Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-12
LETTER FROM CAPE MAY,
The Season There-A Decided Success-A New
Life in the Old Place-Scenes in the Surf
How Time is ki1led-The Light Infantry's
Yisif-PersOnal Mention. Etc.
Of THE EVENING STAR.


CAPE MAY, August II.
You do not get star from the madding crowd" at
this place. Although the season was somewhat
backward In opening, Cape May has been literally
OVERLOOKING for the past three weeks The hotels
have filled all the vacant cottages and then been
obliged to turn away applicants. goodly part OF
this is owing TO the unusual attractions which the
hotels held out in the way of musical festival,
balloon ascensions, etc. This is supplemented by
the arrival OF the Knights Templar at Congress
Hall yesterday from Philadelphia, and the visit Of
the Washington Light Infantry on the 18th inst
Both events contribute not only to prolong the
season, which rarely lasts beyond the 25th but to
keep the hotels with a sufficient complement Of
guests to make them profitable. But every year
shows signs OF improvement here. The old water
ing place is unable to fall back on her old claims
OF being the best as 1t really is) seaside bathing
place In this country, II not In the world but has
met such competition In the new resorts that
have sprung up all the way from Cape May light
to Sandy Hook, along the Jersey coast that 1T
has been compelled to make new drives, build
| to improve the town In many other ways Since
last season quite number OF handsome cottages
have been erected, and there is the usual talk OF
increased and improved hotel accommodations
An extensive scheme thaS been organized by an
| Improvement company to build a large number OF
cottages at reasonable prices on the beach west Of
| the Excursion house. 1t Is claimed that Cane
Mays old patrons who have been going to Atlantic
| City are now returning here TO get rid OF the
lnundat1On OF cheap excursions which pour into
that place almost every hour in the day, and who
oVerrun every part OF the town to the great annoy
ance OF the guests OF the hotels and the residents
| 1t may be we'll doubted, however, with the excur-
| sion feature eliminated, whether Cape May Will
continue to be anything more than a resort for
| Phlladelphians The latter occupy seven-eighthS
| OF the cottages and furnish quite as large pro-
portion OF the patronage Of the hotels. The hotel
py some ofher days DO not record single arrival
come mere every year, and two or three dozen
| Washingtonians, who are fond OF surf bathing,
put In few days at different portions OF the
| season.
HOW THE DAYS GO BY.
One day is pretty much the type of every other
| day at the seashore, unless that day be rainy
| day. You are bound to be awakened early by the
fr1ghtul clatter of the baggage-smashers collect
Ing the trunks OF passengers for the early trains
the first of which leaves here at a. m. The day
opens with observations Of the weather. II IT IS
sea breeze from the southland 1t promises to be an
enjoyable one, with the cool, salt air permeatinC
every pore but II land breeze prevails the air is
Sultry and the dreaded mosquito comes waiting
down from his home In the Jersey pines He does
not 'slng While he tolls" but gives you sting not
unlike that OF bee, and a welt at once marks the
spot The season has thus far been very fortu-
nate, there having been fewer visitations OF this
pest than usual. From half-past ga. M there is
music In the pavilion facing the sea, and excellent
music is furnished by both the Congress and
Stockton hotel bands. But the public taste insists
ON popular airs and scientific music" no matter
how well rendered, falls on dull ear. A Splrn-
did composition of Norwegian rhapsodies" per-
formed this morning was appreciated by few; but
"Over the Garden Wall" rung out the encore
was almost general, and the leader repeated them.
MUSIC over bathing begins at II a. H., and is at its
height by noon.
