Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-06-13
LETTER FRoM NEW YORK
Greenwood Gemetery--CentraI Park---
Fifth Avenue and broadway.
NEW YoRK Cry. May 2

Use of my last to write from this city. to which
might not inaptly be applied the prophetic declar
alton concerning the Jewish race. of being "a
Z wonder and an astonishmsnt to the nations" The
metropolis of the country it bids fair to hold it
proud position as the Empire City fthe Continen
. for all coming time.
It's money kings are the most potential, its aris-
tocracy the most aspiring and exclusive. its mer-
camille lords the most daring and skilful in then
ventures. and every department of industry
whether agricultural. commercial or manufactur-
ing-haye their ablest representatives. To the ex-
preston of its opinions the nation bows to listen
From the utteranees of its Press politicians take
their cue, policies are shaped and measures car
ried. 1t is the monetary heart of the nation. at
whose pulsations gold stocks and securt es of ev-
cry kind rise and fall. No great public work ID
attempted without consultation with its merchant
princes whose yea or nay is as decisive as the de-
! crees of Fate.
Though constantly on the move. seeing new
things. I am like the mountain traveller, with new
prospects ever opening to my view. As a single
letter could barely mention them at best will no.
tice only those of general interest. Chief among
these are Greenwood Cemetery and Central Park
the fame whereof has gone to the ends of the earth
In famble oftwo hours in each. 1 met with views
and impressions that trust viii never be efaced
from my memory. The beauty of design. its elab-
crate execution, the fine artistic effects and exquis-
ite taste manifested in these magnificent resorts
must strike every lover of the beautiful with
mingled feelings of surprise and admiration.
The entrance to Greenwood is beneath a massive
arehway with sculptured lfesize Of
the Raising of the Rulers Daughter and the Bur-
ial of the Savior. under which are inscribed the
words Weep Not and I am the Resurrection
Al, 7 r, a.
ing mourners, are views of the Raising of Lazarus
sAd the Resuraection. and underneath the inscrip-
tons. ''Come Forth" and am the Resurrection
and the Life" The grief of the mourners. the
gratitude of the friends of the awakening dead,
the terror of the Roman guards and the deYout-
ness Of the relations Of the restored Savior as de-
fpicted in the craven stone. speak to the heart
mutely, yet eloquently, of the mos tnspiring doc
rines of religious faith-the resurrection and the
life everlasting.
1 The Cemetery is situated on Gowanus Heights.
overlooking the harbor on which white sails are
ever drifting like birds Of passage. There are con-
tinual alterations Of hin and dale. ornamented
4 with artificial lakes from which jets are thrown
upward. whose ripping luIls the mind into har-
mony with the quiet and loveliness everywhere
surrounding. Streets and avenues. swept and gar
nished, in tersecting in many curve enclose lawns
whose closely shaven turf is like velvet IN its soft
ness and beauty. Here repose in their last, long
sleep the dwellers of this city of the dead Above
them CLEAN the white head stones in many varied
shapes. but all alike tokens of friendship and me-
MORALS Of sorrow. The designs of China. Egypt
and Greece are here Reproduced. and pagodas,
obelisks sareophsgi temples and statues. in the
palmy days of the Orient. mark the resting place
of the departed. .l
will notice a few. and first those of our fallen
braves, First is broken shaft with the words
Fair Oaks a sword and shield and beneath the
inscription, Ours, his country's and his Gods"
and THAT Life is long which answers Life's great
ends" The grave of Major General Strong, who
fell at Fort Wagner is marked by statue of Lib
erty. banner drupcd about Us stan Ia hand
and Roman broadsword in the other. the pedes-
tai surrounded by four perehing eagles, with
non at each corner. and a sword and scabbard
crossed. A plain yet significant tablet was wood
en- head board. carved by a comrade Of the slain
soldier, which marked his grave on the field where
he fell, and was now enclosed in marble. Another
was marked by shield with pine tree and noun
tains in the distance. and the motto, g Freedom
and Unity" Beneath. the words. " By the Sword
she seeks Peace under Liberty" q.
