The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-09-11
A PLUTOCRATIC EDEN
JuNlUs HENRI BROWNE SCORES FASH
ION IN PROUD NEWPORT.
The Place Not So Charming, After All.
why Fashion Does Not Bathe-All a
Glorifcation and Perversion of Money
A Pen Picture.

Especial Correspondence
NEWPORT, r. l., Aug. 21.--Most persons
would imagine, be disappointed by New
port on their first visit after hearing so
much of its delightful situation and mis-
celaneous charms. remember that | was
when first came here as a boy, and that
wondered at its reputation, which was far
less then than it is now. It's praises have
been so loudly and persistently chanted
that one might expect to see Kind of mod
ern Eden, and indeed it is so regarded by
the rich summerers who give it fame and
constitute its society Ii may be called,
therefore, a putocrntic Eden, for the plu-
tocrats have done ali that wealth could do
to make it attractive, and they look at it
almost entirely from the standpoint of
wealth.
This renowned resort is personal---very.
pleasant, locally and climatiCally-an in
general would be SO considered doubtless,
had not its 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 a vestige of water, except in the ewers,
may be seen. Hence in all likelihood its
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 seward, 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 its
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 as 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 entour-
age of the old town and its summer addi-
ton, much the more important of 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-
tentious modern quarter. Nevertheless it
had a century ago great commercial conse-
quence, being a rival of New York and
busting with enterprise and expectation
Now it is but fashionable resort. The
smart set think that it has advanced be
cause its member possess it utterly, and,
it may be added, emptily.
This is often spoken of as bathing place
1t is such potentially, though not actually
TO the summerers, especially to the femi-
nine portion, who never battle. What a
horrible imputation on fine, nice women!
The charge would seem to be objectionable.
What | mean is that they never battle in
the sea-those women at least who consid-
err them selves 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 maid TO as
sist at the process. They are delighted t
dress and undress a dozen times a day
when vanity and mode require, but not fOl
plunge in the sea.
Everybody, even men, know that to dor
and dotf a bathing suit, particularly on &C
count of the sickness of salt water, is q
bother and a burden. And it may easily
be imagined why women, to whom sell
decoration is the chief end of life, are un.
Willing 10 OCCUPY an lOli VI bNb tl'lllN lOl
a purpose that does not show, or what is
worse, shows to disadvantage They are
certainly justified as they look at it, in
their objection to sea baths
What is most striking and allurng here
is the superb cottages and grounds, the gen
eral pageantry of the place, the gorgeous
panorama, as it may be called, of the Opu
lent colony. As a spectacle 1t is not in my
opinion equaled at any resort at home OF
abroad-not at Brighton, TrOuville, Nice
Wiesbaden, Hamburg or Baden-Baden in
their most dazzling season. Whatever
money, taste, study, contrivance, social am
bition or selfish rivalry can do for outward
resplendence is done here to the utmost. II
is well worth seeing, very impressive, full
of suggestiveness 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 flavo
of the exhibition and alter our opinion o
its value.
The panorama looks beautiful, though
much of It's interior is ugly, even hideous
Men who seem so brave and self satisfied
are really alarmed and disconnected. Won
en- who seem enviable and happy are con
sumed with heartburnings and wretched
ness 1t is all a show; a splendid show
but only show. Newport is a small worlC
in itself. hollow, aching, meretricious
mostly devoid of simplicity and sincerity
the principal virtues of wholesome exist
ence. In such a circle these are impossible
Those acquainted with the colony ar
aware to what an extent it is scanned will
gossip, generally false, often malicious, no
seldom true. Women meet, embrace, pa,
mutual compliments, and yet hate one an
other cordially. They are well bred a
the phrase goes, and breeding conceal
what is dsagreeable or painful. Behint
the brilliant gaze and the sweet smile tn
fever Pushes and the cancer turks. New
port is an epitome of the world.
1t is hard for any one outside of tn
gilded ring to comprehend how its mem
bers can take pleasure in continuing her
the artificial, fast, furious, who..y I'm
wholesome life they lead in town. Ant
they name it rest and recreation in uncon
scous irony. 1t might he supposed tina
they would tire to dissolution of the inces
SAINT round of gayety, makebelieve ant
dissipation. But they do not, apparently
though the death of many may be justl
charged to society What iron constitu
tions, what elastic systems they must pos
sess, after all! So incessant chase 0
folly is enough to kill giant, and seem
ingly delicate women survive it seasol
after season.
While the habitues represent variou
cities, most, of them are from New York
which in many respects is seen here at it
worst. Gloss it as you may, this society i
at base parade and panegyric of none.
put to its worst uses, New York is tn
best school on this continent for the dete