The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1886-04-08
For the Marietta journal,
PARKS.

A park is a natural ornament to either
city or village. Any ordinary piece of
ground can be made to blossom with choice
flowers the shade Of the trees will entice the
weary pedestrian to rest upon convenient
seat. The senses are gratihed by charm
ingly blended picture of flowers, green grass
and cooling shadows, until the fevered brow
and troubled mind find restful calm, while
a pleasure and benefit are obtained. 1t is
the jewel in setting, and adorns the bust
ness avenues, as well as the streets of resi-
dence
In many of our American cities thousands
of dollars are expended yearly to improve
the natural attractions of their parks, while
cultiyatlng its desert places into blooming
loniness. 1t is a fitting place for the cree
ton OF memorials to genius and worth, as
well as a receptacle of choice specimens of art
or nature. A park should appeal to the pride
of all the inhabitants to make it as attrac-
tive rs possible.
A few have become quite famous by eth
er chance Or some historical circumstance
such as Riverside Park, consisting of about
ninety acres of land on the eastern bank of
the graceful Hudson River, in New York
city. few months ago it was slowly pro-
crossing toward completion, with few attrac-
tons, except an extended panorama of mag
nificent scenery. To-day it is the resting
place of General Grant, and has become a
central figure of interest to tourists, who
visit his tomb, and this interest has quicken
ed into prominence and Importance the
once quiet fields of an old homestead
Central Park with its S64 acres of land in
its boundaries, now form beautiful plot in
the centre of New York city, where the nat
ural gifts of forest hills and dales brooks
and lakes, moss covered rocks and gloomy
caverns have been preserved, and these at
fractions have been enhanced by many
miles Of beautiful walks and drives Stat
ues Of Poets and Statesmen have been rails
ed by devotees. Bridges of every conceiv-
able style OF architecture span the streams,
rustic arches unite the hill tops
The silver mirrored lakes rejecting the
sunlight are covered by many swans, who
glide over the water with coquetish grace,
often seeking the shores, stretching their
long white necks to accept a dainty bit
from the hands of gleeful children-all this
at night is transformed into almost Veni-
tlaa SCENE, by gliding boats cleaning lights,
the music Of the dipping oar, merry laugh
ter and mirthful song
The rolling hills covered with a velvetv
green and many mounds of newly mown
grass, Offering up an incense Of delicate per-
fume, are fringed by the variegated verdue
of the woods, which contain many cosy
hooks, all lovers know too we'll where to
find The broad, smooth walks are trod
alike by rich and poor, the influential and
the friendless. The tired and homeless
wanderer can here find rest and enjoy the
free gifts OF God to man. The clear sun
light and pure atmosphere bring comfort
and balm which strengthen into renewed
hope and ambition all failing energies.
The upper part is extremely rural and
picturesque and is tempting spot for the
philosopher and morshzer. The lower part
has several entrances but the principal one
is on Fifth Avenue, the rich vein Of the city
and 59th street. Here wealth and fashion
unite and with their costly trappings form
gorgeous pageant. The eastern walk leads
to the menagerie where the growing and
piping notes of the animals show too plain
ly a rebellion against confinement
Still further on, the clear pinkish gray
column of the obelisk rises in majestic might
and this silent finger of ages past brings
respectful halt Il is to be revered, for it
belongs to a distant country whose history
comes to us as a legend Presented to
America by the Khedive of Egypt, it was
successfully transported in the Dessoug, by
It, Commander. Henry II. Gorringe and
safely landed in New York Harbor on July
10th, 1880 This gift was secured to our
country through the generosity of the late
w. II Vanderbilt, who contributed the sum
OF 100000 for the purpose of transporting
the same.
The main column is 20 feet highs square
and grows gradually smaller towards the
top. 1t rests upon four metal crabs and all
are supported by granite base. The hier-
oglyphies covering the sides are inscriptions
supposed to be concerning deeds of great
ness and events which occurred during the
reign of the monarch of that period, and
bears the names of ThOthms and Ramises
J |, which carries us back to period of
oyer 1000 years. II is supposed to have been
taken from the famous granite quarries at
Syene and placed with us comp9bioq, nov
in London, before the Temple OF Setting
Sun at Heliopolis They have been known
as Cleopatras Needles. 0belisks were Of
ten placed before tombs, as well as Temples,
and generally in pairs.
By defeating our public parks to objects
Of interest and historic worth, valuable
is formed, for instruction and
qualification. KAYHE.