Frederick Law Olmsted SUBJECT FILE Parks New York N.Y. Central Park, Annual Reports of the Board of Commissioners 1865-70Reports of Central Park 1866-70 Olmsted BrothersThe Lake Ninth Annual Report of the [*NY City NAB 6827*] Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, for the Year Ending with December 31, 1865-69 New York: WM. C. Bryant & Co., Printers, 41 Nassau Street, Corner of Liberty. 1866CONTENTS. PAGE Commissioners of Central Park,—Officers, and Committees, ............. 5 Annual Report,............................................................................................. 7 Summary of Treasurer's Accounts,........................................................... 55 References to he Central Park Guide,....................................................... 61 Zoological Collection, .................................................................................. 63 Statement of condition of gifts, devices and bequests, with names of donors, ...................................................................................................... 68 Statement of the details of the expenses of the Zoological Garden of London, ..................................................................................................... 81 Authorization of the laying of the foundation of the Monument to William Shakespeare,............................................................................... 82 Tabular arrangement of the Vertebrata of North America,....................... 83 Topographical Description of the Central Park,.......................................... 92 References to the Park Map,........................................................................... 94 Several Acts of the Legislature respecting the Central Park,...................... 95 Supplemental Catalogue of Plants cultivated on the Central Park, 1865,............................................................................................................. 103 Report of the Superintending Engineer,......................................................... 107 ILLUSTRATIONS. View of Lake and Bow Bridge, .......................................................................... 1 Drinking Place for Horses on the Bridle-road, ............................................... 10 Plan of Proposed Improvement at Merchants' Gate, (Broadway, 8th Avenue and 59th Street,) ......................................................................... 14 The Tunnel and Traffic-road, ............................................................................. 18 The Balcony Bridge, ............................................................................................. 22 Rustic Bridge, ........................................................................................................ 26 Boat Landing, ........................................................................................................ 30 Gonfalon at the Terrace, bearing the arms of the City of New York, 32 The Island, .............................................................................................................. 36 The Statue of Commerce, ..................................................................................... 41 Central Park Guide Map, ....................................................................................... 60 Map of the Central Park, showing the progress of the work up to January 1st, 1866, .............................................................................................. 94 Board of Commissioners of the Central Park. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES. 1866. CHARLES H. RUSSELL, J. F. BUTTERWORTH, WALDO HUTCHINS, THOMAS C. FIELDS, ANDREW H. GREEN, HENRY G. STEBBINS, R. M. BLATCHFORD, M H. GRINNELL. President. HENRY G. STEBBINS. Vice-President. M. H. GRINNELL. Treasurer and Comptroller. ANDREW H. GREEN. Secretary. THOMAS C. FIELDS. Finance. - Messrs. RUSSELL, GRINNELL, BUTTERWORTH. Executive. - Messrs. GRINNELL, GREEN, HUTCHINS, RUSSELL, FIELDS. Auditing. - Messrs. GRINNELL, FIELDS, BUTTERWORTH. By-Laws and Ordinances. - Messrs. HUTCHINS, FIELDS, GREEN. Statuary, Fountains, and Architectural Structures. - Messrs. RUSSELL, BUTTERWORTH, GREEN.REPORT. To the Honorable the Common Council of the City of New York: The Board of Commissioners of the Central Park respectfully present this, its report for the year ending with the 31st day of December, 1865. The progress made in the work at the Park is principally exhibited in the completion of structures and grounds previously commenced, and in that branch of operations that may properly be classed under the head of necessities. To this class belong the completion of the walks and drive in the northerly portion of the Park, the bridges over or under which they are carried, the shaping of the surface of the ground, and the variety of work comprehended in the treatment of the deep valley, that is a peculiarly marked feature of this part of the Park, and the waters that pass through it, "the Loch," its rustic stone dam and waterfall, the formation of its varied shore of bays and promontories, the excavation of the basin for the larger sheet of water, known as the Harlem Lake, the construction of its banks and dam, and the prepara- 28 of the ground to retain water. Of structures in masonry, the chief work of the year has been done upon the exterior wall, of which the folowing quantities are complete: Of retaining wall . . . . . . . . . . . 2,392 cubic yards. " coping for wall . . . . . . . . . . . 13 " " " single-faced wall . . . . . . . . . . 3,909 " " " two-faced wall . . . . . . . . . . . 569 " " " coping for two-faced wall . . 2,840 lineal feet. The excavation of rock for the exterior wall is mainly completed, unless the change of the grade of the Eighth avenue should develop other work of this character. Of the work in progress when the year began, Bridge No. 28, north of the Grand Reservoir, and the stone work of Bridge No. 24, near the south gate-house, are nearly complete ; the iron work of the latter bridge is under contract. The change by the Croton Aqueduct Department of the surface of the walk about the Grand Reservoir has rendered it more acceptable for the use of visitors, and it now fulfills the intention of this Board as an important and interesting portion of the system of walks. 22 81/1000 acres of land have been sown to grass during the year ; 7,462 feet of drain pipe, 4,538 feet of tile-drainage, and 1,968 feet of Croton water pipe have been laid, and 4 hydrants and 2 stop-cocks set. The stone pedestals and the standards, intended to support the gilded cages that are interposed in the line of the foliage of the hedge of English yew, are complete, 9 and will, it is believed, fittingly and acceptably connect the ornamental masonry of the Terrace with the regular lines of the Mall. It has been deemed very desirable that this central part of the Park should be brought to completion as early as was practicable. Thousands of people are attracted by the music and the play of the waters of the fountains. The convenience of the seats and of the drinking fountains in this vicinity are highly appreciated and generally availed of. Encaustic tile for portions of the ceiling of the Terrace and for its floor are in process of manufacture. 956 movable seats, capable of accommodating 4,364 persons at one time, have been provided and distributed about the Park. Nine fixed rustic seats have been constructed during the year, of various designs, capable of accommodating about 100 persons. Eleven rustic arbors and summer-houses have been completed, with seating accommodations for 225 persons. This class of structures is very generally used ; the adaptability of rustic woodwork to the purposes of the Park renders it further use desirable. Six urinals and six water-closets have been constructed during the year, making in all now on the Park twenty-three of these structures. The work of planting has progressed as the new ground was prepared ; 8,811 trees, shrubs and plants were planted during the year. Of these, 4,320 were from the nurseries of the Park. There have been 1,515 square feet of awning added10 during the past year to that previously supplied, the total being now 4,317 square feet, sufficient to shelter about 3,000 persons at one time. Nine drinking fountains have been provided during the past year; adding them to those previously established, gives twenty-seven as the whole number. The Board has not deemed it best to enter upon any considerable expenditures for structures other than those coming under the class previously mentioned. The prices for skilled labor and for materials have generally ruled higher than in any previous year. The stocks of the city, from which the means of the Board are derived, have met with heavy and dull sale, and the means required for carrying on the more necessary work have been irregularly received. Although the market rates for labor and material are high, yet it is doubtful whether the operative or the material man finds his net savings any larger than when these prices were much less. In the existing state of things one dollar of the avails of an accumulating city debt yields in value of work and materials just about half of what it did in the normal condition of financial affairs. The total expenditure on construction for the year was $366,915 38, being a reduction of $85,674 85 as compared with the previous year, notwithstanding the great increase of prices. A few statistics of the work of construction follow: [Illustration] DRINKING PLACE FOR HORSES ON THE BRIDLE ROAD.11 The total number of working days for the year, 267 1/2. Average number of working days per month, 22 3/10. Total number of mechanics, laborers, laborers with carts and teams, masons, stonecutters, carpenters, blacksmiths, etc., employed during the year 1864 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 770 Total during the year 1865, about . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 643 ____ Decrease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 Average force per day (exclusive of contractors' force), during the year, about 341. The largest force engaged at any one time (exclusive of contractors' force), during the year 1864 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 494 The largest force engaged during 1865, about . . . . . . . . . . . 372 ____ Decrease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 The average force employed by contractors during the year, about . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 The average force employed, including contractors' force, for the year, about . