Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-06-22
THE GAZETTE.
THE GERMANS In NEW YORK.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUNE -, 1859.

are JoueS'S Wood aud Conrau oaiu'h, oii
the East river. The first Is a beuutiui
growth of native American forest trees,
stretching from Sd and ID Avenues to the
East river, between 65th and 18th streets
In the midst of this undulating and variega-
ted grove, near the bank of the East river is
fine old mansion, with colonade plazzas,
from which fine view ~ had up and down
the river. and of BlackwelPs Island, oppr-
site. The wooded area Of some % or 10
acres, contains almost every variety OF trees,
growing in a state of nature hel"ngingto the
American sylvia. Among this noble growth
may be seen three or four varieties ct Amerl-
eau oaks, fue wild poplars or tulip trees
(Hrdeadron tutigtera,) at this season In full
bloom; maple, beech, walnut, hickory. sweet
gum, elm and other trees, besides smaller
growth Of dog wood. wild cherry. &c.
1t is rare that such splendid forest is
seen within 80 or 40 minutes ride of the very
heart and centre of the city. and approacha-
Die by two lines Of city railroads, besides
steamboats,, which every Sunday convey to it
Germans, and others, by tens Of thousands
They flock to the cool shades of this renar
kable forest to breathe fresh air and regale
themselves. On the river may be seen every
variety of water craft, from the steamboats,
crowded with visitors down to the smallest
sail or row boat.
There are any quantity of tables. beneath
the spreading trees seated at which, may he
seen any quantity of men, women and chill
dren. drinking lager beer, and eating coarse
rye bread and German cheese. Others are
seen partaking of ice cream and cakes, while
others. again, drink lemonade. while near
ly all the adult males were smoking. Ger
man waters were running in every direction.
trays in hand, answering in German to
German calls for refreshments. In one
place was German music; in another, tur-
nerverin, athleta, climbing posts and ropes,
or turning sumersets, like so many stalwart
and giaht-lke balloons. In other places
were dumb horses and carriages, driven for
ward i'll q circle inside of platform, tpro-
PEELED by horse beneath on which men,
women and children were riding ut six cents
each. In another place, men and boys were
seen firing iron pointed missi les, guided by a
strip of worsted, from spring rife gun, at
a target, ten to twenty feet distant, at one
cent shot. In another place was seen men
with scales ready to weigh customers, at one
to two cents, for all sizes, each. In another
part of the grounds, was seen a raised floor
of planks. some twenty-five feet square,
shaded by large trees, with raised seats at
one side for musicians and SPECTATORS
This is the dancing floor, for those wishing To
engage in il on week day festivals. When
the woods are illuminated at night with III
Vulnerable lamps, they give to all the scene
a most striking effect la another place
was seen bowling alley, at which some
lusty young Germans were vigorously eyer-
cising their limbs. In another place, or in a
small intervening green valley, between two
slopes Of hills, was large circular enclU-
sure, in which some half dozen or dozen
saddled dOnheys were to let, for ride around
the course Of seventy-fye to one hundred
yards. The donkeys were kept at stall in
the centre. They were in eager 'equisition
by both boys and girls, as well as now and
then of grown man, whose feet nearly
touched the ground when astrIe them
The scenes that turned up between the
obstinate dOnkeys and their awkward III
ders, raised shouts of conNulsiye laughter
amidst "a vast concOurse Of spectators. The
donkeys would seem to be endowed with sort
of Knowledge as to the time ii persons ride
was up for when he thought that his rider
had been sufficiently served, he would give
unmistakable signs vi ali imInoveable halt,
and If the rider persisted i'll beating him I"
force him forward, he would suddenly kick
out his heels from behind, throw his head
down, aud pitch his rider forward to the
ground, when the most vociferous peals Of
laughter would proceed from the assembled
crowd outside the course. On landing his
rider on the ground. he would trot off To the
centre to Join his companions. Occasionally
"A race would be started between two donkey
riders when instead Of all the whipping and
beating that could he applied, each donkey
would instead Of running seem to be trying
to see which could walk the slowest. to the
great chagrin and disappointment Of their
ambitious riders. Now and then donkey
would get up steam and make lirst-rate and
rapid trot around the ring. while others could
only be moved by the keeper following them
and beating them on the hips and legs, which
they received with every symptom of ill-will
and resentment, expressed by an occasional
kick in the rear. Nothing seemed to afford
So much merriment to great and small, as the
donkey riders.
In another quarter, III Il quiet green nook or
corner, might he seen genteei German fami-
lies quietly enjoying themselves, while their
children were tumbling about over the grsen
grass in playful moods. Such is Junes's Wood
in New York on Sunday. Conrad Garden,
on the East River. opposite 9ath. street, York
vile, presents nearly similT scenes to those
at Jones s Wood. The more rel,g'" us portion
Of the city have appealed to the authorities to
put stop these Sunday amusements of our
German population, Which the latter have
resisted contendipsss that they are innocent,
and that they ,.re the habits Of '..father'and,"
which they have brought with them; aud that
this is, under the United States Constitution,
free country. They now enjoy themselves as
usual, every Sunday, in their own way; and
candor compels us to say, that however oblec-
tionable their Sabbath amusements may APP
pear TO Americans, althoug h from 8, 900 u TO-
600 persons of all ages and sexes were on the
ground last Sunday, the utmost good order
prevailed. There was no drunkenness, N"
riots, no fights; and even an unprotected and
properly behaved lady would have been Just
as safe from rudeness or insult, asthouSh she
were seated in parlor in fifth avenue
Opinions, however, differ on the subject
of such use of the Sabbath. But as the
half of Sunday is observed as holiday nearly
all over the continent, and especially Ill tue
Catholic countries, the Germans can hardly
he blamed for keeping up amusements onthat
A IL l.. ln,~ al. tad !,h An