Year: 1879

EEfszN ~ a axssssS:;;.5lsSS k.N&DS
cluster the homes of the aesthetic and the opu-
lent where the citizen who entertains just civic
and taste the choice spots where natural topography
aided by well ordered public improvements. invite
him to salubrious and permanent home.


WESTERN PLATEAU.


The conclusion inevitable, therefore. that the
section of the city that has been held in until
the time when the progress of wealth and refinement
shall have attained that period of its development
when our citizens can appreciate and are ready
to take advantage of the situation, is the sec
most sought after. At expense unparalleled
cept in the lavish periods of imperial opulence the
great west end plateau extending from the Central
Park to the North River. has been laid out and orna
mented with series of magnificent avenues not ex-
celled by any other city III the world. Moreover.
this entire region combines in its general
pect all that Is magnificent in the leading
capitals Of Europe. In our Central Park we have
the fine Prater Of Vienna. in our grand boulevard
the rival of the finest Of the gay capital Of
France, in our Riverside avenue the equivalent of
the Chiaa of Naples and the Corso Of Rome, while
the beautiful "Unter den Linden" of Berlin and the
finest portions of the West End Of London
produced again and again. Let US look more closely
at tho topography of this section and whether it
will bear out the Impressions that given in regard
to it by study of its plan


Originally the highest portions Of the backbone"
of the island were rough and unsightly rocky emf
nences aternated with Intervening valleys BY pro-
cess of uniform grading these have been
into generally level plateau from seventy hve to q
hundred feet above the river. On the east the CEN
trail Park with all ts luxuriant beauty stretches out
its long line of trees and shrubs. On the west the
stately Hudson bathes the foot Of the green slope
in which 1t terminates, while. from the splendid
avenue on the crest above. this beautiful sheet Of
water with its teening life OF sail and steamer is
viewed for more than three miles Of drive and
promenade. On the south the busy city stretches
Boulevard extends its length away into the pictu-
RESCUE and inviting region of Fort Washington. with
the Morning Side Park the east to break the view
Of Harlem Plains. while Long Island Sound aud its
beautiful islands are seen in the distance.


PRESENT IMPROVEMENTS.


In the details OF draining. sewerng and water sup
ply, the highest skill of the city engineers has been
here employed, and these important public neces-
stiles have been provided in anticipation with scru-
pulous regard to thoroughly studied general plans.
The ignorance and careessness of the past have been
replaced by intelligence and conscientious work. and
avoided these errors furnishing both q lesson
and guide to perfection. The drainage Of
this region flows principally towards the east side.
in some portions of which there has accumulated
great deal of contaminated soil which may never be
purified. The underground drains In that region.
which were constructed at u late day to remove the
water from the soil, after much of the grading had
been done, found in somo instances to
sewage matter Of the most offensive descrip-
ton Whether this escapes from Imperfect sewers
from tho polluted condition OF the soil cannot
readily be ascertained. but such is the case.
That side must necessarily partake Of the
disadvantages arising from the great pressure Of
travel incident to the crowded population that al
ready monopolizes the larger portion of the terri
tory to be increased in the future by all that
to accumulate on Harlem Plains. 1t is believed that
the density of the future population of the east side
will exceed anything now conceived Of With the
improvement OF the Harlem River. to be
complished. Gordon OF business and second class
dwellings will be drawn closely around that
the west end plateau. The business capacity
of the Harlem River is yet to be developed More OF
a river than the Thames at London. twice as much
the Seine at Paris. and compared with which tho
Spree, which through Berlin. is a mere open
the immedate future Of New YORK. We are soon to
realize the fact that this fine river is the proper ter
minus of the Erie Canal. When the contemplated
improvements OF this river are completed u COM
merciai channel will be opened that will render
necessary the transportation OF the canal freight
the entire length OF the island and around the
Battery to interfere with the shipping and the
ferries. 1t will. instead of making this long detour
be discharged into warehouses and elevators on the
foreign shipping can receive it, The grain and lum-
Der trade of the city will centre here. and large
end Of the island will be transacted at this point
The facilities offered by the rapid transit railways
have made all this not only possible but certain.


IMPERFEcT HOUSES.


Overlooking the whole Of this vast and accumu-
latng traffic and commerce. but separated from il
forever by Typographical lines clearly defined and
obstructive the bastions that surround the FASH
ionabe residences of the Viennese the west end
plateau will undoubtedly always be held intact for
the development OF higher order of domestic
than IL has been tho good fortune New
York heretofore to possess. We have become
customed to being victimized and led by specula-
tive builders that the average citizen has
come to believe that any attempt OF his
to form a conception OF the house that he would
to live in. any expectation OF finding such


house. IL he indulged himself in such ideas, would
be perfectly absurd 1t is time for us to ask our
selves il such state of things is absolutely neccs-
sary. IL we are to 20 on and be shelved away in
continuous and interminable series OF brown stone
boxes, the dimensions OF which are growing less
year by year until they may finally become but
little larger than the vaults into which
mortal remains are to be thrust away out
OF sight forever. stroll into the upper sections
of the east sde where house man turing is going
on the mile. liz enough to alarm a tluuuhtfu
son to the possible future OF New York in this
respect The sanitary feature of this condition Of
impossible to secure in such constructions
those appliances for ventilation and house
drainage that absolutely necessary to health.
The curse OF the tenement house has been
almost irrcvocaby stamped upon tho poorer
class, and the curse OF the speculative builder rap
idly stamping itself upon the more prosperous. Tho
trdth IL that. as people. we have almost lost the
idea of what real house is The few attempts at
architectural display have been principally made ON
.corner lots" TINS unfortunate fancy for corners
began with the extension OF building the Fifth
avenue. We say unfortunate because out it
has come that style of lot architecture that
has dominated tor many years at the expense
of symmetry and completeness. and has almost
given permanent stamp to domestic architecture in
the city. These corner lots have been eagerly
sought after by those who could afford to buy them
and few persons, no matter what their wealth or
aesthetic culture. have thought OF constructing any
thing more than what appears to be thrce-q uarters
of house. With marked exceptions. has
seemed to consider II worth while To erect
a really complete house, although possessed of
ample land Tor the purpose. The otherwise
tasteful residence OF Mr. r. l.. Stewart at the corner
of Twentieth street and Fifth avenue. is example
of this defect In - marked degree. So also the
handsome mansions OF the Astors at Thirty third
and Thirty streets, the Same avenue where
the connecting fence between the houses ON each
corner seems labellcd-"ths space to be filled in
solid" This jug-handlcd style OF architecture has
become universal. that we have grown accustomed
to it, and the incongruity does not strike us M 1t
does oil intelligent visitors from other cities.


PARADISE.


no ptans of nj ho voetc ON
have been completed. afford the opportunity for