The Elite at the Seaside
Some Gossip about the Loungers on the Piazza.
Among the numerous on dits and attractive chit-chat which you offer to your readers, I think you have overlooked one of the fashionable resorts of San Francisco. I speak of the balcony at the Cliff House on a Saturday afternoon; so, as I was among the fortunate ones enjoying the healing breezes there a week ago, I propose to give you a few notes of whom I saw. The date was delicious, old Boreas having softened down his bluster to what, for San Francisco, was a gentle zephyr, and the double attraction of a fine race at the Agricultural Grounds, and the chat on the Cliff balcony brought
L.L. Robinson, generally termed "my uncle," don’t show today, but the niece and protégé, Miss Lucy, is using her eyes, as she well shows how to use them, to advantage on Mr. Hamilton Smith, whose blonde hair is waving in the breeze. Where is the "honest miner?" Maybe, I wonder, alas! out of sight, out of mind, I fear.
Mr. Smith arrives as the escort of Miss Cora Lyons – who is, gossip says, soon to become Mrs. Floyd. Miss Cora’s pretty figure shows to great advantage in a riding dress.
By Jove, here comes Mr. Janin, who appeared at the opera the other night as "Love among the Roses." "Exploring every place with curious eyes," there he goes to buzz the girls; somebody hand him a clove.
Close by sits young Heggin, attempting to role of Sir Charles Coddtown, for which he is too juvenile. He is calmly surveying the sea, he yawns – and declares "There’s nothing in this," and turns to give a "weary smile" to Miss Chamberlain, whom he has just discovered to be his neighbor.
Just opposite sits the stunning little widow, Mrs. Hensley, whose four in hand used to be the turnout on the road, not engaged. She is accompanied by the Gwin family. Mr. Tevis, one of our wealthy capitalists, with his jolly wife and seventeen children, are smiling near. Why, well, they always go round en famile.
How well old Waterworks Mayne looks today. They say he contemplates a trip to Europe soon. Some think it will be a wedding to tour. Truth lies at the bottom of a well. Can it be a rock this time.
Mason approaches, and without the widow. How much would it take to induce her to make up her mind?
The Stick is without his Loop and has to Price today. The Swiss horseman, Borel, is with his Mexican fiance. I wonder where they are; rumor has it he is fixing up a tidyish wigwam for his bride.
Ah, here come the three Graces from Rincon Hill – Miss Carney and the Misses Earl, the fair Julia en Amazone. She has changed her base lately from Albany. Wonder are Chinamen as "unsartain" as Patroon’s descendants and o’her sprigs from the Empire State Capital.
Mrs. Colton appears as benign ant as ever, and Chief Burke, in that wonderful overcoat, is the observed of all observers. All turn as the door clangs to, and out comes handsome Eugene. How the deuce does the fellow manage to always look so fresh?
There’s a gay young navy man gone to the d—l, I mean pretty Miss Duval, who looks as wicked as any imp, in riding dress and stylish hat and feathers.
But all things may have an end and the day wanes apace, so up old bay, and off to town again.
LAVINIA PRIMROSE