The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-08-27
A PLUTOCRAI'IC EDEN
JUNlUs HENRI BROWNE SCORES FASH
ION IN PROUD NEWPORT.

The Place Not So Charming, After All.
Why Fashion Does Not Bathc-Ali n
Qualification and Perversiou or Money.
A Pen Picture.
tSpccia, Correspondence
NEWPORT, r. l., Aug. 22.-Most persons
would, 1imagine, be disappointed by New
port on their first visit after hearing so
much of its delightful situation and mis-
iellaneous charms ] remember that was
when first came here as boy, and that |
wondered at its reputation, which was far
less then than it is now. Its praises aave
been so loudly and persistently chanted
that one might expect to see II kind of mod
ern Eden, and indeed it is so regarded by
the nch summerers who give it fame and
constitute its society II may be called.
therefore. a plutocratic Eden, for the plu
tocrats have done all that wealth could do
to make it attractive, and they look at it
almost entirely from the standpoint OF
wealth. s,
This renowned resort is personal---very.
pleasant, locally and climatically-and in
general would be SO considered doubtless
had not It's exaggerated encomiums been so
continually dinged in our ears. Still it
seems to me that it owes far less to nature
than it owes to art. or perhaps to architec-
ture, contributed with most lavish hand
The sea view is not nearly so extensive as
might be inferred There are many cot.
tages-it is yet the custom to so designate
the sumptuous villas here-from which no
part of the ocean is visible And from the
Ocean House, the old time hostelry, scarce
ly vestige of water, except in the ewers,
may be seen. Hence in all likelihood it's
name-names being selected nowadays from.
their total unfitness.
Ocean avenue, running at right angles to
Bellevue avenue, is much the more invit-
ing thoroughfare of the two, though less
conspicuous. The cottages on it have their
rear seaward, and the rear piazzas COM
mand the best views of any here.
The noted ocean drive, which runs around
by the fort (Adams) does not deserve it's
notedness. The road is not particularly
good, and large portion of it is away
from the sea. But the summerers drive
over it, unless the weather be unpropitious.
as regularly rs they dine, and speak of it
as if it were another Corniche.
Some of the most attractive parts of this
island-it is not generally known that New
port is on the island of Rhode Island-are
seldom visited, the majority of people linn
iting themselves to the immediate cntour-
age of the old town and its summer addi-
WIN, iiutil tic iiOic lliiDOTtiluU Ol the TWO.
The old town is decidedly interesting, but
scarcely any one who comes here ever thinks
of it, being absorbed by the SNOWY and pre-
tcntious modern quarter. Nevertheless it
had century ago great commercial conse-
Quence, being Il rival of New York and
bustling with enterprise and expectation.
Now it is but Il fashionable resort The
smart set think that it has advanced be-
cause its members possess it utterly, and,
it may be added, cmptily.
This is often spoken of rs Il bathing place
1t is such potentially, though not actually
to the summercrs, especially to the femi-
nine portion, who never bathc. What
horrible imputation on fine, nice womenl
The charge would seem to be unpardomable.
What mean is that they never battle in
the sea-those women at least who consid-
cr themselves fashionable. and earn the
consideration by the variety and elaborate
ness of their attire. They are continually
putting on and taking off costly gowns and
their Accomplishments. and this involves
time and trouble, even with a maid to as
sist ut the process They are delighted to
dress and undrcss dozen times IL day
when vanity and mode require, but not for
Il plunge in the sea.
Everybody, even men, know that to don
and doff bathing suit, particularly on ac-
count of the sickness of salt water, is a
bother and a burden And it NAV easily
be imagined why women, to whom self
decoration is the chief end of life, are I'M
willing to occupy an hour or two daily for
purpose that does not show or. what is
worse, shows to disadvantage They are
certainly justified, as they look Ut 1t, in
their objection to sea baths.
What is most striking and al,uring here
is the superb cottages and grounds the gen
cral pagcantry Of the place the gorgeous
panorama. as it may be called of the opu
lent colony. AS spectacle it is not in my
opinion caualcd at any resort at home or
abroad-not at Brighton, Trouvile Nice.
Wicsbaden, Hamburg or Baden Baden in
:hcir most dazzling season. Whatever
money, taste, study. Continuance. social am
btion or selfish rivalry can do for outward
resplendencc is done here to the utmost 1t
IS vel. worth seeing, very impressive full
OF suggcstivenesS. He who wishes To ad.
mire it should accept its appearance; should
not look below the surface; should not At
tempt analysis. This might spoil the flavor
OF .hc exhibition and alter our opinion Of
rs value.
The panorama looks beautiful, though
much of its interior is ugly, even hideous
Men who seem so brave and self satisfied
are really alarmed and discontented WON.
eli who seem cnviable and Happy are con-
sumed with heartburnings and wretched-
ness. 1t is all ii show; IL splendid show,
but only show Newport is IA small world
III itself. hollow, aching, merctrcious,
mostly devoid of simplicity and sincerity
the principal virtues of wholesome exist.
ence In such ii circle these are impossible
Those acquainted with the colony are
aware to what AN extent it is scanned with
gossip. generally false, often malicious, not
seldom true. Women meet, embrace, pay