Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-29

cnryBantnemumS In THIS country until nls nrm
are able to fill the Madison Square Garden
with an exhibition of these plants that is simply
unique in the history Of Horticulture. New
York squares are not quite as large as those at
Washington, but if you could imagine one
whole block rooted over and the floor filed by
the rarest and loveliest flowers that the nntip
odes and the tropics can furnish, you would
realize somewhat the magniicence of the spec
| tacle which New York is now feasting its myriad
eyes upon. OF course we have had orchid and
chrysanthemum shows before, but nothing has
ever been attempted on the scale of the present
exhibition and the spectators are divided be-
tween admiration for the prOdigality OF the ex-
hibit and the nerve Of those who have risked so
much on popular favor. The attendance and
patronage however, are immense and probably
the plucky firm will find profit in their enter
prise.
TYING AN ISLAND TO A CONTINENT.
Public works on an imperial scale are on the
docket, the most majestic perhaps being the
proposed suspension bridge across the Hudson
river. This project is in charge of the strong
est men, like Andrew H. Green, and may be
counted upon as reasonable sure OF success. If
so distinct epoch will be marked in bridge
building. Imagine a span of 2, 500 feet, or more
than half mile, $50 feet above tide water and
bearing eight railroad tracks on which heavy
passenger and freight trains are rolling. Is not
this science Outdoing magic? Aladdin and his
lamp are rapidly sinking into the common
place.
But this bridge is only one item. Side by
side with it, or to speak more literally, under
meath 1t, is the tunnel, now making steady
progress and already an assured triumph. Here,
then, is another wonder, though not such
show piece as the great iron highroad in the
sky. Taken together the two will give the me-
tropolis the outlet to the west that it requires.
At least two other great bridges however, are
seriously considered, and finally We have the
project OF tunneling the Narrows, so as to con-
meet Brooklyn with New Jersey and the CONT
nent without the mediation of New York city.
OF course the capitalists in charge of the
North river bridge do not tell the details of
their locations. If they did it would have
painfully stimulating effect on the parcels of
real estate which they expect to acquire. But
1t Is understood that the plan contemplates
terminus on Broadway somewhere between 33d
and AID streets or in the very heart of the city.
leave to all travellers to imagine for them
selves the delight Of walking out of splendid
station on to the Broadway sidewalk and being
at once in the midst of its shops and hotels and
brilliant metropolitan life.
THE OPERA BACK TO TOWN.
Wednesday night the opera season at the
Metropolitan began with rather an uncertain
sound. Black care sat in more than one of the
boxes, for the furry in Wall street is by no
means over yet, though the worst violence of
the squal seems to have passed. The opera
chosen for the opening night was a novelty and
an experiment, and it puzzled more than it
Stanton has tried the policy of reserve and
silence. with what success can be told later on
The company is largely a new one with few
great regulations in it to give it prestige and
Wednesdays performance did not make any
fresh fame. After the season gains headway we
are promised another ''cycle'' of Wagner, and
no doubt the series will be on the high level of
excellence which Mr.. Stanton has taught us to
expect. But it must be admitted that the sea-
son walked with yawn.
THE NEW PARK COMMISSIONER.
The good old-fashioned democratic motto.
ITO the victor belong the spoils, would amply
Justify from the Tammany standpoint the selec-
ton of Paul Dana to be one of the park COM
misioners: During the recent campaign the
Sun was the only paper that really did battle
for Iammany with whole-hearted loyalty. But
on higher grounds than mere political quid pro
quo ALI. Danas appointment is satisfactory.
Most people know the passionate fondness
which Mr.. Charles A. Dana has for landscape
gardening and his profound knowledge of the
habits and possibilities of plants. This taste is
inherited by his son, who has we might saw
grown up in q park and who is practically ac-
quainted with various problems of landscape
gardening. The Danas are intimate with Fred
erlck Law Olmstead, the designer Of Central
Park and still one of its firmest friends, and we
may assume that the new commissioner will
MI purposes. AS q public
character young Mr.. Dana has yet to make his
mark. Thus far he is known as young gentle
man OF culture and wealth with rather a pen
chant than passion for journalism.
THE STORM CENTER LEAVING WALL STREET.
The money changers are breathing freer as
each day passes without fresh disaster. But we
| are beginning to hear Of anxieties in the outer
circles Thus far the mercantile community
mas stood the racket remarkably well, but some
think fbat heir I'm
ing Christmastide trade may, however, float all
hands over the bar. Certainly the streets of
New York do not suggest financial stringency.
The Christmas rush has already begun. for the
prudent shopper buys his stock of gifts about
as far ahead as if he were engaging seat On a
train into New England for the day before
Thanksgiving. 1t is said, by the way that the
Thanksgiving hegira this year was unprece-
dented-so much SO that the New York and New
Haven railroad on Wednesday afternoon
wouldn't sell even standing-room tickets. and
| so made it impossible for many New Englanders
| to go home to eat the ancestral turkey by the
paternal freside.
A THANKsdIvING-TIDE TRAGEDY.
Amid the general festivity of the Thanksgiv-
ing-tide one humble and almost unnoticed
| tragedy calls for passing tear for poor NOR
tality. In an uptown lot where contractors we're
blasting out the rock q forlorn looking stranger
! accOsted the boss on Wednesday morning and
asked for job. 1t so happened that more
men were wanted, and 50 the laborer was hired
for the day and set at work. Presently the
preparations were finished for blast, and the
men dispersed as usual to gain safe cover
The stranger. however, loitcred behind the
group either through ignorance or indifference.
The minc was discharged and one large
boulder, forced through the cover by the ex-
plosion, flew at the unfortunate wretch and in
stantly killed him. Nobody knew who he was.
there was nothing about him to give the least
clue, and he was taken to the mOrgue. where
thus far he has not been identified. But who
knows whether on this happy Thanksgiving
day some poor little home group is not waiting
| and wondering with fear and trembling and in
utter want why the bresdwinnor does not
come? HENRY R. ELLIOT.