viii now briefly no tee others. One bears the
inscription, I'VE yield this gem to deck the Savi-
VI n EecOnQ pears n Cross anu Deneatn
'Mother'-"Sister." A third has wounded dove
futtering to the earth. Another an angel, with
cross above, and the words via er4seis via lucia
Yet another represents the murder Of the person
resting beneath. still another what judged to be
the first meeting of man with the lady whose
grave it marked. 1t was the common incident in
city life of person stopping on the walk to con-
verse with lady on fight of steps. There was
no intimation to give clue to the hidden meaning
of the scene. On the grave of Rev. George Be-
thune is this inscription: " His last words were,
Speak not in eulogy. but bear testimony that 1
preached the gospel at the close of the Lord day.
The Fireman's monument bears statue of one
who lost his life while rescuing a child. In his
left arm he bears the child. the right trumpet as
if giving command. Beneath is a hydrant and
ladder with hose twined around it, and poles and
axes crossed at its foot and globes at each corner
Of the PEDESTAL The most elaborately wrought
and expensive monument is that of Charlotte Can
da. 1t is of madival style of architecture. built
on stone platform cireled by marble vasssin which
flowers are kept. and Is crowned with spires whose
chiselIing is as delicate as the traces of wintry
frostwork. It is evidently modelled from a temple
entrance, and in the recessed niche Is life-sized
statue of the beautiful unfortunate Charlotte who
was accidently killed while riding to Jets given
in honor Of her seventeenth birthday. Looking
upon the triumph of artistic skill thus wrought
out of theeOd stone. one almost accepts for truth
tie ancient myth that spirit lay entombed within
the marble, which the sculptor freed by giving it
an embodied shape and form. o This was the last
memorial uponjwhich Ilooked-the wind. soft and
low as a mourner's sigh, made lament in this city
of the silent with murmuring swell which calmed
the heart and filed the mind with images of bless
edness and peace that win ever be associated with
remembrancss Of my visit to Greenwood.
On Saturday visited Central Park. which might
Justly be regarded as one of the wonders of the
world. Here rural life is presented in truly Area
dian aspects. Smoothly shaven lawns, huge rock
festooned with vines, pine thickets in the mimic
wilderness of nature, shady groves of various for
est trees. seats everywhere intsrspersed, rustic
bridges. winding walks and drives. continually
surprising by giving vistas of beauty. hillsdes
on which the whitest of lambs are grazing, quiet
lakes on (which large white swans, the gift of the
Prince of Wales gracefully gliding. skirted by
miniature villas in which are reproduced the fan
tastc fairy-like architecture of China. India and
Greece, give them an air of enchsntment.
Flowers in full bloom, of the richest and rarest
varieties, are scattered profusely on the grounds
Fish in great numbers swim in the lakes and will
contend with the swans for the possession Of the
crumbs thrown in the water. Row boats of beau
tiful pattern and finish. with canvass awnings of
White.red and blue stripes and roEars in tasty sail
or uniform. are ever passing to and fro. The Mall.
where. on summer afternoons. fine band dis |
courses the sweetest music. the Parade and Play |
Grounds. the Flower Garden. the Arboretum and |
Ramble, which is perfect labyrinth of winding |
walks, having cave and Vista Rock, which gives |
an extensive vieE.of the Park. are very faYorite
resorts, and must ever be remembered with pleas
ure by those who have been so fortunate as to see
them in their summer glory. t.
From the Park went to Fifth Avenue. This is
magnificent street. lined with palatiaI residences
whose expense and sumptuousness viii compare |
with those of the sfistocraey of any land This is
the favored abode Of the wealth and fashion not
only of the Excelsior State but of the whole coun-
try. A residence hers was once sure GUARANTEES
OF respectabilfy, wealth and the highest sociafpo
siton, and the privileged few of this favored local
ity were looked upon as the immaculate and inef-
able creme de Ia creme. Happily. the Republican |
idea of eoual;fv In zucoeu=f,iII,y raYs,hatr tL;z