The Evening critic., 1883-06-28
THE CAPE MAY SEASON.
Attractions That Are in store for
visitOrs-A Round OF Pleasures
AhpaI.

From our own Correspondent
CAPE MAY CITY, June %, 1888.
with new sensido resorts sprlnging up all
around us like mushrooms from the sod, 1t is
reasonable TO suppose that the struggle for su-
premacy is as heated as the sunshine on the
sande. At one time, not many years ago, after
n series Of dire misfortunes, 1t looked very
much as though this old-time spot would be
swamped In that very struggle, and retire to
her dotage, but she has been inspired with
new life, and energy has been Infused into her
on a fresh track, and II the venerable claim
ant for seaside honors does not take her
position at the head OF the race, the fault
will not lie with those who have provided
the attractions. Last year was the beginning
OF new regime here, and liberal expendi-
ture OF capital in the right direction has yield
ests of the place at heart, desiring TO turn the
tide from one OF degeneracy to progress, de-
cided that visitors must have something more
TO bring them and keep them here than the
mere delights Of summer bathing and an oc-
casional hop. Not that tho bathing is to be
underestlmated; for nobody has attempted to
discount Cape Mays claim to the best aud
safest beach on the coast, but good music and
pleasant drives and electric lights and military
displays have all become essentials 10 the
well.equipped seaside city. The season that is
Just budding will present all of these attrac-
tions, and more. 1t will be the aim OF tho
Passenger Department of tue pennsylvania
Railroad, which has, above all other Interests,
been responsible for these meritorlous inno-
vations, to give the visitor this summer
safety of pleasure. Special excursions from
the West and South have been arranged at
surprisingly low rates; they have a pro-
gramme OF balls and concerts at the Stockton
Hotel that will bring back to that hostelrle It's
pristine glory, and there is no point OF attract.
iveness that they have left uncovered.
When the season opens next Saturday It viii
progress with a rush of gayetles. On thatday
The State Fencibles will come down from Phila.
delphia on a special train. In the evening
they Will give a superb ball at the Stockton,
and they will continue the round of pleasure
for two days. Tho Stockton, by the way, has
had noteworthy addition in the shape of
spacious promenade platform that has been
constructed on the lawn at the angle made by
the two wings Of the house. 1t forms q quar-
ter circle, and in front of 1t o fine music
pavilion has been placed. After the ball
comes the promenade, and splendid spot
this will be for the purpose. The whole plaza
will be bathed In a flood of light, pole 100
feet high having been erected In the rear of
the musicstand, and at Its apex six electric
lamps have been placed under reflector.
But, speaking OF tho active Inauguration OF
the season, must refer to the elaborate bill OF
fare that has been gotten up. The Fencibles
will next Saturday open the round Of festlv-
ties with dress parade, after which there
will be lawn concert and then ball, to
which many prominent people, including the
entire Pennsylvania Legislature, have been
invited. Sunday will be rather more ami
mated than Mayor King would like, for the
features Of interest on that day Will comprise
battalion drill by your crack corps, coupled
afternoon sacred concert on the lawn by the
Weccacoe Band, a repetition of the battalion
drill and concert by the military band, and
Hassler's enlarged orchestra in the
evening. on Tuesday the renowned
New York Seventh Regiment Band Will be
the card, and its fifty pieces Will give grand
concert. The glorious Fourth will he cele-
brated in style that Will throw onr neighbors
in the shade, and mako city people who can't
indulge in fireworks hasten to the southeast
ern corner of New Jersey; There VIII be a
concert In the afternoon by the aforementioned
famous band; hop and concert in the even.
ing, and n display of pyrotechnics that Will
call to mind the great Centennial exhibit In
that line. In addition to the large number OF
especial pieces" to be shown in colors OF
fame, the surf will be illuminated and a
dummy fort bombarded. The spirit OF
the season will not close here, for on
the Sunday and Monday following, the
Orchestra, of forty pieces, with vocal and
instrumental soloists added, will give after
noon and e7ening concerts, and ON the next
Saturday the Washington Rines-one OF the
Capitals crack companics-will be with us, ac-
companied by the Marine Band. They VIII
remain ten days, and on the 21st tho Musical
Festival, for which the fullest promise has
been held out, will begin, ana last two days.
1t Will be upon a grander scale than that of
fractions Of various sorts will follow in rapid
succession, and nothing that can tend to
popularlze Cape May Will be left unattended
to. The hotel Accommodations have been
largely increased, and there are the best
grounds for believing that the season which
has herein been briefly outlined Will be an al
together exceptional success from start to
finish. E.S.
Philadelphia Eeen,rg 7tlecyaph, June %.