The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-16
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

IA1HTOuNT pABk This dcll8hUui place OF
resort and pleasure has assumed very marked
improvement within the last few months. Under
tho management Of the new Commissioner Of
City Property, John W. Leigh, ESQ, and Mossrs
Sidney and Merry, Civil Engineers, the park has
undergone quite a change. We observe that the
stately pines aud trees have been trimmed aud
dressed and the das1a.c appearance that was
once notices able has disappeared.
The terraces and lawns have been greatly inn
proved. The shrubhory has been neatly trimmed,
and many new trees and plants have been added.
The walks have been widcuCd and freshly
grayclcd. The city authorities have just erected
a beautiful marble drinking fountain. The low
ground on Landing avenue, connecting tho Park
with the water WO.ks, has been recently graded
and beautifully laid ont in drives and walks and
90 now being planted with choice tree and shrub
berry which will greatly improve the Park
Among other improvements we notice Two
beautiful lakes with jets, which add 70 the beauty
Of The late desoate-ODlins glen on the west side
Of the mansion. But the crowning novelty Of
The Park is the cedar fountain, In close vicinity
to the lakes, which is nothing more nor less thsn
a stream Of spring water running out of q cedar
tree. lt 10 amusing 10 see the crowds Of visitors
locking TO ascertain from what quarter the water
proceeds.
Israel V. James Esq. Of the Twenty first
Ward has the superintaudeuCe of the floral and
ornamental department, and 10 his good taste the
public arc mainly indebted for the improvements
made.
UlouwAY RonnrRy.-This morning two indi-
viduale, giving the names of Stewart Uagan and
Francis Quinn, were before Alderman Patched
upon the charge OF highway robbery. About
halr-past 10 O'Clock last night young man
named William Muln vas stopped by three
men at Tweuty-sixth street and Washington ave-
nue.. The villains demanded what valuables he
had in his possession. Mullin hcsitntod some
what, upon which ne was knocked d0wn, and his
pockets rdcd of pocket book and watch lie
then jumped up and ran Off. lie got into a pas
stDger car, thus getting ahead Of the highway
men. AtTUenty. and Lombard streets he
met officers Taylor and Boner, and the three
went back in search of the robbers. The officers
spied them under o lamp.post engaged in exs-
mining the booty they had obtained from Mullin.
The villains, noticing that they were watched,
| started oil. They were pursued but one Of them
! succeeded In making his escape. The other two
| were arrested, and gave the names mentioned
| above. They we're committed for trial. High
way robberes are Of frequent occurrence in the
western part of the city, and are generally in
| dulgCd in by the few remaining members Of the
| notorious old geDg of SChuylkill Rangers, nearly
all of whom have been hung or are now in the Peui-
tentary. The police in this section are very vigi-
ant and il is rare case for any act Of vandalism
| TO he committed that the perpetrators are not
brought to justice, as in the present case
LITERARY SocIEuEs.-It may not be known
to the generality Of the young men Of our city
that there has FOR years existed, in a hourishing
condition, a number Of societies formed and
conducted entirely by young men, whose aim is
to cultivate their love OF literature aud powers
| of debate, About seven years ago such unions
were remarkably fashionable, but like other
| mauius III disappeared, and most Of our citizens
! supposed that all the organizations died with
| their popularity. Several have, however, for
years continued to exist; aud there are, at the
| present time, four such in o hOIrishiug con
diton.
There has been lately formed new association
which bids teir to take its place 6t the head OF all
such literary unions. The members of the
| Hun boldt Literary Union, finding that t was
| easier TO re-create than to correct the evils of
| their constitution, dsbauded their society, and
| ut once took steps towards the formation Of
| another. A large number Of new members have
| joined, and the Philolathean promises to be u
| decided institution in our city. 1t meets on
| Friday evening, at No. l09 North Tenth street,
wbe its second meeting will be held this evening.
| All the young men OF our city W0uld do well TO
| connect themselves with some such association.
| They are always welcome, and will, we doubt not,
find them both interesting and instructive.
THE SKATING SEAsoN.-Our skating parks are
now in excellent order, and doing good bus-
ness. Our city railroads carry passengers directly
to these ponds, and one Is situated at the end Of
almost every railroad. The advantage OF these
! ponds is their safety, the depth of water being
| sufficient to make good skating, but not sufficient
TO endapger any one if he should break through
| diminished by he shallOwneS5 Of the water, and
consequent greater thickness of the ice. The
moonlight lights afford a fine opportunity for IN
dulQirg the taste for this exercise. Tue parks 10
operation are the Philadelphia at Thirty first and
| Walnut streets, and the Gray's Ferry.
THE FAIRNoUNT DAM.--Councils were asked
yesterday to make an appropriation for the pur-
pose Of enabling the Chief Engineer Of Water to
make repairs to the eastern end Of the Fairmount
dam An examination made y few days since
! showed that the cribWOrk which supports the
| dam had given way Tor distance of thirty-tW0
feet and fifteen feet in depth and that the dam
| at this point was slowly settling. The work Of
repairing the damage will be commenced imme-
diately.
| EXTINGUIsHNG FIRES my CoNTRAoT.-Ar
effort will be made at the next meeting Of
Councils to reorganize the Fire Department il
such way as to reduce the expenditures Of said
| Department An ordinance is now being prepared
| by direction OF the Committee Of Councils, which
provides that the Mayor shall enter into a con.
uact with some responsible party or corporation
to eXtinguish fires at cost not exceeding $4,000
| per anuum.
CONsECRATIoN or CHURCH.-The Church Of
the Eyangelists, in Catherine street, above
Seventh of which the Rev. Samuel Durborrow
| is Rector, will be cons seCralcd on Sunday next by
Right Rev. Bishop Potter. Confirmation will bC
celebrated in the same place, in the evening, by
Right Rev. Bishop Stevens.
! How rO DrrTpE TrrR OrPsTToe- --rVhpra hpino