Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-07-08
A Trip to Atlantic City.

As the time is now at hand Tor the over
worked, weak and sick, and those who would
flee from over-heated cities to seek rest
health and the cool breeze waited inland
from the ever rolling ocean, it may not be
out of place togive brief sketch of Atlantic
City, now one of the most popular resorts
on the sea coast.
AS matter of first Importance the tourist
wishes to know the proximate cost of such a
trip For the small sum Of $3.50 you can
buy round trip ticket from Washington,
d. c., to Atlantic City, and by leaving the
former place at Z o'clock, A. NJ, you will be
landed at the latter by 81 in the evening
This ticket is good until October 3lst, and
you have the privilege OF stopping over nd
libitum in Baltimore and Philadelphia to
transact business or enjoy the sights Of those
two important cities From Philadelphia
you cross the Delaware river and either Of
three railroads will soon speed you through
Camden, then through suburban district
of cottages resting cozily beneath quiet
shade trees, large market gardens, then
small farms, then farms oflarger size, and at
last you are whirled, as if by magic, from
the haunts of man and civilization 10 a Hat
plateau almost uninhabited, mostly covered
with a stunted growth Of pines, with here
and there il scattering clunp Of laurel and
scrubby oak, through which you pass for
some thirty miles, when You enter upon Il
fiat, salt marsh, telling your near approach
10 the ocean. After ride OF ninety min
utes from Philadelphia you are ushered into
Atlantic City.
In 1859 this place could only boast of four
huts, occupied by fishermen or nowand then
made the resort of sportsmen, now il is a
compact city extending along the beach for
about two miles with two broad fine aven-
ues running the entire length, known as
Atlantic and Pacific avenues, and a resident
population of about six thousand inhabi-
tants, with accommodations for an influx
of sixty thousand more, TO enjoy the sum-
mer season. The buildings, for the most
part are frame and raised on pillars from
three to five feet from the ground. The
hotels are large and commodious, built more
for the accommodation Of number guests
than architectural beauty or symmetry, the
houses Of accommodation are built in cot
tage style on large scale The cottages
themselves present every style, bosk iHshape
and architecture, and coloring that fancy
could invent Many of the grounds are beau
titled with flowers, plants and shrubbery of
various kinds, so that, altogether, the city is
one calculated 10 please the stranger, in con
trast with our business cities OF stone, brick
and mortar.
After this cursory view of the town, the
party with which | was in company took
up quarters at the "Waverly House," kept
by j. l.. Bryant, Esq, land without dispar
agement TO other places in the city, it is but
just TO say that for kindness and courtesy
on the part of the proprietor and his family,
for prompt attention of his servants, for
cleanliness aud neatness about the entire
premises, for good food well prepared we
had every comfort that the most tastidious
taste could desire.
No sooner were we located than took II
closer survey of the city and its surround
ings 1t is situated on Absecom Beach, has
ten churches, public schools for twelve
hundred children, charitable institution
called "Childrens' Sea Shore House." for
mothers and children, any number of stores
of every class and variety, large excursion
houses for the entertainment OF parties visit
ing the place for single day, every variety
of swings flying horses, dancing pavilions,
etc, for the amusement of the young and
entertainment of the old, and for the mo-
ment the practical business stranger is intu-
itiyely led TO pause and ask why all Of this
seemingly unnecessary and extrayagant out
lay and expense upon 2 barren waste OF
was unbroken save by the cry Of the gull
and the dasbing of the breakers against
the shore. 1t is only when you go upon the
beach snd behold the numbers Of all ages,
from infants to lettering old age, clustered
there, some seated on benches seeking health
and strength from the invigorating sea
breeze, others burying their limbs and por-
tions Of their bodies in the sand, numbers
taking TO the water and buffeting the break
| ers. children with their diminutive buckets
| and spades amusing Lhemselyesi in the clean
sand and gathering SHELLS all DERIVING ben
eft from that pure water and health-giyine
air, furnishing medical compounds and
properties as yet hidden and unsolved by
| the aehemist or tho chemist All with one
accord seem 10 have thrown aside the toll
and business cares Of life, to enjoy, ior
season, that rest so necessary 10 prepare and
fit them for It's future struggle.
The bathing hours may be said 10 be linn
| tied from IL O'Clock, A. M. 10 O'Clock, Il
| NJ During this time the breakers ART
| guarded by numerous life boats manned Will
stgTdy crews for the safety of the nnwary OF
4 unfortunaie, aud as II It was the appointed
/ time when the watels should ~ ttDupled
| you will Ind the bathcrs Of all sexes anC
ages DOMINIC their bathing suits iB which
the men look as il they had dressed for th'
pugilistic arena, and the ladies IA il they
had eschewed tho founces, fnrbelows, trail
and trimmings Of the fashionable dress ~
the plain, scant boomer costume, made o
| blue flannel trimmed with white braid
| Tbis Is the general costume, with few ex
ceptions, and all take 20 the water, and truly
, The real whole-s01l enjoyment that per
yades that vast concourse far surpasses tn
stately dinners and evening entertainments
of city life.
At the northern end OF the city Is an inle
where vessels and boats find q safe retrea
from ocean storms, and where the pleasure
seeker can enjoy himself in sailing or fish
ing, and IL not too tmid he can venture out
sIdo Of the inlet and enjoy the rolling bill
lows, and if fortunate enough IN escap
certain unpleasant qualmishn0ss whiol
steals mysteriousy upon the land-lubber, h
may enjoy trolling for blue fish, or perhaps
overcome by the peculiar somn0lent effect
Of the sea air, you may be inspired TO recall
10 memory that old, sweet song
"Rocked in the cradle Of the deep
lay mo down in peace 10 sleep"
The cir is pure and free from the damp
ness which ocean localities ore usually sub
iecied 10, and 80 eficaojous has the sea bath
ing proved IN many Of the ills 10 which hu
man flesh Is heir, that wintaF quarters hay
been fixed up and before tho temperature o
the water Ia high enough for s6a bathing
numbers flock daily TO the "Wayerly House
TO partake and enjoy Of private baths in
doors in water pumped by an engine dlrec
ly out Of the ocean and tempered all the yea
round to suit all classes Of cases for which
its virtues are considered remedial.
VAToR.