The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-07
I

II in the last few decades, tina is 10 say
the period from 1880 to 1870. during which
the knickerbocker patriciate. now prac-
tioally defunct. still retained ascendency.
that have furnished the materials for the
reoollections recorded in the volume before
us. The first two chapters Of the book
deal with the outward aspects Of the New
York of 1880. Although the extraordinary
development Of the town. owing primarily
TO the completion of the Erie Canal. had
fairly begun and had already enabled it TO
pass Philadelphia in respect OF population
the significance Of the change was as yet
imperfectly recognized. even by the most
intelligent residents. These still kept up
the thrifty habits Of the colonial community.
As Mr.. Dayton points out. the proverbial
frugality Of the Knickerbockers was a
blessing to such members Of the present
generation as can trace back their genealogy
on Manhattan Island for a century or more,
while those whose titles 10 real estate go
back only fifty years have substantial
reasons 10 be thankful. Their inherited
acres have been transformed into city lots,
each OF which is worth a hundred or even
a thousand times IA much as the tract to
which 1t belonged could have been bought
by the acre so lately IA eighty years ago.
In 1880 Prince street was on the very
verge OF urban civilization. Niblo's Gar
den was in very truth a garden, and it was
leased at a rental which would now be- re-
fused for the humblest plot on the island Of
Manhattan, though Niblo's was situated
on the only north and south thoroughfare
which the City Of Gotham could then boast
IL 10 well now hat at that date the Bat
terry was still the breathing spot" Of the
nasoent metropolis, n its charms were
r~ecounted with the same pride and delight
now exhibited by New Workers when they
descant on the attractions Of Central Park
Its gravelled, shady paths and somewhat
Irregular plots Of grass had not, to be sure,
beer aid out by an adept in the science
Of landscape gardening, nor was the en-
closure under the special care OF a com
mission Nevertheless, no art could have
added much to the natural beauty Of the
surroundings for the saunterer as the eye
swept over the unrivalled bay, any more
han human agencies could have supplied
the hfegiving breeze which every summer
afternoon was waited from the ocean to
cool the fevered city. The Battery could
boast OF no statues; It had no sequestered
bowers or artistic fountains; no mall en-
livened with music; no lake traversed by
gondolas; no deer, buffalo, cameIs or merino
sheep. Its benches were made of rude,
implanted boards, admirably adapted to
test the quality Of a new penknife. Lack
ing all these iadornments. however, 1t
was a park OF unequalled beauty, and
travellers from distant lands were loud in
its praises, even though their recollections
Of Naples may have been vivid.
The Battery. in a word. wal the summer
promenade Of New Workers. in 1880, when
nobody lost caste by declining to par
ticipate in the routine Of country house or
watering place life. There were summer
resorts. notwithstanding. even in those
days. and they were patronized by dis
tInguished people. The springs at Ball
ston and Saratoga were especially popular.
The beach at Rockaway. commemorated
by the poet George p. Morris. was another
and more accessible resort for New Workers..
while the now despised Consy Island then
lured with It's broiled chicken. roast CLANS
and sea waves many aparty Of well known
visitors to Its ono unpretending hotel.
There was not a summer afternoon. how
ever. when representatives II the best
society did nor wend their way to the
Battery tn enjoy a stroll and exchange
friendly greetings. The place was In