FEINBERG/WHITMAN Box 3 Folder 3 DIARIES, etc. Diary Notes May 1879 (DCNSS) 265 1879 May Diary Entries. A.MS. (3p. 16 1/2 x 19 1/2, 15 x 18, 12 x 19 cm.) Written in ink, with a very few of the corrections in pencil, on three pieces of paper clipped from larger sheets, one of them made by pasting together two slips of paper, 438 words: NY '79 19 to 24 May [12 to 18]. I visit Central Park every day, [sometimes]--and have for the last three weeks, off and on taking observations, or short rambles, and sometimes riding around, [always enjoying happy in the this magnificent ground. Perhaps it] I think [it] the Grounds presents [its] their very best appearance this current month, especi- ally the latter half, of May. The [first] full flush of the trees -- the plentiful white and pink of the blossoms--the pure green of the grass, every-where [&] yellow-dotted with dandelions--the [miracle] [and] reliable beauty of our skies and atmosphere, [three days] [out of four] a week at a stretch, this season,--the speciality of gray rocks cropping out everywhere [are enough, of themselves].--all please, comfort, norish strengthen me. Why then am I going to fault [ over ] 256 -find a little with the Park? [Two] Three [beautiful] perfect days, of late, I have spent from 10 to 1 in about [the Park,] it , enjoying myself capitally, but with the irritating question [resting] remaining at last on my mind, Why is [not] it not a [far] more popular, free, average resort? / I suppose the Commissioners will say, Because the Populace don't choose to come. Perhaps they will say, They do come. [My two] But those three lovely days, from 10 to 1, I saw only a few dozens, or scores of visitors--over the common, and along the numerous paths, only sparse figures or groups. Nobody even stopping to scan the browse Shakespere, or Humboldt, or Web- ster, or the Youth and hawk.--[or] Nor anything [le] else. Considering the perfect days, and the leisure and idleness of [this] our million- headed city--the people out of work, the women and children, the half-invalids, &c.--I [would] might have expected, [to see], any of those times, a hundred thousand [at least] there! I am told that Saturday is a real rush day in the Park, for the People—and Sun- day partially so. / (When, considering the perfect weather, and the leisure, idleness, and need of recreation in our million=headed city, I should have expected [a hun] troops of hundreds, and troops of thousands--aye, many tens of thousands--people out of work, wo- men and children, half-invalids, &c.)--I found only a few dozens (more)257 2--Diary (1879) of visitors -- over the Common and along the paths, only [s] a few sparse figures or [megre] groups. [at a intervals.] run in) Nobody stopping to scan Shakespere, or Humboldt, or Webster, or the Youth and Falcon. I am told that Saturday is a real rush day-- and Sunday partially so. But theMay [12 to 18] 19 to 24. I visit Central Park every day, [sometimes] and have for the last three weeks off and on taking observations, or short rambles, and sometimes riding around - [always enjoying] [happy in] [the] [this magnificent ground. Perhaps it] I think the ground it presents [its] there very best appearance this current month, especially the latter half, of May. The [first] full flush of the trees - the plentiful white and pink of the blossom - the pure green of the grass everywhere & [?] yellows dotted with dandelions - the [miracle and] reliable beauty of our skies and atmosphere, [three days out of four] a week at a stretch, this season - [are enough of themselves] - the speciality of gray rocks, crops out everywhere - all please, comfort, nourish, strengthen me. Why then am I going to fault=find a little with the Park? [Two] Three [beautiful] perfect days of late, I have spent from 10 to 1 in about [the Park] it, enjoying myself capitally, but with the irritating question [resting] remaining at last on my mind. Why is [not] it not a [po] more popular, free, area [?????] When considering the perfect weather and the leisure, idleness, and need of recreation in our million-headed city, I should have expected [a hun] troops of hundreds and troops of thousands - aye, many tens of thousands - people out of work, women and children, half invalid, &c.) - I found only a few dozens of visitors - over the common and along the paths, only [25] a few sparse figures or [megre] groups [at a intervals] run in.) Nobody stopping to scan Shakspere, or Humboldt, or Webster or the Youth and Falcon. I am told that Saturday is a real rush day - and Sunday partially so. But, theI suppose the Commissioners will say, Because the Populace dont choose to come. Perhaps they will say they do come. [My two] But those three lovely days from 10 to 1, I saw only a few dozens, or scores of visitors -- over the common and along the numerous paths, only sparse figure, ? or groups. Nobody even stopping to scan the ? browse Shakspere, or Humboldt, or Webster, or the Youth and hawk. --[or] nor anything [l] else. Considering the perfect days, and the leisure and wellness of [this] our million-headed city -- the people out of work, the women and children, the half-invalids, etc.-- I [would] might have expected, [to see] any of those times, a hundred thousand [at least] there! I am told that Saturday is a real rush day in the Park, for the People -- and Sunday partially so.