The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-15
More Music.

More Music.
The success of the two principal music gar
dens in New York-those under the control
of Mr. Thomas and Mr.. Gilmore-suggests
one or two reflections These gardens have
been the leading attractions of the city dur
ing the heated summer months. They are an
exception to that rule which has SO long
seemed to govern our legislators and those
who cater for our amusement-that during
the midsummer New York should be an aban-
doned, desolate, dusty city. Wehave always
felt that New York, properly governed, might
be made as attractive in midsummer as it is
in midwinter. Certainly the success of these
musical gardens shows that our people in mid
summer are as anxious for amusement as they
are about Christmas time Among the at
fractions of the great capitals of Europe are
musical gardens. We have two, when we
might as well have twenty. Neither the gar
den of Thomas nor Gilmore fully satisfies
the wants Of the people. They are ex-
periments. The fact that they are
successful should lead their projectors
to do better the next season. Thomas
Garden is too far from the line of population.
It lies on an uncomfortable railroad. The
journey to Thomas is as dreary as o trip to
Philadelphia or Albany. Yet, as musical
entertainment there is probably nothing
better in the United States. Thomas HIM
self is fine artist He has selected good
orchestra. He has never pandered to the
lower tastes of the people. He has lifted the
standard of his art to the classic height. He
has taught the people while interesting them.
He has shown us the merit in Wagner and
Beethoven, List and Schubert What was
formerly an. evidence of classic study in
music is now an ordinary accomplishments
Our street boys, instead of singing "Shoo
Fly" aspire to 'Lohengrin." A visit to
Thomas Garden is education as well as
amusement It's manager has made him
self in many ways public benefactor. The
Gilmore Garden, on the other hand, is more
convenient than Thomas, more pleasantly
arranged and the music may be said to be
more popular in its character. Gilmores
Garden is not as comfortable as it might be.
1t is temporary, tawdry in its adornments,
while the music is not always of the highest
standard. For musical purposes Gilmore's
Garden is too large, and there is general
impression that people visit it as much for
beer and for conversation as to listen to the
band
Nevertheless, the success Of these enter
prises shows that the people of New York
would willingly support six or eight musical
gardens arranged upon the same plan, per-
haps not so ambitious in their character, and
scattered in different parts of the CITY, We
might have one in Washington square and
another on the Battery. Union square and
Madison square are attractive locations.
There could be band in Stuyvesant square,
and fifth, perhaps, in Gramercy Park, with
others in the Central Park at either end for
the accommodation Of the inhabitants Of the
lower section as we'll as those Of Harlem. We
see no reason why our public squares should
not during the summer months be open for
these innocent instructive entertainments.
Why should these beautiful resorts be aban-
doned at night to drowsy policemen, street
walkers and sleeping tramps, when by q
little arrangement of lights and a cheap
structure in the way of a platform and
covered room there could be the opportunity
of spending two or three delightful hours
every evening? We want more music in New
York. If the gracious descendants Of the
Irish kings who now control the destinies of
this mighty city would only stop their fool
ish and degrading quarrels and enable US to
enjoy our public parks during these long
summer nights, as is permitted to Paris it
would be an advantage and q blessing for
which they would receive the gratitude of the
people.