Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-05-23
PARKS AND SQUARES.
Places for nm" ee''
for Rest. I

into our picnic grOuhus, VIZ Wv"
be wonld marvel much at the changel
which have taken place in those rugge'
spots for outdoor amusement. he wou's
scarcely see anyrevolution in the gloomy
groves, and no change whatever IN th'
the tap-room style of doing out liquors
In fact everything is as it used to be IN
the early days of the Bluff, with the ex'
ception of the good old custom of barbe'
cues which have given way to the less
substantial and more fantastic
mode of guzzling Strawberries
and ice-cream and quafiing large
gohletsful of soda-water and spruce-beer.
We have no pleasure-grounds which can
properly be called Parks close enough to
the city for the use of the masses. We
have one or two old Jagged lawns, with
rickety fences, few forest trees, saw
dust ring Tin circus style), a few nm
planed and almost unpropped planks for
seats, and music-stand that outvies in
ruggednessand grotesque ornamentatlon
the pavilion of Punch and Judy or the
booth of Donnybrook bagpiper; and
for entrance into these lawns our people
are compelled to either pay a good price
or stay at home. Now, there are sew
eral beautiful places in the eastern sub
urbs of the city that might be turned into
such picturesque pleasure-grounds for
the people as Hyde Park in London,
the Phoenix Park in Dublin, and Central
Park in New York, if q company of en-
terprising men we're to take the matter
in, hand and spend little money IN
building street railroads to them. To be
sure we have place out on the Mem
phis and Charleston railroad called Gen.
trail Park, but it is almost as wild as the
heath on which the witches met Banquo
and Macbeth. 1t is very good cricket
and baseball ground, or might answer
for pugilistic ring; but as place Of
beauty and place of pleasure for women
and children it is about as suitable as the
levee is for a promenade. We recon-
mend our City Fathers (if they
have anything to do with it, to
turn it into a beer garden or something
on the order of the Jardin Mahile, 1t
is Just the spot for swilling. swearing
and staggering; for the thunder Of hob
nail heels and the lightning Of Terpsi-
chorean contortions; for revolving scenes
and quivering lights; for tinkling music
and foggy sweetness; for hearts fip-hap-
ing like tumble bugs, and eyes darling
extravaganza ike Sky-rookets. But if
we have no Parks worthy to be called
such, we can boast of two or three hand
some Squares. and hope soon to have
few more, as delightful places Of rest,
Passing through Court Square recent
y, enjoying the shadows of its arching
trees, the exquisite odor of its new mown
hay, and the refreshing beauty Of the
whole scene, our thoughts insensibly
irifted back score of years or more TO
be time when Court Square was but a
BADLY boarded pen for swine and kline
when the dog-feHnei noasishe9 there, !
md jamestown weeds from their pale
poisoned Ohalices poured sickly scents
lpOn the summer air@-and contrasting
thsu With now" We touched our hat
n silent and grateful salHte to the
lame Of Thomas james FinDie. Truly, !
he is "a man, take him all in all, whose
ike cannot be found this, or any other
,iGe Of jackson, Tenn, where he is now
pushing aksad the Insurance and Real
Estate business with characteristic vigor
and ability.
Fortunate would communities be could
hey command in large numbers citizens
Of the Thomas James Finnie order
men whose minds keep pace with the
march of progress-mep whose innate
love OF order and beauty, whose talent
for design, executive ability, and zeal for
the public good, accomplish so much in
The building up of cities. Mr.. finnie's
name should be written on the records Of
Memphis as public benefaetor, as we are
sure it stands recorded in many heart,
for to him belongs the credit Of trans
forming the unsightly thing Court
Square was, in other days, into the park
Of beauty, IS il now is. And in the
name of the little children whe throng
its pleasant walks, we thank him fof
those walks, the smooth green sward,
the evergreens, and the peculiar and
lively institution Of squirrels--al Of
which be designed and inaugurated.
May he pass on through life by
smooth and easy paths, with pleasant
resting places by the way, and pleasant
views around-may success always at
tend him, and good tea" always refresh
him.
1t will doubtless be gratifying to Mr..
Finnie to know that Cont Square, I'M
der the excellent management Of Mr..
Ed. Heating, continues to be the well
kept and beautiful place he designed it
should And it is to be hoped that the
marked efficiency and faithfulness of
Mr. Heating in the performance of his
duties. will lead our worthy Mayor and
TO retain him permanently