, 1880-08-02
The Battery Park.

Years and years ago, the Oldest in
habitant and books On the subject will
tell you, the Battery was the fashion
able promenade for tho wealthy people
who dwelt in the aristocratic mansions
surrounding it. In that dingy-looking
building that skirts The turn at State
street, where the walk in front is Gov
cred with the filth from Broadway
omnibuses whirling by, where nothing
is heard but the cries and orders OF the
merchant and uncouth porter, where
all is the hurly burly of business, the
dust and confusion of buying and sell
ing, was danced the stately minuet. was
eaten the grand supper. presided over
by some bon yioant, who looked from
his place at the head Of the elegant re-
past upon the tightly fitting silk or the
wonderfully accurately tied necker-
chief of the grand lady and pompous
gentleman of the old school. At night
the -four barrels make retreating places
for the rats that scurry about in their
little game of hide-and-seek. but in
those ancient days the same spot was
occupied by the richly curtainea bed
stead of the individual whose wealth
and bearing placed him second to the
nobility.
Tho march of improvement sent all
this magnificence up town aud gave the
battery and its vicinity over to the men
of business, and the poorer classes of
the population who we're won't to lounge
about the park in quest Of purer air
than that offered in the dismal side
streets of their residence.
Everyone can remember what di-
lapitated broken walk place the Battery
Park was short time since. OHsnsive
to the eye at day and dangerous to life
and limb at night when people of the
vilsst class reserted there, From the
fashionable promenade it degenerated
into the retreat uf thieves and disorder
ly characters.
Then it changed again. Walks were
graded. paved and shaded. defenders Of
the peace were placed to watch the
evildoers who, finding polics surveil-
lance too much for them. berook them
selves away. Tue Battery rArk Lesuti-
fed and reclaimed is place of beauty
of which New York may feel proud.
The immigrant just landed after a
tempestuous voyage passes from the
loathsome steerage AID the confusing
Castle Garden into cbarming district
cooled by the breeezss from the sur
rounding waters.
What fine impression they must
receive of our city-those poor foreign
ers, when they see the foliage and COM
Portable benches, the great streets
stretching into the distance, wherein
is an exciting mixture of tall buildings,
taller churches and rapidly moving
vehicles on one side, d handsome bay
studded with sailing craft Of every
form On the ether, while Staten Island
looming in the distance and the blue
hills beyond carry them back TO the
homes OF their fathers
But the B,trery Park gives its real
advantages to the people who are forced
to live huddled in the tenemants of the
lower portion IF the great metropolis.
At all hours Of the day the children
may be seen rompina and playing
about, and at night the tired mothers
with bates and husbands find there a
chance to fill their lungs with that
great boon, fresh air.
There is nothing in the city of great
er advantage than the Battery Park
it is God-send to the peor. May
nothing ever happen to take it from
them or soil its pleasure-giving pro-
perties. N. Y. Null.