Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-06-13

One unaccustomed to such scenes would
think it was gala day in the city, but even
at this time, when business is regarded as
dull here, Broadway seems crowded all day
long TO its utmost capacity.
Yesterday afternoon, IN company with
George F. Randolph formerly Of Muscatine,
but now in the grocery business at 2l5
Eighth Avenue.) I went out to the gAat
Central Park, some four miles from the City
Hail. This is space Of 700 acres dedicated
IS free resort for the millions who visit it
and enjoy its grateful solitude after becoming
weary of the const mt din OF the city and
glare of innumerable gas lights. The grounds,
though not yet finished, are laid out without
apparent regard to expense, and must have
already cost the city eight or ten million dol
lars Here we found every variety of scenery
from the lawn and flower garden to the rock
covered hill, the wind ng lake, the sparkling
fountain and the forest, enlivened bv white
swan, geese and ducks swimming in the clear
waters, and wild deer roaming through the
forest shade. OF course thousands Of peo-
pie ser X this healthful rcsort daily, and all
New Yorkers are proud of their Central Park.
+ On Saturday, happening on the wharf on
North river, was fortunate in seeing the
Great Eastern cast loose from her moorings
and slowly steam off for Europe, with nearly
fur hundred passengers. She is truly
monster, being 675 feet long and large in
proportion. She is, however, generally re-
garded as q bad speculation on the part Of
her owners.
OF course no one should visit New York
without seeing the curiosities at Barnum's
museum. dropped in Saturday and though
it was not nv first visit found much to in
terest me. This museum is the most extern
sive establishment of the kind in the world,
occupying, in connection with its laboratories
and work shops, four of the largest buildings
in the city. Almost every kind of amuse-
ment which is pleasing, harmless and desire
able, is offered to the visitor. A cosmorams
department pictures forth every remarkable
place and event; dram tic department pro-
duces moral representation. with the best ar
tistic talent; wax figure department repre-
sents the illustrious dead, and promptly pro-
duces every person who at the present day
becomes famous either for crime or ability !;
and an aquarian department presents to the
visitor close view Of great variety Of beau
| ful living fish, which are moving under
water in AL the brilliancy and animation OF
their natural life. A department of living
| specimens Oh all klHUe VI UHuS Au1 AVitH"iS,
I each opposed to the other in habits and dis
positions, such as doves and hawks. rats and
cats, dogs and rabbits, with monkeys, wood
chucks, &c, presents an amusing picture Of
the harmony which care and kindness may
produce in the brute creation. This collect
4 ion is known as the ".Happy Family" To
these permanent attractions, however, Bar
nun is always adding new ones Of the tran
sient order At present he has living white
whale, walrus, young alligator. several
boa constructors and the mammoth American
bear Samson He has also the Albino chill.
dren, pleasing specimens Of the black race
but with white skin, white hair, and red
square-shaped eyes; also, Com. Nut, th'
smallest man living, together with q man
known as the lightning calculator" who
with glance Of the eye, adds up columns o
7 figures three feet long. Last week the at
traction was dog show, and to day the bab.
show begins. at which perfectly health,
infant from Ohio, weighing only one pou n,
: and seoen ounces, will be exhibited. May
} be there to see. IN
expect to start tomorrow on my returl
home ola Niagara Falls. }. NJ.