The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-04


The present appearance and condition of Castle Garden
and the Battery Is dsgraceful in the extreme How
place Of public resort deservedy famous for ele
gance and beauty has been allowed to fall into ruin and
decay without any Intervention on the part Of the city
thories good substantial be given but
there be the shadow Of doubt on the mind Of
any person who will take the trouble 10 pay a visit to
this place and contrast the Battery II with the Battery
~ 1t has been, that tho Innovations which have been
made upon this beautiful spot in the Of i'm
provements by selfish specuators ought never 10 have
been permitted by those who mad the power prevent
them. II is evident that the derived from the
lease Of Castle Garden form equivalent for the de-
structon OF the boding which is rapidly progressing
and must eventually be consummated some movement
TO save 1t be not made before il too late.
The tout ensemble of the place doy and miserable In
extreme. Thanks to The original ntsnIon for wni;n the
fore erected there is strength enough In ITS solid
walls and firm foundation 10 resgt the rough usage TO
which has been long and is sn exposed alone
from "wind and weather, put from the hofdes Of i'm nj
grants who continually pouring ils pqec Bat
we except the strength and durability OF tue etitce
there IL nothing lett W boast Of Every align OF order
symmetry and beauty has vanished. fhe cod and
walls are "gray with the mdew's wing" In oneor txo
places may be the persnins Of some
scal plants which iuxuraaty and threw forth
blooming flowers. The p&in is alnos, altogether scrapsd
from the walls and even the inscription wa,cn tJld
the stranger the name OF the place is very nearly
completely deiaced. The only progress seng made
is to be found in the inclpent dungb,lls around
the building The beach has been gwen 40 70
wandering ragpicker, who nov assemble there in con-
waters OF the river spreading them Out 10 dry along the
Shore where they present tang out Appearance OF
decency aud cleanliness 70 say nothing Of The offensive
exhalAlioos Issuing th.rerom. Where these
not empoyea the beach ;upIed by sosrnen,
draw up their crails there and carry necessary
parr Il would be impossible 10 enumeraie the h.tny
pools Of water which have been permed 70 settle in all
parts Of the horoughare 10 the OF the Battery rhese
not only dangerous and dsareeabe TO persons walk
ing there Calculated 10 prove destructive
health after the waters become ssgnant they must Of
necessity breed injurious diseases.
The grounds have also suffered severely from neglect
and inaftept,on. Tho walks" irregular tnsy
we'll be; and In some cases where rees have bees
down protrusiops from toe root have been len
Ter the purpose OF canning travellers 70 stune The
grass plsis 10 have been given up long ago. - al
traces Of order or cultivation have dssppe~rec Where
the grass hiss not been away by the feet, but IN
sprtneng up into green lire with the bamy breath OF
spring profasion Of wild woods ostead OF being erad
Gated also left 70 flourish. Many OF the ane tai trees
in dyirg sate-he result or evident carelessness
and negcct-wnilc others will never show forth
branch again some Of these natural ornaments u the
Battery which planted st much aud expense,
appear 70 have been recsessy barked oy oilers ssymg
into the place. and plain that II be not bestowea
IL In very short time there viii be but few trees
remaining. me benches for the comfort aud con-
venence Of vsers have either rooted been taken away
and burnt and in the few places where some pieces yet
remain, they so begrimed with dirt and hh that
perion coua sit them without destroying his Clothes
The lamps and lamppos's the only things within the
the stoars which once formed the disclosure been
taken asay and are now scattered along the shore The
iron rails are rustDg for the want Of paint aud this 10 not
be wondered when II Ia known mat part or these
have been appropriated by the washerwomen In the
vic'rity 70 hang tnen clothes upon.
With little attention this place, now 20 dapdatd end
dsorgznized may be restored 70 In wonted beauty aud
public usefulness The Battery has been OF tue finest
and most popular places Of common resort and anuse
ment. and the ground could be once moro maze go
bloom and blossom the rose" As
landing place for immigrants the Castle Gar.
den In than useless, and with the
crowds OF these self expstated and women Collected
dirty gates, and basrng At full length
At the sides OF the buiidpgs,k bo1y and alex in soul
1t presents Appearance which may veil be ass,mlas
cd 10 that Of azr house II no, Incompatible with cha
ri,y 10 the stranger arriving here immigrant with
out home and shelter that TIE Battery should ce
cd into other uses; for the immigrant st be taken
OF BY those who Assist them. AZ pubic qnes-
ton, do not think will much o,ger remain unsettled.
Castle Garden, a. II is IL nothing than a ridiculous
misnomer. To entisle 10 ~ name, and 70 render II
peafng and attractive place garden IN WORD aud 10
really be purecd OF iu impurities and restored 10
pristine beauty tina, there be longer
plant against those who have mr. been Instrumental 10
destroying ~ nor sgainst the city authorities for permit
ing s destruction and decay 70 progress without inter-
Yup