The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-13
OUT OF TOWN.
The Pavements Deserted Tor the
Surf and Sward.
RECREATION IN CENTRAL PARK,
Excursions to the Seaside Fire
Island Hospitality.

the city this summer, from whatever cause, would
have excuse for repning II such weather as iha' u
yesterday and the day before the rule ana not Tue
exception in the months Of August and July me sun
has snonc brightly from an unclouded SKY ana re-
minded people that summer Is not YET past put inc
beat OF its rays has been tempered by steady ana
refreshing Then again, the dryness OF the at
mosphere has prevented the general feeling oil enerVa
tion which had prevailed during the preceding week or
fortnight Yesterday was a DAY OF recreation rather
than of rest Instead of spending the day within cioscu
doors and enjoying the physical ana mental reposo
oil ideness thousands swarmed into the open AR ana
found healthier in change of scene and exercise.
II letter day for seamboa, aud railroad com
pancs, q general rush being made to all accessible
watering places and suburban retreats The rNef ana
bay teemcd with pleasure craft OF every Kind, ana
wherever there were green grass and shaoy "eeh
happy groups OF men, women and children were SEEM
ana II may be doubted whether the pleasures OF tho
day were not more spontaneous and refreshing than
any holiday appointed by law, when oil classes are
weighed down by tho awful necessity Of enjoying
themselves whether no. II only ono day In tho
week be blessed with perfect weather that day
should BIO the Sabbath. The Inconvenience OF heat
and might we'll DO supported throughout the SIX
days Of toll If clear Sunday were thing assured.
RAINY dsagrecabe Sabbath is apt to throw chilling
gloom over the whole the week. This fact seems TO
weather and If an estimate were made IL would per
haI,s 10 found that other day OF the seven IS SO
generally question. II should be So at
least, II II is not.
Central Park was, as it must be- the resort OF
the great majority or the poorer classes In the morn
ing the attendance was large enough to have over
crowded any park Of less noble dimensions but 1t was
not until alter church time-for all churches arc
moi In he
beg an gather IN overwhelming numbers. Before
long the grounds presented gay ana brilliant spec
tace. The grass hes not yet begun 10 be
withcred by the summer SUM- and what with
tho waving branches and trembling leaves OF the
trees, of all shapes and every variety OF color,
the blooming shrubs the bright sky aud the flashing
waters OF the Lake, tho scenery OF the PARK seemed
never before to have been SO beautiful The breeze
just strong enough to ripple the surface
of the Lake without raising the dust from the
unwatcrod walks The air cool and bracing, and
made luxury Of walking. This was fortunate, for on
Sunday the Park is given up almost exclusively to
visitors who afford other Of transporta-
than Is supplied by we'll practscd feet The car
rlagcs Of the rich seldom seen Sunday alter
The distance from the homes OF the poor TO the
gates Of the Park is generally too great to DO overcome
by walking and ride In the horse cars, which other
wise would DO an enjoyable Trip is rendered I'M
pleasant by their crowded condition. The ride on the
Fourth avenue cars yesterday was made doubly dis
agreeable by the filthy condition of the tunnel, which
gave rise 10 thousand bad oiors from the pavement
and bad words from the passengers.
