The daily gazette., 1880-07-28
Coney ISLANDS Charms.
HOW TO GET THERE FROM NEW YORK
THE ATTRACTIONS OF BEACH AND BAIH
THE HOTELS, ETC.

THE ATTRACTIONS OF BEACH AND BATH
THE HOTELS, ETC.
Correspondence OF the GAZETTE.
CoNEY ISLAND July q, 1880.
On account of the lavish distri button
of water, around New York, it cannot be
said that "the walking is good" between
the metropolis and this famous resO.t.
This is compensated fer by the numerous
lines of travel, and one is almost embar-
rassed to decide upon a route. From
the East River landings, boats may be
taken for Bay Ridge or Long Island,
where cars may be taken on he Sea Beach
road, for West Brighton, aud the Man
haitian Beach road, which terminates in
in the East River, there is route 10 this
hotel, Uid Greenpoint. The ferries to
Brook ly CONNECT with several railways,
one of which will take you TO the
Brighton Hotel. Lastyear Itook steam
or, from the battery, to Bay Ridge, and
had ride on the Manhatten u. Beach road,
through delightful bit of Long Island
country, this time l found an ola acq uan-
tance, the Richard Stockton at Leroy ST.
and dlsl egardlng the he1oud-mouthed drum
mers of an oppo sition hns who would
with painful anxiety, beseech travellers
not to take The wrong boat, and informed
them that the right boat would be along
in five minutes, prepared for ride down
the harbor, ard a landing at the great
iron pier. The pier Is beautiful struct-
are, two stories in height covered with a
pictures que roof, and Is about 1000 feet
long. On the upper floor, or promenade
deck, are locased refreshmeut stands,
with dining saloon whicn will seat
1900 persons. Stands of aquaria alterna-
thug with flower stands, line the deck,
,r,,s,H HnfGa . hA
7th. Regiment Band. The lower deck Is
fitted up with 100 bathing rooms, and
by stair ways the bathers descend either
into the surf or the smooth water beyond.
The bathing facilities at several places
here, are great Improvements over those
at other watering places. The rooms
are neat, with covered ways, leading in
to the water so that one does not have to
pass through the gaping beach crowd.
Valuables arc taken care 0f, and on
emerging from she water, shower baths
can To found In convenient places, where
by pulling a string, the bather Is drench-
ed with a shower of clear water. Life
RATS or catamarans lazily float outside the
bathing grounus, manned with life-saviDg
crews, many of tne membe Of which IL
is said caunot swim. The light surf and
fiat beach, Tho wever, makes very safe bath
ing.
Engeman had lot of sea lions at his
sea-aq uarium last week, but storm
loosened the wlre-netting that closed the
sea end of the cage, and they are now Al
liberty, with $50 reward hanging oyer
their amphibious heads. The probable
presence of these visitors on the shore
has made precIpitate falling off in the
number of bathers during the last few
days; but q report that one of them was
caught last night in the canal at New
Brunswick, fifty miles away, has re-
stored partial confidence.
The Oriental Hotel, east of the Man
hattan,is new structure, and has bravely
begun its first season. 1t is large, airy
like structure, with numerous towers
and rounded turrets, and is intended for
families. The rooms are splendidly fur
nished in Queen Anne style, with water,
gas, and the finest upholstery. These
rooms vary from SO to $40 per day, and
the restaurant charges are correspond
ingly elevated. The piazZas are not 80
costly, however, and IL IS very COM
Portable place to sit in the morning with
newspaper and cigar, overlooking the
fowery lawn and The ocean beyond.
The other day, by the marine railway
from the Manhattan, L visited Point
Breeze, the extreme east end of the
Island. There Ii a large pavilion, with
tain times during the day. Of course l
had to try 1t, but as it was between
meals, and was not very hungry, L did
not enjoy it as much as L might other
wise have done. The repast consisted Of
steamed clans, chowder and fritters,
with boiled bule fish; and the whole is
furnished for fifty cents.
Visitors do not arrive at Coney Islam
TO any great extent until noon, when the
premenades, nearly deserted IN the
morning, begin to be filled with the
crowd, and constant accessions are made
until evening, when the closing up of
shops and stores in New York and
Brooklyn brings down surging multi
tudes Then the electric lights fash
forth, and the orchestras and bands are
in tull blast. Afternoon and evening.
music is everywhere.
At Manhattan Pat Gilmore wields the
baton, and Levy gracefully bows as he
responds to encore after encore. Brigh-
ton has Ad. Neumdorff, with Libraui,
the cornetst; and Grafulla's, Deve wells
and other crack orchestras are found at
other hotels. AT Tom Thumbs pavilion
a steam organ, with bass drum and a
pair of cymbas, ensconced IN tower,
makes good imitation of large baud.
At Manhattan Beach, a large amphi-
theatre has been erected for the display
of fireworks in the evening. 1t Is under
the direction of man from the London
Crystal Palace, and the exhibitions are
very fine.
The Plaza, on West Brighton Beach,
near the iron pier, is the eliminating at
traction to most people, especially when
tho electric lights are in full force. The
Georges hill observatory, of the Cen
tenniaI, is here, lifting its high head
above the myriad smaller shows.
Orrin's Spanish circus has its tent on
the beach, and the midgets have their
palace" not far away. Merry-go-rounds,
shooting galleries and archery grounds
each have their votaries; Feltman's
theatre has its prestidigitateur; the car
riages on the concourse give their five
cent ride, promenaders wander from
one stand to another, until the lateness
of the hour warns them to return home,
when trains and boats are loaded up, ,and
the Island is lett in comparative quiet
until another day brings fresh rush of
pleasure seekers
But enough for the present The
Jefferson Club, of your city, will make
an excursion here on August 9Th, when
all of Wilmington can come and see for
Themselves the manifold attractions OF
this wonderful resort l.. b. G.