The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-22
A "RING" BATHING HOUSE.

SPORTING IN THE SURF IN VACANT LOT ON
FIFTH AVENUE
In the darkness OF night some stranger aud way.
farer In this city may have been startled 10 tho
vicinity OF Fifth avenue and Fifty ninth street by
what appeared to him Q promiscuous crowd OF skoe-
tons OF tall giants OF various sizes. The
objects which thus alright the lone traveller ADD
throw their CHASTITY moonlight shadows across
his path are tue crumolng, unfinished walls
OF what Is generally known as the 'Ring'' hotel.
These walls occupy the entire front Fith avenue Of
the block between Fifty eighth and Fftyninth streets
and reach back into The square about ooethrd It's dis
lance The foundations of this mammoth structure
were LAID shortly before or about the limo Of the
breaking up OF the ''king,' aud alter the bare
walls had been carried up irregular distances
work thereon abandoned. Ever since these
CHASTITY and naked walls aud iron pillars have
stood unprotected from summers sun ana winters
rain and hail and frost. According 10 all that known
OF the project 1t originated in halo OF glowing hopes
Had It's hne proportions been completed 1t would have
overlooked the most popular aud magnificent
70 the Central Park. On It's ample balconies the
magnates Of tho "Rng" might sit Ia tho
Hivanas and gaze compIacently on The
endless procession OF the ages AS they moved
in and out of the iavorite park. No great "Rlns"
headquarters could DO complete without cool, clear
spring water whercwith NIX their brandy and thus
no doubt II was that the very centre of the lot
which the building was TO be erected
Is living spring. Since work was abau-
doncd on the building and It got into tho
the process of foreclosure and rcor
OF ITS mortgages tho spring and all the other port
OF the property been allowed take them
selves The result has been that the cellar the build
ing has been constantly flooded. In the winter this
has proved very serious Inconvenience any one,
but IN sumner tho water ha, stood here ana there
In stagnant malarious pools, sending forth
their offensive smells in the ncgnborhood
and hlling Tue with myriads OF voraciOus mosqu-
toes AS this WAS enough II has occurred to tho
boys OF the vicinity, small anc large. reputable and
dIsreputable, well some men, TO Utilize these
waters Tor bathing purposes. They banked up the
would appear the grass plot in of tho building
and dance an Indian war dance IN state oil nature
THE NEICIBoRs OBJECT.
The occupants OF the adjacent houses maze COM
plant to Board oil Health the sanitary aspecl
thor grievances and to the Police department on the
satisfaction hitherto. The old octosenerian police
man the beat II is true, was seen snak-
ing his club ut tho bathcrs, and tho latter
TO put their fingers TO thoir
noses IN not very complimentary manner In re-
sponse When the reporter OF tho HERALD passed
that way yesterday sergeant and private OF police
experimenting iaborer with u shovel who was
ruu OF. Grateful the complaining residents
express themselves for these sgns OF oificinl
lilo they say 1t will take but a few handtus OF
earth again dam up tho waters. Tho property, It Is
said has recently got into the hands OF tho Livipgs
tons and KnicKerbockers, and the complaining neigh.
hands which Will bsnish the malaria, mosquitoes and
unadorned dancers which seem hitherto 10 have de-
nod the united genius and authority both tho Health
aud Police Departments.