SCENES IN THE SURF
Everybody bathes at Cape May. From the three
year old "tOt" to the MISREPRESENTATION all go
into the surf, and the latter can take the big
breakers as they come rolling in with as much
safety as the former dabbe with its little feet
In the rppleS that wash the nnermost line OF this
grand beach. From four to five thousand are In
every day In a variety Of costume that might fifty
represent the various tribes Of American Indians,
and yet fashion has decreed much that is pecom-
ing even in lady's bathing suit They are i'm
proving every year. Many Of them are simply
tight-tltting dresses Of serge or flannel, with the
skirts coming only to the knee, in place Of the
loose long-skrt suits OF few years ago A Phila-
delphia young lady is most becomingly attired in
the water, in suit which fitted her shapely
arms SO tight that they seemed to have been
melted into it. 1t was trimmed with white and
cardinal checks on the shoulders and over the bust
Her head was covered with Turkey red handker-
chief, while diamonds depended from her ears
over a neat, little, white eelluloId collar that
brighter every time 1t came glistening through
breaker. pair OF Bernhardt lemon kid gloves
covered her hands and arms, and a neat silver
breastpn completed her toilet, save a handker-
chief In her belt and pair OF Turkey red stock
ings covering what was left OF the splendid figure.
81.
She would go through breaker or over 1t with
the SprightlineSs OF a buefish and the bright red
the breakers and the last going In. or course
have given you sketch OF the ultra fashionable,
but many other ladies wear the gloves the iewelry
ana the turbans in cOlorS not quite so attractive
Many wear no gloves but cover the wrists with
bracelets Others do not wear any ornament or
cover for the head or arms, but invite the TAM
which Is claimed to be fashionable.
THE LIGHT INFANTRY's VISIT
promises to be royal occasion here. Every pre-
paration is being made to entertain them. The
beautiful lawn on the bluff in front OF Congress
Hall will be their camping ground, and special
hours will be assigned them for their meals in the
hotel Mayor Melvin, the Cape May City Guards,
and committee representing the guests OF Con-
gress Hall Will meet and receive them at the rail-
road station. ball at this hotel will be given In
their honor, and it is also in contemplation to ten
der them fine collation. at Sewelps Point, a few
miles up the coast. The Marine band are ex-
pected to play at a grand bail to be also given
them at the Stockton hotel, and to give two or
three concerts during their stay here besides those
which will be given on the lawn in front OF the
the Infantry viii attract thousands on the Island
and there is no reason to doubt that they will
have good time. The bathing at the time OF their
visit promises TO be excellent as slime and tide"
are most favOrable,-the August tides being very
full on the flood
THE ELECTRIC LIGHTS
have been in use here all of the season along the
beach, or "the board walk" on the sands, as it Is
hioiO iauALAAdily Cdlicu Iut uOUelS, UQ6y
are not popular. The ladies especially object to
the CHASTITY hue which it casts over the complex
ion, natural as well as unnatural, and to the ex-
position which It makes OF the intricacies and
secrets OF the toilet Besides that it is painful to
the eye and objected to very seriously on that ac-
count Its only merit is that 1t does not throw out
any heat, but that IS small matter at the sea-
Shore where it Is generally cool. The other night
the lights went out in storm, and the substitu-
ton OF ordinary gas was generally commended.
The bellies and beaux say the electric lights light
up the beach too much.
PERSONAL MENTION.
The most prominent person from Washington
here just now Is our difdent U. S. District Attor-
ney Corkhill He finds on getting away from
home that he has wide world reputation as the
prosecutor OF Guiteau. Grey haired men and wo-
men seek him out and ask to be introduced to him.
Children stare at him with wonder, and on every
hand he has greatness thrust upon him." You
will see him dozen times day the center OF a
group Of beautiful women, either on the pOrtco or
in the ball room or the corridors. His retiring
manner charms them all, but no does not escape
an engagement to take some one of them into the
breakers at the next bathing hour for the Colonel
Is an excellent bather, and rides billOW as easy
as he was rocked in the cradle OF his childhood
He Is very fond OF sitting on the pier by the hour
listening to the "mutitudinouS music OF a thous-
and ages gone" He Is also in great demand as
a speech maker, having made no less than five
splendid efforts yesterday and TO-DAY on Occasions