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380 Average number of general foremen for the year . . . . . . . 1 ____ Average number of foremen employed during 1864 . . . . . . . . 14 " " " " " 1865 . . . . . . . 11 _____ Decrease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Average number of assistant foremen employed during 1864 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Average number employed during 1865 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ___ Decrease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The Drive and Ride are completed. Of the Drive there was completed previous to January 1, 1865, 9 miles 176 feet, completed during 1865, 2,389 feet or 9 485/1000 miles in all. Of the Bridle Road, completed previous to January 1, 1865, 5 503/1000 miles. Of the works, completed previous to January 1,1865, 23 miles 1,408 feet, completed during 1865, 2 miles 1,906 feet, or 25 628/1000 miles in all.12 A large portion of the exterior wall, as also the gates and their appurtenances for eighteen entrances to the Park from the adjacent avenues and streets, remain to be completed. Four of these entrances are on Fifty-ninth street, Four on One Hundred and tenth street, Five on the Eighth avenue, and Five on the Fifth avenue. A space of ten feet in width south of, and adjacent to, the southerly line of One Hundred and tenth street has been set apart, and the filling nearly completed to provide an additional width to the southerly walk of One Hundred and tenth street ; thus making that walk between the Fifth and Eight avenues twenty five feet in width. The walk along the southerly boundary of the Park is forty feet in width, and that on Fifth and Eighth avenues thirty feet. The portion of the walk on the Fifth avenue below Transverse Road No. 1 has this year been planted with elms. These walks are intended to form a continuous shaded avenue around the whole Park. The sewer through Seventy-fourth street, from the Fifth avenue to the East River, has been commenced, but no work has been done on the sewer in One Hundred and tenth street, the ordinance for constructing which was passed May 17, 1865. This last sewer is much required to take away offensive water which will otherwise find its way into the Harlem Lake. The grading of the Fifth avenue above Ninetieth street 13 is not yet completed, though the work was let August 17, 1859. The grading of One Hundred and tenth street is still incomplete, and up to this time, with perhaps a single block at Fifty-ninth street and Fifth and Eighth avenue entrances, no avenue or street bordering the Park is in a fit condition for an approach to it. The passage by your Honorable Body, at the close of the year, of an ordinance to provide for the flagging of the full width of the sidewalks of the Fifth avenue up to Sixtieth street, will afford greater facilities for the large number of pedestrians that go to the Park by that avenue. The paving of the Fifty-ninth street, from the Fifth to the Eighth avenue is much required ; an ordinance for this purpose was adopted by your Honorable Body on the 22d of March, 1865, but the work has not yet been commenced. The means of drainage of the surface water from that portion of the Park formerly known as Manhattan square are much needed, in order that improvements in the ground may be commenced. The effective drainage of the neighborhood will doubtless add much to its salubrity. The Board deems it very important that this drainage should proceed without delay. It is understood to be the plan of the Croton Aqueduct Department to take the water of this area towards the North River, by a sewer through Seventy-fifth street. Eighty-first street, bounding this square on the north, has been opened, and the work of grading it has been advertised, but it is understood that the cost of the work will14 exceed one-half of the assessed value of the lands, and for that reason the contract has not been awarded. Seventy-seventh street, the southerly boundary of the square, has been declared opened during the past year, and a resolution has been passed by your Honorable Body to grade this street from Eighth avenue to Broadway, but the work of grading has not yet commenced. The contract working the Ninth avenue was originally awarded December 6, 1860, but the work is yet far from completion. The grade of the Eighth avenue, along the east side of the square, having been changed, the work of filling it remains to be done, and will, it is hoped, be soon proceeded with by the Street Department having it in charge. It will be seen that neither one of the avenues or streets bounding this square is completed. Unless they are soon put under contract, several years must elapse before it can be approached on either side. The plans for laying it out, though not yet perfected, are under consideration; the intention at present being to connect the Square with the Park by one or more passages under or over the avenue; by this means giving convenient access to the Zoological Garden, which will probably, in part at least, be located on this square. The Board has given the necessary assent to laying of two pipes of six feet in diameter, into the Park, opposite the block between Eighty-fifth street and Eighty-sixth street, to conduct the Croton water into the old Reservoir. This arrangement dispenses with the line of the old Aqueduct west of the Eighth avenue, below Ninety-second [illustration] CENTRAL PARK PLAN SHOWING ENTRANCE AT 8TH AVE & 59TH ST as proposed to be re-arranged in accordance with the Altered Boundary Line Central Park Plan showing entrance at 8th Ave & 59th St. as proposed to be re-arranged. in accordance with the Altered Boundary Line19 May 74 Badanoch Windly May 19th H.G S. &c Sir: I take the occasion of presenting estimates for work for the rest of the year to suggest to the Board the inquiry whether it is necessary [to continue] [with] that the cost of work should continue to be as great as heretofore, the estimates being based on present [tofore for the love of latrnos and suc] rates and returns for [wugds?]. These rates [chantes] [The present rates of mgrs] were mainly fixed in 1870 since when a considerable change has occurred in circumstances which it should seem might affect the question. [should affect the cost of wtth.] ¶ I have lately been consulted [on] by those in charge of public works in several other cities of the state and have16 Deduct one per cent. on $399,300 of the above stock, issued at five per cent ... $3,993 00 --------------- $581,840 76 ----------------- Excess of increased tax in three Wards, over interest on cost of land and improvements .... $452,711 05 ========== The current expenses have been augmented by the additional areas of roads and walks and grounds added to the completed work of the year, as well as by the general increase of prices. The accounts of the expenses of the maintenance of the Park were several years since classified for the purpose of convenience, and to secure and preserve their correct record in detail. This classification comprehends the following heads : 1. Roads. 9. Thorough Drainage. 2. Walks. 10. Traffic Roads. 3. Plantations. 11. Masonry. 4. Turf. 12. Tools. 5. Water. 13. Buildings. 6. Ice. 14. Miscellaneous. 7. Surface Drainage. 15. Gate-keepers. 8. Irrigation. 16. Park-keepers. It will be readily seen that such a system must prove useful in carrying on a work involving the employment and use of such a variety of labor and materials. By this means an account of the expenses of any branch of the work, such as the cost of labor and the quantities and value of the materials thereon, is always available for purposes of comparison. 17 The comprehensiveness of these accounts, each separate and distinct in themselves, may be inferred from the following examples : ROADS AND WALKS constitute a very important branch of the Park work. These are required to be in the best condition throughout, and from the constant use to which they are subjected, require much labor and material to keep them in proper order. During the past year, nearly 9,000 cubic yards of gravel were required to keep them in proper condition. Under these heads are included the repair to road-beds, breaking stone for road metal, surfacing with gravel or other material, rolling, care, and repairs of road and walk, drainage, cleaning silt basins and the ordinary cleaning of the roads and walks. PLANTATIONS include the care of the soils, dressing, manuring and generally renewing and maintaining their fertilizing properties, the better to promote the growth of and protect the young and tender plants. TURF includes the proper care of the lawns, rolling sod, cutting and removing the grass. WATER includes the expense of the care and cleaning of the ornamental waters of the Park, the Lakes and Ponds. ICE includes the expenses incident to the care of the ice, cleaning and planing, and its illumination at night, and the erection of the houses for the accommodation of the public during the skating season. SURFACE DRAINAGE, differing in its functions from the thorough drainage, comprehends the repairs and cleaning18 of the general system of sewers and basins (exclusive of those used in roads and walks) required for carrying off the surface water, and the removal of the silt deposited in the basins. IRRIGATION comprehends the cost of labor and materials used in the care and repairs of the water-works, as hydrants, stop-cocks, water-pipe, fountains, and the various mechanical appliances and implements necessary for the proper and economical supply, transportation and distribution of the water throughout the Park, required for sprinkling the roads, drives and walks, watering the turf, trees, shrubs, and plants, and for the drinking-stations distributed about the Park. THOROUGH DRAINAGE comprehends the expenses incident to the care and repair of the extensive system of drainage ; the intricate ramifications of which extend over the whole area of the Park. In this branch is required the judgment and experience of skilled labor and a familiarity with the system. This head includes the cleaning of the basins at proper times when silt is deposited, so that no part of the system may become "choked" or disarranged, as well as the care and precautions to be observed in protracted stormy weather, to guard against breakage, overflow, or other casualties. TRAFFIC ROADS include expenses incident to the care, repairs, and keeping in proper order for public convenience the transverse roads. MASONRY includes the expenses of repairs required