New-York tribune., 1907-08-04
INTERIOR or CASTLE GARDEN IN THE OLD DAYS.

spectacular, while the serving OF refreshments
was relied the principal source or pronL
Richmond Hill had in its palmy days been the
villa home of Aaron Burr and its fortunes FOL
lowed the descending scale like those of its once
tllustrous master. Its site the neighboT-
hood of what is now the intersection Of Varick
and Charlton streets. After passing out Of
Burr's hands. but before his DEATH the park had
become Richmond Hill Gardens and the mansion
the Richmond Hill Theatre. both of somewhat
shady reputation. which was temporarily re-
habilitated by the response which the fashion
able elements of the city's population made to
an appeal made by season OF Italian opera
given in 1882. The relics of Niblo's Garden have
disappeared completely those of Richmond
HILL but its site is still fresh in the memory OF
those whose theatrical experiences go back a
quarter of a century; they must be Old however
who can recall enough verdure in the vicinity OF
Broadway and Prince street to justify the name
maintained by the theatre to which for many
years entrance gained through a corridor of
the Metropolitan Hotel Three-Quarters of
century ago Niblo's Garden reality Will
lam NiblO, who built 1t and managed 1t with
consummate cleverness had been a successful
coffee house keeper downtown. Its theatre
opened refreshingly side into the garden
(as the Terrace Garden Theatre, at Third avenue
and 5Sth street does to-day, where one could
eat dish of ice cream or sip a sherry Cobbler In
luxurious shade, If such were his prompting,
while play pantomime went merrily on
within. Writing of it in 1865 Max Maretzek.
who, as manager Of the AstOr Place Opera House,
had suffered from the rivalry OF Niblo and his
theatre. said:
The Metropolitan Hotel, NbIo's Theatre stores
and other buildings occupy the locality OF the
former garden nothing remains the ice cream
and drinking saloons attached TO the theatre These
take up literally much room in the building
It's stage does, and prove that its proprietor has
not altogether overlooked the earlier vocation which
laid the foundation OF his fortune. The by
which he calls II has never changed. 1t was NIB
los Garden when loving couples ate their creams
or drank their cobblers under the shadow of the
trees. II is Niblos Garden when IL is turned
into a simple theatre and hedged in with houses
Nay, IN the very bills which circulated in the
interior OF the building during the performances
! you may find might shortly since have found
such an announcement as the following. appearing
In large letters:
between the second and third acts"-or. pos
sitly, II may run thus when opera IS not IN the
ascendant-'aftor the conclusion OF the first piece
an intermsson OF twenty minutes takes place Tor
promenade In the garden"
You Will. feel certain, admit that this IS n
ve!lously delicate way OF intimating to gentleman
who may feel dry" dt is the right word. is 1t notO
that he will find the time 10 slake his thirst.
When he returns and his lady inquiries where he
has been he may reply. If lie Wills 1t:
Promenadfng in the garden"
1t is not plain from Mr.. Whites account
. whether not his memory reached back to
the veritabe garden of Mr.. Niblo. but his
recollectons of the theatre were not taundiced
like those OF Mr.. Maretzek but altogether
aIniable Speaking of the performances OF the
ShreH. Seguin and Wilson company OF English
opera singers. who came to New York in 1888,
ho saws:
Miss shire1 afterward appeared Nblo's Gar
den. which the corner OF Broadway and
Prince street. where the Metropolitan Hotel now
stands Here she performed 10 Auber's Masked
Bali and other light operas (all, Of course in
English). singing IN theatre that open on
one side 10 the air: for Nlblo's great place
OF summer entertainment 1t was great New
York institution" in its day-perhaps the great
est and most beneficent one OF its sort that New
York has ever known. 1t may be safely said that
most OF the elder generation Of New Workers now
living this written in 1851 have had Nibo's
Garden the greatest pleasure they have en-
joyed in public There were careless fun and easy
Jollity; there whole families would at mo-
ments warning hear this or that singer, but
most OF ell year after year. the Ravels-
a family Of pantomimists and dancers upon earth
and cir. who have given innocent. thoughtless,
side shaking. brain clearing pleasure moro
Americans than ever relaxed their sad silent faces
for any other performers. The price OF admission
here was 90 cents no seats reserved: first come.
first served"
Last OF all there was Castle Garden. Children
OF to-day remember when it was still the
immigrants depot which II had been for half a
century Tradition says that IT built to
protect New York City from foreign invasion
not to harbOr 1t: but a n fortress it must have
suffered disarmament quite early in the nine
teenth century. It is aquarium, and
such has returned to its secondary use.
1880 and about that day ii restaurant
but for the sale only of ice cream. lemonade
and cakes. You paid a shilling to so in-this
| to restrict the patronage to people of the right
sort-and your ticket rcde2mable on the
inside in the innocent fluids and harmless solids
aforementioned. \ wooden bridge thanked by
| floating bath houses, connected the castle with
| the garden-i g. Battery Park Are not the
| baths there now? l cannot recall the time when
| there was none. either private or public. North
| and east, in lower Broadway and Greenwich
| street fashionable residences whose occu-
pants enjoyed the promenade under the trees.
| which was the proper enjoyment OF the day, as
| much as their more numerous but less fortunate
| fellow citizens There balloons went up hy day.
| and rockets and bombs by night, and there, too,
| the brave militia went on parade To Mr..
White we owe the preservation of a poetical
description written by Frederick COzzens in an
imitation OF Sponsors Sir Clod His Undoinge':
With placket lined. with joyous heart he HES
To where the Battery's Alleys. cool and greene.
| Amid disparted Rivers daintie lies