The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-10-15
The Celebration OF the Introduction OF the
Croton Water into thu city or New York.

| Yesterday was the preud,,st day for the city OF
New York, that its inhabitan is have seen since the
| discovery OF this part of the world by Hendrck
| Hudson, and as we believe since the fast anchor
ed isle OF Manhattan emerged from the general
| deluge!
1t was the day of the Great Croton Celebration
For several days previous, thousands of strangers
had been pouring into the city from all parts of the
country, to see and join the procession until there
must have been at least 20O, 900 strangers in the
city, making an aggregate with the resident inhab-
tants of halt million of souls congregated in our
streets
Nothing could exceed the enthusiasm or the ex-
cltemeni occasoned by this glorious event The
streets were cleaned, admirably for once thanks
to the Seventeenth street inspectors ofwhom our I'd
ward, rosy-iaced Jack Hill, was the Chairman The
Superintendent of Hacks, Isaac H. Brown, also did
his duty by clearing the streets in the line of the
procession of all the carriages, hacks, carts, and
other vehicles and every thing was done that pru-
| dence and energy could accomplish to make the
whole pass off without Interruption accident, or
annoyance. The day was beautifully fine the sun
rose in unclouded splendoi and majesty Scarce
cloud bedlmmed the blue vault of Heaven, and it
seemed, Gf in the description OF sublunary matters
we may use the expression,) that the Supreme
| Ruler of the Universe looked down with delight
upon this celebration of an event. fraught with so
many blessings to the Queen City of the greatest
| nation upon ca nth
The celebration commenced at daylight with the
roar OF one hundred cannon, and all the fountains
in the city Immediately began to send forth the linn
pd stream of the Croton Soon after this, the Joy.
Gus bells from hundred seepes pealed forth their
merry notes TO usher in the subsequent scenes. AT
andbetore this moment, over half million of souls
leaped simultaneously from their sumbers and their
beds, and dressed themselves for a gladstone gala
day-a general jubilee.
| Inc necessary arrangements of breakfast, indis-
pensable as they were, were soon despatched. And
| in very few minutes afterwards thousands of hui
man beings wendell their way into the great streets
and avenues through which the procession was to
pass. Long before nine o'clock all the windows,
houses, sidewalks, balconies roofs, awning posts,
lampposts ridges, hydrants, chimneys ratings, trees
and every conceivable spot on which foot could
touch was occupied by anxious spectators each
"straining for the start" which did not commence
for two hours afterwards The streets in every d.
rectlon leading to the route of the procession was
crammed with the living, moving multitude. Old
men of 80, tottering side by side with feeble inan
cy, mingled up with females of every age, rank,
throng Fourscore and forgot its iniirmity, and
| woman aforementioned the deicacy of her sex, TO
| catch even passing glimpse at the procession
| The preliminary arrangements of the presentation
of the banner to the Fire Department by the Mayor.
and the reply thereto we have given below, to-
gether with the full details of the procession But
pen can do justice to the scene itself, and part,cu
larry to that most important portion of it, the spec.
| ta,ors.
Beginning at the Battery, which was crowded
with gazers throughout the extent of the line,
nearly seven miles, every W ndow and housetop
| was crowded, mostly with low ely female faoos.
From the Bowling Green to Union Square, il was
nothing but perfect of heads, indepen dent of
the procession itself, and the blaze of beauty up
Broadway was absolutely enchanting. We really
think we speak within bounds when we say that
$4,000 women were Spectators for this space alone
The upper part of the city early made preparation
for the expected pageant. Grand street, in partcu-
lar, through which the procession was to pass, was
thoroughly swept clean. All the hydrants were
playing, creating bubblng brooks down either gut
| ter, from which the water spread by men sta
toned for that purpose over the whole surface of
the street, alaying the dust, and giving it clean
and cool appearance The houses, being favorably
situated to view the passing scene were in order
betimes. The open windows filled with beauty
and fashion, in their best array of bibs and tuck
ers," and smiling faces. Pipes from the hydrants,
at alternate corners, formed small but beautiful Jets
d'eau At the Of the Bowery beautiful
fountain sent the leaplng waters sparkling towards
heaven. In all directions and in all forms the linn
ped waters met the eyes. The star OF temperance
seemed indeed to have Illuminated, and the
blessing of abundant water duly Appreciated
| ID
appearances. That lovely spot open to the
public, and filled with the gay, the young, and
the fair,' as well as with the aged and the ugly.
The splendid mansions which surround this Or
nament to the city, contained myriads of milf
tary faces expecting the march OF the water wor-
shippers who were to pass them in review AT 10
minutes before noon the distant roll of the drum
was heard, when the fountain in the centre of the
Park began to play. Its column of sparkling water
was thrown fifty feet into the air, and the multitude
of smaller pipes that encircled the basn threw their
minor streams inwards as if bowling in Difference
to the superior vigor of the main Jet At IL M. the
head of the column reached the square, when the go
rous sun bursting from the clouds which encrced
him, Illuminated the His rays, reflected from
the sparkling waters of the fountain covered it with
a beautiful rainbow.
On they came that glorious pageant, company
after company, battalion succeeding battalion dvis-
ion after division COMMUNICATING the square as they
| came up Broadway and returned down the Bowery
The military succeeded by the civic officers
among whom the busy hum distinguished his Ex-
celency, the Governor Of New York, with his suite
A roar of laughter burst from rank and file, from
street, square, and houses, echoed back from
heaven as a barouche passed the house of S B. Rug
giles, Esq., and little red headed man stood up in it,
and raised his hat, which salute was returned by
bouncing coored lady dressed In white, and sur
rounded by splendid cushions on which she leaned
forward from The window, surrounded by bevy of
pale but beautiful damsels, not unlike queen of
| Sheha amid her Georcan slaves The lengthen