Year: 1872

OF All the drerert ways OF spending our great Ha-
tioual holiday none possessed more general attrac-'
ton than a visit to Central Park. The rush Of vis
tors began quite early SO az to avoid, In the rst
place. the Jam OF the crowded cars later in the day,
ana furthermore to enjoy the freedom and pleasure
Of wandering ABOUT before the broiling sun
reached its meridian height. And no wonder
there was such o multtudnous rush to
this great breathing place ofthe metropolis Here
was pure air redolent with the perfumes of flowers;
here were green fields carpeted with grass Of vel
vety smoothness, common" to-day to all here
was every imaginable variety of ornamental shade
trees inviting gentle repose beneath their um-
brage0us shadows; here were secluded dells to
whose depths the sunbeams never pierce; here were
sparkling springs bubbling from the cool depths
Of earth; here were lakes Of exquisite loveliness;
here were all the beauties OF nature, heightened
and intensified by the vast resources Of refining
art In the city there was barBen waste OF
glaring brick and mortar giving, during the
present heated term alas such fatal effect to the
powerful rays Of the sun. In the city the air was
foul with vile odors, emanating from thousand
streets and byways. In the city were deafenng din
and sufocating DUST the din magnifed ten thou
sand fold by the incessant racket Of firecrackers
and torpedoes, by the loud booming Of cannons and
small arms On the one hand were confusion and
bedlam; on the other peace and enjoyment. With
such contrast what sensible person would will
tngly remain in the city to melt and suffer all its
tOrtures when he could 80 easily slip away here
a and enjoy a days rustic repose


In the grand hegira Of visitors were represented
al classes Of our cosmopolitan popuaton-the
rich. the poor, the young, the old, the
married and the single, blooming youths and
maidens, and budding children in small clothes.
Whole families came together, bringing large
baskets filed with edibes for O s0ciable repast;
and then there was every variety or picnic PARTIES
and then there were many representatives Of "the
poor young man." friendless and fororn and jaded
to abject weartness under the thraldom of nces-
SAINT toll, seeking here brief respite and then
there were poor shop and sewing girls who had
also come for one days relaxation. or course all,
In passing by the lately erected statue OF Shaks-
peare, stopped to admire its beauties; while
as to the children, the strongest point
Of attraction were the wild beasts and
rush was towards the Mall, where the day was to be
particularly celebrated. AS on Saturday, the regu
lar Park band was In attendance, and the people
were permitted TO roam at will over the grass and
to lie beneath the shade trees. The ball ground
was also open, and, sngularly enough, was well
filed by young men and boys toiling manfnlly ut
base bali. A little further ON were the
had their enthusiastic devotees. While
these fond people were thus being broiled quite
number of the more sensible class were having
their quiet picnics under the shade OF friendly
trees, and when they were finished, either taking
strOs through the Ramble or sails on tho lake-the
latter being made additionally pleasant by DOd-
w0rth's cornet band, which was present all day,
ton OF the crowds thronging the boats. But all
these enjOyments were secondary to the grand fea-
ture Of the day-the music at the Mall. The follow
Ing was the prOgrlmme:-