National Republican., 1886-10-02
SEA SHORE sTRAGGLERs.
"A Resort Where the Season Never
Closes OF becomes Dull.

"A Resort Whore the Season Never
Closes OF Becomes Dull.
Especial Correspondence OF the REPUDLICAN.l
HyoEIA HOTEL, OLD POINT COMFORT
VA, Oct. 1.-When the first chilling
blasts sweep over the northern coast resorts
to herald the gradual advent Of the icy
magnate's reign, and cause autter among
the human swallows summering there as
they prepare TO fly homeward, one cosy
nesting place finds itself safe from such
rude intrusion, and just there these birds
of passage love to linger longest, conscious
of this impunity-at the health.gtving,
home-like, hospitable Hygeia, located under
the shadow OF the guns of Fortress Mon
roe, at the galway to the sunny south,
sharing its mild climate In the winter, and
enjoying the benefits OF the northern lati-
tudes In summer. THERE'S nothing strange
that here September, the aftermath, the
specially enjoyable month OF the year, with
its cool air, the pleasant temperature OF the
sea water, just the thing for q midday
plunge, should be found most delightful.
Nor does 1t detract from the keenly ap-
preciated comfort Of the place that the
oftentimes ill-humored, and unreasonable
-cheap-fare excursionist Is no longer here to
occupy all the good seats about the place
and to relegate the regular guest to the
rear.
Here the exits and entrances OF the ever
varying seasons are marked only by the
change In the personnel OF the visitors. The
winter brings its hosts OF northern invallds,
for whom Florida is too distant; the rich
merchants OF the great ports whose business
interests will not allow OF their venturlng
too far from the chance of returning within
a few hours. The spring and fall bring
generous supply OF happy mortals just
Launching ont fhn pf IN rimnnipI
bliss.
Even for an idler like your correspondent
II would be a waste OF time to point out
the many interesting spots and attractive
places that invite visitors TO an ever-chang-
ing programme of excursions, rides, walks,
or sails Every school boy knows what an
interesting place Fortress Monroe is. 1t
guards like faithful sentinel the entrance
of one Of the mightiest waterways OF the
world, and played an important part In our
late uppleasantness. To-day all is peace
there, too, and only experimental firing,
drilling, guard,mounting, dress parades,
and the like indicate that the valiant hosts
stationed there are still keeping up the
Actice Of the art OF war. A museum OF
tslics OF the war adds to the interest OF the
ismldable-looking fortress, Ih5 gallant
officers stationed here aud In attendance
upon the artillery school at the fort find
some relief from the monotouy OF martial
the regniDg bellies at the hotel In the after
moons or evenings.
A short ride takes the visitor TO the Ma
tional Military Home, ut Hampton, Va,
and the Indian school, both places full of
interest and instruction for the philosopher
who reads as he runs Tue one harbors the
living wrecks OF men whom the military
service OF their country rendered unfit for
life's duties, and they are graciously allowed
by a magnanimous and grateful government
to work for their support here beside the
sscant pensions so llberaly bestowed upon
them upon proper proof OF thGlr identity,
permanent disability, continued suiferings,
and other pension office regulations too nu-
merous TO mention. The other is an effort
by the better half OF the nineteenth cen.
tury TO make the unfortunate ward OF
the nation an active participant in the
blessings and enlightenment OF modern CIV
illzation, after having been taught all its
vices and abuses for generations back.
What pity and reproof that these--l say
IL gladly aud joyously-most successful
efforts were not inaugurated 200 years ago,
under me divine teachings Of 'peace and
good will TO all men ~
1T would lead far beyond the reasonable
limits OF letter-wrlting were but the brief
est mention made Of all the other interest
ing points at Hampton and all around here
the excursions TO Norfolk, Richmond,
Portsmouth, Cherrystone, Newport News,
the Rip Raps, and all the world around Old
Point Comfort, so memorable and interest
ing. The vide moulhed, placid James river
and the broad eXpanse of the Chesapeake
offer unrlvalled opportunities TO the patient
disciple Of Isaac Walton; level roads aud
easy distances tempt the amateur turfman;
the gentle breakers ard inviting beach ill
thetwtmmer with delight; the dauGer, too,
who VIII not give up social pleasures, hnds