New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-29
HOMES AND CHURCHES.
MANY ATTRACTIONS OF BROOKLYN AS
A DWELLING PLACE.
t1ENry OF ROOM FOR THOSE WHO LIKE
GRASS AND TREES NEAR THEIR DOORS
WHAT THE BOROUGH HAS TO OFFER
TO THOSE WHO LOVE NATURE AS
WE'LL AS SOCIAL LIFE.

WE'LL AS SOCIAL LIFE.
Brooklyn is a city Of homes as well as OF
churches. Indeed, there Is hardly any othe'
city in the country which Is essentially so
homelike in It's life and surroundings, or pays
so much attention to It's own fireside nature
and the evolution of commerce. and everything
relating TO progress and human effort seemed
to have conspired to make Brooklyn rather
than Manhattan the home place OF the busy
millions in both places. The one is a mart ana
the other a home. and both are, Of course equal
" necessary. To the thousands OF Brooklynites
who do business In Manhattan 1t Is charming
after the days labor to return to place where
all the pleasant refining and delightful in
fuences Of home life may be enjoyed In an I'M
limited degree and where the surroundings, as
beautiful they are varied. present ample OPP
portunities for relaxation from business cares
and the enjoyment Of those pleasures and ex-
ercses which form needed recreation.
Branching out from the residential portion OF
the borough are splendid roads and avenues
running to the sea- country roads, and we'll
known and easily accessible places Of amuse-
ment. For riding, driving and bicycling the
suburbs OF Brooklyn are unsurpassed, and BIZ
cyclists thanks to a sensible and enlightened
government OF the parks. have one Of the finest
paths in America. These suburbs are studded
with pretty houses and villas, surrounded by
tree and flower bearing land. and the most pict-
uresque scenery maginable. Unlike Manhattan
Brooklyn has great stretches Of unoccupied
land. and Its inhabitants may leave city life
for that Of the country in almost the twnkng
OF an eye This is made all the more feasible
by the vast surface railroad system Of trans
pcrtaton, which, since Its recent reorganization
and consolidation by the so-called Flower syn
dicate takes passengers to any part OF the
borough or its suburbs for single fare
In the borough proper there are more splen-
did residential sections including the Heights
the Hill and the Park Slope. The buildings
thereon are exclusively private dwellings. and
they are famous for the beauty and solidity Of
their architecture. which presents nearly every
style from plain TO ornate. This is especially
true Of the district known as the Park Slope
and the Plaza. which now is practically built up.
Here there are more stately dwellings, owned
or leased by men who are celebrated in public
life. the professions, finance commerce. On
Columbia Heights the dwellings Of the old
style Of architecture, plain. solid, substantial.
The view OF the river and harbor of Manhattan
from the Heights is superb, and from the
houses the Park Slope and near the Plaza
Prospect Park, with its forests and lakes and
great lawns and statues, can be seen.
THE SOCIAL SIDE.
Socially Brooklyn is a most desirable place In
which to live. Its people are hospitable, its
amusements are many and varied, and love of
art and books and intellectual pursuits is prac
tcally ingraned. There societies for nearly
every worthy object and literary. benevolent,
religious dramatic purely social organza-
lions are numerous and successful while club
life Is here at its zenith. The Union League,
Montauk. Hamilton. oxford. Hanover Lincoln
a1.tkg alsaNc ttfNa
and devoted TO various social political or
patriotic purposes. Few places in the country
have so many clubs and in none are they SO
prosperous There are many theatres and other
places Of amusement, where the best operas and
dramas presented in the season
CHURCH LIFE AND WORK.
II religion Is strong in the breast one need
not leave Brooklyn TO attend church. To the
country at large and the civilized world Brook
Ign Is known as the City OF Churches and the
name is entirely appropriate. OF course. Plym-
outh Church made famous the world over by
the personality and eloquence of Beecher and
the advanced and rather radical ideas Of Alb
bott is the best known. On the Heights there
are several splendid examples In Gothic Of
church architecture. Attached to nearly all Of
the churches societies for various purposes
and for young and old alike social and educa-
| tiona advantages almost unlimited. The
| Young Mems Christian Association and the
| Young Women's Christian Association own fine
| buildings, and each in its respective field Is
| successful
OUT OF DOORS
There are many fine parks in the borough
| OF these Prospect Park is the most beautiful
| Nature and art have been kind to II. It's area
| is 516 1-16 acres and In diversity of scenery,
natural beauty and artistic establishment 1t is
believed to be unsurpassed in the country. 1t
is the great pleasure resort OF Brooklyn and an
ideal place for parades. reviews and great pup
| lie assemblages There are many other splen-
| did parks and squares. the total area Of which
is 1.5S21a acres. with 22l1 acres Of parkways.
| Forest Park. which extends from the boundary
| OF Highland Park to Richmond Hill, In Queens
County. is splendldly wooded with great shade
| trees and shrubbery. From its heights there
| are magnificent views of the ocean, Jamaica
| Bay and Long Island Sound. All over Long
! Island there are fine outing places for the
! fisherman. the hunter. the casual traveller or
the lover OF nature. and with improved railroad
facilities they have been made easy OF access.
HOMES AND GARDENS.
The most charming feature OF Brooklyn how
ever is the opportunities 1t offers to those who
! love home life and like to have their own home
with suggestion Of the country In it's environ
ment. That is what makes certain parts OF
the borough 20 attractive. The detached houses
| with their shade trees. grass plots small gar
dens and lawns. make even the heart OF the
place beautiful. Such districts are In F1atbush.
| Bcnsonhurst Bath Beach. Canarsie and other
places within sound and sight Of the ocean.
, House and land In these neighborhoods may be
acquired by man Of moderate means. Terms
are easy and generally on the instalment plan.
! Indeed. in many cases even ordinary rent with
interest on principal OF investment OF course. Is
credited part payment on the purchase
money. That this is appreciated. and that
| Brooklyn Is therefore growing with marvellous
rapidly, owing not only to natural Increase
but also to steady inflow OF settlers. Is
shown by comparative table of the population.
In 1865 II 296, 112: in 1897 765 900; In
1897, 1,197, 100.
SOME FIGURES.
The property and lives OF this great popula
ton OF the second principal borough OF Greater
New-York are protected by police force Of
! man and MARTY 1 OOD Nrep,en Tho raaI