Year: 1873

ATLANTIC CITY, August 4, 1873.


"To the sea side direct in one hour and forty-ave
minutes" We cross the river at Philadelphia In q
miserable tub OF a steamer; we run against sand
bar and suffer long delay; swerve in sort of
round about course and finally take our seats in
the cars. The rain is immense. One locomotive
tries in vain to drag the cars. The driving wheels
revove like lightning but the train itself does not
move an inch 1t Is divided IN the middle. Away
gdes the first division, but ours is left behind In
few minutes however, an engine backs down,
strikes us with bump, and then we roll slowly
through Camden. BY us glide spires and chimney
tops, factories and car shops, until leaving these
behind, our train at last iults its mission and be-
comes lightning express.


We rush over country slightly rolling, through
fields OF corn and clover, through landscapes OF
orange and green Cosey homes dot the region
here and there, nestled Oftentimes in groves OF
waving trees. On we nv until we reach Hammon-
ton, where for the first and last time we pause.
Here hundreds Of ragamuiins throng the cars with
apples, peaches, pears, and berries; water, lem
Onade, candles, ana cigars. At the shrek OF the
engine they disappear, and of we fly again on our
rattllng course. The aspect OF the neghborhood
at once becomes changed. There are no valleys;
no hills, for nature on every side is dreary





through squa!id pines and plains of grass and fern
on on at furious rate, right towards that dreary
black thing approaching US as rapidly as we are
approaching it. In q moment more we IN the
midst of it. 1t surrounds us as with pail; 1t
breaks over our head in urid gleam and our
ears are deafened with laundering crash


THE CLOUDS DIVIDE


The rain falls in torrents, windows are lowered
and we swelter in the heat. The storm is fright
iul, and shadow hangs over the country almost
as dark as the night. Egg Harbor village, like a
spectral city. looms up before us in vivid CLEAN
and disappears the next moment i'm the inky
backness behind, until ut las: the storm is passed
and windows are raised in the sunshine. But we
do not pause. On the contrary, we pass through
meadows in which the dry grass and parched to-
bacco leaves indicate plainly that they have es-
capped the raging Storm Sand, sand, moth
ing but sand. Melon patches look sckly
and dead, and the grim pine trees are black
with smoke and name. Suddenly we see bright
fire on our left. A spark from the engine ahead OF
has kindled the grass, and the plain is sheet OF
lurd, cracking fire. The hevaing sheets OF canvas
stretched over the wheels from one end OF each
car to the Other prove entirely insufficient to
keep down the rising dust. 1t is dreadful. The
current OF air created by the flying train whirs the
sand against the dry leaves bordering upon the





closes around the cars like clouds OF smothering
smoke Grains of sand strike the face and prick it
like so many needles. They penetrate the eyes
ana ears, and really find their way everywhere.
The car Is full, and we dare not let down the
windows. 1t Is almost as impossible to
discern your neighbOr as IL is TO recognize
friend in the middle Of London fog. This pro-
gramme is kept up for miles, then cool breeze
Unexpectedly sets in, the dust disappears and
pools OF brackish water are seen one after the
other, as far as the eye can reach. We nearing
the sea; indeed, as we round curve, we can
catch glimpse OF the mural crown Gaping the
lighthouse ana family see spires and distant flags.
The atmosphere is delightful; nothing could be
more refreshing. 1--WE are going over the marsh"
says some one, and in an instant everybody is in
good num0r. The air is salt and cool and in
vigorating.


WE GLIDE THROUGH ATLANTIC CITY,


right down its main avenue, past ali its grand
hotels and lowy cottages, but do not pause for
moment. The avenue Is crowded with people;
the balconies are black with human orms the
portcos are dazzling in their gay costumes Every
body on the street ID Laughing and shoutine wav-
ing nandkerchieis and bsddinQ us hearty welcome.
Straight to .<he llghfhouse we go, and there we
stop. Here iew people, get or when the train
slowly backs down the avenue. 1t pauses before
every NOtcl, WHOSe pdtrOHS at once HIRnJ tO IDN II
negro waiting to carry Their baggage to the very
door. We leave the cd1S at the United states,
where a first class band Is discoursing ele-
CANT music. Here we are at the sea-
side at last. The United States has no vacant
room neither has the Mansion, nor any other
hotel or cottage on tho island. We spend an hour
in finding place to sleep, and are at last informed
that the best we can do will be to take cot in the
shall We agree. wash our hands ana face in a TIN
pail change our linen and take a stroll through
the city.


Atlantic bears about the same relation TO Pha-
delphia as Long Branch Oears to New York. AS
We have already shown they are both reached after
o dusty ride or the most tedious nature ana The
railway communications leading to each In point
OF pad management and miserable acc0mmo-
dation are precisely the same. Stlll any one
who has visited both OF these resorts will,
| think, be ready to admit that this city Is, In
every respect superior to the Branch, while the
fact that hundreds have left Cape MAY since last
season and reared tasty and commodous cottages
here, WILL OF ITSELF be Sufficient 20 show that 1t is
increasing In popularity and extending hospitality
70 thousands Of newcomers every year. Eighty
two new dwellings, nave been constructed for the
present summer, and 1000 people arrived by rail
on saturday, so that to-day the avenues are
crowded and the th0roughfares alive with hand
some turnouts. Upon the beach lovers walk arm
in-arm, down upon whom the "Old folks" smile
complacently from the balconies while the bathers.


ROLLING AND TUMBLING IN THE SURF,


oil the air with their glad and happy shouts. the
grit, and possesses In point Of fact all the good
qualities which we have failed to find in the beach
OF Long Branch.


Those same distinctions existing between New
York and Philadelphia are seen also at the sum-
mer resorts OF EACH In the Quaker City wealth
is perhaps little more evenly distributed;
greater number can enjoy the luxures OF the sea-
side, and all social distinctions are based upon
family and culture There Is less gaudiness Of dress
here than at any other resort have ever visited,
and any one who deviates extrayaeantIy from gen.