The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-05
THE PARKS PLEASURES.

Remote from the sputter and snap of the cracker
and the sharp explosion OF the torpedo hurled from
every infant hand, distant from the horrid din and
danger OF firearms in the hands Of elders, enjoy
ing near at hand to home all the delights of the
country, which thousands Of others sought further
away, with many pleasures unusual to pastoral ex.
istence, thousands OF people spent the Fourth
calmly and pleasantly in the Park. There could be no
more charming idling place. Walt Whitman might
there 'loaf and invite his soul" to contemplation
of nature, assisted by the appliances OF art in the
calmest contentment. Those surging thoughts
which find strange expression in rugged verse,
would be quelled by the vision and sounds. But
however Walt might be effected in the Park it is
sure that the thousands had good time there yes
terday. Their souls were not narrowed by the
necessity TO note that urchins whom they passed
were not intent upon attaching pack
OF crackers to somebody's coat tail, and
to prevent the start and fright from
their minds-everythng to calm and accord them
with the serenity and beauty OF their surround
ings. The juveniles. who were out in large num-
bers, dlO not wear cynical expression OF dsdain
for the explosive amusement Of their fellows down
town. They only seemed to have squandered their
to the Park to save their feelings from
laceratlon by seeing other youths In the cen
tinued enjoyment OF pleasures that had gone from
them. They crowded the base ball field so much,
indeed, that though 1t is ample, with proper ar
rangement, to accommodate great number OF
players, none of The contestants yesterday had
room for their game. 1t would be useful, to pre-
vent annoyance and Ill feeling among the boys, II
the Park Commissioners would mark out a
certain number of places for games on the
area and allow no more contestants
than such sites. The promenade and Mall
were crowded with nice young men and
''real eweet' young ladies. The greater number Of
these made the music stand their objective point
where they discussed the weather and the man.
ners Of their neighbors in the assembage in the
intervals OF wrapped and critical attention to the
selections OF the Park Band. On the lakes the
boats we're piled with sturdy strokes by the
bronzed ''gondoliers" who sweated with the
''aerial form and heavenly face' and attendant
male friends along the shores. band was also in
a barge, which was moved SLOWLY up and down the
lake Du as its selections were of very poor order
1t did not add much to the pleasure OF the persons
in It's vicinity All the other places OF interest were
largely visited. In the cave timd and magma
tive females were affrighted at the darkness out
OF which they seemed to expect some hideous
dryad to leap at them; and at the Museum natural
historians, devoid Of the sense OF smell, had much
pleasure.
At four O'Clock the band in the music stand on
the Mall began a concert to which were attracted
great crowds who filed the seats under the nu-
merous canvas canOpics and the spaces about
them. The selections were varied, as will be
noted from the annexed programme, and were per-
formed with fine effect, especially the national airs
at the close Of the entertainment. The following
the DrOpramme:-