Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/58

60 of her carriage for a few moments, quietly walked himself round to the side of it, and laid his head affectionately in his mistress' lap; she caressed him lovingly for a few moments, and the party drove to the church, elated with happiness; from the church to Saratoga Lake, where a splendid supper awaited them; after which all returned to the hotel in time for the ball in the evening.

In those times they held their balls in the dining-room, and the guests then seemed to enjoy themselves more than they do now-a-days in the new and splendid hall. I can not account for it in any way, unless it is that the ladies who reigned over society then were more ambitious, and cared more for display than those who preside at the present day. They were certainly not superior to those who congregate at this attractive spot of late years, but different tastes, I suppose, will have their sway at different periods; and it matters not to what expense gentlemen may go to change the state and tone of society, it is the ladies who give it its tone after all; and the fact is, that so many new people are springing up upon the Saratoga platform now-a-days, that the old select circles are beginning to retire from the scene to more rural and quiet retreats. Nevertheless, Saratoga will always be the great watering-place of the New World. Newport has endeavored in vain to rival it; but, being at the sea-side, Newport will always have its worshipers, and so will Nahant, Cape May, and Rye Beach—especially for Western people, and those living in the interior—but for those living permanently at the sea-side, Sara-toga, Niagara, Sharon Springs, Oatskill Mountains, and Lebanon, offer the most attractions, and are always