Long Branch (with illustrations) [pp. 253-257]

No. 1SO.-~OL VIII.]
SATlTRDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1872.
[PRICE TEN CENTS.
LONG I3RANCH.
WIT~ ILLUSTRATIONS nv GRANvILLE PERKINS.
LONG BRANCH is frequently described
as distinctively an American watering
place. What special idea is intended to be
conveyed in this phrase is not elear, but, no
doubt, it is often interpreted to mean that
this summer resort has a louder tone, em
ly American in having no atmosphere of ex.
elusiveness about it-in permitting an independence of action that is notably metropolitan in its character. Long B ranch is, in fact,
the metropolis transported to the sea-shore.
The assemblage is motley. There is elegance,
for enjoyment may take, he is sure to find
plenty of people to keep him in countenance.
If he likes display, he discovers that display
is too much a matter of course for special
attention or criticism; and, if he likes plain
manners and simple pleasures, he will find a
braces more vulgar display, and has generally just as we find elegance on Broadway; but
greater bustle and gayety, than other watering there is also shoddyism, vulgarity, unpreten.
places. But Long Branch is really only dis- tious simplicity, quiet taste, and blackguardtinctively American in so far as to include ism, just as we find these things "cheek-byamong its visitors a great range of social jowl" on our great thoroughfare; and, no
rank. Everybody goes to Long Branch, the doubt, it is this mingling of people that gives
rich and the poor, the fashionable and the it its great charm. Everybody does as he
vulgar, the high and the low. It is essential- pleases, because, whatever direction his taste
host with similar inclinations. Even the
ladies may be independent. For, while a
good many do dress with brilliancy, still
there are equally as many who make unpretentious and quiet toilets. This independence
of action inevitably pertains to very large and
numerous assemblages. It is only in small
watering-places that people have the o~~~ortuE~,rooao, acrordiog to Act of Coogreaa, a the year 1872, by D. Arr~a~ & Co., in the OSico of the Librarian of Coagreaa, at Waabingtoa.
T~E DRIVE.