on THE TUNNEL AND TRAFFIC ROAD19 the Park bridges and of all mason and stone work of the buildings. Tools include the making and repairing of implements of all kinds used on the Park. Buildings include the cost and labor, and materials used in their proper care and repair. Park and Gate-keepers include the wages, cost of uniform, and such incidental expenses as appropriately pertain to these heads. A miscellaneous account is required to systematize a class of expenditures not properly chargeable to any of the preceding heads. The experience of several years shows that the annual sum provided for the expense of maintaining the Park, to wit, $150,000, is, under the existing state of things, insufficient for the purpose, and that it will be much more convenient to have the sum increased by legislation, than to depend upon an annual application to meet a deficiency. It will be seen that the principal item of this class of expenses is for Park and Gate-keepers—amounting, together with their uniforms, to $59,718.80. It may be questioned whether, in a correct distribution of expenditures, for the purposes of comparison, the cost of the Park-keepers should be thrown upon the fund for maintaining the Park. There is no doubt that, as their duties are essentially different from those of the general Police force of the city, they are more useful as at present organized; but, as the area constituting the Park 20 would require police supervision, the main portion of the expense would have to be incurred whether this area were used as a Park or otherwise. The above-mentioned sum covers the expense of this service over an area of 843 acres. The Park-keepers, fifty in number, are invested with Police powers, and form the patrol of the Park night and day. Twenty-five Gate-keepers, uniformed and un- uniformed, are posted at the gates to enforce the ordinances of the Park respecting the admission of vehicles, and to preserve order about the gates; on special days, when large numbers are at the Park, a portion of the Gate-keepers are required to aid in keeping order on the roads and at other points. Improved temporary station accommodations have been provided for the Keepers at the Arsenal building. The subjoined table shows the NUMBER OF ARRESTS on the Park for the past three years: MONTHS. 1863. 1864 1865. January,....... 18 2 8 February,....... 5 6 11 March,.... 5 10 1 April,.... 8 7 3 May,.... 13 30 17 June,.... 11 8 11 July,.... 3 18 16 August,.... 1 17 15 September,.. 5 13 11 October,.... 5 7 6 November,.... 7 6 7 December,.... 5 6 9 Total.... 86 130 125 21 These arrests were for the following causes: CAUSES. 1863. 1864 1865. Fast driving,................................ 47 63 60 Fast riding,.................................. 1 5 3 Breaking shrubs and flowers,.. 9 2 0 Assault and Battery,.................. 1 6 6 Thieving,..................................... 1 6 1 Disorderly conduct,.................. 23 48 34 Other offences,......................... 4 0 11 Total,.......................................... 86 130 115 The Penalties imposed upon those arrested and taken before the magistrate during the year were as follows: Fined ten dollars and less each,......................61 Bound over for trial,............................................1 Sent to the almshouse,.......................................1 Temporarily committed,.....................................7 Discharged with reprimand or otherwise,......45 Total,...................................................................115 In addition to these arrests, it is the duty of the Keepers to afford information to visitors, to render aid in case of accidents, and to check slight offences. They are regularly instructed in their duties, and exercised in such portions of the military drill as are appropriate and likely to prove serviceable to them in the discharge of their duties. Promotions are made from the un-uniformed Gate- keepers to the uniformed Gate-keepers, and from the22 Gate-keepers to the Park-keepers. No removals or discharges are made, except for good cause, after trial. The Commissioners of the Park are gratified to be able to state that the number of visitors to the Park continues to increase with each year. Allowing an average of three persons to each vehicle passing into the Park, the following will show approximately the number of persons who have entered the Park for the past four years: 1862 4,195,515 1863 4,327,409 1864 5,740,079 1865 7,593,139 The results are believed to be nearly correct; the probability is that they are under rather than overstated. THE BALCONY BRIDGE. 23 The following Table gives the number of Visitors at the Park during each month in the year for the past five years. January February March April May June July August September October November December 1861. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. 600,007 1,094 18,540 265,185 2,075 37,022 43,349 3,575 20,906 60,674 9,110 27,683 110,761 6,708 43,586 110,511 5,809 47,655 91,076 6,994 35,648 134,671 4,800 37,120 173,003 7,071 49,624 118,862 10,890 58,561 70,789 8,608 43,226 84,375 6,713 48,278 ------------- ------------ ---------------- 1,863,263 73,547 467,849 1862. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. 254,672 1,984 32,773 302,327 1,671 39,052 81,865 4,024 32,446 76,927 7,839 58,567 133,701 10,349 77,974 202,000 8,919 84,254 184,048 4,814 62,074 272,093 4,715 69,802 192,236 7,334 70,184 153,387 7,822 67,099 97,507 7,049 60,789 55,155 5,125 53,996 -------------- ----------- --------------- 1,996,918 71,645 709,010 1863. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. 51,462 3,952 38,069 49,080 3,489 49,344 41,064 4,490 44,520 115,764 10,094 79,095 137,999 499 3,618 159,779 12,630 110,792 89,160 9,378 92,363 189,366 12,250 115,970 181,850 9,211 163,600 150,418 10,035 108,531 75,231 9,195 50,990 227,163 5,551 65,558 -------------- ------------ --------------- 1,469,335 90,724 922,450 1864. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. 555,668 3,953 83,246 134,322 6,244 55,038 90,630 7,635 67,752 95,386 14,192 87,575 151,678 13,533 147,344 121,574 14,802 111,253 380,165 8,085 142,511 186,016 4,778 89,524 225,256 5,288 92,159 148,488 9,395 98,112 87,291 9,308 92,361 118,725 3,184 81,281 ---------------- ------------ -------------- 2,295,199 100,397 1,148,161 1865. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. 658,741 1,641 77,364 163,383 4,472 70,768 77,743 6,191 86,548 188,019 11,344 125,864 191,527 10,386 126,789 299,974 11,874 153,279 467,729 8,750 146,023 467,665 9,705 157,756 340,355 9,985 180,526 205,444 10,429 104,709 94,578 8,097 124,431 63,898 5,486 71,184 -------------- ------------ ---------------- 3,219,056 98,360 1,425,241 The largest number of pedestrians entering the Park during any one months was, in January . . . 658,741 The largest number of equestrians entering the Park during any one months was, in June . . . 11,874 The largest number of vehicles entering the Park during any one months was, in September . . . 180,52624 The following Tables give the number of Visitors at each entrance to the Park for each month during the year. PEDESTRIANS. 1865. 59th st. 72d st. 79th st. 90th st. 102d st. 59th st. 59th st. 59th st. 72d st. 85th st. 96th st. 100th st. 110th st. 110th st. and and and and and and and and and and and and and and 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 6th av. 7th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 6th av. 7th av. January 52,792 147,800 25,657 12,508 179 125,633 36,947 225,705 49,806 2,471 338 663 881 February 18,085 15,257 4,963 829 332 46,579 9,298 28,770 13,385 904 333 607 1,045 March 9,672 9,179 7,710 1,114 426 13,985 12,752 11,710 6,292 1,677 488 825 1,339 April 25,612 20,209 8,427 1,722 3,534 27,839 39,068 69,052 7,351 3,100 522 1,021 2,715 May 20,131 28,775 4,995 2,226 2,608 55,102 27,511 20,859 7,100 2,167 617 1,002 3,162 June 29,126 39,678 12,602 2,740 1,615 63,732 54,173 75,405 15,397 3,557 658 1,160 4,030 690 July 41,755 64,726 27,261 4,052 649 138,341 76,074 61,587 21,696 16,050 734 1,325 4,418 4,689 August 46,310 47,569 12,543 3,636 522 107,852 68,075 60,198 17,859 4,922 573 1,169 6,350 6,017 September 57,208 38,278 7,491 4,948 468 62,317 57,923 67,176 19,738 5,160 510 896 5,236 2,961 October 39,718 23,709 9,032 7,656 481 82,547 33,985 22,910 9,212 2,721 381 527 3,273 1,121 November 14,063 9,696 2,700 5,133 312 20,290 15,725 15,532 3,621 3,024 363 189 1,841 December 13,889 6,718 2,897 4,516 164 7,133 8,964 12,279 2,452 2,339 331 503 1,765 368,361 451,954 126,278 51,074 11,290 761,350 450,495 671,183 173,909 48,092 5,848 9,887 36,055 15,478 25 EQUESTRIANS. 1865. 59th st. 72d st. 79th st. 90th st. 96th st. 102d st. 59th st. 72d st. 85th st. 96th st. 100th st. 110th st. 110th st. and and and and and and and and and and and and and 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 6th av. 7th av. January 864 37 92 45 6 274 14 59 35 4 February 3,154 67 41 34 2 684 26 6 34 6 403 March 3,675 216 250 69 4 704 219 82 55 15 593 April 7,658 245 228 79 183 1,092 116 171 143 5 1,579 May 5,826 241 118 170 148 1,690 488 122 155 44 1,392 June 7,124 345 294 131 137 1,516 273 119 162 3 1,591 85 July 5,306 338 156 95 6 589 308 302 78 11 1,376 647 August 5,397 281 117 44 4 1,076 264 121 46 24 1,480 762 September 4,664 264 86 145 8 1,460 711 203 34 13 1,878 520 October 5,450 353 156 431 9 788 287 167 61 88 1,464 315 November 4,380 488 108 307 72 1,029 141 133 113 1 2,235 December 2,866 224 158 332 11 1,011 169 98 91 14 733 56,264 3,099 1,082 1,882 590 11,913 3,016 1,583 1,007 228 14,729 2,329 VEHICLES. January 43,162 1,423 2,754 1,079 40 11,994 752 524 391 35 22,372 February 34,791 388 1,069 1,137 34 5,240 433 241 381 44 16,112 March 43,600 1,510 2,655 1,237 42 4,249 1,510 956 246 84 30,835 April 68,165 1,662 2,573 1,616 357 7,120 2,139 906 555 102 39,234 May 56,898 8,083 1,686 2,049 250 10,573 2,130 839 739 125 41,376 June 79,337 4,287 4,892 2,295 197 10,464 3,762 819 711 137 44,778 1,324 July 68,978 2,881 3,072 2,010 91 7,919 4,634 8,176 943 175 48,218 7,824 August 81,387 4,365 3,804 2,101 105 16,445 2,008 916 915 179 37,705 8,795 September 91,083 3,534 1,747 3,015 142 16,444 12,497 1,125 855 140 56,467 4,587 October 60,926 3,237 1,879 4,084 182 10,295 5,472 833 794 103 52,508 2,419 November 56,745 5,672 1,015 2,647 93 8,703 788 495 644 35 31,385 December 30,638 1,441 1,144 1,328 37 6,074 2,694 311 409 89 30,441 715,710 38,473 28,330 24,598 1,570 114,620 38,819 16,141 7,583 1,248 451,431 24,94926 The largest number of pedestrians that entered the Park on any one day, was on July 4 ............................ 