Saratoga and How to See It Part 11

King is the pastor. Residence Phila street.

The Episcopal church is nearly opposite the Methodist, a recent edifice of stone most pleasing in its architecture. Rev. Dr. Camp is the rector.

The Presbyterian church is a large brick structure, some little distance up Broadway, and beyond the new Town Hall. Rev. Mr. Newman, pastor.

The Baptist church is a brick edifice on Was.h.i.+ngton street, near the railroad. Rev. E.A. Wood, pastor.

The Congregational church is directly over the Post Office, on Phila street. Rev. N.F. Rowland, pastor.

[Ill.u.s.tration: TEMPLE GROVE SEMINARY--REAR VIEW.]

The Catholic church occupies a commanding and agreeable location upon South Broadway, just beyond the Clarendon Hotel.

The Second Presbyterian church meets in Newland Chapel on Spring street, near Temple Grove Seminary. Rev J.N. Crocker, pastor.

The Free Methodist chapel is on Regent street.

A list of the services, and the hours of holding them, is published every Sat.u.r.day in the daily _Saratogian_. The _Saratogian_ is the "old established" paper, and seems to be as firm in its foundation as the rock from which the Saratoga waters issue. Eli Perkins informs us that Saratoga was named from the _Saratogian_. Col. Ritchie is one of the spiciest editors to be found.

The hall and reading-room of

The Y.M.C.A.

Are located on Phila street, nearly opposite the Post-Office. Daily prayer meetings are held from 10 to 11 A.M.

Real Estate,

While not exorbitant, as at Newport and other watering places, the prices of real estate in Saratoga, as might be expected, are somewhat higher than usually reign in villages of its size. The value of real estate is enhanced very much yearly; the _average_ rise, for several years, has been about ten per cent per annum. The size of the village and the number of the resident population--now about 9,000--is constantly increasing. Numerous and costly dwellings are being erected on almost every street. The village _thrives_, and it may be confidently hoped that, with its numerous and peculiar attractions, this beautiful valley will ere long become the center of a vast population. Educational inst.i.tutions and manufacturing interests should flourish here.

[Ill.u.s.tration: M.E. CHURCH, SARATOGA.]

There is a great demand for tasteful cottages for summer residents.

As a permanent home, Saratoga is delightful and attractive. The climate is excellent. The home society is very pleasant, and uncorrupted by the flash and glitter of the summer carnival.

At one portion of the year the most distinguished, cultivated and wealthy of our own country are gathered here--and sight-seeing can be done at home and on our own door-steps. The many blessings which follow in the train of wealth and culture are found here. Travelers from other climes who visit our country seldom return until they have drank from these celebrated fountains. An opportunity is afforded in the various pulpits of the village to listen to the most eloquent preachers of the day. The schools are good, and presided over by persons of skill and experience.

Those of our readers who desire more particular information in regard to real estate and permanent or transient homes in Saratoga, are referred to Messrs. Wm. M. Searing & Son, of Ainsworth's block.

Hack Fares.

Saratoga cannot be called extortionate. Unlike Niagara, its prices are not exorbitant. Most people like to drive a fast horse, and they can do so very reasonably here. A nice single team can be obtained a whole afternoon for only $3, and a n.o.bby carriage and coachman will carry a party to the Lake and back for from $3 to $6, at any time during the season. Hack fare, in the village, is 50 cents for each pa.s.senger; baggage, 25 cents each piece. An elegant turnout, including coachman, can be leased by the month for $75, and this includes the exclusive use. Excellent accommodations for those who bring their own teams can be obtained for from $8 to $10 per week for each horse. Over three thousand private carriages are here every summer.

[Ill.u.s.tration: DRS. STRONG'S INSt.i.tUTE, SARATOGA.]

Drives and Walks.

The most fas.h.i.+onable drive is the new Boulevard to the Lake. Until recently there have been few attractions beside the gay and brilliant procession of carriages with their fair occupants and superb horses.

The drive is four miles in length, with a row of trees on each side and one in the middle. Carriages pa.s.s down on one side and return on the other.

No sooner have we turned by the Congress Spring than we are in a long level reach of plains, dotted here and there with trees of pine and fir, with a few distant hills of the Green Mountains rolling along the horizon. It is a city gala at the hotel, but the five minutes were magical, and, among the trees and rural scenes upon the road, we remember the city and its life as a winter's dream. The vivid and sudden contrast of this little drive with the hotel is one of the pleasantest points of Saratoga life. In the excitement of the day it is like stepping out, on a summer's evening, from the glaring ball-room upon the cool and still piazza.

Near the outlet of the lake, on a bluff fifty feet above the surface of the water, is

Moon's Lake House,

One of the features of Saratoga. There is a row of carriages at the sheds--a select party is dining upon those choice trout, black ba.s.s and young woodc.o.c.k. The game dinners are good, the prices are high, and the fried potatoes are noted all over the world. They have never been successfully imitated. Are done up in papers and sold like confectionery. The gayly dressed ladies indulge in beatific expressives as they feast upon them.

[Ill.u.s.tration: DINING ROOM GRAND UNION.]

A capital story is told of Moon, the proprietor--indeed, he tells it "himself." A few months after one of his "seasons" had closed he chanced to be in Boston, where he hired a horse and buggy to drive out to Chelsea. When he returned and called for his bill, the livery stable keeper charged him about six times the usual price; and when an explanation of such an extraordinary charge was demanded, replied, "Mr. Moon. I presume you do not recognize me, but _last summer I took dinner at your Lake House_." "Say not another word about it, my good fellow," responded Moon in his turn, "here is your money."

Mr. Moon always has something nice _expressly for you_. When his liability to loss in so doing is considered, his prices will not appear so exorbitant.

Those who with Prior,

"Charmed with rural beauty Chase fleeting pleasure through the maze of life,"

will be pleased with

Saratoga Lake.

It has nine miles of length and two miles and a half of breadth. Many and varied scenes of interest and grandeur occur within this broad range of water and sh.o.r.e. The whole lake is replete with quiet and gentle beauty, striking the beholder rather with admiration than astonishment.