The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-08-28
Junius Henri Browne Scores the
Fashionable People at the
Newport Resort.
rhe Place Not So Charming as
It ia Represented
to Be-.
II 10 All y Qualification and TervcrsIou
Of Money-Why Fashion Don't
BAth-Pen Picture.
Especial Correspondence.l

pOTU on lHelf ilTSL WISH UiteE ItltEltS So
much of it's delightful situation and mis-.
cellaneous charms. l remember that l was
when | first came, here as u boy, and that
wondered at it's 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 a kline of mod
ern Eden, and indeed it is so regarded by
the rich sumlnerers who give it fame and
constitute its society. 1t may be called,
therefore, a plutocratic Eden, for the plu-
tocrats have doue all that wealth could do
to make it attractive, aud they look at it
almost entirely from the standpoint of
wealth.
This renowned resort is personal---very.
pleasant, locally and climatically-and 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 Il 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 untitness.
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 its
notedness. The road is not particularly
good, and a large portion Of it is away
from the sea. But the drive
over it, unless the weather be un%propitious,
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 & great commercial conse-
quence, being a rival of New York and
bustl!ng with enterprise and expectation.
Now it is but a fashionable resort. The
smart set think hat it has advanced be-
cause its member possess it utterly, and.
it may be added, emptily.
This is often spoken Of us a bathing place.
1t is such potentially, though not actually
to the summerers, especially to the feni-
nine portion, who never battle. What L
horrible imputation on fine, nice women.
The charge would seem to be objectionable.
What moan, * that thov oayar h.tbn -,
the sea-those women at least who consid-
er 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 at the process. They are delighted to
dress and undress 81 dozen times a day
when vanity and mode require, but not for I
q plunge in the sea.
Everybody, even men, know that to don
n doff a bathing suit, particularly on &C.
count OF the sickness of salt water, is a
bother and a burden. And it may 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
a purpose that does not show, or, what is
worse, shows to disadvantage. They are
certainly justified, rs they look at it, in
their objection to sea baths.
What is most striking and alluriug here
is the superb cottages and grounds, the gen
eral pageantry of the place, the gorgeous
panorama, rs it may be called, of the opu-
lent colony. AS Il spectacle it is not in my
opinion equaled ut any resort at home or
abroad-not at Brighton, Trouvillc, Nice,
Wiesbaden, Hamburg or Badcn-Baden in
tIAir y,,,t j.r,,l;r, 1,, 1
money, taste, study, continuance, social am
bition or selfish rivalry can do for outward
~resplendence is done here to the utmost. 1t
is well worth seeing, very impressive, full
of suggestiveness. He who wishes to adj
mire it should accept its appearance; should
not look below the surface; should not at
tempt analysis. This might spoil the flavor
OF the exhibition and alter our opinion of
its value.
The panorama looks beautiful, though
much of its interior is ugly, even hidcous.
Men who seem so brave and self satisfied
are really alarmed and Disconnected. Wom-
en- who seem enviable and happy are con
sumed with heartburnings and wretched-
ness. 1T is all a show; Il splrzdfd show,
but only a show. Newport is Il small world
in itself, hollow, aching, meretricious,
mostly devoid of simplicity and sincerity
the principal virtues Of wholesome exist
ence. In such 4 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
true. Woinen meet, embrace, pay
mutual compliments, and yet hate one an
other cordially. They are we'll bred. rs
the phrase goes, and breeding conccals
what is disagrecable or painful. Behind
the brilliant gaze and the sweet smile the
fever iiusneS and the cancer turks. New
port is an epltUmc of the world.
1T is hard for any one outside of the
giIded ring to comprehend how it's mem
bers can take pleasure in continuing here
the artificial, fast, furious, wholly nm
wholesome life they lead III town. And
they name it rest and recreation in uncou-
scious irony. 1T might be supposed that
they would tire to dissolution OF the inres-
SAINT round of Saycty, makebelieye and
dissipation. But they do not, apparently.
though the death Of many may be Justly
charged to society. What iron constitu-
tions, what elastic systems they must pos
sess, after all! So incessant Il chase of
folly is enough to kill Il giant, and seem
ingly delicate women survive it season
after season.
While the habitues represent various
cities, most of them are from New York.
which in many respects is seen here at its
worst. Gloss it as you may, this society is
at base n parade and panegyric of money
put to its worst uses. New York is the
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