75,032 The smallest number of pedestrians that entered the Park on any one day, was on November 21 .............. 74 The largest number of equestrians that entered the Park on any one day, was on June 1................................. 836 The smallest number of equestrians that entered the Park on any one day, was on February 12 ................. None The largest number of vehicles that entered the Park on any one day, was on September 30 ....................... 16,129 The smallest number of vehicles that entered the Park on any one day, was on February 12 ........................... 61 27 STATEMENT Showing Sunday attendance at the Central Park by months, during the past four years. 1862. 1863. 1864. 1865. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. January 45,322 178 2,479 1,346 17,539 792 8,254 22 134,738 757 9,881 11,097 133,477 201 6,560 4,404 February 68,444 242 2,312 4,851 13,334 522 11,794 68,355 1,231 14,972 21,755 319 7,293 March 35,168 718 7,865 18,019 661 6,476 59,458 1,755 16,911 38,279 1,152 16,840 April 89,916 1,000 11,549 42,043 1,439 12,781 50,245 2,631 15,552 107,543 2,232 27,346 May 80,599 1,320 17,079 68,994 2,141 20,423 115,493 1,880 30,601 58,988 1,186 17,122 June 77,943 890 14,999 65,113 2,134 17,881 74,707 1,997 16,561 118,982 1,663 26,509 July 60,077 580 10,015 38,613 1,018 13,845 135,673 1,416 29,486 171,738 1,626 31,097 August 109,508 967 14,343 73,428 2,600 21,855 55,293 540 11,400 106,430 1,595 27,469 September 60,315 826 11,633 43,651 1,493 21,729 51,287 576 12,962 107,416 2,153 34,205 October 48,282 840 14,653 60,159 1,575 18,206 46,698 1,196 16,749 90,522 1,832 32,736 November 37,543 1,051 12,555 40,775 1,614 16,550 32,634 1,478 15,728 40,680 1,386 24,450 December 17,921 631 9,576 25,276 461 7,032 57,542 403 7,793 9,624 26,113 810 10,748 4,989 681,043 9,238 129,058 6,197 501,944 16,455 176,826 22 882,123 15,860 198,590 20,721 1,021,873 16,155 262,373 9,393 9,39328 The following Table shows the number of visitors entering the Park during each hour of the day for each month during the year: PEDESTRIANS: Months. From 5 A.M. 6 A.M. 7 A.M. 8 A.M. 9 A.M. 10 A.M. 11 A.M. 12 M. 1 P.M. 2 P.M. 3 P.M. 4 P.M. 5 P.M. 6 P.M. 7 P.M 8 P.M. 9 P.M. 10 P.M. to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to 6 A.M. 7 A.M. 8 A.M. 9 A.M. 10 A.M. 11 A.M. 12 M. 1 P.M. 2 P.M. 3 P.M. 4 P.M. 5 P.M. 6 P.M. 7 P.M 8 P.M. 9 P.M. 10 P.M. 11 P.M. January 827 3,438 10,684 20,043 28,523 55,893 72,154 111,646 87,252 61,623 57,033 51,682 40,554 15,251 2,722 306 February 619 1,857 4,174 6,227 7,807 10,453 15,780 15,582 26,881 20,610 8,913 5,680 11,255 10,454 3,128 280 March 436 668 1,691 2,971 4,192 4,639 5,599 8,874 13,522 16,621 12,082 4,260 1,549 624 199 2 2 April 680 2,003 2,900 4,816 7,301 8,524 9,918 21,343 44,648 52,833 33,526 14,266 4,432 1,587 578 May 1,176 1,951 3,691 6,495 8,923 9,193 9,943 21,001 25,048 43,432 30,927 23,574 5,247 2,564 1,618 4 June 2,722 3,632 5,543 9,724 11,701 12,417 12,438 23,429 41,538 56,316 54,762 36,198 15,059 8,168 3,630 979 126 July 462 1,529 3,191 5,283 9,620 13,714 15,591 15,858 26,521 72,086 60,294 89,031 43,166 20,417 22,018 14,338 4,901 1,200 August 1,526 2,294 4,265 6,733 11,244 15,815 18,790 13,573 20,357 34,370 68,910 72,202 44,964 15,372 10,616 8,358 2,606 344 September 50 554 1,938 4,027 7,502 11,603 14,446 10,551 19,689 50,424 85,700 72,723 38,972 10,130 6,349 4,035 1,427 436 October 2 367 1,473 2,900 5,382 8,054 9,000 10,112 16,513 36,961 48,593 34,380 14,261 3,620 2,310 996 November 184 794 1,819 3,176 5,175 6,411 6,388 11,771 20,008 23,737 11,487 3,516 1,514 946 356 December 743 1,591 3,021 4,334 5,810 4,293 9,569 13,147 14,999 8,027 1,456 618 359 15 2,040 9,942 22,104 41,473 78,809 113,442 140,151 165,019 267,001 487,980 585,568 501,380 290,579 135,320 107,350 59,828 15,769 2,694 EQUESTRIANS. January 137 87 98 81 134 71 103 116 280 271 91 17 12 3 February 412 284 275 241 259 223 269 536 939 707 353 66 6 March 236 921 365 284 303 280 202 316 491 918 1,030 676 194 17 1 April 726 899 668 577 500 464 359 548 767 1,572 2,121 1,401 497 98 3 May 1,540 1,109 5,604 379 427 468 206 370 667 1,172 1,541 1,296 589 224 21 June 2,306 1,307 767 432 387 292 168 313 494 713 1,146 1,433 1,232 600 165 24 July 375 1,134 646 380 270 242 195 143 217 280 655 285 1,055 1,128 682 341 71 6 August 146 1,113 910 603 350 244 224 127 207 419 563 895 1,266 1,287 783 318 56 9 September 112 817 841 452 410 344 237 131 350 547 993 1,449 1,746 1,012 341 117 42 4 October 22 1,075 748 320 428 460 380 189 246 784 1,269 1,552 1,097 442 133 32 November 449 872 547 464 441 400 143 278 644 1,405 1,532 632 183 35 3 December 513 360 292 1,552 246 248 396 809 885 816 268 79 12 655 9,396 9,315 10,437 4,259 5,222 3 579 2,210 3,614 6,554 11,364 13,345 11,314 6,726 2,943 1,004 193 19 29 VEHICLES. From 5 A.M. 6 A.M. 7 A.M. 8 A.M. 9 A.M. 10 A.M. 11 A.M. 12 M. 1 P.M. 2 P.M. 3 P.M. 4 P.M. 5 P.M. 6 P.M. 7 P.M 8 P.M. 9 P.M. 10 P.M. to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to 6 A.M. 7 A.M. 8 A.M. 9 A.M. 10 A.M. 11 A.M. 12 M. 1 P.M. 2 P.M. 3 P.M. 4 P.M. 5 P.M. 6 P.M. 7 P.M 8 P.M. 9 P.M. 10 P.M. 11 P.M. January 632 1,202 1,905 2,904 3,098 3,273 5,209 14,375 16,778 16,323 9,877 4,469 2,495 980 415 156 February 1 570 1,307 1,750 2,422 2,950 2,930 4,188 7,556 12,985 12,312 7,203 2,265 841 195 126 74 March 217 1,076 1,777 2,492 3,128 3,464 3,288 4,130 9,058 15,549 19,643 14,886 6,720 1,810 552 2 April 838 1,719 3,232 2,984 3,626 3,995 3,490 5,145 11,722 23,194 31,666 74,805 11,108 4,678 1,117 May 1,179 1,926 2,318 3,008 3,605 3,632 3,142 5,138 9,093 16,494 28,701 25,316 24,431 6,844 1,843 99 12 June 3,159 3,144 3,313 4,008 4,302 3,978 3,945 4,545 8,450 12,912 21,646 28,176 16,264 16,593 4,377 523 105 July 735 1,914 2,749 3,233 4,026 4,442 4,188 3,250 4,442 6,867 10,462 18,160 23,082 25,581 21,711 8,458 2,775 734 August 806 2,208 2,964 3,203 3,896 2,030 3,805 2,904 2,868 7,475 14,113 20,929 29,650 38,670 19,685 2,225 2,375 728 September 211 1,498 2,466 3,193 4,129 4,789 4,667 3,832 6,140 10,703 21,842 36,839 41,948 23,839 8,941 3,249 1,131 409 October 21 1,065 2,119 2,818 3,785 4,183 2,902 3,403 5,174 12,678 14,548 35,098 25,792 10,050 3,471 1,097 2 November 426 1,413 2,244 2,994 3,260 3,515 2,875 5,804 12,375 33,781 32,318 16,685 5,270 2,028 888 December 1,111 1,856 2,709 3,081 3,188 2,331 3,145 9,016 19,587 17,678 7,332 2,712 1,081 27 1,773 12,505 21,889 29,696 37,686 41,772 43,382 38,663 55,928 119,368 212,245 301,313 304,752 171,379 90,178 25,008 7,448 2,21830 The reports of the Boat service indicate an increased demand. The price for their use has been kept at the original low rate, notwithstanding the augmented expenses of their operation. These rates are fixed rather for public accommodation, than to secure the highest revenue. There are nineteen boats on the Lake, ordinarily a sufficient number, but quite insufficient on afternoons when there are any special attractions. In this, as in other classes of service of the Park, the public demand is at certain hours entirely disproportionate to that of other hours. As the Lake affords safe opportunity for the boys to learn to row, two small boats have been added for their special use. The number carried in the boats is shown in the following table: 31 The subjoined table shows the statistics of the BOAT service for 1865. WEEK. CALL BOATS. PASSAGE BOATS. For the week ending May 5, 99 246½ " " " 13, 311½ 618 " " " 20, 501 814 " " " 27, 495½ 826½ For the week ending June 3, 999 2,216½ " " " 10, 414 790½ " " " 17, 1,202 2,098½ " " " 24, 908½ 1,646½ For the week ending July 1, 912 1,398½ " " " 8, 1,669 4,984 " " " 15, 980 2,015 " " " 21, 1,017 1,446 " " " 29, 1,230 2,399 For the week ending Aug. 5, 1,570 2,047 " " " 12, 1,853 3,658 " " " 19, 1,074 3,059 " " " 26, 824 2,998 For the week ending Sept. 2, 1,052½ 2,694½ " " " 9, 1,324 1,547 " " " 16, 967 2,513 " " " 23, 675 1,853 " " " 30, 840 2,394 For the week ending Oct. 7, 530 1,272 " " " 14, 491 1,236 " " " 21, 178 217 " " " 28, 331 190 For the week ending Nov. 3, 77 128½ " " " 11, 94½ 163½ " " " 18, 232 507½ " " " 25, 13 22½ For the week ending Dec. 6, 15 29½ TOTAL, 22,879½ 48,019½ The total revenue derived from these passengers by the contractor for this service was $8,179. 60 Total expense of conducting the boats 6,496. 0632 As compared with the year 1864, there appears an increase of 16,952 persons carried. This subjoined table shows the days on which Musical Entertainments were given at the Park, for the past seven years. 1859. 1860. 1861. 1862. 1863. 1864. 1865. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 9. August 25. August 10. June 7. May 30. June 4. June 3. " 23. Sept. 1. " 17. " 14. June 6. " 11. " 10. " 30. " 8. " 24. " 21. " 13. " 18. " 17. August 6. " 15. " 31. " 28. " 20. " 25. " 24. " 20. " 22. Sept. 7. July 5. " 27. July 2. July 1. " 27. " 29. " 14. " 12. July 4. " 4. " 4. Sept. 3 October 13. " 21. " 19. " 11. " 9. " 8. " 10. " 27. " 28. " 26. " 18. " 16. " 15. October 1. Nov. 18. October 5. August 2. " 25. " 23. " 29. " 15. " 12. " 9. August 1. " 30. August 5. " 16. " 8. August 6. " 12. " 23. " 15. " 13. " 16. " 30. " 22. " 20. " 19. Sept. 6. " 29. " 27. " 23. " 13. Sept. 5. Sept 3. " 26. " 20. " 12. " 10. " 30. " 27. " 26. " 17. Sept. 2. October 4. October 3. " 24. " 6. " 18. " 10. October 1. " 9. " 25. " 17. " 8. " 13. Nov. 1. " 15. " 16. " 22. " 20. " 29. " 23. Evenings of " 27. July 6, 13 & 20 " 30. October 4. " 7. " 14. " 21. " 28. TOTAL NUMBER OF MUSIC DAYS. 1859 ......... 10 1860 ......... 9 1861 ......... 10 1862 ......... 21 1863 ......... 20 1864 ......... 26 1865 ......... 