isandward or to
the Fishing Banks, but when they found themselves
on board and the lines were cast of most Of them
would gladly have been at home again. The Coney
Island boats. which form quite fotilla had very
slender patronage, and tho great iron pier was all
but deserted. Long Branch Jared better and
empty decks were the rule the boats that touched
at Lelands pier. Even Central Park. which is sell
dom without its visitors, was deserted yesterday
afternoon it was to no purpose as the sgusted
and disappointed pleasure seekers had made up
their minds to stay at home. 1t is to be feared that
there was strong mixture of hcterodox language in
the usual Sunday devotions.
UP THE HUDSON.
When the Plymouth Rock left the Battery in the
morning there nearly four hundred people, pre-
pared brave rain and its discomorts resolved not
to be baked OF their accustomed excursion. At
HUan ty-SnR ST IN fhA nnf fhap
large delegation was on the pier. When the vessel
passed Iona Island and entered the romantic region
OF the Highlands she was completely enveloped i'll
veil of mist. The picturesque grounds Of the Mill
tary Academy at West Point seemed to lose much OF
their charms when viewed through the rain. and
Sewburg, the destination of the luckless voyagers,
presented only indoor attractions for them.
The steamer Long Branch brought its Sunday ex-
cursion season TO close by trip to Newburg and
return. 1t had been arranged to tender compli-
meutary banquet to the boards of Aldermen OF New
York and Newburg ut the United States Hotel, and,
in view OF the expected visitation Of the former
body, the entire police force OF Newburg III
waiting the dock to preserve the peace. As there
was not single Alderman on board no arrests had
to be made. On the return trip the Long Branch
put in at Oscawana Island. which gave the Plymouth
Rock an opportunity to get on even terms with the
"Branch." very interesting race was the conse
quencc the "Rock" being passed twice before reach
ing Yonkers.
COMFY ISLAND.
| Coney Island was almost deserted. On account OF
the rain OF the morning 1t looked If the place had
become uninhabitable. except TO those who were
there before the storm began aud who were unable
TO get away. Anything more bleak or disagreeable
cannot be imagined. The winds were chilling; the
falling ram saturating In the evening.
however. tempted out by tho lull In the
and the apparently clearing weather.
the arrivals began to grow numerous.
strangers in the city who had heard OF the wonders
of Manhattan Beach aud Brig embraced the only
opportunity they would have to visit the resort.
Young men bent on having "a good time where
mixed drinks are more expensive til they in
New York went down to spend the evening, but the
chill air soon drove them back again. There
desolation about the hotels that was oppressive.
Evcrywher the aspect was sorrowful and every
hand IL was apparent that the ut the beach
was in its last days tor the year 1872
RoCkAwAY BEACH.
Tho hotels at RockAway were almost deserted and
the driving rain and sharp breeze from the
keIt those who went down from the city within
doors. Bathers there none during the greater
part of the day. When tho sun emerged from be-
hind the clouds for short time late IN the after
noon few venturesome spirits sought the breakers,
but emerged with purple noses and chattering
teeth The landlords wore long faces. and with the
dcarth OF customers, the walters proportion
ately sour. IL was estimated that less than hteen
hundred pcoplc the beach. The steamer
Columbia had been announced To make a trip to New
navon, the Grand Republic to make one to Rocka-
way, and the Aucphi to make two to the latter
place. The storm caused abandonment OF tho
excursion to tho Elm city. and the few passengers
taken from this city transferred to the Column
bia at Jewclls wharf. brooklyn, whence they
taken to ockaway. The small company OF passengers
seemed lost in the vast spaces OF the big steamer
the musicians yawncd aud huddlcd up in u corner
aud tho barkecpers found p.enty OF time ON their
hands. The Adclphi returned to the city, and in
tho afternoon made one trip to the beach. taking
only small complement OF pleasure seekers. At
had spent the day lay the ocean. They scampercd on
board IL they were heartily glad. to get home.
When the big steamer left, the beach long
dreary waste. Next week will wind up the Rocka-