The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-17
The UPPER PART OF THE ISLAND
IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS.
THE NEW BOULEVARDS.


Thirteen years ago the poverty OF New York and
its circumjacent territory in everything arording
happy means OF relaxation to her overworked and
fageedout citizens was proverblai Nothing but the
ugly rectangular blocks OF brick or brown stone
end cement could be seen from the Battery north IS
far as tue southern boundaries Of what IL now the
Park except those meagre and crsmped open spaces
which 1t has been the courtesy as well as custom to
denomnate the public parks. The Battery for many
years preceding the present uptown improvements
was fashionable resort for the eltte who then re-
sided in and about the river fronts below Canal
street; bot the march Of population up the island
soon rendered Il comparatively OF no use "a plea
sure ground, and the once arstocratlo aud almost
consecrated ground was given over TO it, present
condition. 1t is now nearly barren waste, and its
valuable river frontage Is allowed to lie Idle, while
the once spacious acres Of green lawn and towering
elns are nothing else but patchwork OF mudholes
and lfeiess trees. St. Johns Park two years
ago was nothing better. Neglected. no longer sur.
rounded by such residents Burton ana Aaron Burr
and the church which bore its name. and belonging
to the wealthiest ecclesiastical corporation In the
United States deserted by its Jealous rot fashion
able pensioners, 1t became 20 needless - an orna-
men and lacking In inviting characteristics that II
was sold to the Hudson River Railroad COMPANY and
the handsome, durable and costly structure which
now stands there nearly completed u the freight
depot of the company, and az inc one - there 10
In the Union. Washington square, still Of good SER
vice to the public, because OF Its terminating the
lower end Of Fifth avenue, and because Of its being
the nucleus OF substantial and oven elegant private
mansions, among which are the residences OF ex.
Attorney General Evarts and Mr.. Drake Mills, will
soon be cat in twain by the extension Of the avenue
and tho widening Of Laurens street to &C
commodate the increased traf1o ana facilitate
the growing transportation wants OF the
city. Union square and Madison square
are both from their position, not liable to be DIS
turbed for many years to como. and the former,
which Is almost the exact centre OF population
on the 5and, promises to remain intact for the pre-
sent at least, since ground has been broken In the
City Hail Park for the erection Of the new Post ONCE
Tompkins square Is q vast sandy plain, suitable only
for policemen to parade upon and for small boys TO
try and break their necks upon the played out We
locpede. These few parks are the only ones worth
mention that have been considered by the populace
as decent places Of resort after hard days work.
and they have been patronlZed chiefly by the lower
classes ana the legion OF nurses and yearngs
Astounding In plentiful pr0fuslOn as heirs to the
10o 900 fathers Of this sland-in the eye OF the law
paternal or non-paternal They have all gone out OF
date, and none but Union and Madison squares aud
Gramercy Park can longer be considered as other
than parks redounding to the benefit OF the pro.
perry bounding them. Meanwhile the land specu-
lators were reapinS harvest OF gold from the
lots on Murray Hill and on the slope descending
towards the Park while palatial mansions and even
immense blocks OF the costliest brown stone and
sandstone OF varied hues arose from the rocky hi
TIL now Fiith avenue from Twenty third street to
Fi1ty-ninth street Is the most continuously sump-
tuous and elegant tforoughfare in tbs world. There
are the handsome residences OF Mr.. Francis skddy,
the two palaces oi Mr.. A. r. Stewart, the imposing
structures OF the Astors the solid and substantial
mansion OF Nh w. IL. Vanderbilt and, next to the
corner OF Forsecond street. the spacious and orna-
mental house OF Mr. w. II. Webb, the eminent ship
builder Further down Is the hermitage Of the prince
OF humbugs and the magnificent synagogue OF the
liberal Jews, between Forty-second and Fory-third
Streets temple which, IN point OF architecture, has
not yet been exceIled in America, and, as regards
enumeration, shows all the Intricate and beautiful
de5.i., tnat haya made the Alham5ra tue most
famous Of spanish works Of art. This edlnce,
now about completed, presents fine view either
looking up or down the avenue. Its elaborate tow
ers, situated at the norihwe stern and the other
at the southwestern corner OF the synagogue, are
covered by artistic scroll work OF the highest school,
and are terminated at their apexes by gildsd
weather vanes OF a costly character. Along the
angle the sae-covered roof line OF gildei iron
railing Is lald aud from the southwestern and
northwestern gables two towers OF smaller dimen-
sions rise to moderate height The entire aspect
aud eject OF the structure its Roman windows and
arches liz curved and graceful outlines, its rich
columns and pasters, lis massive doorways ana
steps, its vauted turrets and domes are something
out Of the weather: beaten track OF church building
In America, ana may be hailed as another step
towards the perfection OF correct ta.te In cti-
zens, who, 1t should he said, have the money and
desire, but rarely have the pluck and holiness
uIlv in an
the beautiful Other noteworthy adyancements have
been mado IN architectural and real estate improve
ments on the island, but they all received an i'm
petus not to be moderated by the conception, lay
ing out and successful Inauguration OF the Park
under the active superintendence OF Ny. Andrew II.
Green who las been identified with tl.s great work.
as Its leader, promoter and tlreless manager.
since the Grst shoyefu of dirt was thrown up four
teen years ago. The Inception OF the movement 10
found pubic park OF vast extent upon the plans OF
the principal public pleasure grounds of Europe
SUCH for instance as Tie Bots de Bou ogne Of Paris,
the Kew Gardens OF London, or the celebrated park
OF venice-was met by instant and enthusiastic "a
vor among numerous citizens surfeited with the
close and stinmg OF the city, who contemplated
@ permanent residence in the country as relief
from the vexations OF travel and the danger OF
disease Incident to the ndiscrmiuaie berdBg OF q
population constantly swelhng as an eminent but
somew hat preudiced anthony declared at the din
ner 10 Mr.. Reverdy johnson at Sheffield by the In
nux "of all the feculent streams OF European mml-
graton.n
II was then that enc nrst important step was taken
toward providing ample surface for the public uses,
especially as regards the Park, and Q few years
later tbe practcabity OF the idea was endorsed by
the Legislature, in fresh provIso for utilizing all
the lands lying north OF the northern line OF the
Park. and including rich and fertile district,
Astounding In everything necessary to lay out capa
pious drives, to obtain extensive aud elevated
squares amid picturesque surroundings and do,
capacities for drainage and general good health; Il
cast the horoscope OF the future wants OF three mil
lions Of inhabitants upon this island, and see tina
the excellent and natural eminences, which In them