New-York tribune., 1889-12-22
ruAT BROOKLYN TALKS OF.
,,psEs OF MEN AND THINGS ON THE
LONG ISLAND SIDE OF THE
EAST RIVER.
Gre In the Adelphi Academy has impressed

Shu s,,,e measures TO remedy this defect. The
i" s =, the Fire Department says that he will ask
s ssA ,housand more hydrants. though he does not
W =, so ret so large number Yet the condition
ei .s,,cs which ne points out in reference to the
schools large stores, etc. is sufficiently alarm
r'0 ,ustify action at to insure larger degree
ink ..,v Boston has just decided, in consequence
o. ~. rscsnt destructive fire there to expend over
81, million dollars in new fire apparatus and the
s ~ acd doubtless the investment will prove a
h. ,.ns ,ne. Brooklyn does not appear to need any
ae,r ,sre measure Of relief but the most brave and
'a' ',,., sremen can do little without an adequate
simply easily available for the purpose of quench-
va Wa asaes. The Adelph fire would have been much
' ,"s dsstrucve if there had been an abundance of
w. Ns 10 pour upon II. As it is. the blow 10 the
'.,tu,ion will fortunately not be severely felt The
- caused the Christmas vacation TO begin a dsy or
go earlier than usual. but arrangements have been
80, ~ continue all the work Immediately after New
Years.
N reference to the complaints as 10 the absence of
,rosswsSs where new psvements have recently been
-, sown II is to be noticed that the Department Of
CIV Works explains that IL Is not now the custom 10
~, such walks when the paving Is done with granite
,.,,ss The intimaton Is that this is the course
.op,ed In New York. AS a matter of fact 7 know
from personal observation that IL is not the case in
.,, New York street which has recently had a new
rnTp
nerly and great convenience they are. The absence
A. them from the newly paved streets in Brooklyn.
especially in muddy weather. Is loudly decred by
pedesrians and is serious nuisance. 1t is believed
hs, there Is Job In the matter and that II is in the
interest of the contractors to omit the crosswalks
Before carrying this policy any further the Commits
ouer Of City Works should look into the matter care
ally and see II he does not agree with the common
sose view Of the matter that return to the old
,,,hod Of doing the work is eminently desirable
n vould also be well for him 10 examine some OF
pe recent work Of the paving contractors with cx-
rene care. The surfaces of streets paved only few
weeks ago in many places exhibit glaring inequalities
which will grow worse instead of better, and the
rtersces between the blocks often so open as to
Indicate extreme carelessness the part of the work
men, If this work has been inspected at all. the
rspeon must have been made in the most easy going
pd complaiSant fashion. Such pavements will in
nv years be hardly an improvement upon cobble
ssnss.
one Of the most interesting incidents OF the week
M the authors readings on Monday night, which
trzrht to close the successful series of lectures
nreed by the Brooklyn Library authorities The pro
usnme attractive and the audience all that
,ouh be desired IN character and numbers. 1t was
enthusiastic in spite 0f DR.. Egglestons remark about
he oodness Characteristic of Brooklyn audiences
Or. Egglestons figure. by the way. was the most
striking among the group of well-known authors who
esme upon the stage about quarter past s. and his
manner when he stepped forward TO the reading desk.
and during the time he remained there differentiated
hin from most of those who followed him from the
act he is at home before an audience. 1t is just
zen years this month since he resigned his Brooklyn
pasorate and abandoned preaching for literature
Last Monday was, believe the first occasion on which
be has made an appearance in public in Brooklyn since
that time. His hair and beard have grown much
gsyer in the interval but his tall figure Is erect
As ever and his shaggy head Is more leonine than Of
3D. Unfortunately he was not we'll on Monday, hav-
ng left his bed in order TO 60 to Brooklyn and he de
parted for his home in NewYOrk almost as soon as
he had completed his reading of characteristic pas
nge from the famous q" lioOsier Schoolmaser" which
us written while Dr. Egeleston lived in schermer
mn-st and was editing the now almost-forgotten
& hearth and Home.D Ii a very happy touch on
's part 10 say that Bud Means ito whom his reaohe
elated although Hoosier, was born in Brooklyn ana
seA TO cross Fulton Ferry with him he Doctor) every
morning and evening without paying any fare. II
Dr. Eggeson has reason to crticise the GOODNESS winch
reeted Presdentelect Lows address, he could scarcely
ompain of the lack of warmth of his own reception
S former Brooklynite he was most heartily wei
umed. In fact, he perhaps the only man on the
age, except Mr.. Low, whom everybody recognized
soon he appeared. Yet one man sitting near
e was heard 10 say to his companion There's Car!
sgleston-I know him."
The only one of the reading authors who is resi-
INT of Brooklyn W. Hamilton Gibson. His home
90 the Prospect Park slope and his pleasant face
we'll known to many of his fellow tOwnsmen. De
pie his robust frame and capacous lungs, his voice
weak OF else he studously repressed it. Probably |
o, one-tenth of the audience heard what he read
ven those twenty feet from him could not catch
very word Yet il seemed il he might " make an |
sOrts and give his voice greater carrying power |
Iopknson smith made HIT Of course-as always.
0 did Edwin Lasseter Bynner, the dramatic close Oh |
those unpleasant story" was decidedly ehecuVc' |
obert Grants selection bright and vivaclous, but
90 long While Mr.. elders voice did not reach |
u parts Of the house. the audience gave him credit
rr doing his best The poems which lie read
re not of quality TO " take" with a general andi
zee but the earnest words which he uttered Win
4 his forcc on the sin and shame of our Nauohai
sscy Of books called forth the heartiest applause
{ the evening.
Nh. Lows remarks in introducing the various
uthors were peculiarly felicitous and graceful The
ane cannot he said of his gratuitous fling at the
eperters who he said were in the habit OF Writing
is speeches for him. There was neither occasion
oF excuse for such remark, for Mr.. Low mas III
siably been treated handsomely by the newspapers
his part of his speech was in no better taste than
MARI Twain's protest against authors readings |
'hleh might better have been kept for tho ehd Oh
NJ programme |
sort wet blanket for the entertainment that wits
to follow STILL II IL had been held back Dr. Eg
seson would not have had the opportunity to supply
The an1dote to it by saying that this was Marks
" year.
The programme a long one. but the great
rority OF the audience remained unweared untl
Z end The Brooklyn Library lectures, by the
", have all begun at :l5, which seems to be the
rect hour for evening entertainments in brooklyn
e lecture tickets bore the legend, "Please be
hetusl,' which most of those who have attended
en- have duly needed. The same hour has been |
for the philharmonic concerts this season-a fact
hieh has led a cynical writer TO remark that late
ners will arrive at 80 Holders of Philharmonic /
ekes however, pledged not TO attempt TO take
iei seats, coming late, until there Is a pause in
he music. Why cannot the same plan be adopted
D the theatresl Let late cOmers remain standing
NTH the curtain goes down at the end Of the first
'e| There would be some grumblng at first but |
lf,u ba