Year: 1871

Amongst the most attractive features Of
this world of ours, are the Parks of the
great cities. Many of those in the cities of
Europe surpass our widest imaginings OF
the glories of Eden the Central, OF New
l. ork, the Paramount, Of PhiladelPhia' Dos
ton Common, and many others OF this coun'
try thst might be named, are not only the
| pride and GLORY of the cities TO "hlch tney
1 arc attached bu, likewise of the country at
/ large. Nothing is more attractive or
| tends in q greater degree TO fascinate the
public eve and elevate the public mind than
these great free breathing places within our
cities, where the multitude may go in
feast upon and enjoy, without money and
without price. Not without price, either,
for it CO SITS money in most instances to
possess such magnificent accessories to en-
lightenment.


la tb,s respect We are most unusually
favored by our magnificent Island-owned
and extensively improved by the Govern-
ment There it lies with its broad thousand
acres, washed on every side by the swift
running waters of the Mississippi-the chie'
gem of the many that sparkle in emerald
green from the face of that noble stream
there it is with its twenty miles of carriage
ways running in every direction-in broad
nAcadsmed avenues, in the extensive river
margin and in the wild woodland drives !;
among broad acres of smooth green turf,
and winding about through still more ex-
tended space of beautiful. There forest are
rising the magnificent buildings of hewn
stone and massive iron-destined to stand
for ages; along the carriage ways long rows
of fine trees are just growing into notice;
on the north are the rushing waters of the
Upper Rapids, dsshing down towards the
sea; on the east the lovely Sylvan water y
winding its way in and out among the ledgy
! banks and grass carpeted borderings here
and there bright bit Of clean sandy beach,
further along thick wild bramble, alto
gether forming picture that the eye never
tires gazing upon. On the one side are
the noble bluffs of Davenport, on the other
those of Rock Island and Moline from the
upper end, as from the foot of the Island,
one views the mighty river GfAr with its
/ loftily amphithestred hills strestching out on
either side-the beholder scarcely knowing
which to admire the most, the glorious
ground on which it stands, or the mSgnif-
cent panorama of waters, city and besuteous
hill-slopes that greet him beyond and
around.


Such is our Central Park" it faint de-
linatlon-one of the grandest thousand acres
in the universe. Nature has lavished great
westh Of scenery upon it. Uncle Sam is
lending al able hand in the same direction.
Alresdy one beautiful iron bridge connects
it with our sister city, another is being built
at Moline, and the third, massive struc-
turs Of stone and iron will soon bind it to
the Iowa shore. For drive, horseback
ride, or a ramble, it is as perfectly available
as if within our own corporation limits, and
now in such condition as that citizen may,
morning or evening, take drive six, OF
eight, or dozen miles along fine roads and
amid the loveliest scenery, and without the
usual tax therefor. Indeed our people are
most happily favored in the possession of
such gem. 1t renders this location at
tractive and highly desirable, and in time
will be the prime motive for the gathering
together hereabou,s great wealth and en-
lghtenment. Well may We be proud Of SC
magnificent Central Park.