New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-20
SCENES IN THE PARKS.

The genial warmth of yesterdays sun reused even
the most indolent person from his usual Sunday in
activity and stupidity and startled from ms lalr the
boy who could not escape from Sunday
school. There was mcllowncss and mildness
in the air that entiCcd everyone ont of doors,
and all DAY long the parks in tine city hronged
with people VINO louuged hStlcSsy on the benches.
In Central Park there was thc hum Of hurrying
hOofs and the buzz of many young men and women
i'm conversation. Near The entrance III tlity-nlnth-
st. queer old women invited the pedestrian to bay
figs or cookies; The park policemen seemed sur,
pIised at the rush of visitors. One Of
them remarked that 1t was the largest
crowd he had seen there for months,
and when some one suggested mat the
looked thoughtful. All of the available seats were
filled throughout the day. The tramps, who sought
the Park because every other place was closed
basked III the sun and compared notes on the best
place for free lunch. Many Young men were there
and they occupied the seats and benches To the
evident dissatisfaction of their elders. Small boys
and girls rompcd and raced mp and down the walks,
and when not occupied m that amusement beguled
the time in swinging Not few nrchins followed
the Injunction to " keep off the grass and kept it
oil with amazing success. The family dog was also
present wearing his usual promenade apparel
with the solemn scdacncss that becomes his species.
The park coaches gTOanCd and CTeakcd under
their heavy loads 1t was Il harvest day Tor the
LacI;ncn and the cabmen. Around the obelisk
aroups of women admired the hierogyphics on
CleOpatra's needle, and wondered Wien the thlmble
would BE- brought over One prolane man was
heard to speak highly of the trcscolng on the tall
column and remarked that those ancients were
Oh art"
The lakes presented fine appearance. All of
the boats from the gorgeOusly painted wheTry TO
the leaky tub were in demand, and oated lazily on
tbe smooth waters were propelled by hardy oars
men. The swans gidcd majestically over the water
and looked reprOachtully on the merry boat loads.
The lakes were So smooth that the rowing parties
were the only sabbath" breakers. The
animals in their enclosures came in for
large share of attention, amusing crowds of
people Ii was TOO early Tor even the earliest
al nlav bptr pplO h,,t tlo
Japan ounces were full Of their pink buds and the
Forsythias were Fastening to put on their yellow
robes. Thousands of catkins hung on the haZcls
and aldcrs the lilac buds were giving promise OF
abundant bloom at no far distant day, while the
elms and the red naples seemed impatiently await
ing their spring opening. In the Rambe the colts
foot was thrusting up ITS vigorous stems, ana the
Peacock Lawn was gorgeous with all the colors of
the rainbow. The birds seemed greatly To enjoy
the day. and their spreading plumage attracted
delighted crowds.
The drives and thoroughfarcs were filed
with carriages. William H. Vanderbilt was driving
in q cab early III thejatternOOn. Frank Work was
also out enjoying the balmy air. Tony D." Hart,
behind pair of handsome roadstcrs, came into the
park late in the afternoon. At o'clock all the
walks aud roads were flied so that walking or rid
ing were difficult. An hour later the crowd had
started hOmeward.
In Madison and Union Squares hundreds of
people sought the open air. Girls and boys with
skipping ropes and rollerskates made life burden
to pedestrians The empty fountains IN these parks
furnished ample accommodations for boys who
lOnged to break a leg or sprain an ankle that they
might stay away from school. In the City Hall
Park there was a full attendance. The lOungcrs
were Of different Sort however, from those who
sought the other open places. Here the street
friendly feeling by such expressions as shoot the
hat or Bounce them kids" This park was also
filed with tramps who slept on one anOther's
shoulders In the most familiar manner. At Wash
lngtOn Square there were pedestrian matches GO
ing on between small boys and girls, whose antics
amused people of more mature age.