National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-06-20
PLEASANT SUMMER TRIPS.

With the first hot breath OF summer
come recollections of broad highways, Of
hard sand, stretches Of billowy ocean, the
roar Of surges, the cooling breath of Nep-
tune, the plash of the waves, the salty afr
from the wide sweeping sea, and the count
less other delights Of life on the sea coast.
And nature, ever kindly, has placed within
easy reaching distance sea coast for the
pleasure of mankind and womankind In
their hours of leisure, and which man has
improved until 1t seems perfection. From
Sandy Hook to Cape May the Atlantic
ocean dashes upon coast Of the most vari-
able but always beautiful description.
Years ago this was for the most part a
desolate shore, but to-day II blossoms like
the rose, and attracts to 1t the tired jewellers
in cities who have day, a week, or a
month Of relaxation. At one end of this
shining strip Of sand lies Long Branch, and
at the other Cape May, while between them
are located numerous other resorts, all
worthy Of attention, and each Of which has
its champions among summer tourists.
The most important of the intermediate
resorts is Atlantic City. IL has the distinc-
ton Of being strikingly unlike all other
seaside resorts. 1t reminds one Of strik-
ing character in "Uncle Toms Cabin" q
young woman who 'just growed." At
iantic City wasn't planned. 1t jumped into
existence apparently OF its own accord, and
has seemingly made hit. 1t Is practically
an island, for 1t is separated from the main
land by miles of salt marshes, II is twenty
miles nearer to Philadelphia than any other
reason it is the Mecca Of Philadelphians
and of people who live hundreds of miles
from that city. Every one In Pennsylvania
has heard of Atlantic City, and when the
denizen of the rural districts takes a vaca-
ton and reaches Philadelphia, his first
thought is to get out of 1t and reach Allan
tic City. as quickly as possible. The
and, with a guide, this is not difficult
they are numerous. There are, besides
the hotels, cottages without num-
Der and private boarding houses be-
You'd count. Atlantic City has beyond
doubt made hit, for it is always crowded
In summer with vast concourse Of
people drawn from every walk Of life,
are favorable. The distance from
New York by way of Philadelphia
Is 100 miles by rail, and is covered IN about
four hours by the Pennsylvania railroad and
its seashore connections. All kinds of fish
abound in its waters, and saltwater bird
are numerous In its immediate vicinity. Its
even temperature makes II healthful re-
the fact that 1t is patronlzed by the rich as
well as the poor. Its board walk Is u joy
| forever, If not thing Of beauty. Bathing
and swimming Is INDUCED In to an un-
| limited extent. On Sundays the crowd Is
| immense. On week days IL is also immense
| Atlantic Cityshas nothing to complain Of
| The present season promises To eclipse all
| previous seasons In the matter of attend
ance, and the natives are making desperate
| efforts to provide for the rush, that they
may make all the hay possible while the
sun remains above the horizon. North and
South Atlantic cities are adiuncts to the
| parent town, and are making big strides to
| catch up. Between Atlantic City and Cape
| May are number Of other pleasant and
flourishlng resorts, such Ms Ocean City, Sea
Isle City, and sewelps Point, but in com
parison with Cape May these are but as the
lowly snow-drop TO the full-blown rose. II
has been said that the West Jersey railroad
carries the traveller through a desert he
fore 1t finally deposits him at Cape May,
but, II so, does not the journey en-
hance the attractions Of the queen
of watering placesg Even a sight OF
has soothing influence on the most dissat-
isded, and there seems TO be some ground
for the statement that had the lotus eaters
discovered Cape May they would have
pitched their tents there In preference tc
any other spot on the globe. There Is moth
ing ephemeral about Cape May. Away
back In 1875 1t boosted of a Baptist church
and surely II there We're a church there 4
must have had congregation. This, of 1t
self, is q source of qualification to the resi-
dents Of the beautiful city on the sea, cit.
which can boast Of population the yea
round, with great hotels, mag lifcent prl
Vate residences, and countless other ad
val tayes, ard life all lis own Nothing