30 During this year there have been thirty of these concerts; more than ever before given in any one year. On eight of these days the music consisted of a well selected coronet band of ten persons in a boat moving about the Lake, the music of which, caught by the grateful ear as it was wafted by the breeze over the waters and through the [Illustration] GONFALON at the Terrace bearing the Arms of the City of New York33 leafy shades, might be heard from the Terrace, the Circle, the Drive, the summer-houses, and the walks of the Ramble. The numbers attending the music from the Pavilion on the Mall have not decreased. The Band has, during the past year, been enlarged by the addition of six performers. This entertainment on Saturday afternoons is now understood to be one of the fixed institutions of the city, and such is looked forward to and attended by hundreds of thousands of citizens and strangers. Among these numbers will, of course, be found very varying tastes; a large class prefer the drum and fife to all other music; these are unreserved in the expression of their preference; another class prefers the softer and more delicate strains; others would remove the popular airs that are on the programme, while the mass listens with some degree of impatience to what is called classic music. These prominent features of the public taste are all entitled to respect. The ear cannot select from the various combinations of sounds those alone that are especially agreeable, it must receive all that strike its sensitive organization. The programme is so constructed as to give each class a fair share of its favorite music, without admitting anything not in keeping with the standard of all the surroundings of the Park. It is desired to please the scholar in music as well as the less experienced listener; while the aim is, on the whole, to be a little in advance of the average taste, the programme presents contrasts sustaining the interest without tiring with monotony.34 It is very difficult to secure in the open air the heavy volume of sound that many seem to desire. A thousand instruments in an open space, without walls, or houses, or canopy of foliage to confine and give resonance to the sound, will not equal the effect produced by forty in a room or quiet street. A critical observer of all the open-air bands of any note in Europe, finds that few of them are constructed on musical principles; they are merely the bringing together of two or three bands without just balance of all the parts. The Commissioners of the Park, intend that the Band shall be without superior; it is simply a question of expense in bringing about the result. The Band, as now composed, comprises exceedingly capable and accomplished performers, and no effort will be spared to improve the quality of the music and the conveniences for the thousands who so heartily express their satisfaction at what has already been done. The whole cost of the music for the past year has been...............................................................................$4,365 00 The following contributions have been received towards paying the expenses of it: Central Park, North and East River Railroad Company.............................................$600 00 Third Avenue Railroad Company.......600 00 Sixth Avenue Railroad Company.......600 00 Seventh Avenue Railroad Company..600 00 W. H. Wilson, Esq...................................20 00 W. Romaine, Esq......................................3 00 G. H. Romaine, Esq..................................5 00 $2,528 00 35 Balance from account of 1864..........$35 94 ----------- $2,563 94 Amount paid by Board....................................$1,801 06 The number of days on which there was skating on the Park in the winter of 1864-'65, was, with one exception, greater than in any year of the history of the Park. The expense of cleaning the ice, was much increased by reason of the unusual number of falls of snow and mild rains, which, honey-combing the ice, render it necessary for skating, to make a new surface. All economical expedients for accomplishing this work are resorted to; the snow, sometimes over a foot in depth, is to be carried from a surface of twenty-seven acres of ice, a space three times as large as Washington square, and nine times as large as Union square. The bulk of the snow is removed by the use of horses, but there remains a portion that is only removable by hand-sweeping. A fall of twelve vertical inches depth, would give not far from 1,100,000 cubic feet of snow. During the skating season comprising the month of December, 1864, and the months of January and February, 1865, there were fourteen snow storms; giving an aggregate depth of 45 1/2 inches, or an average depth for each fall of snow of 3 3/4 inches. This would give 160,134 cubic feet of snow per acre, or taking the whole area (twenty-seven acres) of ice comprising the several lakes and ponds of the Park, then in use, would give a total of four million three hundred and twenty-three thousand six hundred and twenty solid36 feet of snow to be cleared from these lakes and ponds, assuming them to have been covered with ice during all these periods. The dimensions of this mass of snow, placed in the form of a cube, would be one hundred and sixty-three feet nearly, in height, breadth, and depth, or equaling in bulk a body seven times as large as St. Paul's Church. The Board intends, during the next year, to maintain as perfect a system of meteorological observations as is practicable, in the hope that, over an area like the Park, facts may thus be obtained that will be of general scientific interest. [illustration] The Island. 37 The subjoined Table shows the days on which there was Skating on the Lakes during the past seven years. [Table] 1858-9. | 1859-60. | 1860-61. | 1861-2. | 1826-3. | 1863-4. | 1864-5. Dec. 29. Dec. 24. Dec. 14. Dec. 29. Dec. 22. Dec. 11. Dec. 21. Jan. 3. " 25. " 15. " 30. Jan. 20. " 23. " 22. " 22. " 26. " 16. " 31. Feb. 5. " 24. " 23. " 23. " 27. " 18. Jan. 1. " 24. " 25. " 24. " 24. " 28. Jan. 11. " 2. " 25. " 26. " 25. " 25. " 29. " 12. " 3. Dec. 11. " 27. " 30. " 26. " 30. " 13. " 4. " 23. Jan. 3. Jan. 2. " 27. " 31. " 14. " 5. " 24. " 4. " 3. " 28. Jan. 1. " 18. " 6. " 25. " 6. " 4. " 29. " 2. " 19. " 7. " 26. " 7. " 5. " 30. " 3. " 20. " 8. " 27. " 8. " 6. Feb. 10. " 4. " 21. " 11. " 9. " 8. " 11. " 5. " 22. " 14. " 10. " 9. " 12. " 6. " 23. " 17. " 11. " 11. " 21. " 7. " 26. " 22. " 12. " 12. " 22. " 26. " 28. " 23. " 13. " 13. " 23. " 27. " 29. " 25. " 14. " 15. March 5. " 28. " 30. " 22. " 16. " 16. " 6. " 29. " 31. " 23. " 17. " 17. " 30. Feb. 1. " 24. " 22. " 18. " 31. " 4. " 27. " 23. " 19. Feb. 1. " 5. " 28. Feb. 18. " 20. " 2. " 6. " 29. " 19. " 21. " 3. " 7. Feb. 1. " 20. " 22. " 4. " 8. " 2. " 21. " 24. " 5. " 9. " 3. " 25. " 8. " 10. " 4. " 26. " 9. " 5. " 27. " 10. " 6. " 28. " 11. " 8. " 29. " 12. " 9. " 30. " 13. " 10. " 31. " 14. " 11. Feb. 1. " 15. " 12. " 2. " 16. " 13. " 3. " 17. " 15. " 4. " 20. " 16. " 6. " 17. " 7. " 18. " 9. " 19. " 10. " 20. " 11. " 21. " 13. " 22. " 14. " 23. " 15. " 25. " 18. " 26. " 19. " 28. " 20. March 1. " 21. " 2. " 22. " 3. " 24. " 5. " 6. " 7. " 8. Days, 19 |Days, 36. | Days, 27. | Days, 50. | Days, 11 | Days, 25. | Days, 50.38 The need of suitable places at which refreshments can be obtained by visitors at the Park is much felt, and the Board has taken pains to supply the demand by such temporary expedients as were deemed best calculated to answer the end. The buildings at Mount St. Vincent, having been for more than three years occupied as a hospital for wounded soldiers, were vacated in the month of September last. Certain expenditures made by the Board to fit them for a hospital when required by the Government on an emergency have not yet been refunded. A portion of these buildings have been put in condition, and will soon be ready for use as a place of refreshment. The Board will proceed with the erection of at least one other house of refreshment, commensurate with the extent of the demand that is likely to arise for its use; in connection with it, it is proposed to provide a spacious hall and a winter garden. The Board has from the commencement of its operations, endeavored to afford the public opportunities for the use of the Park as early as practicable. In pursuance of this policy, one portion of the grounds after another has from time to time been opened for use as it was brought to a proper condition, until these portions now comprise, with but few and inconsiderable exceptions, the entire surface of the Park, including the drive, the ride, the walk, and the waters. The unfinished condition of the avenues and streets surrounding the Park, not under the jurisdiction of the 39 Board, has, to a considerable extent, embarrassed the progress of the work. The surface operations being mainly complete, the Board will proceed with the construction of the inclosing wall, and the early development of such structures and institutions of special character as are appropriate to the grounds, and necessary to their highest utility. The day is remote when new features of popular attraction cannot be added with advantage. No accident has happened during the past year involving the loss of life or limb of any person employed on the Park; neither, of the large number of visitors, has any loss of life or other casualties occurred that can be traced to a want of care or efficiency in the enforcement of the rules of the Park. The Board deems it due to itself to express its conviction of the importance of a well-regulated system of carriages to carry persons about the Park at reasonable rates, and to state for the information of strangers, that it is not responsible for the control and management of the carriages that stand for hire at the entrances. The following ordinances have been adopted and published, as required by the law: "The Board of Commissioners of the Central Park do ordain as follows: "No fire-engine, hook and ladder, cart, hose, truck, or other machine on wheels, commonly used for the extinguishing of fire, shall be allowed on any part of the Central Park, except the transverse roads, without the previous consent of the Comptroller of the Park. 440 "No funeral procession, or hearse, or other vehicle or person carrying the body of a deceased person, shall be allowed on any part of the Central Park, except upon the Transverse roads. "No person, except in the employ of the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, shall light, make, or use any fire upon the Central Park. "No person on foot shall go upon the grass, lawn, or turf of the Central Park, except when and where the word 'Common' is posted, indicating that persons are at liberty at that time and place to go on the grass." Contributions to the Park collections of art and natural history continue undiminished. The donations of living animals of rare and interesting character have been numerous and valuable. A detailed schedule of these gifts will be found in Appendix B. A committee of gentlemen representing the Scotch residents of the city, as an evidence of their interest in the adornment of the Park and of respect for the genius of the artist, have presented to the Park a group of life-size illustrative of the character of Burns' celebrated song, "Auld Lang Syne." It is the work of Robert Thompson, a sculptor of Scotch birth, executed in New Brunswick stone. Its pleasing associations and characteristics are well calculated to attract attention. It was specially agreeable to the Commissioners to assign a place on the Park for this group, as its author was for several years employed on the Park as a