The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1873-06-05


ship Lines-We CentenniaS-.
Gossip about Newspapers.
PHILADELPHIA, May 3lst, 1873.
The almanacs, the newspapers,
the hotel keepers, the ice men,the
clothiers, the milliners, and the
irascible Thermometers, with a
most admirable unanimity, agree
in announcing to city-folk the de-
parture Of spring and approach Of
summer. l had thought, some
weeks ago, when the topic most
discussed was the unusual back
wardness of the season, that the
change from winter to summer
would be exceedingly pleasant,
for once in my life. Yet, SO sud.
den and violent has been the
transition, that already begin to
long for the cool evenings OF
month ago. However, l, in COM
mon with all Philadelphians, find
ready escape from tho dnst and
heat Of Chestnut street, 10 the
great park which lies at the north
western gate-the "eye" gate-of
the city. That park called by
all "Fairmount," and by all a fair
mount tonnd-was, a half-score Of
years ago, but small pleasure
ground, beautiful indeed and pic
tnresque, yet only SO by reason of
the natural claims which invested
it. 1t was then essentially river
side park OF scarcely more than
half mile in extension, rising up
from the Schuylkill-the "hidden
creek" of its Dutch discoveries,
and named-in a rather precipit-
Gus fashion, and laid out very
plainly in walk and close. True,
there were grand cid trees in IT,
the survivors of Robert Morris,
who planted them well-nigh a
century ago in what was at that
time his country seat, but, save
these, scarcely anything more to
be proud and thankful for than
the pure air which came always
in refreshing cloud.falls from the
western fields beyond the river.
The old Morris mansion, which
surmounted the hill-old "Lemon
Hill" OF our youngerldays was
noteworthy only for the spacious
verandahs which surrounded it
(the habitual resort of nurses and
very young infants) and the mis-
cradle catering that was carried
on inside. That was the park OF
ten years ago, as remember it.
Today Fairmount Park is the
largest in the world, and, in natu'
raj beauty, probably, the most at
tractive. Its eastern gate is but
thirty minutes from the city's bus
mess center and is easily accessa
ole from all quarters. llere be-
gina the grand drive, which ex-
tends in one direction almos,
tacelve miles. In that distance one
can get a glimpse of nature in al
most every shape. Beyond the
flower gardens, the most gorgeou'
any where to be seen, past the ole
fort, the pavilions, the hobby hor
ses and the observatorics, over the
long bridge which spans the river
and into the. finest park avenue
that was ever laid ont, you reacl
at Last the west park, which to
eo.I.or with si,e Wieoeh;elson Parl
constitute the addition to the
city's old pleasure ground.
/ do not wish to weary you will
municipal history nor to exasper-
alto with comparisons, aud the
facts concerning the city's pur-
chase aredoubtless already known
To Jersey people, and indeed t.
all northern Michigan residents
an confident the extreme north
western limits OF the park woul'
be most interesting, since .ther
the area narrows down into
mere strip of woods along a vino
ing stream-called Wissahickon
. or .slost river"-whose sinuositie
are followed closely fer some 81
J miles by a broad carriage road, q
NOR ming, noon and night equally
as it seems, cool and shad.
Through all the labyrinths of til
: park, on pleasant afternoons, yo
are sure to hear rumbling-but
is the least Noisy Of all rumbliue
8 "a mighty procession OF carris
y ges, and to see scattered over tt
: greensward, which is nowhel
D forbidden to human feet, host I
\ people taking as the Quaker pc
n mas it, Ga benediction of the air
a On SUNDAYS especially is there q