Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-07-28
SUMMER At SARATOGA.
THE GREATFASHTONABLE RESORT
OF ANTEBELLUM DAYS.

THE GREATFASHTONABLE RESORT
OF ANTEBELLUM DAYS.
Drinking and Driving by Young and
Old-Extravagance and Econ
omy in Dress.
| Especial Correspondence of the RECORD UNION.
SARATOGA, n. Y, July 10, 1888.
will not say that Saratoga is paradise
for the poor, in the strict sense of the
term. For them, there is no earthly one.
but | do say that for the class of whom
their friends remark, confidentially, in
their absence, " Poor, you know" who are
obliged to count dollars and turn their
silks, this class need not always avoid
Saratoga. OF what does the town consist
but conglomeration of small hotels and
large boarding houses where if one spends
the dull months Of June and September, or
even half Of each, good board can be had
for $40 per week, or in July and August
only, for S12 to Sl3 OF course this is
higher than in small country places, or
farm houses, but then see what is thrown
in almost free, since of all places, Saratoga
leads in the way of cheap amusements.
Looking at the crowds costs nothing.
Any one can go on the front piazzas and in
the rich parlors of the grand hotels, while
if the silk dress has been properly turned,
and Araminta wears a pair of tan-colored
Newport ties, admission to the concerts on
the hotel piazzas overlooking court yards.
or to the hops, is not difficult No one,
however, need sue for entrance to hotel
concerts, unless wishing to look rich and
be mistaken for guest. In Congress Park
there are three daily concerts, admission
ten cents, with Communication for the season.
One can take endless pretty walks, and
drink free of two most noted springs within
its limits.
DRINKING AND DRIVING.
It's true one must pay five cents for a
drink of mineral water, but one need not
drink unless an invalid, while at every
corner some stage or curiously contrived
hack invites the passerby to take a five or
ten cent drive. These cheap drives are
not to be despised. At your farm house
or country hotel, special team must be
hired, with corresponding pay, while here,
for an Insignificant sum, one can rattle off
in all directions to baths and springs where
drinks are free. The country is seen and
one has exercise and sunlight. Going to
the lake is a long drive that can be had
for fifty cents the round trip. Hilton
Park is free show, and all the world goes
TO Mt. McGregor to see General Grants
cottage and better get, feel the fresh
breezes that play on the mountain tops;
pure as those on the ocean, since they
come direct from the White Mountains.
ninety miles of and plainly visible The
view at 1.-THE summit is one of the grand
est imaginable, and people ask why the i'll
located and dismal cottage, Just cut off
from all this beauty, was selected, rather
than apartments which could have been
secluded, while bathed in sunshine and
looking forth on magnificent scenery. But
all this, though near at hand, is not Sara
toga, and TO Saratoga let us return.
YOUTH VS.. AGE.
The general idea of Saratoga, is that of
place given up to youth and vanity.
This | fatty contradict, and assert that for
one young person three or four elderly are
found, and that gravity quite outweighs
levity. True, there are special extrava-
gancies in dress and firtations; but such
things are like points of effect in a pic
ture-chiefly noticeable because most con-
spicuous, but OF small compass when con-
trasted with a subdued expanse of hue.
Persons are apt to forget that Saratoga is
q great vantage ground of the clergy +:
they spread themselves everywhere; pro-
fessional and scientific men congregate
here; they bring their wives, their sisters,
their cousins and their aunts, and groups
of grandmothers renew their youth in dis
customs of baby foods and fiannels with as
much animation as their husbands talk
theology, politics, or learning.
GENERAL DEDUCTIONS.
Since there are many moderate priced
hotels and people of serious bent, the de-
duction would follow that an elaborate
outfit in dress is not necessity. For an
elderly woman, two or three dark dresses
of nice quality are sufficient, while fashion
is so complaisant just now that younger
women can adapt and re-make to such an
extent that a halfsupply of costumes may
do duty. Lace and drapery net are par
ticularly susceptible of transformations
independent basques and blouses are valua-
bic adjuncts; well-chosen parasolS may
prevent expensive bonnets, since ladies go
bareheaded everywhere; wells can like
wise do duty, while for out-of-town expedi-
tons, traveling-hats will suffice. This bill
of particulars may even include the omis-
sion of gloves-somcthing OF an item
when one counts dollars, and travelling
gloves, like bonnets, may protect on ten
cent drives
MIND CURE.
Who has not known the healing power
of diversion? Here comes in another and
a potent plea for Saratoga's cheapness
For many nervous disorders, it is safe to say
that one month of jol!ity is worth two or
three of monotony. Nor is iollity too
strong word. People come here with the
idea of casting care behind them, and they
do it. The reverend clergy unbend from a
homemade dignity; they play croquet
and look at the girls; professors forget
their learning and do likewise. The atmos-
phere of gravity becomes less heavy. the
gray is o! a lighter shade, and even some
roseate dawn, as reflected from her girl
IL. Z