New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-14
JoNEs'S ASPHAL1IC OPPORTUNITY.

,Tuch space has already been devoted IN the
columns of The TRIBUNE TO an apprecatlVe
civilization of the works of Mr.. Jones (ot Pros
pect Parl). But the present opportunity ~
auspcious that We gladly recur to the subject
to bring again TO the artistic attention Oh WI
ZONES (of Prospect Parll) the plan tor the I'M
movement Of that alleged pleasure grounu
which we recently and with due humility Suo-
mitted for his august consideration. we no
this because the logic of events has made II
still more clear that Prospect Park exists ho'
rs the j-informed have ycnturcd to imagine
for the enjoyment of the public but Tor the sake
of Mr. Jones (of Prospect ParIO ana 10 anoru
him an opportunity of executing fully the hISh
designs which were so untlmcy hustialeu III
Central Park by mcddlesome interference As
Mr.. Jones (of Prospect ParlO is not likely again
10 be disturbed while his patron and Dackef
Governor Hill, bears sway above the BROOKLYN
Park Board, he now has a truly golden Oppor-
unity 10 work his will; especially II no
promptly adopts THE TRIBUNE's sTatmtous
suggestion.
Our plan. it will be remembered, provided
for the removal of all trees, shrubbery and herb
age from the park the leyellng OF the ehtle
area. and the covering of it with thick ana
impcrmeablc coating of asphalt We pointed
out that this would effectively do away win
the wildwood tangles that so greatly offend the
taste of MIR. Jones (of Prospect Park) ana
would greatly enlarge the yiStaS that are 50
precious % his eye We thought at the tune
that this was an uncommonly good plan-irom
The point of view of Mr. Jones (Of Prospect
park,-but later events have made it appear
still more appropriate and admirable; ana we
are now convinced that no matter what more
the future may contain of GladneSs or SURPRISE
and no matter what new possibilities OF IN
bccilty may be displayed by Mr.. Jones (of Pros
meet Parl0. our scheme will correspondlngiy
unfold il, latent resources, rise equal 70 the de-
mand, Of the occasion, and, in the words OF
Ruskin fill the bill.
II is now decreed. for example. by Mr. Jones
(of Prospect Par0 that within the chaSte
precincts of his domain no man shall olier
IN his wife the support of his arm, or IN any
wise display toward her any act of CALAMITY
or Of tenderness whatsoever Evidently, noth-
inc could better suhscryc this high intent thah
the plan which we have preached. Upon that
sterile area Of asphalt probably, no man Nould
take his wife AZ ALL and ne woman would ac-
company her husband. But should some couple
thu, intrudc, no hedge, no 'Hlckct, not even
the shadow Of a shade would screen thelr
shamccssncss from the ali-Sceing eye of Mr.
lone, (of Prospect Park. From his high out
look in tho Litchield mansion that stern con
,cryator Of public morals could watch them
wherever they might 60, and could make sure
| that they did not approach each other closer
than the six feet prescribed in his sanitary RUE
/ Again. il has become his custom ever ana anon
! 10 rush upon some nwary wandcrcr ana hufl
/ him birher and thither, ~ does a cat a mouse
| non this vavclo>s sea of asphalt, whaf pro-
! dicious potency of such assaults would he pos
.cs,, Like Catalina, he could at his leisure
and from q safe seat mark his victims with his
o,c Then. batle,>. coatle>S. rubicund as TO
his vi,ace and scnSclcss rs 10 his Strldont ulula-
lions. he could project hlmSci, with catapultc
/ force across the plain, implnglng iurlou>y upon
one victim. let II, say, AT Windsor Terrace car
romins thence with etha energy upon another
at the Willink gate, and YET again reboundIhH
npon a third just entering from the PlaM
There is indeed no known bank shot. carrom
ma>sc. draw or other movement known upon
tbc billiard table of which he would not thus be
capable
In like manner. we believe the asphalt park
would lend itself to all the absurd iadS the
ignorant blundcrs and the cranky idioSyncraSieS
of Mr. Jones (ol Prospect Park. We commend
il once moro and with renewed earneStncNS 70
his consideration, and shall take pleasure III
chronicng to the public his progress IN the
achievement Of his fond ideal. Unless indeed,
the Governor shall bid him clear and till the
park and plant il all with peanuts" Kings
County Peanut Farm: The llill-Jones Com
pany Uimited), Propretors."
GAIT CnIP 1 Pc lCEM 4 hEn.