Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-08-08
LETTER FROM NEW JERSEY.

SEA BRIGHT, n. j., Aug. 5, 1SS4.-l have
said so much about politics that to vary the
thing | will send you some idea of this
beautiful country and give you my impress
sons based as they are up on fact and sight
with no romance added to give freshness to
the picture or coloring to the design.
Sea Bright is a small village five miles
north OF Long Branch, on the New Jersey
Southern Railroad. A few years ago it con-
tanned but Il few houses, and those of the
most primitive and ordinary character, but
sudden influx of people, principally from
New York, has given life to the village and
activity TO the trades people. From the
| Highlands, which is two miles from this
place, TO Long Branch, u distance Of seven
miles, there is continuous row Of cottages,
with picturesque design, each differing from
the other in color, shape and general finish,
and each one q home. The exquisite lawns
that roll from the houses by the sea TO
! the road are like velvet in their smoothncss
and like emerald in their green.
The ocean washes up TO the very doors OF
these cottages and makes the picture rare
and lovely, and the music Of the waves as
they beat their weary lives upon the yellow
sands, is as sad and plaintive as the voice
| Of the human heart Nature has richly eN-
pended her bounties and given generously
to this land, and the ocean, the valleys, and
the mountains are thrown together in such
| strange yet beautiful harmony that the
idealist's picture is quite complete.
The Shrewsbury river, which is an arm Of
the sea, winds its silvery waters around tho
Highlands Of New Jersey and finally broad
ems into II charming sheet of water, which
washes the high land on the one side and
| the level land on the other. Dotted among
the hills are to be found beautiful homes
| with all the comforts and luXuries that
money and taste can suggest, and where
| the weary man Of business can find relaXa.
ton and peace.
The other or the low side is more densely
populated, and handsome villas extend
down the Shrewsbury for five miles. In
front OF almost every place is q wharf from
which every hour in the day boats are dart
ing in and out with parties of pleasure
seekers.
1t is great country for children, for they
| have Il great many sources of enjoyment
| here that are denied them elsewhere, and
to sail, TO ride, 10 fish, to bathe is Il part of
each day.
The 1linturns own Il home which is sit
uated upon the crest of the Highlands and
overlooks the sea. It's situation bears the
same relation to this part of the country
| that Arlington bears TO your section.
| The view from this point is grand and
commanding-the ocean stretches its pound-
less waters before the eye My visit was
happily timed, for il was steamer day, and
had ~ peculiar pleasure in watching the
animated scene.
| Eight or ten steamers We're starting upon
| their voyages across the deep, and as they
walked the waters" each taking Il differ
ent course, they were SO still and voiceess
that they lookedli ike painted ships on paint
| cd seas.
The Shrewsbury river was dotted with Il
hundred sails that huttered in the breeze,
and the tiny crafts bowed their shell like
shapes to the motion OF the swell.
| The sight was awc-inspiring, and | never
artist who fashioned such grand living
picture could be alone and supreme in his
power.
The Rumford road which pass from Sea
Bright west, is 81 delightful drive, being
! perfectly level, and is broad and firm, it is
| kept constantly watered, which renders the
| driving comfortable even in the hottest and
dustiest weather.
This road is great thoroughfare, for
along it's northern side the handsomest
homes in all New Jersey lie, and the stream
of carriages, horsemen nd-four-in- hands,
that daily and almost hourly pass renders
the drive fashionable and attractive.
There was garden party at Mrs. VIM.
+. Strong's, last week, for the benefit of ST.
Georges Episcopal Church. No place could
be more effectively arranged for the display
of athletic games than the spacious and
| f,,1 ,l- >f dc
lawn has about twenty-five acres, and is ar.
ranged in the most artistic way, the lawn
tennis grounds being something simply per.
Imperial croquet, or lawn pool, is decidedly
the best arrangement I have ever seen. The
house in which the bazaar was held, is ole
fashioned, with gable roof and low ceiling
and is $50 years old, surrounded by splen'
did grove of trees A band Of music wa;
stationed in q rustic stand, beneath the
shade of the trees, and added much to the
pleasure Of those who enjoyed the occasion
1t was brilliant scene and the many diff
ferent colors of costume, blended in har
mony and made q sight long to be remem
bered. The games of lawn tennis, lawr
pool, croquet and cricket were all played
at the same time and the graceful attitude:
and physical energy that found full scope
and display was witnessed by the hundred:
of visitors with keen pleasure. There wa
the merry laugh of the school girl and tht
grave smile of the divine, the jolly chucklt
of the pampered broker and the artificial
smile of the man of the world. Young mer
and maiders, the merry and the sad, the
! grave and the gay all joined in one happy
, effort to be agreeable and pleased, and 81
we'll did they acquit themselves that. th'
scene was only a brilliant memory when tn,
last carriage rolled away.
Among the distinguished persons presen
were Gov. Roderick Cameron, Gen. Val
V1iet. Gen. Fisk, MIR. William Street. MI