As I sat on the verandah of the ------ Hotel the other morning, gazing
on the broad expanse of Ocean and wiping the perspiration which trickled
from my lofty brow, (the thermometer marked 90 degrees,) I could not
help recalling the beautifully appropriate lines of the celebrated bard: 

    “When the sun’s perpendicular rays
      Begin to illumine the Sea,
    The fishies exclaim in amaze
      ‘Confound it! how hot it will be!’”

What a pity that the Bathing here has a drawback.  I refer, of course, to the Under Tow, which has caused some Untoward accidents.  Those who have experienced it, say it is impossible to keep your Feet when caught by the Under Tow.  Presence of mind is indispensable in such a case, but, unfortunately, timid swimmers are too apt to lose their Heads as well as their feet.  Some of the lady visitors are Beautiful Swimmers, and their Divers Charms excite universal admiration.  Many of these fair Amphitrites are so constantly in or on the water that it would hardly be a Fib to call them Amphibious.  Their husbands and brothers are, I regret to say, not so much On the Water, preferring something a trifle stronger semi-occasionally, if not oftener.

You know what a popular amusement crabbing is here.  I seldom indulge in it myself, as I have bad luck, which makes me Crabbed.

Our “distinguished guests,” as Jenkins would say, are very numerous, and it is truly an edifying sight to see judges, legislators, eminent politicians, and other “Heads of the People” bobbing about in the water together.

Some folks don’t seem to care what they spend when they come here, and no sooner arrive at the Branch than they Branch out into all sorts of extravagance.  There is some superb horseflesh here just now, and the fastest nags may be seen doing their Level best on the Smooth Beach.  The Race Track, Grand Stand, &c., are all that the vivid fancy of a punchinello can paint them.  The bathing costumes! who can do justice to them and their lovely wearers?  Some time ago, (as I am informed,) a lady made her appearance on the beach as a Nereid.  Did you Ne’er read of the Nereids, Mr. Punchinello?  If you have, you are aware that they were the Sea Nymphs of the Ancients, in other words the Old Maids of the Sea, who never got married, and frequently played Scaly tricks on Mariners.  The Nereid referred to was arrayed in pea green and spangles, with green tresses, which is very well known to be the correct costume of a mermaid of antiquity, copied from the latest Paris fashions.  This Spritely lady was, however, unprovided with a tail, which was Unmermaidenlike in the Extreme.

You know how brilliant the Hops are, so I will Skip them.  One thing, however, is worth noting.  At some of the Hotels they have a Spread on the carpet before the dancing begins, as well as a supper afterwards.  The excellent music of the Hotel bands is Instrumental in drawing crowds of listeners to the Ball rooms.  Some Chinese Jugglers gave an entertainment here the other evening, but I didn’t go, not being in the Juggler Vein.  Yours Reverentially,