National Republican., 1885-07-14
QUE pAEKs.


In summer days and nights, ] am, like
many another good citizen, park irequen-
ter. The trees and fountains not only
bring me shade and GOODNESS IN the sultry
time Of light, but In the darkness also, as
before the darkness, sweet and soothing
tones very grateful after the frcts and sor-
rows which must visit every human heart
There is pleasure, too, In hearing the
shrill, wild notes of the BIRDS a pleasure in
seeing the gay variety Of the ilowors.
Enhancing these enioyments is the pro-
cossion along the graceful paths, in review
before my bench, of men, women, children
all stations, fortunes, ages, and degrees
of happiness--for man is ever student Of
man, himself q wonder wondering at his
fellow-wonder.
am likewise interested, OF course, in the
numerous seated figures near my locality,
and rs far away among the trees and
bushes as can catch glimpscs of them.
Many are decidedly unromantic characters
politicians, eternal takers of dollars, and
those for whom surrounding beauty smiles
in vain; who "having eyes, see mott" hav-
ing hearts, feel not; slumberlng spirits
whose awakening Is yet TO be, here or else
where. But at Intervals are some who are
not chained to this world, conscious of "a
thousand worlds around" And at other
intervals some who are lovers These COM
pose my especial delight. ! am very care
ful of them. / nurse them, as II were,
tenderly, and wish their whispering COM
munion extended life and felicity, particu-
larly under the moonbeams.
Not for kingdoms would | intrude even
upon the outer border of their Eden and,
IL must go toward the enchanted retreat,
go warily, softly, by path not that on
which their dearfeet rest. IGpproach with
reverence and awe, pass, and retire with
"Bencdicitem
clock upm
II is the harsh, startling, unwelcome cry
OF the keeper. 1t warns and commands
away every visitor; in five minutes each
tall gate viii be fastened for the night, and
then you must climb its altitude or that
equal--of the fence Of iron, at imminent
risk Of implement on spear heads; climb, or
remain imprisoned till rise of sun.
Think OF It Perhaps I'm the crowd the
Secretary Of State He must mount with
total loss of dignity; his dignity gone, and
foreign lands hearing Of II, what becomes
of our glorious countryH The Secretary of
War See him not, o army rs he strives
and slips, struggles, hopelessly, through
weary hours, under the silent, IMPLYING
stars and mocbing moon. See him not, for
beholding honor, obedience, discipline
would be lost, and these departed, once
more | demand, what becomes Of our
glorious country? Even the border Indians
would laugh at us
More melancholy still, the stout, fair
danes, most precious partners of the dis
comftted dignitaries, venture to initiate
their lordly masters They are woeful,
weeping; the iron hath entered their souls!
And the fair daughters, too, sirens of So
ciety.
Look no more on the picture. Let night,
with her blackest storm-cloud, hide it
Yet am most concerned about my pairs
Of lovers. Climbp It were the instant
| death of love Remain all night2 What
would the world say? Venus and Cupid,
haste to their rescue! am powerless.
Central Park, in New York, far grander
than any government garden here, has q
wall only six inches high. A child can step
over II. Gates-none whatever, the streets
| Immediately and without impcdimcnt Gu.
tering IL. Our Capitol and South Wash.
ington parks are similar; free entrance
| and exit always. SO are some OF our smaller
| parks. Why not allp Why not, espe.
cially, the Lafayette and the Franklin
These are the largest north of Pennsylvania
avenue, the most beautiful and the most
popular.
Often after midnight In summer come thc
sultriest hours why eXpel visitors JUS
when most they need refreshment from suci
scenes?
Is this the age of the curfew bell
Another loud lament: There are severa
of these oases which have never been opened
to the public, being environed with irol
rails, gateless or having gates no living maj
has seen unlocked. To those, triangular
on Pennsylvania avenue, from the capito
to the treasury, invite and respectful!
urge immediate attention. Down with thei
antiquated, barbarous railings, substitute
If you will, the low posts and connectln!
chain, supply benches, fountains, and mer
cifully grant the fatigued pedestrian of GU
main street the boon of rest on his way.
n