New-York tribune., 1879-06-02
THE FIRST DAY or SUMNER.
SEEKING SHADE AND QUIET IN THE PARk'
OPENING OF THE FREE CONCERT sEAsoN-CHiLD-
RENs MAY PARTIES

OPENING OF THE FREE CONCERT SEASON-CHiLp-
RENs MAY PARTIES.
To one visiting the parks in Nev-lork on
Saturday and yesterday there was no indication toa'
thousands had by boat and train to find ree ro
the heat and dust the city along the seashore thou
remained enjoy the pure air and grateful shade
which could be found close hand. The weather was
warm where the sun fell all day on stone pafemenIS
and high brick walls which shut of the breeze IL was
hot; and from the Of tho weltodO and the mar
row rooms the poor all who could escape ior leW
hours did So Saturday In Central Park was children
day, and toward evening seemed 10 be every body
day From early in the morning Maying parties of lit
tie children could seen everywhere each with lis
chosen queen clad in white The bah ground was alive
parties of school boys batting and running bases
beneath the fervid OF the Children with Their
nurses or mothers everywhere The eoats on tbo
lake we're constantly employed, and many merry
shout and song echoed water as the children
foated galIy along beneath the comfortable awnings
The goat-cars on the Mall the PONIES and the donReys
were literally patronzed. and the little animals seemed
to be the only living things which were not enjoying
themselves
In the afternoon the crowds iDcrease and children
of q larger growth began 10 prepondeIate weary
clerks released from Office, counting room ana snop
sought vigor amid the green slopes and shady trees
The seats along the pathways under leay arOors ana
throughout the ramble were soon all filed, ana 'he
wanderor along the winding paths constantly COM
ing upon groups OF twOs threcsgeneraly twos-en-
gagged in agreeable conversation There was STEADY
demand cream soda water lager beer ana Dread
and mix in the places where these refreshments were
furnished. and the propretors reaped rich harvest
Before o'clock streams OF persons flowed from all
points toward the music stand the head o the Mall,
for Saturday was t1e opening day OF the musical season
in that great garden of the people, Awnings had
been stretched over seats all sides OF the stand, ana
all the shelter Afforded by them quickly taken up
the crowd overfowng upon the surrounding lawn and
the ne,chborlpg slopes The large arbor the hill
above was hed and hundreds OF carriages were
C s ~ aT te occunants could share for few mo-
ments in the enjoyment of the thousands below The band
comprised sixty MUSICIANS ana thc music con
of tvave nieces WAS varied to SUIT all tastes there
were classical selections at the be ginning ana popular
airs near the close. The selections from " IlnaOfe "
called forth continued applause. The audience was es-
tmated at fully 10000 and was evident TO one NOV
Of noylnept had been purchased them by the city
it doubtful much procured by any other eXpen-
dtuTe OF publlc money. lhe music over tHe CfO"d
tbUneG ont rapidly but the warm evening detained
many until a late hOur and until darkness had settled
down over the the numerous lines or cars leadhg
from the Park brought away eIoups OF persons with sun
brnpd faces and look OF WearneSs hut OF that Of
WEAKNESS which Is followed by hcalthIl steep ana It
wed yigur There comparatively few visitors at
the Muselm this occasion the music and other lea
lures interest attracting most attention one OF the
objects OF interest here is South Amefiean YuuTe
recently presented by Garrett Roach This bird, which
the cage with tne Gag es and other vuuIes Is sad
TO be unusually line spccImen beng IN luH piumage
is considered a valuable acquisition 10 the Cen
ra Park family of eagles and yutures, which held TO
be the finest collection in the world.
Yesterday dawned with still greater heat, but with
fresh and mvigOrating breeze-a typical June day:
Thousands rose from uneasy iumDeF in close ana neated
rooms TO whom Sunday is the only day Of Multi
tudes these pressed their way TO the Park early The
crowd was greater than the day before but OF DIFF
fereni kind Many hard-wOrklng men, accompanied by
their wives and children, ana carrying uncheons,Were
there TO spend the day young mechanics, 10 whom Sat
urday IL as busy day any, wandered through the
ranbe with girls whom they adOred, or sat ~ hail
bashfu silence on seats III shady E0Oks. Inc Daiiieu
was well patrOniZed the previous daY una there
was the same demand for cooling and refreshing huds
The Indictment music not needed TO I'LL the PARK
from an early hour to far into the evening
The smaller parks about the city were much ire
Ouented al day by men, women and Children To whom
the eXcrtiOn of going 10 Central Park greater than
they make or 10 whom the expenditure OF even
"A small amount car fare "A serious matter. Madl
SON Union ana stuyYesant Parks filled with con-
stanty chang crowds and many Of the persons living
in the lower visited the Battery 10 inhae the cool
Dreczes from the bay