Year: 1874

Coney Island, with It's noble beach OF four miles
fronting on the trackless sea, is the poor mans
Long Branch 1t is the only place IN the United
States In which the census could never be taken
properly. No man was able to tell in years gone
by, having landed at Coney Island, how long he
was to stay and at about what time he would get
back. Formerly the resort of the courtesan monte
man, rowdy and pickpocket, the place was
terror to peaceable persons, and few married men
and their wives and children cared to risk visit
to this sea-girt Gehenna.


But, as Carlyle might have said, all things
change, and pen and women change with them
Coney Island has changed, and for the better, No
longer does the iron bound jaw bone project from
under the clirke brow OF the rufflan at Coney
Island, and no longer is seen the steely CLEAN Of
the dirk, and never more shall there be heard
there the wnip-llke report OF the Derrnger. which
formerly constituted t1e requiem Of the brawnng
victim. S---4 ia -ez -eza-.ss4-'.S .s -. 80


The lower or southern part OF Coney Island is
most frequented by those in search OF good sea
bathing and pure air. To this part OF Coney
Island three boats are now plying daily-one
from Newark, principally used BY Germans;
the Metamora, which makes stoppages all
along the East River, and the steam
boat Arrowsmith, which makes oil the
landings on the North River, going down and
up. The Arrowsmith Is one OF the swiftest and
most commodlous boats in the harbor, and makes
the trip TO the island, from Twenty-third street,
stopping at West Eleventh street, Franklin street
and pier No. 2, in fifty minutes, or thirty minutes
from the Battery. The short duration Of the trip
prevents monotony, and, particularly for ladies,
the voyage down the Upper and Lower Bay is
really delicious on a hot day. The last boat up
leaves Coney Island at seven O'Clock In the even
ing and that allows the voyagers an excellent days
pleasure at the beach


TWO thousand persons made the trip to Cuney
Island by boats yesterday, and 1T was marked and
essential the change which was noticeable in the
those who used TO make Coney Island their place
OF resort. Yesterday the majority of the pas
sengers were in little family groups, and there
were many children and young ladies OF the better
class making part OF the journey OF life with the
dearest and sweetest OF young men. There was ne
music and no noisy 1anaronade OF half intoxi-
Gated bipedS, but all was joyous and happy.
About l,500 Germans, including their families,
visited Coney Island since the formal opening on
last sunday ana oceans OF lager were drank to the
honor OF that much abused marine deity, Neptune.


The writer met one lonely.looklng mourn1ul-
visaged monte man on the beach, ana he dis
coursed OF his grievances to the accompaniment
OF the music OF the surf. Said he, in substance


This place am no good for us now It's getting
altogether too respectable for fellows. We used
to think nothing OF raking IN S25 to $50 apiece
week days in the old times, and good worker has
often scooped COO hundred on Sunday; but it
looks like dream, them days does. No one amt
form and has got certlicate from the Young
Mems Christian Association" Alter this bullet
headed young man had delivered himself OF these
critical sentiments he walked down the beach, his
crest very much lowered, but before leaving he
stated That he was "going 10 take rosiner.n


As soon the passengers land on the sacred soil.
or rather sand, OF Coney Island the majority usually
break rom the boats with monument rush that
Is amusing. The minority who have more money
and leisure however, do not Immediately seek the
beach, but make halt at the Pavilion and sit
down to dinner and take their siesta under the
cool and spreading shed which fronts the sea.
Coney Island dinner Is something entirely different
from a dinner elsewhere at our suburban resorts.
Ettfn hnu IN win
hapless and inonensive clam Is heard as he roasts
In the slow ire. 10 go 10 CoDey Island and nave
dinner without having claims In some shape as
part OF the feast would be to go Rome and refuse to
do as the Romans do. IL is noted In the history OF
TINS remarkaole mar o spot s shat on one to occa,
steak, drank bowl Of macaronl pV' soup and
finished with bottle OF champagne; and paving
hs blll in a tiInid way sought Immediately the
friendly refuge OF the steamboat by winch he came
down. he had not eaten any clans, and clamor
arose by common accamation at his neglect OF
Coney Island hospitality. procession was formed,
headed by Governor Duane, the chief magistrate
OF the little clanmy republic, and ne was appre.
hended on the boat, where he was seeking to hide
his tall person. They told him that he had offended
against the statutory law OF the island, which for
bade any person or persons from ordering
eating dinner without having made the bounding
clam component part OF MS repast, 10 which
grave accusation the tall stranger answered that
ne had PAID for all he got, and that he
Tne man was doomed psn he Gnvernor e
and six other stalwart brgands of his seaQIrt Isle
ran for, ciutched him and tumbled him into an old
sail ana carried him back to the Pavilion. The
crews oil fishing smacks, late THAI evening, heard
the snrieks OF the victim on shore. who was held
bodily down at the table and never let up until he
had eaten twenty-slX roasted clans: and, further.
more, the laws OF She little republic enjoined that
the offender should pay for all the wine that was
drank AS the shades OF night ie the tall stranger
who said that he came from the Pacific Slope, was
wheeled TO the last boat In a wheelbarrow $40
lighter in pocket than when he started in. Since
then ne has not been heard OIL and the laws OF the
republic are yet as irrevocable the laws or the
Medes ana Per SANS The cost Of a trip to Coney
Island and back to New YORK forty cents, the
price OF bath and bath ing suit is twenty-five cents,
ana the reader may have dinner at the Pavilion
from 81 to $685. according as his tastes are frugal
or luxurious.