nesses whither the primitive manners of our Dutch forefathers have retreated, and still are cherished with devout affection." The pleasure of a visit to such a place I was not favoured to indulge; but if it answers the description, it is the spot which the sons of Oranje Boven should specially consecrate to Dutch memory, by holding there their occasional festivals in rude simplicity; reviving there the recollection of their ancestors by crowning their festive boards with the very diet in kind which they once prized,-such as Suppawn and Malk, Hoof Kaas, Zult, Hokkies en Poetyes, Kool Slaa, Roltetje, Worst, Gofruyt Pens, &c. &c.

WATERING-PLACES.

"And when too much repose brings on the spleen,
And the gay city's idle pleasures cloy,

Swift as my changing wish, I change the scene,
And now the country, now the town enjoy."

THE practice of summer travelling among the gentry and their imitators, is quite a modern affair. Our forefathers, when our cities were small, found no places more healthy or attractive than their homes; and generally they liked the country best "when visited from town." From that cause there were very few country-seats in existence; and what there were, were so near as to be easily visited on foot, "not for the good and friendly too remote" to call.

As population and wealth increased, new devices of pleasure were formed, and some inland watering-places

began to be visited, chiefly, however, at first for the benefit they might be supposed to confer upon the infirm. Next in order came sea bathing, most generally used at first by the robust; by those who could rough it; such as could depend upon their own supply of "small stores," and sheets, blankets, &c. Increase of such company in time afforded sufficient motive to residents on the favourite beaches to make such provision for transient visiters as could not conveniently make their own supply. Thus, yearly, such places of resort grew from little to greater, and by degrees to luxury and refinement. It is still, however, within the memory of several of the aged, when the concomitants of sea-bathing, before the revolution, were rough as its own surges; and for that very reason produced better evidences of positive benefits to visiters in the increase of robust feelings than they do now.

"The dash of ocean on the winding shore-
How does it cheer the citizen,

And brace his languid frame!"

In this way we have seen the rise of Rockaway house and shore on Long Island; of Brighton house near Amboy; and last, but greatest in fame and company, Long Branch. This last was held before the revolution by Col. White, a British officer and an inhabitant of New-York city. The small house which he owned and occupied as a summer retreat, is still existing in the clump now much enlarged by Renshaw. In consequence of the war, the place was confiscated and fell into other hands, and finally for the public good. In 1790-1 it was purchased and fitted up in improved

style for boarders by Mr. McNight, who enriched himself to withdraw by selling out to Renshaw.

Prior to that period "Black Point," not far off, was the place of bathing. They had no surf there, and were content to bathe in a kind of water-house, covered. The tavern fare there was quite rude compared with present Long Branch luxuries. Cocoanut pudding and floating islands, &c. were delicacies not even known in our cities.

Indeed we cannot but see, that the most of former summer excursions were but for the men. They were generally deemed too distant and rough for female participation. But later improvements in conveyances and accommodations have brought in their full measure of ladies, gladdening the company at every place by those feminine attractions which lessen our cares and double our joys.

In the progress of wealth and luxury, the last device of pleasure has been the general practice of travelling excursions, now "boxing the compass" to every point. The astonishingly increased facilities of communications have diminished distances. Steam-boats transfer us to far distant places before we have fairly tried the varieties of a single day and night of their operation. Post coaches and fleet horses roll us as easy as if on our couches. New England and northern tours occur; the Grand Canal and Niagara are sought; Carbon Dale, the Morris Canal, Catskill Mountain-house, and the everlasting battlements of the basaltic rocks along the North River, form now the chief attractions. Along the base of these they glide, whilst wending their way to the crowds and festivities found at Ballston and Saratoga Springs. There the pine and sandy plains are

made animate by the city throng. The same wilds which were overrun by assaulting savages in 1745, killing and bearing off ninety of the country inhabitants, is now made the head-quarters of pomp and fashion.

The rage for travelling and public amusements is a topic upon which we feel prone to moralize. In the growing passion for this fashionable mode of expenditure, we see a marked departure from the simplicity, frugality, and industry of our forefathers; a breaking up of their good old home habits; an infraction of our professions as a plain republican people, whose rule is "moderation in all things."

If only the rich did this, all would be well. They thus benefit others and possibly do not injure themselves. Their restlessness may be as great a benefit to the.community as the motions of Prince Esterhazy, at whose every step pearls drop from his garments. But are there not too many of those who aim to imitate them, who can ill sustain the loss of time and expense? Do we not often meet with families forsaking the shades and coolness of home for the dense and heated mass of steam-boats, worrying and distressing themselves "to be in the fashion?" They have fired their imaginations with the recitals of former visiters; have heard them talk of Lake George crystals; of Canadian music and British officers; of the "dark blue Ontario with its beautiful little brood of lakelets. Some resolve to go to Quebec, just to show they have "as good a right" to see "good society," and the world around them, as their neighbours. Some, too, go because travelling is "so rapid and cheap." They see all kinds of characters on the move for fashionable resorts, and they must join the throng and "be like others." But here comes the rub.

where is the motive for patient industry and careful economy, when the savings of a month are spent in one trip to Saratoga or Trenton Falls?

Some, it is true, do really travel for their health, but they should generally set out with a good supply aforehand, or they may return from a losing voyage. Some go for information, but that is a barter trade, in which, if the dealers have little to put away, they cannot expect much in exchange.

In these travelling excursions, the ladies have latterly come in for a great share of fame as projectors. Many of them have been devised under the influence of curtain lectures and dialogues. "It is, you know, my dear," says madame to her spouse, too unhealthy and dis

agreeable to spend the whole summer in the city. It injure the complexions of myself and daughters, and makes us all too bilious and pale to be cooped up within the precincts of a deserted neighbourhood." Besides, there is Mr. A. and Mr. B. and others, all of less means than we possess, and they are already gone off to recruit their strength and refresh their spirits; now climbing rocks upon the Catskill; next sipping Congress water and tripping cotillions at Saratoga; next whirling through the eddying rapids of the St. Lawrence. The good, the indulgent husband is still reluctant; he remembers his fall of stocks; insurance losses; his faithless guarantees, &c.; and faintly pleads inability for the occasion but for him, example, and the general mover of his circle, overweighs all demurs, and the ladies and daughters go off under protection of a party of friends, leaving the good man to remain at home to see that personal and family interests are not neglected. As the dog star rages, the epidemic becomes common. Me