The New York herald., 1875-08-29
POOR CHILDREN'S PICNIC.

YESTERDAYS EXCURSION TO ORIENTAL GROVE
OVER 1000 LITTLE ONES ENJOY DAY IN THE
PURE AIR.
The fifth excursion Of the season. under the auspices
of the Free Excursion Fund for Children took place
yesterday, the occasion furnishing opportunity for
2245 little girls and boys of the Tenth ward enjoy
least one day in the fresh and pure air which but for
this charity they would know. The benefits that
these poor little denizens of the crowded tenement
houses which thicky clustered together in this
ward derive from these pcnics, occurring they do
but year, scarcely be estimated but one
glance at the smiling and happy faces Of the little waits
their return homeward, compared with the weary
and careworn look that prevails before the days
pleasure is entered upon, tells q tale that
needs comment, for 1t plainly shows that great
good has been done alike to the mind and body the
poor little participants in the pleasures provided for
them The trip yesterday to Oriental Grove, Long
Island and return.
The number of children who were allowed to join the
picnic exceptionally large but such are the num-
bers who dwell in this ward which is of the most
popuous Of the city, that it was only by the exercise
of the greatest possible discretion the part of the
manager, Mr.. George F. Williams, that even a limit
could be reached. At the station house. in Eldrdge
street, there nearly
THREE THOUSAND BOYS GIRLS
massed together at the appointed hour who formed
into line and marched in procession down to the dock
On arriving there, however found that ranks
had become still more swelled until it was apparent
that all could not be taken the barge. The sitting
process therefore, had to be gone through WITH only
those having tickets being taken The larger boys and
girls carefully wceded out All who were con-
sdered to be of the proper age and size allowed
enter the dock and get the barge, which in watt
ing, until it was thought that 600 little
barked. However, it was found making an actual
count that there was the number previously stated
arily be eligible to participate in the bene-
fits furnished by these picnics were perforce
left behind through inability to accommodate them
Some people, doubtless will wonder how it be pos
sble to manage such number of children and pre-
vent all kinds Of accidents; but such is the perfect
system that has been instituted by Mr. Williams that
the children scarcely need any governance at all
Everything appears to move by clockwork, as it were,
and no trouble is experienced. The children too
appear to understand what is expected of them and
rule cheerfuly comply with and assist in carry
ing out the regulations that made for their own
COMFORT AND SECURITY
The fact that every picnic, far, given under the
auspices OF this Fund.- the children have been brought
home safely, without the slightest accident the
cessity of medical assistance speaks well for the
agement.
before eight O'Clock, from Eldrdge street, the girls
heading the line in of ten, led by Mr.. Williams.
Next came the Governors Island Band, and immedi-
atey after this the boys in solid column, stretching
from sidewalk to sidewalk and extending back
two blocks The large covered wharf at pier No. 80,
East River, kindly offered for the of the little ex-
cursonists by Messrs. Barlng Il Davis agents of the
New Bedford and New York steamers, was reached in
good order, and there the children formed two
abreast and passed on board the barge Republic each
one, he she crossed the gangplank, being fur
nshed with ticket for breakfast which consisted of
huge buttered roll and mug Of milk, and which was
supplied TO the whole number within hour. After
this all hands were allowed TO themselves they
saw f and merry games we're they that started,
sometimes independent and at others in the form or
marching and dancing The grove was reached after
A MAGNIPIcENT
by noon, when the children allowed to 60 on
shore, each receiving, landing large sandwich
Swimming the thing that every one went for
and II was but few minutes after the boat touched the
dock before the beach and water filed with little
FORMS the girls one side and the boys the other
Next came the Punch and Judy show, by Professor
Darsy and the exhibition of natural magic by Profess
sor Logrnia both of which entertainments appeared
to hugely the little ones who rang out their ap-
proval in successive rounds of cheers Then there
we're the swings and the steam carousel which
both largely patronized and enjoyed The re-em-
barkation began at three o'clock, and the
homeward voyage began half hour later. AS
the little passed board lemonade was served out
to EACH and short time after starting handed out
the great treat of the day vz-ce and cake in
bountifu quantities Pier 80 was reached shortly after
six O'Clock, where all the children safely landed
and marched in column with band playing and
ooLoRs PLYING
TO the place of starting where three rousng cheers
given for Mr. Williams after the singing of Down IN
Coal Mine" the Muligan Guards' and other kindred
choruses The details of police from the Twenty sixth
and Tenth precincts, under Sergeant Webb, rendered
most efficient services during the excursion.
EXPENSES
The cost of the day $735, which includes the hire
of tug and barge band help &C The quantity Of pro-
visions consumed by the children 1900 rolls 81
pounds OF butter 163 pounds of beef % pounds Of ham,
50 pounds Of tongue 1900 sponge cakes 500 quarts Of
MILK 400 quarts of ice cream half barrel of sugar.
one box of lemons 900 pounds of ice and large guam
tty OF small stores average cost for each child Of
q tr1e less than SO cents.
In order that these picncs may be continued the
Trustees announce that they in immediate need of
funds. Subscriptions should therefore be at once for
warded TO Mr. Edward King, Treasurer of the Free Ex-
cursion Fund for Poor Children, No. 70 Broadway the
office of the Union Trust Company.