Year: 1873

manson House bC0KoS'


Few persons but those connected with the turf
directly have any idea of the zest with which q
race meeting Is attended at Long Branch, where
the Monmouth Park meeting Is being held at pre-
sent.


Now let us go to the races and look at them as
observers kindly and not as critics who use gall on
the points OF their pens The first thing to obtain
O knowledge OF is the manner and means by which
the races are reached. Three trips are made daily
to Long Branch by the large steamboats, Plymouth
Rock and Empire State from the foot OF Murray
street, at quarter before seven, twenty
minutes before ten and at hafpaSt
zen O'Clock of each morning. or course none go
'.own the first boat but those persons who are
lrectly interested in the horsenesh, or who are
Golng business as hotel or restaurant men, chat
tering darkies, white servants, the promiscuous
and noisy bootblacks and the inevitable pedlers OF
newspapers and periodicals, The best boat and
frip, by all means, is the Plymouth Rock, and the
time to leave the foot of Murray street is twenty
minutes to ten A. NJ. Then is enjoyed beautiful
rail down the bay, and any kind Of refreshment,
from basket of champagne to a ham sandwich,
may be obtained on board.


AT THE DOCK.


It Is somewhat difficult matter to reach the
foot OF Murray street. gauntlet OF trucks loaded
and empty; q wilderness of hack carriages hurry
Ing up and down West street, and confused mass
Of people WHO seem to be in dreadful haste must
be avoided, and all sorts OF obstacles to annoy
the fair sex are here gathered together. But q
sight OF the large and magnificent Plymouth Rock
steamer lying alongside the pier promises haven
Of rest to the wayfsrer. Stepping on board, we
ind long line OF people who are desirous OF pur-
chasing tickets which are valued at 81 rs for the
round trip. The principal part of the passengers
lre going down solely to the races. and return
by the afternoon boat to the city, Here and there
may be observed, however, group who have
more decided and permanent interest in Long
Branch There are a large number of pretty girls,
In those peculiar Summer costumes OF brown linen
that serviceable and yet so ugly to the eye
rhe turfmen in large numbers congregate
below on the lower deck and. buy pools in a bust.
nesslike and unromantic fashion from the gushing
Underwood, whose Doric brogue is only excelled
by his nattery. There is a band or music on board
the Plymouth Rock, and at a given signal, the
noble steamboat swings out into the river, heading
downward ior the bay.


no FOR THE HIGHLANDS!


Now the engines are working with will, and the
sun being high In the heavens and the breezes Of
The July morning blowing freshly on our faces
IS the bandsmen begin to play waltz, the strains
Of which pierce the ears OF the sentries who
doing their silent beat beneath the soapy ylooking
stone walls OF Fort Columbus. The day is beauti-
hui, the water smooth as glass and the spirits OF
every one on board are at the highest. Staten
Island looks like big raised meat pie on the
bosom OF the waves, and Bedloes Island looks
grim and threatening to the right. Down at the
Narr0ws, and out into blue water now, and the
band hills OF Coney Island rise up, sparsey
tufted with sickly, overheated grass, and
dead ahead lies the West Bank, the
Chno1o md nnfh G1aft
famous in yachting history; all are passed one by
one. Now the brightness OF the day fades away,
and the sun leaves the Bay and hides its fiery head.
A full-sau breeze springs up and two clouds mass
tbeDselves ominously as for a rain storm. Now
we are touching the Sandy Hook pier and that
terrible long and dreary stretch OF sandy hillocks
and brush and scrub, nanked by the ocean on one
side and the various shallow inland lagoOns
and the beauteous Shrewsbury River on
the other side, becomes apparent to the
eve. Four or five cars with chairs are
In waiting for the excursonlsts. The Highlands OF
Nayesink loom up on the right, their SUBMITS
crowned by villas and small white houses nesting
In q scant green foliage. Tearing along, view Is
now and then permitted of the fishermen uortn Of
Beabright and other small settlements, which are
the consequence Of the growth OF Long Branch
like the barnacles that may be founH clinging TO
the bottom OF an old packet ship The lower strip
Of Sandy Hook has beautiful sea front, and there
Is o railroad way station to which the name OF
Monmouth Branch has been given The growth or
this tract has been wonderful during the past
two villa after villa, every one different In
construction and handsomely built, can be seen
for miles long before get to the station OF Long
Branch. Hundreds Of thousands OF dollars have
been made by the holders of miserable sandy lands
through the successful efforts OF spectators 10
build up series Of watering place suburbs in the
vicinity OF Long Branch Fabulous prices have
been received by the old residents for plots sand
shrub that could not have been bestowed asa gift
seven years ago on the most wretched squatter.


AT THE RACE COURSE.


There IL dismal squeal from the laboring loco
motive and we are at Long Branch. 1t looks like
Southern town on a gaia day, the Jdfddes OF the
houses are SO white, the is so hot and red, and
the sky above all IL so blue in VS. dome, hanging
over deliciously rare1ed atmosphere. They nut
ter from tower and window, and bevy OF girls
and children gather to see who shall descend IRON
the incoming train. After few moments delay
the excursion train pushes on In the drec
tion of the race track which is reached II
dfteen minutes. We have passed little shallow
and creeks and nelds OF waving grain and corn
and patches OF cabbage and onions and potatoes
all cultivated by the thrifty Jerseymen who have
found mch a remunerative market for their PROD
uce since Long Branch has gotten It's Aladdin
like growth And occasionally we see stray Gov
grinding her nose In the brittle sand ana iain
grass. Out OF the car window we can see TN
Monmouth Park race course, shaped ike th
girde of Venus the centre Geld deepening IN greer
color, and the American coors Tying rom th
pole on the roof OF the grand stand.