The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-25


TERY.-The improvements now in progress of ex-
ecution at the Battery, although encroachments
upon the Bay, will render that park, for such
we shall then be entitled to designate it, one Of
the best situated and most agreeable prone
nades in the world. Exposed as it is on almost
every side to the refreshing breezes that are
waited over the broad surface of the bay, and
enjoying in its abundant foliage the advan-
tage of protection from the scorchng rays of
the summer sun, we know no spot that can at
all be compared to it. And yet this charming
retreat is abandoned by all our would-be fa-
shionables for the exposed sites and stunted
vegetation of the upper squares and prone
nades, the Battery being left to the enjoyment
OF those whose judgment and taste are unfetter-
ed by the arlntssry dictates of conventional
folly.
One of the most delightful characteristics of
French and German society is the freedom
with which all classes mingle together in pub
lie, without trenching upon the prejudices or
privileges of each other. In their public gar
dens and promenades we find high and low en-
joying in common, and without the fear of the
aristocratic losing caste, those gifts which the
Dispenser Of all good intended should be shar-
ed by man alike. 1t is, in truth, only preten-
tious vulgarity that apprehends being con-
founded with what it is pleased to designate
the common herd" The really we'll bred are
those who have the largest amount of indul-
misplaced aristocratic pretentions that is main
ly to be attributed the discredit into which the
Battery has fallen, although other causes have
no doubt contributed to it.
The contiguity Of Greenwich street, for in
stance, which from o first class quarter has sunk
into a sort of German settlement, if that term
can be properly applied to a floating population
Of emigrants, has very much detracted from
those features which formerly rendered the Bat
terry such tavorite place of resort. The latter
bas become sort of lounging place for the
denizens of that not and over-crowdcd locality.
and as necessarily among the thousands Who
follow each other in rapid succession from the
old country, there are some who are vicious and
depraved, it is not unfrequently the scene of
outrages, which have given it an equivoca repu-
tation. Had the police but properly discharged
their duty, and put in force the regulations by
wAich the public gardens and promenades of
other great cities are kept free from the posi-
biiity of the occurrence Of offences against pub
lie safety and morals, the objections urged
against The Battery would never have been
heard Of They are, however, part of the bene-
fits that we owe to that precious system Of city
government which has been too busily occupied
in looking after its own interests to protect
those of the community
Now that the enlargement of the Battery is
about to add to its attractions, and impart to it,
MS 1t were, new character, il is worthy of con-
sideration whether the objections to which we
have alluded cannot be removed, and the prone
made itself rendered, as il once was, one of the
principal features of our city. With regard to
the difficulty suggested by the neighborhood of
Greenwich street. we do not think that it will
long be suffered to continue in it's present xate
The necessity of opening great lateral tho
roughiares for Inc relief of Broadway is daily
forcing itself upon the public mind, and one OF
the FIRST movements in this direction will be to