stonecutter, in the execution of the artistic stone work of the Terrace.STATUE OF COMMERCE NEAR THE MERCHANTS' GATE (VIII AV. & 59TH ST.) 41 A much-respected merchant, resident in Liverpool, Stephen B. Guion, Esq., giving expression to a long-cherished purpose to aid, in some degree, the embellishment of this, his native city, has presented, for the adornment of the Park grounds and for the public gratification, a statue in bronze emblematic of "Commerce," the work of Fesquet, of Paris. It represents an erect draped female figure, with the castellated crown, the leaves and fruit of the maize entwined in her hair, the caduceus in her left hand, and her right resting on a rudder that, with the emblems of mechanical and agricultural life, are at her feet. This figure, at once commanding and expressive, a little over eight feet in height, stands on an appropriate pedestal of granite, of about seven feet in height. Mr. Guion has made no condition or intimation that his name be put upon or in any way connected with his magnificent gift; it was, on the contrary, understood to be his desire, that the work should quietly take its place in the Park without any personal reference to its donor. A casual word, dropped at the studio of the artist in Paris, enabled the Commissioners to make to Mr. Guion an acknowledgment of their appreciation of the circumstances that have rendered the presentation of this new object of interest, eminently worthy of emulation. On opening the cases containing the series of casts of the works of the sculptor Crawford, presented several years since to the Park, they were found very much fractured.42 The parts having been carefully preserved and brought together by a practical hand, now form a conspicuous part of a collection of works of art and of natural history, occupying the greater part of the first floor of the building formerly known as the State Arsenal. This gallery, inexpensively arranged, but as well as the temporary character of the accommodations will admit, has been visited by tens of thousands. It is at times so thronged with visitors as to render it impossible to move about the hall with comfort. The Commissioners of the Park have no doubt that very extensive galleries would be filled with works of art if the appropriate fire-proof buildings were erected. The Statue of Flora, by Crawford, presented by the late R. K. Haight, Esq., has not yet been delivered at the Park. The following table shows a classification of the living animals now in the Park: MAMMALIA. Order, Quadrumana.......................8 specimens. " Carnaria..................................24 " " Rodentia.................................53 " " Pachydermata..........................1 " " Ruminantia...........................131 " AVES. Order, Rapaciæ............................ 30 specimens. " Passerinæ................................ 6 " " Scansoriæ.............................. 10 " " Gallinaciæ............................ 300 " " Grallatoriæ............................... 6 " " Palmipedes........................... 200 " 43 REPTILIA. Order, Chelonia............................ 17 specimens. " Sauria....................................... 6 " Making a total of.................. 792 specimens. A detailed statement of these animals is given in Appendix A. In addition to these there are probably more than one hundred specimens of imported birds, besides large numbers of native birds and animals. The sparrows, to which allusion was made in the last report, are steadily increasing, and may be considered to be well acclimated. These animals are generally in good condition, notwithstanding their present unsatisfactory accommodations They are the occasion of a considerable expenditure of money for their care and sustenance. The statement of the condition of all the animals donated to the Park during the past year, found in Appendix B, shows the loss of several specimens, but it is believed that the percentage of loss is not greater than that shown by the necrological record of zoological establishments comprehending much greater conveniences than those now provided by the temporary accommodations of the Park. The collection of eagles is larger than any other known. The flock of Southdown sheep has largely increased, and is a very great attraction on the lawns. The three Cape buffaloes are in fine condition, and are very rare, probably the only specimens on this continent. The swans thrive, and increase slowly. The deer, as 44 well as other animals, are much worried by the dogs with which the neighborhood abounds that steal in at night and do work of irreparable destruction in the space of a few moments. The Board has not changed its opinion as to the desirability of the establishment of a Zoological Garden equal to the demands of a city like our own. Circumstances not under its control have delayed the commencement of the work, but each year develops new arguments in its favor. The main question that underlies the building up of such an establishment is a pecuniary one. Shall it be a source of income to provide for its own support, or shall it be free to all desiring to visit it, and find the means of its support from the general fund provided by taxation for the support of the Park? or shall is be partially free and partially on the pay system? Upon the determination of this question the whole scheme depends, and its plan will be determined accordingly. By requiring a small admission fee every day in the week except one, and making that one day free, these gardens, with proper management, will become a valuable aid in the public educational system of the city, and, at the same time, do much toward their own support. To put an establishment of the character proposed on a proper footing, will require a great expenditure. The Board will, in laying the foundation, look to a development in the interests of science and popular gratification; at least, as extensive as any existing institution. In Appendix C, will be found classified the expenditures 45 of the Zoological Society of London for a series of years; a large per centage must be added to this for difference in rates of wages, &c., to correctly estimate the cost of conducting such an establishment here. A Tabulated Statement of the Vertebrata animals of North America, that will afford some idea of the extent of provision that will be required in these gardens, will be found in Appendix E. The Board, in compliance with the provisions of an act passed March 25, 1862, made to the New York Historical Society a conditional appropriation of certain grounds about the Arsenal building for the purposes of establishing and maintaining therein, by the said society, a museum of antiquities and science, and a gallery of art. It is understood that the society is now perfecting a plan for the necessary buildings, that shall be creditable to the Park and to the city. In the year 1864 an association of gentlemen connected with the drama made application for a site upon which to erect a monument to Shakespeare. The Board acceded to the request, and appropriated for this purpose a site between the two most southerly elms of the easterly row on the Mall, subject to the ordinances and rules provided, or to be provided for the control and preservation of statuary and monumental structures. The form of authorization of this statue is shown in Appendix D. The Board are happy to learn that, by the liberality of citizens of New York, a considerable proportion of the requisite fund has been secured, and that it is probable 46 the work will be shortly in the hands of the artist. This statue will be the first of an out-door gallery, to be placed, as they may be accepted, between the elms on each side of the Mall. In furtherance of an intention expressed in a previous report, the Board has afforded opportunities to the students of the Free Academy, and to boys of the public schools, to play at cricket and base-ball upon the playground. The St. George Cricket Club have kindly volunteered the services of their professional players, to give to these students instructions in the art of playing cricket, and many of them have availed themselves of the offer. It will be obviously impracticable to furnish grounds for the numerous ball clubs that are desirous of playing on the Park. [*copyd*] It seems difficult for them to realize that the large open surface of turf that, to the cultivated test is among the most attractive features of the Park, can have any other use that that of a playground. Nothing is more certain than that the beauty of these lawns would soon be lost, and that they would be rendered disagreeable objects, if these games were to be constantly played upon them. If the play of one club is allowed, others will demand the same privilege; and these clubs are so numerous, that if space were provided for the ordinary practice of their games, it would tend to depreciate the attractions of the Park to the far greater number, who visit it for the refined pleasures that its landscape affords to those who are sensitive to natural beauties. 