New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-01
TIE TURNER'S FESTIVAL.

Thssh Wa festival of the Tnrner6Nnd was fairly
;;,;s.etsye.ierday BY ten o'clock the cars of the
Second and Third avenue Railroads were the scene OF
lively excitement 10 the efforts of the peasuteseckcrs
10 obtain sitting etandiDg room sufficient to enaOe
them 10 reach Yorkvilie at cheap rates. EXCURSION
boats too left at different times TO convey sucn as
desired to reach the grounds BY water. fiags were
hoisted or windows decorated in many OF the lager
beer Jroseres, and other places OF pubic resort by
the Germans the upper part OF the city; and there
WAS every indication that the turn out of the people
would exceed by far that at any previous ceebra
ton. Conrads Garden situated above Eightysixth
street, between First avenue and the East River
Yorkvile, the place settled for the festivals On
either side Of the lane leading thence, underneath
The shade trees, and indeed scattered Owe
the grounds, were lager-beer booths, lagsr-beer
stands with portentous back ground of lager
beer barrels. Vautng bars, and the other
appointments of gymnesiums, were arranged on
the grounds Intelligent creatures, determined to
avail Themselves of the advantages Of the multitude,
were ready With chair attached to spring balance,
10 give the weight of any person at the moderate rate
of cent a head. Acute youths were present also,
who generously offered to give the public sixpence
each who should be $50 fortunate as to ring malt
bv pitchipg rings at horizontal board studded with
eplkSe; oPpoituuiNy tHuo oOOOiuoN suV
public to make their fortunes, "only cent pit III"
was asked Melon stands abOunded. Pretzels
scattered about the place with prodgalty that was
alarming to the individual vendors thereof, each Of
whom had anticipated small fortune as the result Of
his investment. Cigars, as villainous as were ever
e1ecrated by connossour in country
tavern, were beseechingly plenty, and anxious
candidates for humiliation. Pickpockets too,
were present professionally, evidenced by
the numerous complaints made of lost porte
monraies ard missing purses. About one hundred
members Of the Metropolitan Police were distributed
as q precautionary measure about tho place, in the
event of any interference by outsiders which might
lead to disturbance; but the day passed off quietly
and the position of the officers was little else than
sneowe. Lastly, Mayor Wood was present, aud in
full view of the admring Germans he evinced his re-
gard for their character and institutions by draining
glass Of lager, after which, in characteristic speech,
he proceeded to give them the of his most
distinguished consideration with evident squirt to
the approaching contest for the Mayoralty.
At Il o'clock the steamer and barge arrived
from Tenth street with the New-York Turnve-
rein, the delegations from abroad, and the
different singing societies. Arrived at the landing,
procession was formed, and with music, flags and ban
pers, they marched to the grounds, and preparations
we're made to commence the exercises OF the day;
which were soon commenced, and continued up TO
late hour the afternoon First the junior branch OF
the Turners-the boys under eighteen years of age
went through their gymnastc exercises and groupings,
and evnced careful training This was followed in
the afternoon by rare novelty in these parts called
a boat tournament. About two dozen young men
were divided into two parties, distinguished by the
red and blue caps respectively wore, and dressed
in tights got into boats in the East River and forth
with contest with blunt lances was commenced be-
tween them. 1t was kept up for nearly half an hour
before the victory was lost and BY mutual con-
,ent. when party found himself knocked overheard
and HounderUg about in the salt water he was per-
mitted to regard himself minus quantity for the
rest Of the fight At last Of the begerent parties
was compelled to cry peccari.
Next followed swimming match, 10 which dozen
competitors swan for the prize. While these exer-
cises wers going Oh, bands of music performing
10 enable others-and they were namerous-who de-
sired to dance to indulge in that amusement. The
singing societes too each under its respective tree,
would sing their gees and choruses in many instances
with fine execution but limited appreciation, each
person or oote,ie in pursuit of enjoyment on his
own hook and was in vice disposed to accept the
catering of others. Hoops abounded, being about
equally divided between the ager-beer kegs and the
ladies. Lager.beer flowed in unceasiug abundance,
aud though competition brisk yet prices remained
steady-6ve cents a glass being the quotation
throughout the day.
At6oclock the assembled multitude, which did not
number iess than fifteen thousand began TO disperse
and each car reaped harvest Of dmes-the average
car load being about seventy-ive persons.
The festival will be continued to-day.