The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-21
AROUND THE DOCKS.


1t is almost impossible to realize the benefit that
is derived by the people of this crowded city on
fine Sunday. 1t is not merely because rain would
lessen the crowds the excursions to Coney
Island Long Branch, R,ckaway, up the Hudson.
Fort Lee. and the other numerous resorts. but it
would also deprive the poorer classes Of the pure
air they inhae week in the parks on
the docks. During the heated term the docks
ere more popular than the parks. especially those
docks running into the North aud East rivers down
town. In the eyes Of the poorer classes residing in
the thickly crowded districts down town they pos
sess a double advantage-nore breeze and less cost
A trip to the Park will cost at least ten cents
per head, while pleasant walk will
carry the entire family to the docks. and
there thousands OF people in this city
ends meet. Throughout the day numbers of people
frequ the docks, generally selecting those that
extend furthest into the river that they catch
every breath OF air that sweeps up aud down the
river. They make themselves AS comfortable AZ the
limited accommodations win permit, some sitting
on the empty packing and barrels that may be
s. rewed around others perched the ends OF piles
that protrude above tie fYor; while many OF the
boys prefer to squat on the end OF the dock. with
their feet dan siinl the water. The young
people walk up and down together. the girls holding
to their hats a fresh pun loosens the hair.
and lau;hingly decline the eagerly profered assist
ace OF their willing escorts Sometimes one comes
tamily-f.ther and mother AID seven or
eight children. REGULAR little stepping stones, with
carrying the infant. while the rathcr hV the
baad Of little one that has just mas
tered the art of waikiki and the twelve
year-od girl with all the biity or the eldest
sister, is rushing lrantica, arouud Keeping the
younger members of the family at res pectable
distance from the edge OF the dock. There Is some
thing very fascinating to children III the ever
changing panorama that they sec on the river. and
their eager questions show the interest they tahe in
the passing show. A steamer passes rapidly down
tle river laden to the gunwae With excursonsts and
the children clap their hands ana dance on the wharf
with excitement Their attention is quickly turned
to barge. gayly dressed in flags, moving slowly up
in tow OF tug people dancing on the decks. to the
dren however. not particular AZ to the quality
long as the band pays popular airs. and listen
away in the distance. white winged yacht
elects cry oi admiration. and then a
saucy little tug darts the bow of huge
rerryboa.. For moment 1t seems AS II collision
inevitable. but the pilot knows what lie is
about, ami both pass ON their way without any acc-
dent. y few hours IN the docks Is certainly the
nearest app that can be had to free excursion
you get the fresh AIR. hear the music AMI the
people without spending cent.
FAvoRIrE LouSGlNG PLACES.
The busiest time on the docks is during the few
hours before sunset. when, after an ear!y tea, the
people stroll out from them crowded. homes to get
little fresh air. They generally prefer those docks
the excursion steamers call. sucn the stone
pier at the Bat'cry, pier z. Franklin street. Leroy
street, Cedar street, Tenth street. Iwcnty-second
street, wcnty-fourth street and Thirty-fourth
street on the ~ rtn ri YER and Tenth street Twenty
tn ri street and Th.rty-th.rd street the Eist
RIVER. The uptown peope generally muster IN great
force round 1weniy-hird street and the Moth River.
}, they have variety OF excitement around that
eighborhood. Tie Twenty-fourih street dock ~
special iavorite Sunday evenings, and yesterday
evening there must nave boon several hundred u,
aud children loungn9 about the pier be-
tween tho houls ot seven ami eight o'clock. The
GIaid ltepublic left that "itr at la-past seven
T.. NJ. her last RIP to the new pier at Conoy
island ~ Il Just before che started the people were
favored with open air concert that they appeared
to thoroughly enjoy. Down at the dock running
out at the end of Twenty -sesond street
I'll re was plenty of excitement watching the
arrival and departure of the Eliza Iancox,
L Svlyrster and a.. IL. So xl.rt hat ara
also running to the iron per and back Down town
there were thousands OF people stroing about the
battery Park, and from thence TO the stone pier
where the Plymouth Rock calls for passengers the
iron pier at Long Branch. This IS PROBABLY the
handsonest per in tho city, and is lib rally
patronizcd every Sunday evening. There
u number OF visitors to pier z, seated around
tho end of the dock. watching tho steamers
pass up and down and the excursionists they
landed from Rockaway and Coney Island. few
minutes after seven Il. NJ the Grand Republic came
up alongside the dock her decks literally black
with human beings returning from days outing
at Rockaway Beach. The gang plank no sooner
touched the dock than they shore in
\ stream that took hvc minutes to out.
They must have had pleasant time judging from
the laughing faces that hurried on tho boat. The
girls did not mind their criinps being out OF curl,
but let their hair damp from salt water bath hang
loose behind to dry These almost NIL excur-
sionsts of the poorer classes that went to Rockaway
for regular picnic, and not caring TO put money
in the pockets of the hotels ard Restaurants took
their baskets laden with eatables, and brought them
back Allied with shells, pebbles, seawecd and other
relics from the beach. Other steamers followed in
quick succession, coming from Concy Island, and
then, at eight L. NJ, the Grand Republic made
another call on her way to the iron pier ut Conuy
Island. the last trip of the day. The people seemed
to hate to leave the fresh air around the docks and
after dusk there were still number strolling
around.