47 These spacious open glades will, with the growth of each successive year, present a more marked and grateful contrast with the planted parts of the grounds. It is not to b inferred that they are wastes without use because they are not walked upon; both the plantations and the wide sweep of the lawn are essential to the completeness and variety of the scene; their largest use is in the gratification they afford to those fitted for enjoyment of this nature; and this use is not to be diminished to accommodate sports, of themselves innocent and worthy of encouragement, but participated in by comparatively few persons. [*to here*] In Appendix B will be found a statement in detail of all the donations to the Board for the embellishment of the Park. Works under the jurisdiction of the Board beyond the limits of the Park. By the act passed April 27, 1865, chapter 581, the part of the Croton Aqueduct south of Ninety-second street and west of the Eighth avenue was discontinued, and the Croton Aqueduct Department was directed to construct a branch aqueduct, or to lay iron pipes from the present line of the Croton Aqueduct at some point between the westerly line of the Eighth avenue and the new Reservoir to the old Reservoir, through the Eighth avenue and the Central Park, but such part of the same as may be in the Central Park to be on such line and on such conditions as the Commissioners of the Park shall approve.48 The Croton Aqueduct Department has concluded to lay two lines of iron pipe instead of making a branch aqueduct, and a plan submitted by that department to the Commissioners of the Park, of the proposed line of pipe, has been approved, so far as the same is within the Central Park. The same act established the grade of the Eighth avenue between Fifty-ninth and Ninety-third streets, and contains the following provision: "Provided, however, that the Commissioners of the Central Park shall, within three months after the passage of this act, approve of the grade hereby authorized. The said Commissioners may, however, approve of such part of the grade hereby authorized as is between any two points at which the said grade and the present grade intersect, and reject the grade between any or all of the other intersecting points; or the said Commissioners may, with the consent of the owners of a majority of the lineal feet of the front of the lots on the westerly side of the Eighth avenue, between any two points at which the grade authorized and the present grade intersect, prescribe and establish any other grade between such intersecting points; and when the grade of said avenue is finally established, in pursuance of the provisions of this act, it shall be the duty of the Commissioners of the Central Park to prepare and certify a map or profile of the grades so established, and file the same in the office of the Street Commissioner of the City of New York." It is made the duty of the Street Commissioner, as soon as the said map or profile is filed in his office, to proceed forthwith to regulate the said avenue in conformity with the grade so established. The Board approved of parts of the grade authorized by said act, and rejected other parts; and, with the consent of the owners of a majority of the lineal feet of the 49 front of the lots on the west side of the Eighth avenue between certain points, established other grades. The profile required by the act has been duly filed in the Street Commissioner's office. In a previous report the Board alluded to the question of the removal of the Aqueduct at Eighty-sixth street. Before the grade could be satisfactorily determined repeated allusions have been made in its reports to the desirability of a change in the grade of portions of this avenue. It will be much improved by the grade now established, but it will be the occasion of considerable additional cost in readjusting the border of the Park, in resetting a portion of the wall that is already built, and in regrading the western ends of Transverse Roads Nos. 1, 2, and 3. The widening of the Sixth avenue from the north end of the Park, to Harlem river. The necessary application to the Supreme Court for the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment in the matter of the widening of the Sixth avenue, from One Hundred and Tenth street to the Harlem river, was executed on behalf of this Board in July last, and on the 5th of August, Messrs. John Anderson, Jonathan W. Allen and Nicholas Walsh were appointed such Commissioners by the Supreme Court. The Board now awaits their report.50 Widening the Seventh avenue from the Park to the Harlem River. The report of Messrs. Shepherd Knapp, John Anderson, Charles A. Lamont, Commissioners appointed by the Supreme Court to widen this avenue was confirmed by the Court on the 24th of June, 1865. The Board took prompt measures to have the necessary surveys made over the whole line. It was found that as the grade had been fixed by the city authorities from One Hundred and Tenth street to One Hundred and Thirty-fifth street, the assent of two-thirds of the owners of fronts on the avenue in that distance would be required to change it. Public notice was therefore given in the newspapers of a proposed alteration of the grade from One Hundred and Tenth street to One Hundred and Thirty-fifth street, and of fixing the grade from One Hundred and Thirty-fifth street to the Harlem river. The assent of the necessary two-thirds of the owners has been obtained ; the Board on the first of December, 1865, changed the grade of the avenue from One Hundred and Tenth street to One Hundred and Thirty-fifth street, and established the grade from that point to the river. The plan for finishing the surface of this avenue has not yet been settled, nor has the mode of its drainage nor the question of material of which the roadway shall be composed. Three plans have been suggested for the improvement 51 of this avenue ; the one contemplates a bridle road or horseback ride of thirty feet in width, through the centre of the avenue, with a row of trees on each side, two carriage-ways of thirty-eighth feet each in width, sidewalks of twenty-two feet in width, and a line of trees at each curb. Another plan is to make a grass-plat with two rows o tree in the centre of the avenue of twenty feet wide, two carriage-ways of forty-five feet wide each, and two side-walks of twenty feet each. The third comprehends a carriage-way of eighty feet in width, sidewalks, each twenty feet, and courtyards of fifteen feet wide. The Board hopes to be able to determine these unsettled questions early in the coming year, and to proceed with the work of construction, and will endeavor, in compliance with its original intention, to give as much of a rural character to these improvements as will be consistent with their use as an avenue of travel, and with convenient access for persons and supplies to the dwellings erected upon it. The expense of working the avenue will, of course, be much increased by its additional width, and from the further fact that, for more than one-half of a mile near its northerly end, the rock excavation is very heavy, by reason of the ground rising some sixty-five feet above tide-water in the line of the avenue, and will require an average cutting of about twenty feet, while on either side the land lies but a few feet above tide-water. It will be the aim of the Board to have the sewers, the52 gas and water pipes laid in such manner as to render any subsequent disturbance of the avenue unnecessary. The laying out of the Island above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street. The act imposing this duty upon the Board was passed April 24, 1865. As it was understood that a topographical survey of this ground had already been made under the direction of the Commissioners having the matter previously in charge, it was deemed essential, as a matter of economy both of time and money, to be able to secure them. Sundry maps, surveys, &c., were, in compliance with the law, received by the Board in the month of July last. Much time has been given to the consideration of this subject, and to a detailed examination of the ground, with the view of gaining the information necessary to proceed intelligently with the work as early as practicable. The same act provided for the laying out of a road or public drive "running from the northerly portion of the Sixth or Seventh avenue, in a generally northerly or northwesterly direction, upon the easterly or Harlem river side of the city, as far north as the said Commissioners may determine, thence in a general westerly direction to or near the Hudson River, and thence in a general southerly and southeasterly direction along the westerly or Hudson River side of the city, until such road or public drive shall enter the Central Park at or near the junction of Bloomingdale road, Eighth avenue 53 and Fifty-ninth street; such road to follow the course of the Bloomingdale road below One Hundred and Sixth street, whenever the Commissioners shall deem such course advantageous." The surveys of a proposed line of this road are well advanced, and the Board trusts early in the coming year to determine its course and grades. In compliance with the provisions of the law, several claims against the previously existing Commission, as shown in detail in the Treasurer's statement, have been paid. The Treasurer's accounts, herewith submitted, show the expenditures of the past year in detail, and are accompanied by a summary of receipts and expenditures for the same period, and by a statement of the receipts and expenditures since the organization of the Board. Dated New York, December 30, 1865. Respectfully submitted, ANDW. H. GREEN, Comptroller of the Park. HENRY G. STEBBINS, President of the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park.55 SUMMARY OF THE TREASURER'S ACCOUNTS. Construction Account. Balance on hand, December 31, 1864, . . . . $46,636 02 The total receipts of the year ending December 31, 1865, are as follows: From issue of Stock by the City of New York, . . . . . . $375,000 00 Interest on deposits, . . . . 446 52 Sale of wool, . . . . . 92 48 Payment of lost tools, . . . . 8 47 Sale of derrick, . . . . . 400 00 Sale of settees, . . . . . 77 50 Sale of bellows, . . . . . 11 00 Sale of old building, . . . . 30 00 Sale of old wood, . . . . 22 00 Sale of old steel, . . . . . 35 00 Amount re-transferred to general fund, 38,121 00 414,243 97 $460,879 99 The total expenditures for the year ending December, 31, 1865, are as follows: Salaries and compensation of officers and clerks, . . . . . . . . $25,097 67 Surveys, engineers, architects, draughtsmen, &c., . . . . . . . 20,983 54 Salaries of gardening department, . . 2,581 00 Incidental expenses, . . . . 8,580 13 Materials of construction and tools, . . 97,925 60 Stationery, printing, advertising, drawing materials, &c., . . . . . 4,105 34 Trees, plants, and manure, . . . . 2,374 78 Labor account, amount paid laborers, mechanics, cartmen, &c., . . . . 204,001 67 Earth filling, . . . . . . 1,265 65 366,915 00 Balance, . . . . . . . . $93,964 61 556 The total receipts of the Board from the commencement of its organization, May 1, 1857, are as follows: From issue of stock by the city of New York, ...................................................... $4,786,697 48 Sale of buildings on the Park, .......................... 6,155 87 Payment of lost tools, .......................................... 451 23 Rent of buildings, .................................................. 153 33 Exhibition of plans, ............................................... 294 85 Sales of grass, ..................................................... 2,213 25 Sales of wool, ......................................................... 222 40 Interest on deposits, ....................................... 20,589 26 Pound receipts, .................................................. 1,199 87 Licenses, sales of skates, refreshments, &c., ..................................................................... 7,175 61 Sales of old iron, steel, &c., ............................... 