New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-10
CONCERTS IN WASHLNGrOY SQUARE.

A GREAT CROWD OF RICH AND POOR PEOPLE LIST
ENING TO THE FREE MUSIC
Washington Square presented hvely anu
picturesque appearance on Friday afternoon NJ O'Clock
when Cappas Seventh Regiment Band began the hth OF
the weekly open-air concerts which arc being given
there BY 3 O'Clock children OF every size, condition
and color began to gather In the walks and on the
hencho. I'm the neighborhood OF the band-stand
which has been built for these in the northwest
ern part Of the square. Young mothers with elderly
looking babes and aged-lookne mothers with remark
ably young babies there Ragged urchins, bare
footed and bare-headed chased each other about the
walks Nut-brown Italian and Spanish children and
black pickaninnes about among pale fnced small
ones of other races and all waiting cxpecanty for
the signal TO De gwen for go upon the grass AT
last the band arrived and the thousands OF youngsters
rushed for tho stand They were stopped by ring Of
park policemen who kept them forty or nfty feet from
the musicians. Then the motley assembly OF young
lovers of music dropped upon the greensward In
many-coorod circle and waited patiently Outside OF
the circle there gathered great crowd Of working men
and women and girls mothers with babies in their arms
and In carriages and people OF all classes who had come
10 sec the crowd aud enjoy the music Tho green grass
WAS covered with boys who rolled about In abandoned
gee and performed wonderful feats In the way OF hand
springs, soncrsluts and miscellaneous tumbhng The
whole scene beneath the spreading trees and among tho
shifting afternoon shadows was one OF oruefly Out
frOlicsone enjOyment.
At last the band began with spirited march Every
one glanced at the large suspended programme 10 see
what the piece children stopped their play TO beat
time with arms feet heads, or hats held In their hands;
wearylooking Frightened by the thousands and
exclnmations of delight heard ON all sides The
crowd kept increasing with each new piece When
softer passages In selection from Faust" or In waltz
of Wadteues were played the people all pressed for
ward so that they might not lose single tone OF the har
monies. The music was OF popular character but was
women who stopped 20 hear a few pieces turned away
toward their homes With brighter eouhtehahses anu
good Nearly every piece was appiauded by children
and gro people with an enthusiastic 9, oiappng OF
noise In the crowd during the whole OF tue concert
These entertainments were gotten up lor Tue ENJOY
ment of the poorer classes who seldom nave an oppOr
tunty hear good music aud feel It's refining Influences
The expenses are paid by voluntary CONTRIBUTIONS when
people living IN near Washington square. Inc con-
cers will he given TIL the end OF June Ie only Trouble
thus far III giving the entertainments comes
from noise OF trucks when drNe rapdp over .he
rough pavements and drown much OF the Jest music
William Rhinelander Stewart, who has taken an active
he an the north side OF the square between Fifth
ave aud Maed0ugast. closed during the concert hours
by going different city authorities no one seemed 10
Mayor Cooper and Professor Dwight oi Columbia Col
lego They both looked UP the law ON the subject anu
the conclusion that the Board OF Aldermen mad
the power close the street They together with many
others signed a petition which was presented 10 tue
Aldermen and "A resolution authorizing the Police Com.
mssionc 10 close the block whenever the band played
passed by Board with only one dissenting vote
In consequence this action the police OF the Mercer
STREET Police Station kept trucks from disturbing the
fourth concert Friday, however, nothing was DONE
and the noise of the wagons spoiled the best OF the
music. Mr. stewart private secretary gave superln-
tendcnt wang Lotce IN the morning that the concert
would take place and asked that policemen DC sent TO
keep away Mr. Wnling saia, In spite OF the
Board OF Ademens resolution. that he had no power In
case and that besides he didn't believe IN class leg
isIaon lie finally agreed To request the captain OF
the Mercer Police have men there but mono
came. Mr. wart said that superintendent waiting
seemed to think that he was asked 10 close 'he 70
true so that the carriages OF rich people coud stand
there. unmOestcd No carriages were there, however
Before the concerts began the street usea ny
triekmen.