The New York herald., 1870-04-27
Only Central Park on a Mag
niflcent Scale.
Yhs Beginning, Roadways, Sidewalks, Dimtn-
sions, Grading, Treatment, Ornamental.
tion, Direction and Beauty Of
tho Broad Boulevard.
Its Piping, Sewerage and Pres
cnt Condition.
Collateral improvements at Washington
Heights and Vicinity.


Heights and Vicinity.
When the historian sits down 10 write OF the i'm
pr0vements upon this island as they will exist In 1900
his task will be very different from that of the chroni-
cler Of to-day. Let the mind go forward to the be-
ginning Of the twentieth century. Then there Will
Be no rocky wastes, barreh rocks, useless hills aE4
pesferous ponds upon that rugged area lying to the
northward or Fifty-ninth street. This vast section,
now In transition state, by that time will have been
worked leyelled graded and embellished into beau
tifu city, with broad drives, handsome and capacious
mansions, furnished with gas and water and finished
with luxuriance and elegance that viii advance the
sesthetic in architecture and landscape gardening.
scenes Of bewildering beauty, picturesque grandeur
and tasteful ornamentati0n will rise up on every
hand, and amid such enchanting surroundings
there will be quiet and repose. To accomplish such
q wonderful transformation let what Is given,
what are the conditions and the prospects OF their
being observed. Above Ffty-ninth street. Manhattan
Island lying between the Hudson on the west and the
Nast river on the east, with the Harlem river and
Spuyten Duyvil creek the north, is in every way
suited for the habtation OF large population, where
the houses need not be cramped brown stone ovens
or misunderstanding to the season-but
comfortable, light, airy structures OF architectural
pretension, with nicely grassed grounds green lawns,
pretty flower beds, greenhouses graperies conserva
tories, stables groves, dove cots, dog kennels and
all the manifold appurtenances Of a true country
gentleman, who likes living better than dying. But
THE EAST SIDE,
that is all that portion of the island above Ffynnh
street lying to the eastward OF Fifth avenue, has
already been appropriated and can hardly ever hope
for better future than the present status OF Harlem
and Yorkve 1t seems that the east side has always
been rather below par This probably has come
from the conguratfon OF the island the ready adap
tation Of the avenues to straight lines and perfect
grading the energy of the managers OF street and
steam railroads.; steamboats,, cheap homesteads and
high rents in the city. The west side is very differ
ent. People seek 1t for luxury; the east side for
economy. so there is no resemblance between them.
One side In type OF elegance; the other Of industry
The east side is all laid out and the streets mostly
cut through and there are no features worthy Of
more attention than at any other section OF
the city built up with hideous rectangular brick or
brown stone collins. So that in considering the
great auspcious future Of New York an orna-
mental city, investigation must be confined TO the
northwest corner Of the island, bounded the north
by the Spuyten Duyvil creek, on the east by Fifth
avenue, on the South by Flfty-ninth street, and on
the west by the Hudson river. And what is its
topography, its capacity for Improvement and its
natural advantages for sweeping innovationss
No person can drive along the Bloomingdae road,
survey the beautiful meadows and quiet valleys
widening away TO the river and beyond to an open
country on the north; the thicky planted, looming
ridge of Washington Heights throwing its deep
shadow on the surface OF the swift Hudson below;
the miles OF plains, Of alternating hills and
dales, blufYs and beaches, and the general
rolling undula ing character pose sed Of those re-
Quisltes which unite the picturesque with the SUBJ
lime and the rudely rural with the quiet beautiful,
and not believe that it fashioned out by Nature
to develop the highest effects Of grand scenery CON-
bined with blending art. The fact is that oil this
immense tract OF country, so splendidly diversified
in surface, is nothing but
ONE GRAND CENTRAL PARK,
upon an enormous scale. capable OF being wrought
n:o episodes that can match the spleador OF the
Alps or take from the Rhine ITS anquatcd prestige
Imagine o summer residence In Central Park. Why
1t would be dwelling ia paradise And then let the
reader stretch out map OF the island and trace
the territory we have marked out, and he can
well apprec ate how Central Park s but orna-
mental New YORK in miniature. This Is to be
the New York OF 1904 glorious realization
II 1t be consummated. And tnere Is MOI an
ement wanted to render 1t all that Is here pictured.
Two rivers wash lis t0rtuous shores; high noun
tain crested with the most magnificent man sionS and
grounds in the Union sits back in SEN dignity from
the water; natural courses are marked upon the TO-
biography for the minor stects and avenues; rock,
marble, ample shade trees frs, spruces, pines, cears
and thousands OF the deciduOus family grow and
thrive; the Croton water s easily utilized at the
houses; gas abounds; the soil Is soft and easily
worked drainage is good and the wh0le region Is in
state Of f0urtshlng cultivation. THIS is the condi
tion 1t cannot be taken In hand, as tie Park was
worked over the entire surface, for that is the office
OF private owners; but the commissioners have first
TO render 1t OF easy access, to open highways cut it
up with roadways and lay down lines Of improve
nient This has been commenced, and the work Is
now In an advance stale.
When the plans we're first projected and capitalists
first began to understand the Significance oi this
grand enterprise ground became as gold and pro-
perty rose to fabulous value Everybody was alter
residence and plot Of ground; The excitement
deepened, ami 10 mas never slackencd. From Fort
Washington to Y0nkcrs Is now one OF the fairest
nots Of the world and has been SO for years but the
S SBs s ssSaaass Y sua ~ IoysI, ass .s nc
idle wastes. II only remains for the thoroughare to
plough through for the verdure to be cultivated, aud
this stretch also will be acres of living, dazzling
TO comprehend the exact status Of what we have
termed Ornamental New York the rcader should re-
member that this territory does not stop at the Har
lem river, but continues in Westchester county TO
and beyond Yonkers. Prom this latter city twenty
four trains day and numerous ste amers convey me
purcr air and greater Joy than are indigenous to
noisy pavements and dirty CUTTERS Then In few
years there Is q world In store ior
THE HARLEM RIVER.
It can be great channel when dug out and built
up with wharves and piers FOR the deposiing trade
Storehouses can be constructed; the sea can be
reached by the Sound through the Harlem, and the
passage TO Europe shortened by day, with saving
OF twenty tons Of coal. The lumber trade can
flourish. Wcstcnestcr marble will claim passport
from the shores OF It's own county, and thus allied TO
tnis splendid region VIII be busy, developing, fast
gathering industry on the one hand and the fruion
OF magnificent maturing, npeniug city Of opucnce
and beauty on the other.
And where do we see these omensf In the cutting
through Of the grand Boulevard AMI iis auxalies,
which is but tile beginning of the muIttudlnous
works we have endeavored TO foresllad0w.
THE GRAND BOULEVARD
has been In progress three years, and Is now fast ap
proacing completion. 1t is the back bone, the main
artery the vital highway, OF tile vast transition sec
tlOn above Filty-nin street. People cannot readily
understand It's bearing upon the iuure Of New YorH
without drive along ils direction; but II IS assur
edly the most important improvement In tile bisiDr,
OF the Island. 1t Is one on grand scale; one com
pretending the wants Of 100000 OF population tha
will people the city III 1900; made Tor time not Il
serve temporary purpose, but with Keen lnsigh
into uure wants It's projectors have parceed GU
their labors so that they can benefit posieTity
The Boulevard begins at Eighth avenue and Fifty