New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-07-25

cd Of nature, and love al! iorns OF beauty, with
such passionate intuition ~ The answer 10 in
the question; for an earnest love Of beauty al
WAYS feeds itself. You know il is told of rustic
poet, in the ancient time, that his envious master
shut him up in chest but the bees came to
him, and fed him with the meal and dew Of flow
ers, 80 than within the walls Of his narrow pri-
son he passed pleasant time. Nature never
forpcts the soul that loves her, but ever sends
winged missionaries, TO feed it with the dew Of
flowers.
Instead of quaneIing with New York for what
it is not, thankfully accept it for what it is;
beautiful city, every year increasing IN beauty.
Between the North and East river, twelve noble
avenues already stretch out their long arms into
the woods of Harlem and B!oomngdalc. These
avenues arc spacious and airy, and large hand
some houses shoot up on them, as if by the magic
of Aladdin's lamp. 1t rcireshcs the eye to sec
increasing taste for stone or lead COLOR rather
than the hateful rcd Of bricks. Verandahs arc
likewise more and more in fashion, and have
exceedingly pleasant effect, with their light eri-
entail open work, like Valencicnnes lace in cast
iron. II you pass along one of these avenues, in
the cool hours Of the afternoon, you may see
troops and troops Of children, jumping rope aud
chasing hoop round the fountain Of Union Park
and if the sun is setting brilliantly, rainbows
dodge about the spray, as If playing bo.pccp with
the happy little ones.
On another of the avenues, dwells lady
whom my heart blesses every time pass her
house. She has embowercd 1t with vines almost
to the chimncy.top; flowers peep through the
open fence and from the arches of the piazza,
she has suspended vases of Otuheitan gerauums,
and other pennant vines person whose dwell
ling thus smiles upon the world is Il benefactor Of
the human race, and | feel grateful, as | do to
one who wears sunny face, and speaks IN
cheerful tones.
Among the many attractions of this handsome
CITY, there are none universally enjoyed as those
furnished by Croton water. We not only have
the three large fountains 10 refresh us with their
graceful motions and cooling sound, but in vari-
GUS gardens and Enclosures, pubic and private,
little marble nymphs, tritons and dolphins
playing pretty with finely spun showers. have
often thought whether or not the clcpsydra CT the
ancient Greeks could be introduced, in which
minutes were marked by falling watcr.drops, as
by sand in the modern hourglass If the public
could count time by these liquid diamonds, it
would he graceful invention. One thing the
people really need and munifcent Croton could
give il as well as not. We have no free public
baths. The wealthy can introduce water into
their chambers, or float on the bosom of the tide
in the pleasant baths at the Battery but for the
innumerable poor, this is luxury that can sell
dom, if ever, DO enjoyed Open bathing around
the wharvcs is of course prohibited and the Ia
boring man has TO walk three or four miles 10 OBJ
tain privilege so necessary to health. Ii the
city would provide huge covered basin, with a
sprinkling fountain in the centre for shower
bath, it would be a noble donation to the poor
True, the water-tax already falls heavily on the
rich; but this would not greatly increase it
Luckily, our wealthy citizens did not forescc the
expense of introducing Croton, or they would
probably have been frightened from the under
taking. The highest estimate four millions,
and it has cost over fourteen millions. Voted for
by thousands who have ne property, and paid for
by tax on property 1t 10 a pretty powerful APP
pcation of practical Democracy but the bless
ings are 30 great to all classes that there is very
little murmurng among the capitalists. To me
there is something extremely beautiful in the idea
of that little river, lying 40 many years unnc-
ticed among tho hills, her great powers as little
appreciated us Shakspcarc's were by his cotcm.
porarcs, and, like him, all unconscious of her fu.
ture fame, and now, like his genius, Brought 10
all the people, perpetual fountain of refresh.
ment If ever man deserved II monument. it is
he who first devised the plan Of bringing Croton
River into the city. His statue ought to be
crowned with water lilies by llygeia, and its feet
be washed by the Naiades from their flowing
urns. But it so happens that his name is as un-
certain as the birthplace Of Homer. No matter.
II his soul is as large as his deed, he will care
little for the credit of it.
The prettcst OF the small fountains about the
city is at the Albania. This is place OF refresh.
mcnt, in Broadway, gaily fitted up in the Moor
ish style, with laccwork lattceS, eilded crescen,s
alcoves painted with hills and streams, and a
tasteful collection oil small s,aluary, among shrubs
and vines. Under II canopy i'll the centre, Hchc
pours water from her Vase, into opcn.wo,k
basket of gildcd wirc. y hollow gilded ball in
the bias et is kept in perpetual motion by the
column of water, as ii tossed by Chinese Jug
gler The effect is very pleasing. A band OF
musicians play at the Alhamra every summer
evening. They must be difficult to please who
are not satisfied 10 eat delicious ice.cteam with
30 MANY agreeable Accomplishments OF sight and
sound
Numerous public gardens, with alcoves for re-
freshment, are among the pleasant features which
New-York has copied from foreign cities. AT
Castle Garden the admirable brass band PLAYS
every evening. 1t has splendid exhibitions OF
fireworks and rope dancers but 10 me lis chief
attractions are the fine music, ami its beautiful
situation on the Battery, overhunging the bay and
commanding view of the neighboring islands.
It is pleasan, TO sit there and listen
"While the fair waters look as If they lar
Their cheek against The sound and vert kissed away
However sultry the day may be, there is always
refreshing breczc on the Battery, in the even.
ing. Indeed this remark is true of the CITY In
general, and is doubtless one grea, reason WHY
there is SO little sickness among such dense
population. The natural healihiness of New
York cannot be destroyed by the mos, negligent
Police. Thus the vigorous constitution of youth
will throw off great ceal OF disease; and the
United States, strong in her extent oil soil and
uubounded resources, has remained prosperous
under an amount of corrupt government which
in half the time would have ruined the richest
nation Of Europe.
At NibIo's Garden, too, the fireworks are
osgeous, the yope.dancing unsurpassed, and its