The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-22

The Crowns AT THE CENTRAL PARK-The
scene presented by to Central Park Ga
Saturday last affords . b. asfsctory indica
tion Of the influence which .'at institution
Ii likely to exercise over the tastes ana
future habits of our city population. VAS nam
oers Of persons who hitherto have had no iadnt'e-
ment to seek exercise and fresh air, will be drawn
to it BY the variety of attractions which it will
hold out There 10 nothing more injurious to
the health OF q population than the excuses fur
nished to Incidence by the absence Of convenient
places Of recreation. II was to nupply the stimu.
LUIS thus required that the ancients encouraged
public games, chariot races and contests Of the
athlete.
From the immense crowds that are already at
some idea can be formed of Its future
popularity. All classes, rich as well as
poor, seem to feel that 1t meets the prin-
cipal want that has been experienced
in their respective conditions. To many the
advantages of wealth would be nothing without
an opportunity for Its public display. The fact
is not creditabIe one. we admit, but it is NOT
peculiar to our community. In the great cities
Of Europe there would be little inducement fo'
the purchase Of handsome equipages If there
were not parks in which they could be shown of
to advantage. The rivalry thus created has its
benefits for the working classes 1t distributes
amongst them the wealth which would otherwise
accumulate in the hands of monopolists, aud
affords them in their turn leisure to enjoy the
blessings of the pure air and pleasurable recrea.
ton provided by these parks.
But there is another respect in which th.
Central Park is likely to contribute largely tt
the future attractiveness and prosperity OF New
York. When the Crystal Palace of 1858
was opened here, it will be recollected that i,
drew immense crowds Of strangers to the city
The hotels were overlooking most Of the time
and not only did hotel keepers, but the general
trade Of the metropolis, benefit to an incalcula
bic extent by the influx. If an attraction which
was go purely artificial, and which had so much
actual humbug about it, was sufficient to
overrun US in this way, what will be the result
when the Central Park, with its natural beauties,
its marvellous creations, its delightful prone
nades aud drives, its throDgs of fashionable
equipages, and its various other picturesque and
animated features, will be within reach of enjoy
ment? Its effect sooner or later, must be to re-
volutionize what is called the fashionable Sea-
ron, and, lin London to bring strangers to town
in May and July. The thousands who come to
the Northern watering places from the South ano
West will prefer spending the summer months
in New York, where in future they
will find all the attractions that the
European capitals can boast Of With
park which will be second to none in the
world, the bathing facilities which we shortly
hope to see established, and summer amusements
without end, they will have combined here all
that the gsyest of capitals and the most delight
full ofwatering places can furnish for amusement
and health.
With such prospects before us, it is gratifying
to find that every possible exertion is being
made to push on the works In the park. This
fall one of the principal carriage drives through
the full extent ofits area will be completed, and
by the spring it is expected that another large
addition will be made to the portion of the
grounds already opened to promensders.