The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-18
washins ton Heights the Great Subu :,

streets and avenues of the region II sasr ngton
Heights, in the Twelfth ward Of this city, have
been very properly rejected The owners Of the
property themselves are the best judges Of the
manner Of laying out the ground, and can do it
without the expense, risk or humbug involved in
the appointment of commissioners. They have
the deepest interest in II, and the best right to
the control of the plans and the expense attend
ing the work. They ought, therefore, to meet
Immediately, agree upon design, and submit it
to the Legislature. As matter Of course it will
be adopted and the proprietors-the parties
concerned-will be thus saved from expense, de-
lay and chicanery and the natural beauty of this
magnificent ytauboswg will be preserved both to
the present generation and to posterity.
Where God and nature have done 80 much,
there is little left for the ingenuity of man. All
that is wanted are two or three avenues run
ming parallel with the Hudson river, and
at short distance from it, to be inter-
sected by a few cross streets-neither avenues
nor streets to be constructed on the rectangular
and dead level system destructive alike of health
and beauty, but to follow the natural siuuosiies
and undulations of the ground, embracing every
variety Of wood and water, hill and dale Purest
springs issue from the heights, sufficient not only
| for the use of numerous inhabitants, but to sup
ply natural and artificial ponds for fish The air,
fresh and untainted, dry and elastic has salu
tary effect on the lungs and braces up the ner-
vous system. For the artificial construction of
such a suburb as this, which we possess as gift
Off nat pho1,s font Of oth
would pay an enormous sum of money, if SO
great an enterprise could only be accomplished
Instead, therefore, of doing anything to mar its
beauty and utility, we ought to be thankful that
it is already formed for our use and enjoyment
upon plan better than the art Of man
can devise. 1t needs no drainage, for it
has been drained by God Almighty him
SELF 1t only wants to be let alone. The
natural forest, which in this country is so fast
disappearing in the vicinity of Cities is still
left in pristine beauty on Washington Heights.
peopled by the feathered songsters from the
south, which visit us at the opening of spring,
some on their way farther north, and some to
tary with us to the fall, building their nests in
the branches and making the air vocal with their
| sprightly simple music, while they lend delight
to the eye by their gay, many-colored plumage,
and their sportive merry movements, so innocent
and so gra'efu to the human heart The ruthless
war waged against these little birds around New
York, rendering the winged tribes once so fami-
liar now rare aves, is prohibited on Washington
Heights, and with this protection their numbers
will continually grow. Quail and squirrels, if
introduced and encouraged, would also increase
and multiply-the sweet notes Of the former and
the nmble feats of the latter would crafty chill
dren and all unsophisticated minds. Thus, the
merchants of New York and other citizens can
have for themselves and their families rus in urbe-
the country and city together-whch is the high
| est attainment mortals can reach as regards
earthly habitations. For such is the convenience
of the situation that it is only one hours dis
| lance from the centre of business, and there is
| every variety of access-by steamboat, by rail-
road, or by private carriage.
When the winding road through the Gen.
| trail Park is finished, in about year, the
drive from Washington Heights to the upper
part of the city will be beautifully for Central
| Park is on the wey, and will thus minister to
the pleasure of the residents of the splendid pla-
teau comprising Upper Mahattanville, Caravans
vile, Fort Washington and Tubby Hook near
Spuyten Duyvel Creek and Kings Bridge
The browning point of this elevation known as
Washington Heights is Fort Washington-the
| highest point on Manhattan Island. The view
from it is of the most charming description, ex-
| tending up the noble Hudson as far as Sing Sing
and downwards below the Narrows, with some.
| times two hundred sail on its bosom, in single
group, at the entrance of the stately Palisades
while westward meets the eye that great ma
tural wall, cleft in the solid rock by the &C
ton of the river; and to the east, as far as the
Sound, stretches lovely valley, dotted with
| farm houses-even the blue Sound ITSELF with
the white villages glstening on its shores; Long
Island, and old Ocean beyond are within the
range of vision, and form part of this grand piano.
rama. To enhance the interest of the picture,
| the ground whereon the spectator stands is
holy--the classic ground Of the Revolution and Of
history The remains of the earthen fort, from
which Fort Washington derives its name, are
still to be SEEM and within the last few months
some of the cannon balls which played their part
in the war have been there exhumed by acct
dent. One Of the fiercest and most bloody strug-
giles of that eventful period was fought for the
possession of Fort Washington. 1t was the key
to the Highlands and the interior of the State,
and hence Of great importance. Every conside-
ration and every surrounding circumstance COM
bine to render this the most delightful and pic
turesque suburb in the world-a fagJoury Of
beautiful villas.
Great speculation is going forward in lots
around Central Park, which are commanding
very extravagant prices The ground about the
lower part of the Park is decidedly unhealthy,
and the speculation there is foolish. That in the
neighborhood Of the upper part is the reverse,