New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-24
Spring in Manhattan.
From the Diary of n Lover of Nature.

distinctive too quiet too mellow and sociable to
belong to the great whirring city.
Being New Highlander, Lowell was. Of course,
never quite free from inconsistencies, but that
only served to attach him the more fondly TO
the one spot in Manhattan which seemed to him
homeke, and with the interpretive alertness
of his kind he watched The changing aspects OK
the square till its moods and conditions actually
affected his own temper and his capacity for
work. When it bleak and windy and ugly
AL south side" he expressed this work
went very Ill. But when it smiled under mora
favorable conditions. and the northerly block
beamed in cheerful red bricIled serenity, he be-
came happy again and worked with renewed
vigor.
But it in spring that Lowell loved the
square best. On a bright spring day it was
matchless Looking down from his opened win
dows on such day he saw spread the
elm tree tops faint. barely perceptibe veil Of
green. and, 10. in the centre OF the asphalt OF
the transverse avenue the circular basin
suddenly brown with water and spOuting
white geyser into the air, Then he laid down his
pen. stacked up his papers and music scores
hastily. and went forth. With an air Of pro-
prietorship he broke the ordinances and strobe
over the soft. greening turf. Yes. the fountain
was playing. the basin was full. and around
its rim. as if by magic in the night. had bios
green grass lie never happened to see the
workmen plant these pansies nor lay the sod
and he was quite as glad not to. There was 4
JOY In half believing that they had really sprout-
ed up there to greet the sudden flow OF water.
Around the basin inrumerable children wers
sporting climbing upon the low iron fence. gaz-
ing at the panses and the water and shoutiu.;
gleefuily. Just beyond a pretty teacher SIT on
a bench and watched like shepherdess o,er L
flock OF Infants from 4 nearby kindergarten VINO
were attempting 10 fly impossible small kites.
clumsily made from bright papers. in the lam
guid air. None Of the kites ever went up but tna
infants had just good a time. and Lowell
looked from them to the teacher who seemed
tired and winter white and wondered If she
were not even more grateful for the bright,
outdoor cheerfulness OF the square than they
could possibly be.
In the walks OF the west side OF the square
nurse maids and children and mothers were
thick in East Side playground. and a
lively stir of sound and color reached the ear
and eye freshly and pleasantly. Lowell turneI
northward and followed the endless stream Of
carriages. vans and bicycles which poured under
the Memorial Arch. The beautiful. historic
block of houses that form The north wall Of ths
square more than usually lovely th5
bright spring day. They were dignifed with
out stiffness. rich and aristocratic without
pomp. wholesome without faint of ugliness
Lowell paused and looked at them long time
Good old houses " he said at last half aloud,
Il wonder how long you will be permitted u
give rest and comfort TO the eye oasis Of
quietness and beauty in this towering. ire
mcudous town that. save almost alone for you. Is
SO glarngy new. so crushingly modern? II
it takes three generations to make a gentleman
rs Holmes says it does. ii takes three more
generations OF the finished product to make i
gentleman's house Well. you are made. and 1