The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-18
THE VISITING FIRE COMPANIES
ovATIoNs TO TEE STRANGERS
All of Which Shows that Some Things
Can be Done as Well as Others,
&C., &c, &c.

Can be Done as Well as Others,
&C., &c, &c.
The trennal parade OF the New York Fire Department
took place yesterday Great preparations had been made
extending for months back to render this parade worthy
of the Department and Of the city Engines had been bur
nshed up, reprinted regilded and decorated without re-
gard TO expense Hose and hook and ladder trucks
had boon put in their best and looking condition
Flowers had been culled, wreathed into garlands and
formed into monster bouquets grace the light and e
giant looking machines which iremen are so proud Of
New uniforms had been ordered the red shirts that
had service and that had lost their brightness
laid aside for every day use, and others
Of unexceptionable gloss and texture procured. The
frecaps with their longitudinal ribs of steel to protect
the head from falling mbers and showers Of bricks were
freshly polished and their ficngs reprinted In short
the members of the Department spared expense in
striving make, individually and collectively the neatest
and most dashng turnout that had graced streets
OF this Empire City.
And they succeeded-how we'll the tens Of thousands
OF people that thronged the route of the procession can
answer. Not since that first Of September when the
laying Of the Atlantic Telegraph Cable was celebrated in
New York, the streets denseIy packed as they
were yesterday. From Brooklyn Jersey City, Hoboken,
Staten Island and all the suburbsof New York spectators
came in thousands The morning lowering portentous
clouds overshadowed the sun, and wea,her-wise folks
expected that rain would spoil the parade. OF course
this apprehension must have had its effect diminishing
the number Of spectators, but still would have bean
difficult to realize that fact AS usual the weatherwse
were mistaken. Now and again few drops would fall
and people would seek TO under the awnings soon
they would emerge again reoiced to find that CLEAN
sunshine disspaied the threatened shower And so il
continued throughout the day If the did not shine
brightly and pleasantly on the scarlet shirted
procession that stretched from the CITY Hail
avav NUN cEprg STR ipfn tba iohtt
avenue at least the rain did not come to
those shirts, dim their Brightness and send the
partment has good TO be thankful to the pluvia
powers and have the many thousands Of people who
came out to see the parade.
PRESENTATION OF THE CITY BANNER.
The earliest feature in the days programme consisted
in the presentation by the civic authorities of splendid
banner to the Fire Department This took place in the
forenoon. Our reporters record the event in these
terms
In accordance with vote OF the Common Council pass
ed some time since, splendid new silk banner was pre-
sented to the Fire Department yesterday forenoon just
previous to the parade and procession The banner had
several days in readiness open to inspection at
the City Hail. where the theme Of universal com
mendation An accurate and minute description of the
banner appeared in the HERALD of Sunday which we
repeat
OF heavy double silk, nine by twelve feet in size
One side is of the best blue Italian silk, known the
Marie Louise quality. The tableau on the face is EN-.
braced In an oval and consists OF representation of
widow her children rescued by fireman. The Cod
dess Of Protection riding upon the clouds in the back
ground presenting the keys of the Fire Department to
Neptune who with his Trtons awaiting orders upon
the brink of the sea The figure of the water god is
srkngy delneated Charity placing in the hand of the
widow money and points Cornucopa her feet as the
earnest OF future plenty Below Of the symbo
Iica emblems Of the department. the whole appear
rounded by clouds of smoke from the summit of which
appear two smiling cherubs. The principal inscription
on the face is"New York Fire Department, chartered
March goth, 1885,
The diverse side of the banner painted upon royal
purple silk and consists Of repetition Of the representa-
ton of the biowy fire clouds, in the of which is
large oval bearing the Of the city of New York most
uniquely formed by the rope that drags engine Above
is medallion containing view OF the Firemens Monu-
ment in Greenwood Cemetery below are the remaining
cmbemac types of the department. besides representa-
ton Of the certificates of membership and Dismissal be-
tween which, at the bottom OF the banner, is hydrant
with two lengths of hose, artsticay introduced in the
whole picture Inc motto on this side Is Presented
1857 The banner, for sze grouping, design and exc
cuton, stands unrvaled the history banner paint
in brilliant and distinct relief which renders them easy
,dscernble at a distance, and yet finished with soft
ness OF touch that will compare favorably with many
1t was executed by Joseph H Johnson, young artist
of this city The banner is superbly trimmed with gold
lace and tasseIs 1t cost 81 500.
The frame is Of polished hickory, with the iron frame
work gded On the top are an eagle and Fire Depart
ment emblems
The preliminary arrangements having been completed,
the great banner brought front Of the City Hall
and displayed TO the public gaze and received with ap
pause. At nine O'Clock Harry Howard Hook and Ladder
Company Nd H. to whom had been assigned the honora
BILE duty Of carrying the banner, drew up line in front
Of the banner Protection Engine Company No o. formed
the left and Exempt Engine Company on the right and
other companies constantly arrivng with music extend
ed the line, forming a very effective scene. The
Mayor came out of the City Hall at halfpast
nine O'Clock, preceded by his mace Of Office, and
approached the banner, having the President Trustees
and other officers of the Fire Department on his right
hand and the Engineers of the Department his left In
the stood the members of the Common Council and
other city officials Of the city government. The Mayor
was saIued with patriotic airs played by Noll's band,
after which he read the following presentation speech
MAYORS ADDRESS
The Common Council Of this city, recognizing as al
ways has the heroic and sefsacHcng devotion Of the
hremen Of New York in the performance Of duty, APP
propriated in the month Of November, 1857, the sum
OF niteen hundred dollars for the purpose of procu-
ring banner TO be presented TO them behalf of the
CITY Inc work, entrusted 90 well to the supernten-
'dence OF committee from the Board Of Representa-
tives, mas peen nnsned and this beautiful banner on
emblems Of the Department are SO hanpilv combIned
now only awaits the formay Of presentation the dnty
of which hss been assigned to me- before becoming the
accordance with the resolution Of Common Cnnncil \;
Is worthily designed. accept the duty as an old COM
rade OF yours and ~ the chief magistrate Of the CITY with
feelings Of pleasure and prdeof pleasure that the
raj rood order excellent discipline and great eciencv
which at present characterize the Department so well de-
serves from the city Of New York this mered tribute 70
fits worth; Of pride that the gaanry OF our young
acr6cing v0untoeTg dev0ted 70 the noble and humane
nurpoec Of saving the lives and property Of their fellow
citizens from the saxase q thai dsstrncve element fire.