New-York tribune., 1898-10-09
>.rv.yORKs SPLENDID PLATEAU.

-,,r RELATIVE MERITS OF THE Names
,yosIpr" AND CATHEDRAL HEIGHTS
- the Editor Of The Tribune.
S. Tbe question Of naming the beautiful ana
,roronen, plateau on which the Cathedrai OF 81
r'V. .t,a n,,ino ST Luke's Hospital Columbia
Iiycrs,ty ETC. are planted. is one well worthy inc
se,ious consideration which is given II III the coi
,orjal columns Of The Tribune
7, time that plateau Is sure 10 become the Acrop
ols ot the modern world Already 1t gives pfoph-
ecv Of surprising. both in dignity ana ortis'lc
value any like spot in any city on either hei''
,phere and even of rivalling the Aeropons oi
,,bens One should welcome therefore. the IT'D
90 c,,,, 3oolous,, lest the wrong name be fas-
,encd unon these heights May ask the privilege
NJ n somewhat careful commentary on the names
discussed IN your article of the 5th inst?
1-suallv n height is named from % its most OBJ
v,ous natural confGuration, C9 its most prominent
object or go from certain historical associations
Were the heights in question possessed OF any
nlsinlv Obvious natural characteristic they would
re long since ACQUIRED name in keeping there
With II would have been an exceeding imperti-
nence for late conner 10 replace this name with a
sign-manual Of his own. Imagine Mount Blanc
dubbed pixies Peak!'
But granting that neither nature nor history
has thus presented claim 1t Is not only logical
but in the end inevitable that the most prominent
object on height will suggest its proper name.
II present the heights in question bear no one
Overwhelmingly prominent object and certainly
the least such is the Cathedral
But let one make HIS way among the titanic
foundations Of the Cathedral Of ST. John the d.
N llet him notice how the few walls mat are
p%slowly growing TO colossal stature already
dwarf the magnificent hospital near by and espe-
cally let him note how these walls as they rise
arc SO placed as 10 challenge the admiration and
awe Of the great city beneath. and II will require
no Imagination for him to see the hilltop crowned
with splendid structure easily dominating all
else beside. Cathedral Heights will spring al
most lnvoluntarly from his lips.
Will not the instinct OF fair play vindicate the
apposltencss Of this name? The trustees Of the
Cathedral were in fact. the dscoverers' Of these
heights.
Long before ST. Luke's Hospital Columbia
University had purchased land there the Cathedral
authorities had made their venture for the future
by securing possession Of its most prominent site
That purchase called universal attention TO the
peculiar fitness as the future Acropos Of the West
Who then had a juster claim 10 name these
heights than those who fixed forever the character
There Is only one other name which has any claim
10 preeminence II Morningside Heights be the
legally adjudicated name OF the whole plateau,
SSng i af r. ss ssen net or ed
name. Blu, The Tribune Itself IN It's discussion
the 's name S9' Morningside eg6ts II is fatally sug.
gestlve Of Alice IN Wonderland
'Morrings!de Park Heights conveys clear con-
ception. but / must confess to mental topsey-
,urvyness in trying 10 grasp the idea Of side
heights" True heights may mean the whole
hill, sides included. but when the main stress has
y name and fact been laid upon the side for
Aornngside Park Is the side Of the plateau II
Is rather painful TO be Immediately transported 70
its top.
Allowing. however that this mental obfuscaton
Is really mental obtusVeness there yet remains an
Objection 10 the name "MUrningside Heights. -
Mornngside Park" is one OF the happest OF
names. It is one OF the most blessed Of parks.
Even for the very names sake one IS tempted 70
Us grassy slope there to watch the dawn Of day.
But when one gets from the side 10 the heights
one passes from velvcty turf and wooded hooks and
sturdy rocks. so suggestive Of the freshness and
freedom Of the dawn. TO great structures of brick
snd stone. 10 the art and science and handiwOrk
o. Titans.
.,d5he pretty name, 50 appropriate 20 the sloping
soS casting In the morning sun. seems TO lack
Mii.ty when il is forced 10 appear above on the
esoeilc lghts and paved streets. lined with huge
.lnses It's prettness would be rather ont of place
.uull0 tne Doric columns Of Columbia Library and
eae rugged greatness Of the Cathedral
,Che cannot but turn with a sense Of relief TO the
suohg ana sOnOrous name Cathedral" suggestive
~ is OF mans loftiest achievement in art and
.,2 .s.2h ana symbolz.ng IL does that moral and
Dilaal force which alone makes cities great and
eWsurlng W. NJ H.
hof!lstown, y. J.. Oct. G. 1898