The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-05-25
TO IDLE SUMNER AWAY.
VANITY FAIR WONDERING WHITTIER
1T SHALL WANDER.
Those who Need Them Most Don't Get Long
Summer Vacations - The Dissipated
Youths who Set the Pace at Fashion
able Resorts-Baby in Summer.

they will appear to more advantage on the
sands, clad in gay, imported bathing suits or
in severely plain mountain costume, climbing
among the rocks Directly the city will be de-
serted save by the bread-winners, and these pro-
sale people, who rarely take the time for an
outing, will smile grimly at the caperings of
beaux and bellies as reported in the papers.
The people who 60 to make up society very
much like sheep, what one does the rest do, and
with us it has become the fashion for all those
blessed with leisure and money to go for long
holiday, to drive, to walk, to ride, to tlirt,
to play tennis, and to play everything
to play at living for at least three months
in the year. This summer holiday has be-
come so fashionable that even those with
neither money or leisure at their command fol-
low in the wake of those who have, and rs
result their self-respect and credit both suffer.
The old saying about Jack bears transposing,
and all play and no work makes of Jack just as
dull boy all work and no play; so it has
become question with thinking people whether
this long play day is healthful or hurtful.
Granted that American men work too hard and
too rapidly, do not take enough time for rest or
exercise, and are careless of their health, and
that for these men q three months vacation
would be godsend. But these men who need
it are the very ones who do not take it. 1t is
mamma and the girls and the elegant Alphonse
who 90 away for the summer. Men who work
stay at home and work harder for the necessary
ducats to defray the expenses of their extrava
giant families. At one time-would that time
were not of the past-it was considered as un-
respectable for a gentlemen not to work in
America as it is considered respectable abroad.
But to-day we have an immense population of
rich young men, who after lolling through col
lege, being plucked-some Of them-and
others-night fellows-getting through because
they cannot help themselves, proceed to spend
their heritages in the most rapid and approved
style. These boys are the beaux of fashionable
watering places, who hold gay parasols over
Beauty at Newport, dip her into the surf at
Naragansett, dance with her at Saratoga, and
when she has retired conclude the days enter
tainment by getting tipsy and breaking up the
bar-room furniture by way of amusement, and
call themselves thorougbreds because they mag
nitcently pay for it the next morning.
1t is this class that set the pace at the summer
resorts, makes it impossible for any one but
millionaires to live at Newport, and who have
made the Casino at Naragansett the synonym
for something very rapid and disspated. The
reason for all this rapidity is our desire to ape
life in England. If we were only little more
discriminating the result would be excellent
if we would only embrace their virtues and shun
their faults. There is nothing so moral, so
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which the English enjoy in its perfection. Why
not persuade those youths who are food for
gossip at summer hotels and who imagine they
have adopted the English way of getting rid of
a fortune, to 90 step further in imitation of
their cousins English, and invest some of their
money in a country place, give an army of poor
people employment in improving it. fill the
hospitable house full of delightful people.
inaugurate good old-fashioned country SPORTS
give occasionally feast to their poorer neigh
bors; play, in short, the liberal host and patron
do something that will benefit somebody, while
they are having good time-and the result will
be stronger constitutions, fewer cases of nervous
prostration, and greater happiness.
One unfortunate feature of the life at summer
resorts is its effect on little children. Late
hours the gossip of their elders, and hotel dirt
are not healthful for children. How much bet
ter for them the unrestrant of big country
place. OF course, we cannot all of us have coun-
try places, but surely any one who can afford to
90 to mountain or sea-shore for two or three
months can afford an acre Of ground and a
modest cottage somewhere on the line of a rail-
road. | have never been able to understand
what pleasure large family with lovely house
in town. could find in crowding itself into Two
or three small rooms and living in trunks for a
whole summer For the mother there is the
charm of being relieved from housekeeping, a
charm which those who have struggled with
servants appreciate. But outside of this ]
can see nothing which can compensate any one
for all the comforts they leave behind.
Washington has many advantages for those
who elect TO say at nome during the not weather
The suburbs are beautiful and the Potomac is
ALWAYS a source of enjoyment for those who
cannot get away. With horse and carriage al
command | am of the opinion that we could get
more solid enjoyment out of a summer in the
city than at most of the fashionable watering
places. Our markets are excellent, and al small
expense the daintiest of tables can be set during
the entire summer with an abundance of fresl
fruits and vegetables, which rarely appear OF
hotel tables. Then there is pleasant informa
visits with ones friends and a long rest from
social duties, which give opportunity for indul
gence. not only in current literature but il
some of the classics dear TO ones heart. There
is no doubt that summer in the city can be made
not only endurable but enjoyable if people will
only attack it with half the energy they put int
the preparations for going away.
OF course, when there is young baby in thC
family the conditions are altered. The cool ali
of mountain districts is the best for teethinG
children. But when it is impossible for parents
to 90 away there is much that can be done fo
babv's comfort. Strict attention to diet, the
thinnest and cleanest Of clothing but with wool
len stockings on the feet and a flannel over tht
bowels plenty of fresh air ice rubbed on tht
runs when they are iTritated, and at the frs
SIGN of indispostion take him for ride on the
river and the baby will in most cases 90 through
even the dangerous second summer all right.
The dangers for older children are playing il
the sun during the neat of the day
eating unripe or oyeripe fruit, and drink
inc ice water / do not think too muci
stress can be laid on the harm ice wate
does everybody, and / believe that children es
neeially should never be allowed TO drink any
Thing colder than spring water, DO not wan
IA shock any one but would suggest putting
feU, teagDoonfuls of red wine in the water chill
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