The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-18
The Great Park Recovering from the Effects
Of the Siege Of Paris
SKATING AS SUMMER AMUSEMENT.
Polo and Pigeon Shooting the
Popular Sports.
EXCITING SCENES ON THE POLO GROUNDS.

they had thrown OF they supposed for the season.
the weather suddenly cleared up Monday last, tho
came out bright and warm, and We began 10 have
a forciaste OF what sunny juno has In store for u.s.
People INN cdatey commenced fockns toward the
Bots de Boulognc, and IN tho afternoon the Champs
Elysdes broad rs II Is, seemed be crowded tall
Of carriages that another could hnrdy have ionnd
place whilo the sidewalks full OF prom naders
OF young and old children babies nurses, soldiers,
idcrs, oungers sauntering up and down beneath tho
trees sitting upon the chairs and benches that
stranger might have been excused for thinking the
whole population OF Paris had for walk or
drive on the Champs Elysdes.
Paris IL much affected by changes of weather a.
an old rheumatism or flower. 1t is kind OF great
thermometer. whose bulb overfows when the sun
comes out and pours Its living into that mag
ninccnt OF the Elysian Fields and tho Bots do
Bouosne, whore tho temperature may be measured by
the number OF people with great certainty the
tube OF Fahrenheit or Reaumur.
Bos.
Let push through the CROWD, get one Of those
light open vctorias just large enough for persons
that pleasant and so cheap luxury unknown
10 New Yorkdrop into the line, three Deep that is
dragging It's length like endless chain up ono side OF
the Champs Elysecs and down the other and make
our way to the famous Bois
Once past the Arc the of carriages thins out
somewhat and roll gayly down the beautiful ave.
OF the Empress, with broad patches Of grass
on each side, which movable fountains nre
dashing spray in tiny showers; flower beds
clumps Of bushes and plants all watcrcd trimmed
kept in the most perfect order We past the
forti1caons and out into the Bos The hero
the first 800 yards bushes and shrubs
place but poorly the growth or tty years that stood
here before the serge Paris But soon we come into
that part or the wood which spared here the
trees comparatively old and large The road winds
through thom broad, bold cirves, and branches oil
in different directions in many devious turnings that
lost beneath the thick green foliage. For time
we seem to be In the middle OF some
DExsx AND rSrREQUKxrED FORREST,
and to look around you xoud suspect We wore,
after all near the great city OF Paris
For quite alone here, and hear nothing
but the rumble Of wheels the soft ground
and the chattering Of the magpics and other birds
overhead among the leaves. After a while we come 10
an opening and catch glimpse Of blue sky; then we
como suddenly around turning. Our driver pulls up
short stops, and have very pretty and strik-
Ing scene before us.
green level prairie, several in extent on the
edge Of which--almost among the bushcs-a tent
with several people horses standing about It. In
the middle Of the prairie little lake lying calm aud
placid in the sunshine and extending tar enough on
one side to meet tho wood, whose embroidery
Of foliage il reflected In It in delicate
fringe OF lace work. On side OF tho
PRAIRIE the tent, couple OF upright poles
with red flags flying from them and 200 yards further
away two with blue flags Between are number
OF horscmen galoping madIy about with long handled
mallcts in their hands, dashing savagely at each
other and all coming together in isap; separating
scattering In all drcctions again dividing into two
different camps and charging down like two cavalry
regiments trying 10 overthrow each other then ali
dashng forward IN mass, apparently giving tho chase
10 one OF their number who making desperate efforts
10 escape tho maiets OF his enemies and the Same
time striking rastc blows at white ball that rolling
along the ground In front OF him. These are
all drcsscu bright coors Of rod scarlet blue green
pink, yellow. that show very bright in tho SUM-
IN groups, continually varying bouaurt OF
rich glowing coors enclosed and set In the
them Far away in the distance the dark moss Of
Mount valerien looms against the sky tho spot
Of shadow IN this bright and animated picture.
1T - TUE GAMK
that have before us, and the ltue prairie and lake
hid away here In the middle OF the forest are the
Satsneurr. 40
THIS club it should be understood has nothing 10 do
with skating rinks, which just now all The rage in
Paris as well Us London When they skate at ali il Il
upon real leo the winter and In the opcn air and
they nave none Of the patent arrangements
for making ice In summer which have been
introduced into some OF the LONDON rinks There Is
consequently very little skating dono here There are
the weather cold enough to form good ice, and tho
term grounds of the skating club Is rather msno-
mcr The place has hitherto been devoted TO
pigeon shooting than anything else, and fact Il 10
known all the cabmcn OF Paris the fir amx
pigeons All The members o. tho club are well known
Pau cannes aad Spa. at one OF which places most OF
them may generally BIO seen.
SINCE polo has fashion they have Como
into the game heart and SOUL and IN the grounds
OF tho skating club they have found Geld already
made TO hand admirably adapted TO polo playing. In
fact no moro pleasant place could DO Tor this
athletic and cxhiIarating sport than tlo green
prarr Of the skating club hid away here in tho heart
II Z certainly delightful and fascinating game and
canIundcrstapd that nobody alter having tasted
thu delights OF polo should after bill
iards9or any other indoor game. After the hos, close
brlI ROOM with It's poisoned air, heavy with tobacco
smuec tho fumes OF drink, The heat OF burning gas
and fne exhalations human lungs. what delight
the part in healthy and athletic exercise manly
audi xcing sport, requiring hOrscmanshp. strength
OF I'M skl, quckncss OF oye prompt decision ana
pre- .nco OF mlpd played on horseback a green
sw I'd in the woods, IN the open air and sunshine Is
II I v wonder Il should have become popular TO
DC Il fair way to supcrsedc among those who can
aid "a Il all other sportss
Although the members Of tho Polo Club have been
playing Tor time here in desuitory way, tho
seaspn, owcg 10 tho rainy weather, can scarcely be
sa,dAo have fairly opened until Monday last. They
PLAYED now aud then bul il was rather the object
Of KEEPING their hands In exercising the ponies and
breaking ones 10 the work
This is no easy matter uniess tho pony takes nat
uray the game OF us accord, and many ponies
u
well known can be obstinate donkcys when they
take Il mi their heads so, and many absolutely
refuse 80 have anything 70 do with polo a. all In
abis the ears In the very beginning, and this
THEM against u. Others, l believe, sufficiently
clever 10 understand that II Is very hard work and
they decline 10 learn II for tho same reason
that monkey refuses TO talk On last Sat
urday Gaspurd Errxxu ssied TO break IN
spicndid little black pony that seemed made for
tho game but without success. When urged TO 20
forward take part N tho contest ho only shook his
head md onds tf.l
(d not approve of the game ataIl And when further
furgcd 10 do by divers arguments known 10 horse
men, he his disapprosal by walking back
war;. putting his hcad down between his forelegs and
ecyating hts necls high tile mir, WHICH in equine
language means belicvc dlsapprosa and negaton Of
the strongest and most positive kind He remained
arm resolution not take part IN the game, ia
spc Of nil the cosxibg oxpos,ulaton and more iorcbio
arguments to The contrar, Notwithstanding cannot
help thinking that this pony knew more than lie pre-