Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-16
BESSIE IN BROOKLYN.
She Relates Her Impressions of the
Famed City of Churches.
A VISIT TO PROSPECT PARK.
The One Feature of Which Pittsburg is
the Most in Need.
THINGS NOT ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM


and it is not badly named, since thousands
of New York business men only sleep in this
great city and have their washing done, and
vote when occasion offers. The people of the
provinces-in which Pittsburg is rather con-
temptuously included by the metropolitan
brethren of New York-have little con-
ception of the size of Brooklyn until con-
trasted with other towns less famous and
populous to size in the Union. 1t exhibits
but little of the rush roar and racket that
so strike the stranger in New York-it is
not noted for business or manufacturing,
but is chiefly, it would appear, engaged in
the traffic of feeding and clothing the multi
tudes within its borders.
There are miles and miles of provision
stores and saloons, bakeries, meat shops,
shoe stores drug stores and drygoods estab-
lishments as may well be believed are nee
essary to supply such host of people. 1t
has avenues almost wholly devoted to Cheap
John trading, and back streets as dirty and
foul-smelling as can be found anywhere,
but it is withal beautiful city of comfort
able homes, adorned and beautifed in most
cases with good taste. One of the striking
features is that on most of the residence
streets the houses are set uniformly back
from the sidewalk, which gives room for
small garden plots in front, that, as rule,
are beautifully kept as lawns or planted
with flowers.
This building back from the line is estab-
hshed by law, and the pleasing effect is Of a
continuous garden. No man can spoil his
neighbours view or shut out his sunlight by
building in front, as is so frequently seen in
Pittsburg, where no such rule exists. On
both sides of the street are rows of beauri-
full trees, lovely naples, graceful elms,
dropping willows, sturdy oaks that for size
and beauty are hardly to be equaled. On
some of the narrower streets the branches
meet, and their foliage interlaces and forms
an arch of richest green.
PRECIOUS TREES.
''Old trees in their living state are the only
things that money cannot command" says
Landor, but this is hardly true of some of
the streets of Brooklyn, where money will
buy vacant lots with splendid trees in front
already grown. 1t seems to be the custom
to plant the trees, whether the lots are i'm
proved or not, a plan which adds more
value to the property and which gives the
buyers the advantage of good shade trees at
once-a valuable consideration-especia
on the sunny side of the street. This plan
has been adopted in Washington, where the
streets are shaded with unbroken lines of
trees, whether the lots are vacant or i'm
proved.
But while Brooklyn is so we'll supplied
with garden space and lawn delights and
splendid trees along its streets, that, as
Pope says, "are nobler objects than prince
in his coronation robes, +" it glories also in
its parks, and especially in Prospect Park,
which is one of the loveliest to be found
anywhere. 1t is located on what is known
as Prospect Heights. and when within its
beautiful forests and in view of its grassy
meadows and wooded slopes and dells, it is
difficult indeed to believe that it is within
the confines of the great, busy, populous
city. This park is 800 acres in extent, and
the ground cost somewhere about S., ,00O, 900.
Think OF that, Pittsburg city fathers. The
Brooklyn folks hold the opinion that their
great park tar exceeds in beauty the more
famous Central Park of New York.
The lake alone covers an area of 81 acres,
and in the winter it is a great skating
ground for the young folks. 1t is to be
noticed that this magnificent PARK is not
simply TO be looked at and admired while
great staring boards warn everybody to
keep off the grass" but is intended for the
enjoyment of the people. Its large tracts of
close-cut lawn are used by tennis parties;
delight of picnic parties; its broad stretches
of fields are the resort of amateur baseball
players. 1t is a paradise for children, who
are to be seen on Saturdays and holidays
loaded with lunch baskets, balls, tennis ac-
coutrements and game devices, going to
spend the day in the park.
POPULAR PLACE.
Itis the resort of babies and nurses for
~ fol-o %bair i
their books and luncheons and revel in its
sunshine and fresh air. Here resort the
lover and his lass TO enjoy the rapture of
young loves dream in happy ramblings in
the shady woods, or by the side of rippling
waters. From its highest point can be seen
the city of New York, the bay and harbors,
the Highlands, the Kill Van Kull and ali
the country for miles around. Handsome
provision is made for enjoyment not only of
outward loveliness to delight the eye and re-
fresh the soul, but also for the regalement of
the inner man. The department of public
comfort includes charming resorts for the
obtaining of tea and coffee, milk and re-
freshments of all sorts.
A grand boulevard over 200 feet wide and |
6 miles long leads directly from the park to
the ocean at Coney Island. Provision is |
made for baseball, cricket and polo, and |
there is also a parade ground for the Ma
tIonal Guard where they can show them |
selves for inspection in full array of soldier |
clothes and the toggery of glorious war. |
Park carriages are in abundance, which for |
a quarter will give the visitor the grand |
rounds of the park and show off its beauties.
and it is now proposed that the band shall |
play on Sunday afternoons. As q
relief from carking care, refreshment |
from toll, taste of the delights of the
country, a refuge from dust and dirt and
bricks and mortar and closeness of CITY
houses and tenement surroundings and
gutter odors, the inhabitants of BROOKLYN
have a refuge of heavenly delights in Pros
pect Park.
On pleasant Sundays and holidays it is
thronged with the workers, who find health
and enjoyment amid its cool sssequestered
shades. 1t is to be noted, moreover, that
many of the merchants and employers give
heir employees chance for such rest and
pleasure by half holiday every week in
the summer. On large drygoods establish
nent we saw placard to this effect: This
store will be closed at noon every Friday"
A WELCOME FEATURE.
This had no reference or relation to the
keeping of the seventh day holy. nor was it
framed in the belief that Friday was an un-
ucky day, nor was there any special holy or
Iuperstitious observance about tit simply
meant that the employees were to have half
holiday for rest and recreation every week.
This is good arrangement all around.
Nothing will be lost, and much probably be
yained. Everybody knows that the store is
,losed on Friday afternoon, SO they buy all
hey want on other days.
In viewing the magnificent park of
Brooklyn the contrast with home crept in,
md the thought came, when will Pittsburg,
Yith all its wealth. prosperitv and nrns. |