National Republican., 1886-08-07
DOWN by THE SEA.
what Taste and Money uavo Done for
Atlantic CITY.

Atlantic City.
ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., Aug. 2, 1885,
The cars would leave their depot, Baltl-
more and Potomac station, corner Sixth
and 3 streets, Washington, at 11,2O p. M,
and we attended in ample time to learn that
they couldn't do so, for something had de.
layed q train intended to connect with ours,
and we must wait It's arrival. Wearily,
sleepily, and impatiently we continued TO
occupy the "ladies' room, - for our party
nobly represented the two sexes, till 9 a,
m. Then, Scars for Philadelphia with
other words, which, though loud, were un-
intelligible, Issued from a white cap OIL
cial, and Immediately We started on our
darksome journey.
Now, nothing remained but TO sleep for
four or five hours during the transit, though
that proved almost or quite impossible. A
few mouths wide open were visible, a few
eloquent expressions Of dreamland audible,
yet the discomfort OF ungraceful attitudes,
the staring Of wild, somnolent eyes pre-
vailed.
As morning was decorating with roses
the mystical border Of the eastern horizon,
our train entered the grand depot at Phila-
delphia. There, in a lofty, stained-glass,
arched, and generally sumptuous banquet
hall, far surpassing any Of old castle time
or romance Of poetry, we breakfasted
royalty.
Some hours being.requirod TO elapse ere
we could continue our travel, we devoted
those to a rapid survey Of the City OF
Friends. First, OF course, Independence
Hall. The venerable, thrlce-blessed bell of
main entrance, that opening on the gay and
pretty little park. We stood before It In
silence, with thoughts beyond speech.
Were we not yet listening TO those marvel.
ous tones, so sweet and assuring, which
still "proclaim liberty 10 all landsW Were
not, also, ''all lands" listening with usp
Away from the dream of world promise
and glory. Quickly through the Philadel-
phia Of to-day. The concourse and the
many noises OF business everywhere-gi-
gantic and paatial seats of commerce, ma
jestlc and towering notes.-the massive
marble estate buildlng,n carved aud
statued, at once light and delicate, and
ponderous and seeming eternal--the
roughly paved narrow streets, and, mar
rover yet, alleys, which are still termed
streets-those wonderful cars gliding by,
without horses, without any apparent
motor power, but stopping instantly at any
moment, as II by the mere mental demand
of the conductor-the luxurious homes OF
merchant princes-all these, and more, in
terested or nearly overpowered us.
Again, en- route. Our destination, At
lantic City. The country is fiat, or nearly
SO, and very monotonous. Here and there
cottages, small but tasteful, form passing
interest. Trees are numerous, yet of In
significant growth, springing from desert
OF sand. The "sand staten would be an
appropriate name for New Jersey. But
they manage to produce corn In this will
derness region, and fruit, too, the best in
the Union.
The ocean The "ever-wild, the ever
freen Atlantic. And the City by the Sea.
1t is q sublime example OF what taste,
will, money may do. Really, great city
has risen here, from the most uninvlting
circumstances. Built on Zahara, where
grass, nor bush, nor tree could grow; moth.
Ing whatever attractive around, save the
ocean; yet, to-day, business throngs wide,
smooth, hard streets, beautiful cottages
and extensive hotels stand In the midst Of
blooming gardens, cars traverse the streets,
drinking water is conducted here from q
distance, gas and electric lights are liber-
ally supplied, and all that exhorbltant life
can desire only waits the asking. Hither
come, through summer and winter, but
mostly in summer, thousands and tens Of
thousands from all portions of our states,
to meet the breakers, TO listen TO sweetest
music, to engage in merriest dance, TO be
'1ree and easy" to feast, TO laugh, to
smoke, to 1lrt, to call for everlasting
lager, to find their world here and forget
awhile any other.
We have metamorphosed ourselves. You
would not have recognized US In our bath
ing suits. How the strong waves buffeted
usl How they tumbled over, without re-
spect, both the wise and the fair Like cow
ards we ''went in," like heroes, glorying in
our conquest of q new life, we came out. A
crowd, of both sexes, of every age aud
class, was around us, disporting among the
waves, laughing, shrleking, shouting. True
democracy is only to be found among
those who "go down into the great deep"
s. ID. q Co,