The Portland daily press., 1867-04-18

Matters fu New York.
European Trauel-Sights and Reflections on
Brodd,cay and the Great Eastern- Central
r Pork-Freenasonry- BaH-The Car
penters' Strike-Wau S.rcet-A Miserable
Wretch.
New YORK, April Is, 1867
To the Editor Of the Press:
The emporium is just at this time intently
occupied in European travel, outdoor sport
ing, and spring fashions. The Great Eastern,
at her anchorage ground in North River, ex-
actly in the centre between the Elysian Fields
of Hoboken and the piers of New York, is the
exponent of the first Jlrore; the re-organiza-
ton of baseball, cricket yachting and rowing
clubs, the second; and the westerly side of
Broadway, on sunny afternoon, the third. I
confess 1t is pleasant to witness the tide of
beauty ON this crowded thoroughiare; but
have not the sweet-scented vocabulary to write
aboutit. 1t is impossible for me to get at the
soft and touching terms necessary to express
my convictions. 1 always think of the descrip-
ton Cornelia gave the first time she was kiss
ed. She said she "felt like tub of roses swim
ming in honey, cologne, nutmegs and cranber-
ries. She felt also as if something was run
ueINcS On ltet Ol ulamOnuS,
escorted by several little cupids in chariots
drawn by angels, shaded by honeysuckles,
and the whole spread by melted ranbows"-
1 give it up! l may add, however, what the
young lady said to her father, as expressing my
opinion of Cornelias sublime language. She
found among his sermons the following: ST
love to look upon young man; there is a hid
den potency concealed within his breast which
charms and pains me-" Said the daughter:
"Them'sm sentiments, exactly, father, except
the pains
One would think from the fact that the
Great Eastern has arrived at New York two
or three times previous to her recent arrival,
that she would not make much of a stir; but
not SO. In less than. five minutes from the
time her immense hull was seen along the
shore of Staten Island, and the six masts and
five chimneys were visible in the distance, that
old point of marine observation, the Battery,
became peopled so rapidly that there was ..ard-
ly standing-room left. 1t shows how ripe New
York is at all times for sensation" She
leaves tomorrow for Brest, France, and will
make two more trips the present season, the
next, May 18th, and the last, July 9th. To
show how the European travel and business
have commenced for the season, it may be
stated that seven frst-class steamers left this
port for European ports last Saturday, carry
ing over five hundred passengers and full car.
goes The City OF Antwerp, Germania, and
Arrago took, in addition, over 100000 in spe-
Gle.
The great peeuliarity of Gotham Central
Park, about which every New Yorker boasts
and "blows," is the point of attraction to get
spring air, spring violets, and spring sunshine.
Everybody goes there, from the bootblack to
the millionaire. The mechanic, the sewing
girl, the governess and the babies "nice young
men," pretty girls and city dandies, all go
there. The drives swarm with all kinds of
turn-outs from the pony aud dog-cart to the
splendid clarence" The great glory of Cen
trail Park is the fact that its natural and arti-
fetal enjoyments belong to all-its green
lawns, its shaded groves, its craggy hooks, its
murmuring waterfalls, its CLASSY lakes its
sweet violets and its life-invigorating zephyrs,
no wealth can purchase. 1t is, indeed, the
glory of the emporium, that it has provided
such democracy of enjoyment, where wealth
has not the power to filch from the poor ono
iota of God-given pleasure. am glad the cit
izens prize it indeed 1 can stand their boasts
about it, / do not wonder that they loVelt.
But very much doubt the propriety OF throw
ing away every other green spot in the city De-
cause they have Central Park. That fne Old
ST. John Park has been sacrificed to the Hud-
son River railroad and one half OF City Hall
Park roes to Uncle Sam for Post-ofiice.
Tho order of Freemasonry Is an institution
of very popular character in New York and
Rrooklyn. Within it are some of the best and
most philanthropic citizens. In New York the
order supports provision establishments where
the poor furnished with the necessaries of
life at cost prices. In the Western District of
Brooklyn over $4,000 were paid to widows and
orphans last year. The order in Brooklyn is
about erecting Masonic Temple at a cost of
100000, of white marble, in the Corinthian
style of architecture-the first story to be oc-
cupied by stores and the remainder of the
building to be devoted to Masonry Nowhere
are the advantages of such an institution more
prominent than in these great cities.
The baseball season is opened to-day upon
the Elysian Fields, Hoboken, by the Mutua'
Club of this city. There are aOoue auo@en
leading clubs in New York and brooklyn, all
in oomnlete organization and training ior OPP
sr.,;on The Atlantic, Brooklyn, Is the club
.,,.. RS NOW continued and unexampled tri-
-, and intends TO occupy the front this
saason The Lowell Club of Boston, are ex-
1o,,od here during the season, and as they are
the champions of New England, it is suggest
ed the Atlantics may have as much as they
can do. The game has become emphaticallya
national game. 1t is manly and healthful
sport, and undoubtedly hasa conservative in
fiuence on young men, leading to cultivation
of agencies that develope physical health and
strength. Regarded as the enemy OF enervat-
ing luxury and dissipation, it is certainly wor'