The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-26


servatoFies, or museums, or the formation OF Bo-
tanic garden, and various other objects) for which
Jones' Wood would be too small, end by reason Of
its proximity to the river, i'll adapted. a.. !.
Upon full confederation Of the evidence which
has been presented to the committee, and from par
tisl acquaintance with both plots of ground, from
personal observation the undersigned has formed the
opinion that The site Of the central park is unques-
tonaby that which presents by far the greatest ad
vantages for the public use and convenience. And as
the undersigned has had the misfortune to disagree
in his opinion from that arrived at by the Senators
(Messrs. Beekman and Bartlett0 with whom he has
to state briefly some reasons which have influenced
his judgment in reference to the subject The park
is asked Of the Legislature, on the ground Of its ne
cessty for the health of the city, and for the conve
nience and enjoyment of the citizens. a#t
In the first place, we must include both provi-
sion for ventilation Of that which we expect will
become densely populated neighborhOOd, and the
convenience of its position for ready by the
greatest number of the inhabitants for the purpO-
ses of air and exercise. In both these respects, it
it appears to the undersigned that the central To-
cation. simply from its position being approach
able on either side by the Fifth and Eighth ave-
nues, affords advantages which no change Of cir.
cumstances can ever impart to :" Jones Wood"
While its situation can never interfere with the
rapidly augmenting traffic of the city, which has
already been advelted to, and is, in the opinion Of
the undersigned. a circumstance OF no little weight
and importance in favor OF that locality.
II has appeared to the undersigned that in COM
pairing the eligibility of the two Sites the relative
size Of them should alone determine the question.
To provide park for city now numbering 600, 900
or 700 900 inhabitants and which is rapidly ncreas
ing and likely to increase for generations to come,
of hundred and sixty acres only is to disregard en-
tirely, the wants even OF our own times But when it
is remembered that we are now asked to provide for
O population. which no thinking man can suppose
will be bounded, otherwise, in few years, than by
the utmost limits of the island ITSELF It very clearly
appears to the undersigned that the large site OF 760
is far less than European experience shows to
all who conversant with the subject, is the rela-
tive and reasonable requirement Of so vast a COM
munity.
The late lamented A. J. Downing, the greatest and
most accomplished landscape gardener we have ever
had in this country. writing in the Horicuturi for
August, 1851 Up. 346,) Of the project of public
park in the city Of New York, says
Five hundred is the smallest that should
while it may he obtained. five hundred acres may be
selected between Thirty ninth street and tb Harlem
river GLIDING varied surface Of lane good deal OF
which yet waste that the whole may be pur
chased for ething like million OF dollars. In that
there would be enough to have broad reaches
Of park and pleasure grounds with real feeling OF the
breadth and beauty of green fields, the perfumes and
fire. shDess If nature 10 its midst would be located the
great reservoirs of the Coton form
ed into lovely lakes of water covering many
and Tightening the charm Of the sylvan accessories by
the finest natural contrast In such park the citizens
could have the substantial delights Of country roads and
country scenery and forget for time the rattle Of the
pavements and the glare OF brick wallis Pedestrians
would find quiet and secluded walks when they wished to
be solitary and broad alleys filed with Thousands Of hap
Ply faces when they would be gay The thoughtful den
the would out there in the morning hold
with The whispering trees, and the weared
Adesmen in the evening to enjoy an hour OF happiness
by miDging in tho open space With al the worh
ally grow out Of great park like this, in great city
like New York, suggest themselves Immediately aud
forcbly Where would be found fitting position for
noble works OF art the statues monuments and build
ipgs alive at Of the great men OF the
tion Of the history Of The age and country and the
. verdant would gradually grow up the wealth
Of the city increases winter gardens OF glass Like the
great Crystal Palace whore the whole people could luxu
rate in groves OF the palms and spice trees OF the
tropics 1t the moment that ssighipg parties gded
swiftly snd noseessly over the snow covered surface OF
he country like Of the wntry park without
Geological gardens, like those in London and Paris
would adga,ly be formed, by private subscription or
public fund.- where Thousands of old and young
would frd daily pleasure in studying natural his
tory. illustrated by all the widest and strsnEest ami
sls Of the globe, almost much at home in their psd
docks ppes, if in their native forests; and horti
cultursts ana industrial societies would hold their
nual shows there and Of the would
sBe place IL spacious bulsng, Sitin the park Ia
fng than in the noise and din OF the crowded streets
OF rle city.
Even The central site of seven hundred and sixty
acres, in contrast with the park conveniences con-
neced with the great cities Of Europe appears to be
entirely inadequate TO the growing requirements of
New York, which has already attained a population
equaling a fourth Of that of London; and that city
plantations within its own precincts, or in the imme
date vicinity Of the town. which are always accessi
BILE and open at all times to the enjoyment of the
population. Many of the private parks of the nobi
ty OF England have from one to two thousand acres
within single enclosure with broad roads and well
dressed paths reaching in all the directions, dotted
with great spreading trees, all planted and maturey
grown. Even Dublin has her great green park Of
two or three thousand acres; while Paris literally re-
poses in landscape, park and public garden scenery
Of Undesirable beauty, extent and richness.
The great garden Of the Tuileries, dressed out
with statuary, fountains, and groves, and broad
bright flowers, is the daily delight and admiration
of all Paris; while at little distance from it, you
pass through the great fountan-embellshed square
or Place Louis XIV, you enter the woody Elysian
! fields stretching quite out to the great triumphal
arch Of Napoleon and still beyond this you may
| drive for many miles through the immense Bots de
| Boulogne-a vast and wellpreserved plantation OF
| full grown trees intersected with broad, smooth
| carriage roads and graveled walks. Nor is this
scarcely beginning, for short drive farther on
the outskirts of Paris you may luxuriate every day
in the year in the freedom OF three thousand acres OF
imperial grove and flower gardens at Versailles,
lively and beautified with gushing fountains and
loaded with the rich spoils Of art and surrounded
with astonishing architectural grandeur and mag
nifcence!
Nor is this ALL you have yet to wander through
the great royal hunting park and pleasure grounds
at Fontanbleau; and then you may return and sit
down in admiration beneath the leafy groves OF st
Cloud. and regale yourself with the fragrance Of
those fowerclad and beauteous grounds, full OF joy
Gus faces and bounding hearts; nor need you stop
here for you have yet other ample fields OF pleasure
grounds for exploration where the swelling tide Of
populous Paris flows out daily to breathe the pure
air of heaven-a reason, perhaps, why the people Of
that gay city are the merriet and most joyous Of
| any in the world.
/ Nor is the lovely metropolis Of Austria, the gay
and beautiful city Of Vienna, less rich in landscape
adornment, or less amply provided with park plan
lishment, than light, volatile, pleasureconsecrated
Paris. There, for miles, you may drive or walk
around her lofty and well preserved ramparts, be
meath the rich foliage of well trained groves
studding the green glacis, spreading out it,
ample borders and encircling, as with zone
OF beauty, the loveliest city in Europe; while
beyond this green breathing belt of refreshing
fields, glowing with myriads Of happy beings, charm
ed with delightful music, which is always there, yor
! have another and more modern town Of surround
ing suburbs larger than the city ITSELF end encirclinl
entirely both the green glacs ard the ancient town
and you have only to pass beyond these suburbs
and you in the great world-amed Prater Of Wen
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