The Sunday herald., 1886-08-29
CAMp MELVILLE BELL,

COLONIAL BEACH, VA, August 2S, 1856.
II was In tho nature of an experiment for the
National kines to make their annual camping expe-
dition to this new resort, the experiment has been
1uslihed by complete success. The Rides found
themselves among warm friends, who used every
effort To render their stay agreeable, aud though
they may and doubtless will have other Journeys
farther aheld, they will never regret getting ac-
quainted with spots nearer home and the charms OF
the grand old Potomac as II nesrs the bay.
From the time OF arrival Saturday night or Sunday
morning, when the cottagers and hotel people were
waiting up with their enthusiastic welcome for The
soldier boys, until the time of writing there has been
a constant dow OF fun aud agreeable excitement,
mafred only by one or two incidents which could
not he avertsd. The saddest OF these has already
reached you In the news OF the drowning of young
y. Adolph kO0nes on Friday. No blame attaches 70
any one In the matter, and It must be set down as
calamity such Al life IL subject to In It's happlest
hours. Universal sympathy Ia felt and has cast
shade OF sorrow over the hitherto unchecked glee.
Another more rinlng but still annoying incident
Was "nre Ia the rear which the Rides did not ex-
pect, In the shape OF harsh comment In Washing
ton paper on bOysh fr0llc consisting OF the mock
execution aud funeral after . burlesque trial by
court-martial last Wednesday. This uncivi critic
needs TO he informed that the Rides when OIL for
holiday at their own expense, without any recogni-
ton from the Government, aud especially when out
"miary discipline" 1t would be Interesting To
know whether he objects to the mock deaths and
funerals on the stage. Ia the midst OF the widest
fsrces, and whether the columns OF his paper are
free from ghasty Jokes on the subject OF DEATH The
khes were not directly responsible for the choice Of
funeral march by the band. but 1t Is new theory
that there IL anything peculiarly sacred about the
mere tune OF o modern hymn. How about the way
"sweet Bye yeand-I,ye' and "Cllmbing Up the Golden
Stairs" are played and aung?
The Rihes commlserate those who had 10 stay In
Washington during the hot spell, while chuck
ling over their own good luck In getting
away lust In time The weather here has been very
favorable TO the camp, the amount OF clouds and
rain being trnng In comparison with the fair days
balhing In the briny was very pleasant and was
fully enjoyed by all, sometimes beyond the bounds
OF prudence.
The hAps and mlshaps OF various individuals who
got capslzed from boats, extemporized Running
races with crow-balt horses, tub races, aud other
Wild pranks have mostly been chroniced from day
to day. They had their part In making time pass
pleasantly for those who object 10 sweet do moth
lngnens, though there were many for whom that
was SUFFICIENT, aud who put In week OF solid rest
from toll, except the CAMP duties OF guard and dress
parade. What the Rlnes specially wish to deny IL
that they are given to ilrtlng They call attention
70 the fact that the only member Of the CON pany
suspected Ut such crime was court t-martisled aud
shoI IueJ canuot prevent tle laules from admir-
Ing them, OF course; hut the newspaper talks about
str0lls by starlight, tete-a tetes On shady piazzas,
and other gaaltTIes are OF course made oui OF the
whole cloth.
The central feature OF the week was the ball in
the dining room OF the hotel Wednesday evening,
which proved that Colonial Beach is equal TO any
shore resort In social gayety when II sets about H.
AZ about SIX hundred people came down on tue
boat In addition TO those already here the result was
quite crush At times during the evening. The re-
cepiion committee exerted themselves 70 mako
everybody have good time, and succeeded ad-
mlrably The music OF the Weccacoe band, which
has been much admired all week, made dancing .
pleasure.
There have been serenades to various popular
gentlemen here such as Messrs He'll, Curtis, Glyin
andothers, almost every evening. Exchange OF h0s-
pltaty has been constant between tho residents aud
various ''nesses," VINO have Kept open tent, II not
open house. with generous entertaiament for their
fraads. Fishing and sailing parties have gone out
conslanty. and there has 5oen agreeable alienation
OF Visits to and from Lower Cedar Point aud other
shore places. All these would be too numerous 70
relate In detail and 1t Is fortunate that they have
gone on 30 well that there have been no accidents
TO chronicle outalde OF those above mentioned.
Tue kines regret that the camping time Ii 70
nearly over, when the white tenls must be taken
from their pleasant perch on the bank, and Camp
He'll become memory of the past. They viii leave
but one sentiment behind them, which may 10
expressed In tue salutation "Come againip