The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-11-29


lungs of a city; if SO Philadelphia may
well be proud of her extensive lungs, con-
tanning nearly 5000 acres of ground;
adorned by both nature and art. Lungs
indeed they are, as visit this bright Octo-
Der day will prove, by witnessing the thous-
ands who come here after being confined
between bricks and mortar, for the pur-
pose of breathing the fresh, pure air of
Heaven.
To one versed in human nature it will
afford considerable amusement to watch
the different persons passing and repass-
ing, and on Sunday afternoon may be
seen the prematurely old business man,
bowed down with care and anxiety, who
comes here perhaps for the sake of walk,
and because he would not like to be caught
posting his ledger on the Lords day; but
as far as intention is concerned he might
as we'll be in his counting house going over
the debts, and credits, for his mind is
evidently there; to him the beauties Of
nature are hidden look, and he finds it
impossible to "look from nature up to
natures God;' this specimen of mankind
is only seen on Sunday, the balance OF
the week is devoted to mammon.
Almost any time when tho weather is
pleasant can be seen the pampered million
aire, driving along the broad avenues with
his pair of equally pampered horses, and
driver dressed in his livery to the great
admiration, mixed with envy of his less
fortunate acquaintance, who meet him
with smiles and bows. Now comes the
fast young man with his 9. 40 nag, who
is grumbling considerably because the reg
ulations will not permit him to show the
speed of his animal; again can be seen
number of carriages containing members of
family taking drive; or here is the pony
pha9ton with mama or young miss driv
ing themselves, and going on tho independ-
ent order of having rational enjoyment
without being encountered by the so-called
lords of creation" But it is not to these
persons that the park affords the greatest
enjoyments, for they generally 60 during
the hot sweltry months of Summer to the
seaside or some fashionable watering
place, there to be cooped up in a small
room, suffering innumerable petty annoy
ances and grievances, and endure them the
whole season with pleasure, simply be-
cause '''tis the thing you know" but to
quite different class, and by far the larger
number are those who have an equal right
to Gods free pure air, and having no other
means of obtaining it, does the park grant
her richest blessings. Look at that manly
form reclining at his ease on the grass,
smoking his pipe, resting from the tolls,
and burden of his work. All day no has
been confined in the heat, dust and smoke
Of the forge, and he feels thankful that
when his days work is over he can get
breath of invigorating air. Look at that
poor, pale invalid, too feeble to walk. She
is gently pushed by some loving hand in
her invalid chair; see the look Of repose,
and resignation to her hard lot that her
countenance assumes as soon as she enters
beneath the shade of those broad trees,
breathing this pure air, and examining the
variegated autumn foliage, she exclaims in
a voice tremulous with emotion, How
wonderful How beautiful ~ and now with
an animated countenance she seems to
have taken new lease Of life. Look at
those persons playing croquet; and at a
short distance is bevy Of young children
initiating their elders in similar game.
Look at that worn out mother with her
sickly babe in her arms, and then estimate
the benefits Of these lungs of the city in
dollars and cents if possible.
Should we enter this park at Paramount
Avenue we see the basins on our left, from
which the principal part of the city re-
ceives its supply Of water. On our right is
large one-story succeed brick building,
without windows, receiving light only from
the sky lights. This building is the art
gallery, and contains many handsome
paintings, among which are Vests
"Christ Rejected" Rothermel's christian
martyrs in the Coliseum, and his Patrick
Henry. Here also is his master piece, the
Battle of Gettysburg, for which the State
paid $4,000 and presented it to the city.
To attempt description of these paint
ings, would be hercnlean task, and
would then fall far short of the subjects;
they must be seen to be appreciated, for
they will bear the most minute inspection.
Every time one visits this gallery he will
be attracted by something new, perhaps
soma expression, or some scenic effect
which had not been observed before, and
he wonders how it escaped him on his pre-
vious visit. This gallery is generally
crowded, as the admission is free it gives
to the poorer classes an opportunity Of
witnessing the genius of some master
hand. If the Park Commissioners would
place a few benches in the gallery so as to
enable persons to study the paintings at
their leisure and ease, it would no doubt
be appreciated. At a short distance from
the gallery are the boating club houses,
presenting handsome and unique appear
ance, containing the beautiful barges be-