Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-03
Summer Absentees.

Summer migrations grow In extent year
by year.
The custom prevailing three or four de-
cades AGO was for the families OF fortune TO
order their carriages and baggage-wagons
and drive from East Virginia TO the noun
tain resorts. Tho journey was made by
easy stages. BY day the eyes of the itine-
rants were feas;ed upon woods and fields
Nature was before them like book open
for study. and the trip was never without
adventure. not the least pleasant of which
was The halt in some grove and near q
spring for the midday meal, and at night
for lodgings, supper, and breakfast al
some country tavern.
With this daily but ever-varylng and en-
paging routine from one to two weeks
were spent in going from Richmond to
those watering places which are famous
to-day as they have been for more than
half century.
In those days not great many OF our
citizens patroniZed the resorts of fashion,
the long journey and cost forbade, but
It has ever been the habit Of our peo-
ple 10 visit their country kinsmen during
the heated term. and, reciprocally. to ex-
pect the latter 10 come to them IN town
during the fair week or when amusements
ere most plentiful in winter.
While our community has undergone
many changes, the number OF men ana
women here who were born in the country
Is now as ever astonishing. The wonder is
what becomes of the folks born in Rich
mond. They do not seem to co away IN
great numbers: they do not " die early"
but vet they are greatly outnumbered by
country-born residents These have left
fathers and mothers. sisters and brothers,
upon the old homesteads, and thither with
the opening summer many betake them
selves to renew the health and joys of
youth and TO drink again az the fountains
which to their tastes furnish the sweetest
waters Of earth.
The interchange Of these visits is bene-
fetal 70 both classes. II keeps fresh the
stream of communication between those
who spend their lives on farms and those
who reside in the city, and gives to each O
valuable lesson from the life of the other
The happest of our absentees to-day are
at the homes Of their country-kin. inter-
ested observers OF their simple but honest
lives: partakers of their homely fare. part
ners in the discussion of neighbor-
hood gossip; walking at evening along
the shady lanes, watching the cows come
home" enjoying the profound stiffness OF
the night, and lockers on at that life
which. while not without its cares and ills.
all in all. is the best ever planned for man.
For the thousands who either are forced
or choose TO seek other ways of spending
their vacations many routes and modes
are open.
There never was so much travelling. and
never before SO many conveniences and
comforts for travellers. Scores of our peo-
pie are abroad to-day. Some IN the great
cities: Others roaming through rural Eng
land. Scotland, and Ireland; Others widely
scattered by lovely lakes or in pleasant
valleys or near recovered mountains.
Still another contingent, and larger one,
are at northern resorts, or are sauntering
along the Canadian line, or idling about
picturesque spots in New England noun
tains. or on the shores of western lakes.
Yet more find greater content in the Var
yinias, where seaside and mountain places
abound IN number and attractions.
The extent of the going and coming IL
enormous. The Virginia railroads and
steamers have never done a greater bust
ness than during this season, and IT would
seem that the people of America are rapid
" removing the rcproach ian unjust one)
that with them it is all work and no
play"
A decided benefit largely traceable to
summer excursions and round-trip tickets
is the better acquaintanceship growing up
between citizens of different sections OF
this Union. Great good is accomplish
ed by bringing together at our springs and
seaside resorts northern, western, and
southern people. In the society of these
places those who are worthy to enter find
in the companionship Of elegant men and
women one of the chiefest charms of sum-
mer vacations. And we doubt not that
virginians who GO North and West can
often rejoice in similar experiences.
The heat OF the summer has been above
the average, and there have been many
days that justified the popular designation
"scorching"; but, withal. the health OF
Richmond and Of most other cities has
been good.
We can scarcely claim. with strict regard
to truth, that we are as happy as the alb
sentoes. but we have some comforts that
are not theirs. and excursions to the New
reservoir on our fine. fast-moving electric
summer cars help to break the heat and
Weariness Of August days aud nights.