The evening world., 1890-07-19
JOY WHEN The WATER CA NE
Ceremonies at The Opening Of the Old
AQueduC! As Years Ago.
Tho CIty's Greatest Gala Day
COMMUNICATED In George
T.. Morris's Verse.

That such mn important occasion as the
opening of the new aqueduct should have
been passed | v as a commonplace matter
with no ceremony, no formnIities, no
expression of the peop.e's th~ankfulness
and appreciation Of the titanic under
taking has excited n good deal of dispar.
aging remark.
y ESPECIALLY are peorle surprised who
rcmemi sr The public jubilation when Gro
ton Lake water was first iurned into the
reservoir, forty ght years q o.
The anueduci gates were opened with n
greet deal of rormality Oct. IA, 1912, the
highest dignitaries OF the State partici-
pating in the ceremonies. 1t was made q
gala day on Manhattan Island iii every
sense OF the word.
A celebration of the grnrdest
characte. WIS he'd. A procession Of
great numbers, embracing al the mill airy
and civic organizations with tanners
aud music. paradcd from the Bat
terry to and around Union Square
from the Bpwerv. Grand street, last
Broadway and Chatham street TO CITY
Hall Park. where gathered arouId the
new fountain. from which the water lust
released from its mountain confines was
playing. the literary eNerc hes we're held.
Speeches were made ny Mavor Robert
II. Morris and others aud the following
- Crotch Ode" written and composed ny
the great song.wrlter. George Z. Morris,
was sung by tho hundreds of voices OF
the Sacred Music So lety.
Gushin. from this livirg fountain,
Music pours a falling stream,
Is the goddess of tie mountain
Comes with all her sparkling team.
From her grOttO springs Advancing,
Glltterlng al her icathery spray,
Woodland fay, beside her dancing.
She pursues her winding way.
Gently DER the ripping water,
In her coral shalIop bright,
Glilcs tie ruck-king's dol e-eyed daughter
Ieclel in robes OF virgin white.
Nymphs and Ma ads. swertly smiling.
Urge her back with pearly hand.
Merrlly the svlph bcgulling
From tue rocks OF iairvIand.
Swimming on the snuw-curled pillows
See the river spirltR fair,
Luy their cheeks, as OF a pillow,
With the foam beads in their hair,
Thus attending. hltlcr wording.
Floats the lovely dread now.
Eden's arch Of promise bending
over her translucent brow.
Hail the wan1erer from a fair land;
Bind NCr flowing tIesses mp:
Crown her with II ~fnte!es. garland,
And with crystal Driu tine cup.
From her launt- OF deep sCcllsion
Let intCmperance greet her, too,
And the heat OF his dClusion
Sprinkle with this mountain dew.
Water leaps as il delighted:
While her conquered foes retire,
Pale ContngiOn flies atlrighted
With the battied demon, Fire
Safety dive IL in her d III Mons,
Health and beauty with her move
Andentvine their circllng pinions
In a sisterhood OF love.
Water shouts n glad hosanna
Bubbles up the earth to bless
Cheers II like the precious mama
In the barren Wilderness.
Here We wondering gaze. assembled.
Lite the grateful Hebrew band.
When the hidden fountains trembled
And obeyed the Prophets wand.
Round tho aQueducts OF story.
As the niSt- of I.et!3e throng.
Croton's wave' i'll al their glory,
Troop in melody along,
Ever-sparkling BRIGHT and single,
Well his OCK-ril bed stream appear,
Whe poSterity shall minEle
Like the gathered waters here.
A grand collation. followed in the City
Hall, where Gov. William II. Seward and
other diguItaries made speeches concern.
ing the grand event.