The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-13


overlook a rather fresh breeze.
The lines OF horse cars best patr0nized byi the
tradespeople and persons Of slender or moderate
means were the Flatbush avenue, leading from Full
ton ferry Smith street and C0ney Island from Full
ton ferry; Sackett street, from Hamilton avenue;
vanderbilt and Park avenue and Nostrand avenue.
marked Improvement In afrOrding accommodation
over these routes Is observable both In the condi-
ton OF the vehicles and the regularity OF their trips
Ii should be so, the interest OF the companies as
well as OF the public alike call for ample transpor-
tati0n facilities. In passing over these routes one
cannot help but be interested in the work OF i'm
provement in building going on upon tho western
slopes of the Park, while the vast area yet to be
built up Is strongly suggestive OF the truthful.
ness OF the assertion OF the residents therea-
bout that the day Is not far distant when
the entire available building space viii
be built upon and occupied, thereby relev-
ing the many Overcrowded tenement houses
of Brooklyn, New York and vicinity, and supplying
the pent-up denizens of such domicies with pure
air and fine scenery. To erect this desiderdtua,
property owners must bear in mind that first class
brown stone front houses are not within the reach
Of the middle classes or tradespeope, and that II
they persist In erecting such mansions they cannot
lock for an early return OF the money expended
tfated by the experience OF several who have built
large and extravaganza houses within the past three
years ana ind them Still "tO let.n En- route to the
PARK specnatons OF this character were rife among
among visitors
IN the BOSOM OF inc plaza sparkled the fountain,
the waters of which were ripping under the impe-
tus of Old Boreas, who swept across the hills aud
seemed almost to fan the long cloak OF "Honest
Old Abe, who ts represented In bronze life size,
upon pedestal Immediately in front OF the oun-
tain. The jet or spray was mot turned on' yester-
day. The grassy mounds which border the plaza
greeted the eye most rcfreshingly. Passing into
the Park proper pleasing spectacle ls pre-
sented from any elevated standpoint one one
shipping, the tall towers and domes OF the
City OF Churches the yerdant lawns and terraces
spray OF cultured growth; tho waterfalls, the lake.
arbors OF varied deslgns the "dairy the tall trees
Just giving forth their leaves ave under the genial
drives filled with equpages OF every description;
the walks and lawns trodden by men, women and
children, In the radiance OF newly purchased sum
mer rainent; the solitary equestrian and tho
ni ueo's g guardian .I Of the peace ana
np CO. d the a Sunday which, ma es
dom, relief health, strength and happiness.
The petty trials, cares, labora spaculations and
| oblivion under the Kaleidoscope panorama pre-
sented and peace and quiet take their heretofore
confused place In the mind OF even the most pract
cal Of visitors TITS picture that no hand of art
can paint nor crayon outline. Ills Natures Offering
ParR ua oo w 20 en sr sG hc T
pect Is that, In prospective at all events If not at
the present day, Prospect Park win carry or tho
palm for beauty or natural and artificial scenery.
| The number OF visitors there yesterday was esti-
mated by the scntres who keep the count in tho
gatcpost boxes ut thirty thousand. The Indications
are that the work OF laying out the surface OF the
Park viii be completed this year.
! Opening of the Mercantile Library Read
ing Room Ycstcrday-A scanty but Tn
! tcIligcnt Attendance.
After long struggle, which, at any ratio, on one
| side has been persistcnty waged, the Mercantile
Library was opened yesterday to the gentlemen
and ladies who arc fortunate enough to be num-
bered on the muster roll OF Its subscribers. re-
porter OF the HERALD was OF course present during
the day to obtain the results OF this revolutionary
course OF proceeding. Unhappily for this first Sun
day OF the new era the statistics, 1t must be adj
mitted by no means bear out tho wretched exhibits
which the statements of the anti Sabbatica faction
led people to expect 1t Is true that the clerk in
attendance ut the dOor-a precaution never
adopted on weekdays when the room is aban-
! doned to the sole charge OF very charming
young lady northumberland that the scanty at
| tendance Of readers was caused by the general g
nOrance among subscribers Of the change already
effected by the efforts of the liberal section OF the
library members. But still 1t must be confessed
that the number Of visitors was comparatively
small Up to FIVE o'clock only about hundred
readers had ''shown up on the literary scene o
lady. Let it be understood, however, that, as pub
lished In the rules Of the library ITSELF anybody Is al
liberty on any other day but Sunday to
there consult any Journals or books Of
reference to which he or she has occasion 10 refer
| Yesterday, on the other hand, there was a sharp
lookout Kept at the portal and not single gentle
man or lady-and we suspect ladies OF being the
most impudent delinqucnts in this directlon-was
able to pass the threshold OF the door without a
| searching and exhaustive examination.
OF the results of the first day Of this new era in
| library morals, however, nothing but good can he
/ reported. There was no disturbance OF any kind
either on the part OF those who chccrfully partic
pated In the benefits Of the or OF those who
from motives Of moral conviction differed from the
decision arrived at by the majority of the Committee
! OF Management All the day through the files OF pa
pers were quietly thumbed by gratilcd habttucs of
the institution, and, Sabbath though II was the
quest Of Information was pursued with the same
quiet persistence that marks such pursuit on any
| other day In the month OF week. That any great
harm was done even the most rabid OF the eloquent
enthusiasts would hesitate to assert, and there
can be doubt that this most novel Of the nnova-
| tons of an enlightened age will heartily command
| the respect and the hearty support OF all who are
| In favor OF a decorou5 and intelligent use Of the
/ day OF rest.
| TOTAL ABSTINENCE UNION.