Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-14

''Coney Island, sir" said an American gentle
man to me-"Coney Island is q revelation"
With this assurance ''shelved" the good inten-
ton had OF passing my last Sunday In the
United States at the feet Of some of New York's
noted preachers, and determined to spend the
day of July z, 1881, at Coney Island.
The most amusing and lively, albeit the least
refined part Of the island, Is that In the immedi-
ate vicinity Of the Iron Pier; and I devoted an
hour to inspecting the various shows, I'm aud
out OF which the people were flocking. After
ward took an omnibus to Brighton. and thence
the railway to Manhattan, the journey In each
instance occupying o few minutes only.
Brighton and Manhattan exactly resemble one
another; they are not towns, as their names
might lead one TO suppose, nor even villages,
but simply stations at each OF which is an enor-
nous hotel not unlike those which one some
times finds at Continental watering places
These, and another large caravansary In a more
westerly direction. are the favorite resorts OF
the richer, may not say more aristocratic ysi-
tors. At Manhattan 1 lunched, or rather en-
deayored to swallow some food, the only eat
able part Of which was that which had not
passed through the cooks hands-yiz., the
CLAIMS, shellfish not dissimilar from an oyster
This was at the great hotel During the meal
was entertained by the gossip OF the colored
waiter, who, perceiving my greenness, took
pity on me, and was good enough to enlighten
me as to the beauties and advantages OF Coney
Island. made my way back to the Iron Pier
by the elevated railway. People were still ar
irving In thousands, and / had some difficulty
In threading my way through the advancing
crowd to reach the steamer, which was going
back at once to bring more pleasure seekers.
To New York returned a sadder IL not a wiser
man In time to have quiet dinner at Delmo-
nico's one of the most expensive Institutions of
its kind In the states, and the only one where
found the food enjoyable.
The tastes OF Humanity are proverbially din
cult to account for. That men who have been
moving about New York ell the week by tram
ways and railroads for their business. who have
been ascending the floors OF their warehouses In
lifts. should find relaxation on Sunday In fire.
quenting the same means OF locomotion ut o
place like Coney Island, Ia remarkable. But 80
it is-the Inhabitants OF New York appear to
take delight In Iron, steam, and machinery, and
the satisfaction which the visitors to Coney Island
evinced as they rode backward and forward In
the cars. or up and down in the elevator, was Q
phenomenon worthy OF study. A quiet walk on
the battery, or i'm the pretty, ifsomewhat cock
neyfed, Central Park, would seem to be more
enjoyable and quite as healthy. Coney Island
Is a reproduction In miniature OF the United
States, an epitome In fact Of thegreat country
as active, as pushing, as materialistic, as unar-
tistic. To New York one goes for business, to
Coney Island for pleasure; the difference is the
name only. the equivalent for the dollar is the
same in both places.
The people saw reminded me strongly Of
those one finds at Ramsgate or Margate in the
summer months, with an admixture of colored
folk. l have already mentioned that on this
Sabbath day dancing was going on continually;
while music, vocal and Instrumental, was to be
heard everywhere. There appeared TO De no re-
striction as to drinking; and yet was agreeably
struck with the fact that during the whole day
1 met no one the worse for liquor, heard no bad
language, witnessed no disputes; everybody
conducted himself In an orderly aud decorous
manuer-Tenlple Bar.