The New York herald., 1869-02-14
THE PARK.
Tho Fine Weather Observation-Disclosures ~
People Tempted Out-The Road and ths

Tho Fine Weather Observation-Disclosures %
People Tempted Out-The Road and the
Observation-Disclosures.
The times must indeed be out OF Joint. The alma
mac stated that yesterday was one OF the days OF
winter, but that statement was certainly an error.
Tne compilers OF almanacs, however, are human.
ana from time immemOrial 1t has been granted THAI
70 err Is human," consequently the mistake must
be overlooked and put down TO the already long
score OF human bunders. The factis yesterday was.
as lar az appearances went genuine spring day,
and fairly typical OF the which has been dig.
nihed with the title gentle Spring, ethereal mild
ness" The bright blue vault of heaven above was
hardly obscured all day by the tiniest cloud.
the sun shone with warmth that was easily felt
and the very atmosphere was balmy, mild ana
soft as II 1t were May day. Such a day, and IN
February too could not be lost by the residents Of
Gotham. 1t afforded an unwonted opportunity for
displaying fancy toilets and for enjoying the pleas
ures Of outdoor exercises and as consequence al.
most everybody turned out. 1t was Saturday, too.
and clerks and statesmen who were released from ols
ness at an earlier hour than on other week days
joined In the glad and happy thr0ng who reOiced n
the kindness OF the arbitrary clerk Of the weather
Broadway was thronged all the afternoon with Pc
destrians who were anxious to see and be seen, q
large portion OF whom were ladies' but the majority
OF those who left their homes to enjoy the SPRING
like weather. chose the Park as the place In which
to disport themselves In the glorious sunshine.
The Park was gay IN the extreme, and it was
almost Impossible 10 believe that some mistake had
not been made in the calendar. True, the naked
branches OF the trees, with their lcaness limbs,
spoke Of cold WINDS ard pnching frosts; true, the
absence OF music on the Mall suggested that " could
NOT be the season; true, the brown grass and the
fOwerlesS Shrubs told Of the nipptng hand Of old
B0reas, but Notwithstanding all these, the balmy
breeze the warm sun, and the crowded roads and
walks seemed TO give the lie to these wntry signs,
and speak In o louder voice OF the advent OF
the Joyous season Of spring But whatever t season
tain, and that Is that the Park was crowded On the
drives all sorts OF vehicles, drawn by all kinds OF
passing and repassing all the afternoon. There was
the family carriage substantial and solid looking.
drawn by horses equally substantial In appearances,
accoutred with handsomely mounted harness; the
saucy-loOking tr0ttng wagon, rnsnng past
behind some well known road horse; the quiet look
ing buggy, in which happy pair were quietly
jogging along, dividing their time between looking
at eacn other and those around them; the stylish
tandem turnout, with the driver sitting away up
on his hign driving box; the close carriage, In
which some delicate lady or gentleman was taking
drive in bodily lear OF catching cold; the business
wagon with lmprovsed seats full OF laughing child
rem and proud parents, and hundred other
vehicles, all joining In the crowded procession
which passed up and down, In and out. upon
the main drive. The walks, too, were filed with
pedestrians equally varied in their style and appear
ance. Merry school girls, who could not help r0mR-
ing even in the Park; happy couples VINO, beneath
the vault, spoke sweet n0tnngs and exchanged
pledges Of troth invalids who avaied themselves or
the day to seek the influence Of pure air. clerks, who
went TO stare at the girls; working girls, who went
to f1irt with the men; old men and boys, young men,
maidens, rich men and poor men, good men and bad
men, all represented in the living stream that
flowed along the sidewalks and rested 1.-The benches.
In addition 70 those who were riding and more
who were walking, there was another class Of
amusement seekers which, though not large in num-
ber attracted considerably more attention than did
either pedestrians or carriage company. Some hve
six gentlemen availed themselves OF the hne
weather to exhibit themselves upon velocpedes,
and they were very earnestly watched, being the
observed Of all observers. on their untamed byccles
the riders rushed along, passing vehicle alter We
hcle and shaping their course between and among
them with precision which was truly marvellous.
On the level road OF the Park 1t is evident
that these new ''horses' can attain very
great speed, and from the performances or
the gentlemen yesterday 1t is also evident that there
is no fear Of accidents arising from their use ON
crowded carriage ways IL was impossible TO ascer-
tain whether or not the riders were professionals,
but il amateurs their performances reflect great
credit upon them. As each yelocipedist made his
appearance ne was surrounded by crowds oil won
dering children and boys, who followed him at run
until the speed attained was too great for the legs
OF any runner being to attain by running. IL
the fine weather only lasts short time there Will be
daily veocipedal exhibitions III the Park, as there
are now quite member OF gentlemen who have
sufficient confidence in themselves 10 appear In pub
lie. piue Ia velocipede.