The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-14
CHILDREN'S EXCURSIONS.
More Free Picnics for the Poor
Pupils OF the Public Schools.
The Pleasure Programme
for the Vacation.

Poor children like fun as wen as their wel-clad
and carefully housed neighbors. TO DOUBT that
days pleasure in the shade Of shelterng grove or
npon the water ls as beneficial 10 the hatless
nrchin from Cherry street as to the pet OF a Fifth
avenue home would be absurd. During two sum-
mers before the present a number OF our best
known wealthy citizens have managed fund con-
Uibuted to AFFORD the poor children of our streets
free picnic excursions through the close, hot
weather of July and August. These have
been admirably managed by Colonel George
r. Williams, the tickets being distributed
during the public school vacations by
the police captains OF the several precincts within
which the homes OF the poor are mainly 70 be
found. This system is continued this year.
Already two Of these excursions have taken place
with charming success. Two thousand boys and
girls from the Sixth ward, and nearly as many
from the Fourth, were marshalled ia line at toe
police station. Guarded by careful police details,
and led by the fine United states Army band from
Governors Island, they gayly marched, battalion
o. neatly dressed girls in bright colors and reg-
Ment Of brighter eyed boys to the designated pier
where they were to embark on an expedition OF
Wholesome pleasure at some shady spot score OF
miles away across the clear salt water, whose air
was
REIGHTED WITH HEALTH AND ENJOYMENT.
These professions bore no haunting nags, they
earned no armament suggesting the red battle
field as their ultimate destination. Keeping step
to he music. or at times echoing the chorus
OF he "Mulligan Guards" IN harmony with
its strains from the band, these armies OF
they passed than the outgoing regiments
which, durlng the war, claimed public applause
while marching down Broadway to go 'tO the
'front.' and to glory. Less than forty cents lor
each child carried was the cost at which the con-
and appreciative children their days enjoy
meni with ample provision OF wholesome food
and such tootnsome delcacies as Ice cream and
cake OF the best quality. spots were chosen
wheH all. girls as well as boys, could safely battle
In Tie SAT- water ON smooth, sandy beach.
Which, with the opportunity to roam at Will IN the
WOODS, gathering flowers and branches, was
PRIVILEGE MOST RARE
and most keenly relshed. No Imagination can
pictWe truer scene of joyful abandon than
wOult be photograph OF the poor childrens eX-
cursilns during the three hours OF the stay ashore.
police station till the tired children returned to
their homes at night when they were
R Every sense WAS p %nis,s sd 1or
Their benefit. Their ears drank sweet music,
scores OF iairy beauty constantly me: their eyes
the. breathed the ocean air or the balmy odors OF
thegrove. Better than all these children oil want,
whtse necessities have given them precocious
appreciation of whatever they see, knew and un-
dertood, every boy and girl OF them, that these
enjyments were freely provided for them by those
heats their brotherhood with the poor and the
nicely. They saw with sharp logic that those who
ILLEGALLY contribute to their happiness are their
1rieIds, not enemies to be plundered Or harmed
whaever opp rtunity offered How much was
thatless0n WORTH No figures could compute its
value. Ii taught, as do our free public schools.
that tie social and property distinctions which
divide classes IN our free land are but supernclal
boundaries, subject to constant change, and that
the community recognizes virtue and prooity as
the true titles to respect. 1t taught. as did the
charity relief OF last winter, that a common heart
beats n all humanity and that the truest happi-
ness found in making Others happy
THE EXCURSIONS TO CONTINUE
herald reporter yesterday called on several
members of the committee having charge Of the
fund inquire into It's condition and prospects
and tie plans Tor approaching picnics. He was IN
f0rmG1 that the amount now remaining IN the
fund.- after paying the expenses OF the two excur-
more. Mr.. Richard King, President Of the Union
Trust Company, Treasurer OF the fund, assured the
stanty not alone from the generous denizens Of
our own city, put from !arge-hearted donors IN
Norfolk vs from socx5rdge Mass and II from ON
press nave caused this gentle charity to be known.
He mentioned several sources from which
ne was certain further funds would come,
and believed that enough will be contributed
within o week TO insure five excursions in addl-
tion TO the two already given He hopes the cncer-
the two months between now ana the opening Of
the schools for the fall with at least one picnic per
week for the poor chldren
Mr.. william Butler Duncan, a member Of the
committee, said that the bulk Of the donations go
u Tue ITedSuTcT, MI. hIuR auu TIC Ouiy kHeW VI
now and then gift, the dropping Of the shower of
charitable generosity. He had within few days
received $500 for the good cause, and he hoped
tnat our kind citizens would not suffer a fund
devoted 70 such noble objects to iangush for lack
OF needIul money.
DONATIONS.
modest lady, who writes from New Brunswick,
N. j. to the HERALD, without signing her note, en-
closes 81 bill, which she wishes to 20 to the
Children's Picnic Fund Her request is promptly
and gladly acceded to, and all other money
sent to the GERALD for that purpose Will be duly
acknowledged and Will help to brighten the sad
lot Of the children OF the poor in this great metrop
Oils Donations sent directly to the committee
Will also be at once officiaiy acknowledged.
COMING EVENTS
Arrangements have not yet been definitely made
for the next excursion, but 1t Is now probable
that the children OF the Fourteenth precinct VIII
be taken out Tor their Tree picnic on Saturday Of
this week. Notice will be duly given for the next
excursion as soon as It's particulars can be GER.
tainly learned. 1t Is now believed that the series
will be extended with out short intervals through
the balance OF the hot and 1t Is hoped that
every poor child in the city of proper age will taste
for at least one day the pleasure and share in the
benefit OF the free excursion with its group of at
tendant enj0yments.
Praiseworthy Charity.