The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-07
First Day Of the Summer Meeting
at Jerome Park.
4 LARGE AND gIsHIONABLB ATTEsDls II.
The Color and Life of
the Scene.
FOUR SPIRITED RACES.
Wizard, Survivor, Dublin and
Shy1ock the Winners.

WIZARD, Survivor, Dub1n and
Shylock the Winners.
The long expected opening day came With
cloudy weather and in the morning there vas
sharp shower Of rain, continuing until about noon.
II was enough TO deter timid people, but those
with wiser eyes who looked upon the SKIES saw
hope behind the clouds, more especially 81 we had
been informed from washington that there would
simply be local rains. with warmer weather. The
anticipated stir ana hustle were not what we have
seen In former days, for there was treachery In
the heavens, 1t was feared, and many who
had waited for the frst day at Jerome Park
with as much hopefulness and pride as the
nrst night OF the opera were compelled to subdue
their nnery and remain at home. About one
O'Clock the crowd OF horsemen and carriages began
60 move towards Westchester Filth avenue
looked ireshened and bright after the shower, and
our famous bellies soothed their disappoin tment at
not being able to we their Paris splendors into
the open air by studyink 3 equipages from the
windows as they whirled along. Many OF these were
~ striking as any on the road to Longchamps or
the Derby and but for the constant menace In the
air-menace OF rain and storm-we should have
had splendid and unequalled display.
Central Park was extremely beautiful. One be-
K1ub 10 boc tuc WlbuOH lOIeSlHUt WHICH Planned
this pleasure ground festival like that Of yes
terday. The Park is to Westchester like the over
ture 10 an opera We have foretaste OF what that
noble county Is, and more especially what 1t will
be, as we jannt along over the stately roads which
traverse the Park. without the wild, unrecov-
cred, natural freshness OF the Bots de Boulogne-
which Is simply forest centuries old
with straight mathematical roads, and here
and there an isolated gem OF exquisite adorn.
ment without the rugged majesty OF the ancient
oaks that stand sentinel around the walls OF Ken.
sington Palace, In Hyde Park, our New York pleas.
ure ground has an amplitude variety OF scenery
and q utilization Of the manifold resources OF ma
ture that are seen in none other. The view along
the long drive that runs parallel with Filth avenue
was exceedingly beautiful. The rain had fallen
upon the grass, tender and spring-like in
its greenness, and as the eye wandered
along the Mall over toward the Hudson there
were vistas OF trees and shrubbery, long lanes Of
grcenness and Neutrality-suspicious. OF water and
boatmen here and there varied by fags that n ut
tered idly In the mist-burdened air; masses OF
color, rich with all the wealth OF leafy June.
Large masses OF foliage were radiant with an
almost sunny wilderness, as II to assert themselves
against the REFRESHING, reluctant spring. All this
time the mist trailed over the horizon, and we
saw pictures OF nature not often seen in America,
but suggesting those weird. marvellous concep-
tions OF Turner, which hint the glories of an Eng
Msh homestead. a
II the Park was so winning with its morning
smiles. what shall we say OF Westchester az we
come to it over the wide branching Boulevard,
which Is 80 eloquent suggestion oil what the boue-
wards will be when good government claims its
own in New York; AS we crept along the narrow
path that leads to Macomb's DUN Bridge there
was the usual crowd OF curious spectators dis
cussing the prospects OF the racing, the
integrity OF the weather and having their
own views upon each and all Of US
as we came in review. The police service which
guarded the bridge and the approaches to the
Park was efficient, and a little careful discipline
enabled us to without danger or delay from
the crowd that began to gather. There was eager
racing between some OF the more adventurous
horsemen, which gave variety to the scene
and brought us up to the club grounds in
q rather hurried mood Fordham, never q
busy town, was active and expectant,
and large crowds had already arrived
by the trains and were swarming over the fields
and clustering on the hisides, where the races
could be seen without the Intervention Of an adj
mission fee. The grand stand, although not
crowded, was well filed, and large groups
swarmed over the track and around the various
stands, studying the horses as they pranced about,
and the dwarfsh Jockeys who fitted around
In their picturesque costumes, impatient
for the summons and the strife. The
morning rain had its effect on the size of the
crowd; but II not so numerous as it would other
wise have been, and as the other meetings Will
most certainly be, 1t wa3 IN the largest sense rep
resentative OF New York. so far as we have any
'best people" IN this happy democratic metropolis,
they were in Jerome Park. Merchants pale from
n,l hon Iou haal
less OF cause and Jury; literary people, welcoming
Inspiration in the sunshine; grave judges, lightly
bearing the weighty matters ofthe law, pressed and
crowded around the stands anxious about the
fav0rites and the field, and manllestng an ex-
traordinary extent OF eagerness about the races.
This Is the attractive feature about the Jerome
Park that 1t Is really social exchange OF courtesy
and friendly salutatlons. Busy people, who move
on from week to week in their business ruts never
meeting, except these occasional and hurried
gimpses of eacn other, like ships greeting at sea,
and going to the east and the west without
further recognition, find the gathering
at Jerome Park q reawak ening and renewal
OF friendships One learns that after ALL there Is
lie In New York outside OF cent per cent and
actions for libel and assault and battery. SANDER
has day OF rest. Political aninosities are
hushed. The Ring chief who was tried the other
day and the judge who sentenced his comrade and
would gladly have sent him along hustle each
other over the benches and strain with eager eyes
after the rushing groups OF many colored horsemen
that have only this instant flashed like bolt from
the azure, and now keep on on. on, around the
bending track for fame and gain.
The grounds OF the club house seem to have been
combed, the grass Is so neat and the paths are so
tidy. An occasional drag rumbles into place.
loaded with young men and maidens who remain
seated until the race Is over. Once 1t Is over,
the maidens hold court, and receive homage from
~ te VINO Chamber up Tue stdes OF .ne coacn
under the trees and cluster around
tne balconies to gossip and partake OF
couple stroll of towards tire track to see the
starter as he quarrels with the jockeys, or, as IL
PIobaoie, to repeat over and over again the Old
old story. In time the balcony and terraces are
nLed with an interesting, picturesque crowd. only
WnAL WOul0 the crowd not he but for the Offenclng