Visitors to the Park Sunday always disap-
pointed at nnding the closed. But perhaps
It we'll that the hours they have to spare should
all DO spent In the open air. The menagcre s
opon than the museum; but the tainted
atmosphere Is hardly more healthy All the
larger animals ruminants least amused themselves
and numerous spectators out In the grounds by clumsy
efforts 10 whsk flies from behind their with slim
aud STUDY tails and failing in that crushed their airy
tormontors by fierce blow 0i the h0oE A fiat headed,
sleek looking seal lay basng the suniigh, scratch
ing his check with the claw OF his hind leg, tail and
praclisnx various contortons to keep the scorchng
RAYS of The sun from his unaccustomed eyes. Girls
boys gathered around the immense cage Of eagles
and admired ihe dignity Of tnelr repose, perched
grandly on a barren branch, their mouths vide open
the beak supported by their slightly projecting
tongues But eagle on perch anu al eagle on the
ground waddng 10 water trough are two very differ
tain arstooratic air, belttlng tho monarch OF
the air; the other onends by tho I'M
calmly walk. Many littlc childrel wcre sadly
disappointed yesterday at finding the monkey house
empty closed but regainod their spirits before the
cages of the laughing jackasses, foolish looking owls
| and amorous doves, whose coong sounds much like
suppressed laughter The places OF rereshmant were
well patronized, while baby carriages donkeys lake
boats and all other conveyances were Kept IN active
operation throughout the day Crowds passed 10 and
fro on the Mali and Cas,no while worry young children,
with their nurses enjoyed themselves on the pleasant
turf the East Lawn IL Is estimated that about
tyhve thousand persons visited the Park yesterday.
| PROSPECT PARK.
The no weather and inviting breezes had the effect
| OF attracting upward of twenty thousand people 10
Prosrect PARK Yesterday The forenoon was tai zen ad-
vantage Of by thousands of weary toors OF the week.
who determined upon making full days recreation
and securing the avore hooks and sequcstored spots
| for the domestic rendezvous. Parents were seen
struggling along under the weight Of beiv'ly
ladcn lunch baskets, followed by their families
Even though the rate of taxation oil tho property
owner had been increased by the S. 900 expended
| in the construction and perfection OF this popular
| pleasure ground, what cared they for the costf
There lay upward OF two hundred and Atty acres OF
vordan unduiang territory, with its miniature cas-
cades, nifty ucres OF lako, woodlands, hill and dale
ami view OF the finest harbor in the world stretching
far out TO engage and entrance the behoider. But It
| ynltes went the Park. Then the Smith street,
Fatbush avenue Nos:rand avenue and Sackett street
lines OF cars we're taxed TO their utmost capacity TO
carry tho people Then, TOO The drives were hiled by
vehicles OF every description. Tho boulevard leading
to Coney Island was also alive with wagons. Water
carts kept constantly in motidn, amt tho dust
laid TO comfort the pedestrians the walks. On the
| great lawn children froicked ana rolled, whiio
their parents looked happily The lake fleet OF
boats was kept steadily occupied in conveying voy
ayers among the Islands which dot that artificial sheet
OF water The great artcsiau well was we'll patronizcd
by VISITORS who descended TO the bottom and partook
OF the cool waters which are ever bubbng up from It's
pebbly bed. The ponies were constantly on tue move
up and down tho shady drives bearing juvenile cQues
TRANS on their first ride, to tho great delight Of Inc
youngsters. Tho day at Prospect Park was very on
| joyable
| AT nocKAwAY BEACH.
over twenty thousand people visited Rockaway
Beach from New YORK and Brooklyn The railroads
did fair share Of the work OF transportation but by
far the greater number OF persons made the trip by
other Of the great steamers that make landings
AT the beach A strong westerly wind blew curing tho
early part OF the afternoon aud after the boats passed
oney Island heavy clouds spray were thrown over
the forward portion OF their docks. But this only
added TO tho fun, tor as each more daring or more
absent minded individual advanced to the rail- and got
good ducking, bis look OF rueful astonshmcnt as lie
hurried drer spot called forth bursts Of laughter
from the byslanders. A heavy ground swell was a
less pleasant feature OF the trip Not few suffered
from sea sickness. But even this was FUN for those
who escaped. "Hurrah for the next who dies, " said
gentleman ms lady near him retired. He
the next, and he 1rst grew pale and then re.
treated 10 the depths the vessel his exit was greeted
with uproarious merrimcnt. Down at the beach the
old amusemonls were eagerly rcsortcd to- The young
tried Their hand at baseball throwing, cndcav-
orng to knock the heads OF ugly wooden
ngures generally, IL may be remarked, With
out success The rage for rifle practice also
extended hero, and the sign "Creedmoor Range" drow
many candidate from tho crowd for future honors In