1,268 66 Sale of derrick, ...................................................... 400 00 Sale of bellows, ........................................................ 11 00 Sale of settees, ......................................................... 77 50 Labor and materials furnished by Park, 2,082 66 Premium on exchange, gold for silver, 23 52 ------------------------ $4,829,016 49 The expenditures thus far are as follows: From May 1, 1857, to January 1, 1858, $77,881 41 " January 1, 1858, to January 1, 1859, 507,487 86 " " 1859, " 1860, 1,179,246 47 " " 1860, " 1861, 878,354 95 " " 1861, " 1862, 479,163 66 " " 1862, " 1863, 461,540 32 " " 1863, " 1864, 331,871 60 " " 1864, " 1865, 452,590 23 " " 1865, " 1866, 366,915 38 ------------------------ 4,735,051 88 Balance, ............................................................................... $93,964 61 57 Maintenance Account, 1864. $38,121 00 To balance transferred from general fund, The expenditures on account of Maintenance, in the year 1864, in addition to those in the report of last year, are as follows: LABOR. MATERIALS. TOTAL. Roads, $307 45 09 $307 54 Walks, 528 14 58 528 72 Plantations, 256 46 256 46 Tools, 77 24 21 85 99 09 Ice, 1,503 74 77 00 1,580 74 irrigation, 9 28 14 55 23 83 Surface drainage, 1 52 1 52 Buildings, 461 33 70 94 532 27 Park and gate-keepers' wages, 4,153 67 4,153 67 Keep of animals, 99 58 5 19 104 77 Miscellaneous, 530 58 49 38 579 96 8,168 57 $46,289 57 Received from the City of new York for deficiency for Maintenance, 1864, 38,121 00 To balance carried to maintenance, 1865, 8,168 57 58 Maintenance Account, 1865. To balance carried from Maintenance, 1864, ... $8,168 57 The expenditures on account of Maintenance, 1865, thus far, are as follows: LABOR. MATERIALS. TOTAL Irrigation, . . . $11,795 98 $395 46 $12,191 44 Through drainage, . 370 19 370 19 Transverse roads, . . 425 80 425 80 Masonry, . . . 1,013 07 43 37 1,056 44 Tools, . . . . 1,332 29 1,405 44 2,737 73 Roads, . . . 24,432 96 21,093 20 45,526 16 Walks, . . . . 11,223 10 452 45 11,675 55 Plantations, . . 17,166 59 201 42 17,368 01 Turf, . . . . 18,418 89 642 61 19,061 50 Ice, . . . . 7,560 73 634 82 8,195 55 Water, . . . . 60 83 60 83 Buildings, . . . . 6,654 76 1,464 32 8,199 08 Gallery of Art, . . . . 2,053 98 1,774 13 3,828 11 Surface drainage, . . . . 307 20 307 20 Manure, . . . . 1,067 61 1,067 61 Music, . . . . 3,687 06 3,687 06 Miscellaneous, . . . . 9,665 11 4,250 17 13,915 28 Park and gate-keepers' wages and uniforms, 57,491 11 57,491 11 Special park-keepers' wages 2,227 69 2,227 69 Stationery, printing, and advertising, . . 463 90 463 90 Purchase and keep of animals, . . . . 4,826 44 1,563 53 6,389 97 Proportion of salaries, 5,000 00 5,000 00 221,166 21 $229,334 78 Received from the city of New York, for maintenance of Park, for the year 1865, . . . . $150,000 00 Received from sale of grass, . . . . 3,817 00 Received from pound receipts, . . . . 265 50 Received from licenses, sales of skates, refreshments, &c.,. . . . 8,079 85 Received from railroad companies and others on account of music at the Park, . . . . 2,380 00 Received for removing broken vehicles to arsenal, . . . . 12 50 Amount transferred from general fund, . . . 64,779 93 $229,334 78 59 Island above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street and Public Drive—Amount transferred from general fund for maps, surveys, model, &c., . . . . $1,283 29 Balance December 31, 1865, Construction Account, . . . . $93,964 61 Less amount transferred to the credit of Maintenance, 1865, . . . . $64,779 93 Less amount transferred to the credit of Island above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street, . . . . 1,283 29 66,063 22 Balance on hand December 31, 1865, Construction Account, . . . . $27,901 39 Received from the city of New York, to liquidate claims against Commissioners for laying out city north of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street, . . . . $14, 750 24 The following claims have been paid: John P. Cumming, . . . . $1,000 00 R. B. Connolly, . . . . 1,000 00 E. R. Blackwell, . . . . 2,793 43 William H. Civer, . . . . 585 00 Conrad Meister, . . . . 340 00 John P. Cumming, Jr., . . . . 162 49 5,880 92 Balance on hand, December 31, 1865, . . . . 8,869 32 Balance on hand, December 31, 1865, Construction Account, . . . . 27,901 39 Balance on hand, December 31, 1865, . . . . $36,770 71 ANDW. H. GREEN, Treasurer Board of Commissioners of Central Park.Central Park Guide. The Merchants Gate 8 Av. Broadway The Artizans Gate 7 Av. 59 ST. The Artists Gate 6 Av. The Scholars Gate 5 Av. Drive Ride 66 St. TRANSVERSE ROAD 65 S. Hamilton Square The Woman's Gate 72 S. 72 St. The Children's Gate The Hunters Gate Central park, formerly Manhattan Square. TRANSVERSE ROAD 79 S. The Miners Gate. Croton Reservoir The Mariners Gate 85 St. 86 St. TRANSVERSE ROAD Drive Ride Walk 85 S. Croton Reservoir 90 S. The Engineers Gate The Gate of all Saints 96 St. 97 St. TRANSVERSE ROAD 96 S. 97 S. The Woodsmans GateCentral Park Guide. 8 Av. Broadway 7 Av. 59 ST. 6 Av. 5 Av. Drive Ride 66 St. TRANSVERSE ROAD 65 S. Hamilton Square The Woman's Gate 72 S. 72 St. The Children's Gate The Hunters Gate Central park, formerly Manhattan Square. TRANSVERSE ROAD 79 S. The Miners Gate. Croton Reservoir The Mariners Gate 85 St. 86 St. TRANSVERSE ROAD Drive Ride Walk 85 S. Croton Reservoir 90 S. The Engineers Gate The Gate of all Saints 96 St. 97 St. TRANSVERSE ROAD 96 S. 97 S. The Woodsmans Gate The Boys Gate. 100 St. 102 S. The Girls Gate. 8 Av. The Strangers Gate. 7 Av. The Warriors Gate. 110 ST. 6 Av. The Farmers Gate 5 Av. The Pioneers Gate.REFERENCE TO THE CENTRAL PARK GUIDE. GATES. 5th Avenue and 59th Street—The Scholars’ Gate. 6th “ “ 59th “ The Artists’ Gate. 7th “ “ 59th “ The Artizans’ Gate. 8th “ “ 59th “ The Merchants’ Gate. 8th “ “ 72d “ The Womens’ Gate. 8th “ “ 79th “ The Hunters’ Gate. 8th “ “ 85th “ The Mariners’ Gate. 8th “ “ 96th “ The Gate of All Saints. 8th “ “ 100th “ The Boys’ Gate. 5th “ “ 72d “ The Childrens’ Gate. 5th “ “ 79th “ The Miners’ Gate. 5th “ “ 90th “ The Engineers’ Gate. 5th “ “ 96th “ The Woodman’s Gate. 5th “ “ 102d “ The Girls’ Gate. 5th “ “ 110th “ The Pioneers’ Gate. 6th “ “ 110th “ The Farmers’ Gate. 7th “ “ 110th “ The Warriors’ Gate. 8th “ “ 110th “ The Strangers’ Gate. 1. The Pond. 2. Museum and Park Offices. 3. Play Ground. 4. The Green. 5. The Marble Arch. 6. Site of the Shakespeare Monument. 7. The Mall. 8. Oak and Elm, planted by the Prince of Wales. 9. Music Pavilion. 10. Vine-covered Walk. 11. Carriage Concourse. 12. Casino, or Refreshment House. 13. Fountain. 14. The Terrace. 15. The Circle. 16. Site for Refectory. 17. The Lake. 18. The Bow Bridge. 19. Conservatory Lake. 20. Site for Flower-house. 21. Dove Cot. 22. Evergreen Walk. 23. The Cedars.62 24. East Carriage Step—entrance to Ramble. 25. The Ramble. 26. Ladies' Cottages. 27. Gentleman's Cottage. 28. Schiller's Monument. 29. The Tunnel. 30. Balcony Bridge. 31. West Carriage Step— entrance to Ramble. 32. Spring. 33. The Knoll. 34. Site for the Maze. 35. South Gate House. 36. North Gate House. 37. The West Meadow. 38. The East Meadow. 39. The Nursery. 40. Old Fortification. 41. Mount St. Vincent House of Refreshment. 42. The Loch. 43. The Pool. 44. The Great Hill. 45. Block House, War of 1812. 46. The Cliffs. 47. Harlem Lake. c. Cascade. s. Summer House. d. Drinking Fountain. h. Drinking Place for Horses. b. Bridge, or Archway. l. Boat Landing. u. Urinal Length of carriage roads completed, 9 533/1000 miles. Length of bridle roads completed, 5 503/1000 miles. Length of walks completed, 27 023/1000 miles. 63 APPENDIX A. A detailed statement of the living animals in captivity on the Park, December 31, 1865. Mammalia. 217 specimens. Order: QUADRUMANA. 8 specimens. Family: Simia. Genus: Circopithecus. 3 specimens. African Monkeys. Genus: Cynocephalus. 2 specimens. Chacma Baboons, Cynocephalus Porcarius. Family: Cebidus. Genus: Cebus. 3 specimens. Ringtail Monkeys, Cebus Cirrhifer. Order: CARNARIA. 24 specimens. Tribe: Plantigrada. Genus: Ursus. 2 specimens. American Black Bears, Ursus Americanus. Genus: Potos. 1 specimen. Kinkajou, or Mica Leon. Potos Caudivolvulus. Genus: Viverra. 9 specimens, 2 species. 8 Brown Coatimundi, or Ant Bears. Viverra Nasuica. 1 Red Coatimundi, Viverra Nasua. Genus: Procyon. 2 specimens. Raccoon, Procyon Lotor. Genus: Taxidea. 1 specimen. American Badger, Taxidea Americana. Tribe: Digitigrada. Genus: Felis. 1 specimen. Ocelot, Felis Pandalis. Genus: Canus. 8 specimens; 2 sub-genera. 5 Prairie Wolves, Canus Latrans. 2 Silver-gray Foxes, Canus Cieners-Argentatis. 1 Red Fox, Canus Fulvus. Order: RODENTIA. 53 specimens. Genus: Sciurus; sub-genus, Sciurus. 8 specimens; 4 species, 1 Fox Squirrel, Sciurus Vulpinus; 4 Gray Squirrels, Sciurus Carolinensis; 1 Costa Rica Squirrel, 2 Panama Squirrels. Sub-genus: Tamias. 2 specimens. 2 triped Squirrels, Tamia Striatus. Genus: Mus. 23 spcimens; 2 species. 11 White Rats; 12 White mice.64 Genus: Castor. 1 specimen. American Beaver, Castor Canadensis. Genus: Hydromys. 1 specimen. Coypu or Nutria, Hydromys Coypu. Genus: Lepus. 5 specimens; 2 varieties. 3 English Rabbits, Lepus Cuniculus. 2 Turkish Rabbits. Genus: Cavia. 13 specimens. Guinea Pigs, Cavia Cobaya. Order: PACHYDERMATA. 1 specimen. Genus: Sus. 1 specimen. Peccary, Sus Tajassu. Order: RUMINANTIA. 131 specimens. Family: Cervidœ. Genus: Rangifer. 1 specimen. Woodland Caribou or Reindeer, Rangifer Caribou. Genus: Cervus. 9 specimens. 3 species American Elk or Wapiti, Cervus Canadensis; 6 Virginia Deer, Cervus Virginianus; 2 Mexican Deer, Cervus Mexicanus. Family: Cavicornia. Genus: Ovis. 114 specimens; 3 varieties. 1 Cape Sheep, 111 Southdown Sheep, 2 Caraccas Sheep. Genus: Capra. 1 Domestic Goat. Genus: Bos. 4 specimens; 2 species. 3 Cape Buffaloes, Bob Caffer; 1 Flores Bull. Family: Camelidœ Genus: Camelus. 2 specimens. 1 Humped Camel, Camelus Dromedarius. ____________ Aves. About 552 specimens. Order: RAPACLÆ. 30 specimens. Family: Falconidœ Genus: Haliœtus. 19 specimens. American Sea Eagle (including 5 adult specimens of the Bald Eagle, Haliœtus Leucocephalus.) Genus: Astur. 5 specimens. Hawks. Family: Strigidœ. Genus: Bubo. 5 specimens. Great Horned Owl, Bubo Virginianus. Genus: Otus. 1 specimen. Short-eared Owl, Otus Brachyotus. Order: PASSERINÆ. 6 specimens. Genus: Fringilla. 1 specimen. Canary. Genus: Corvus. 2 specimens. Common Crow, Corvus Americanus. Genus: Turdus. 3 specimens. 1 Central American Robin; 2 English Blackbirds, Turdus Merula. 65 Order: SCANSORIÆ. 10 specimens. Genus: Macrocercus. 2 specimens; 2 species. 1 Blue Macaw, Macrocercus Ararauna; 1 Red Macaw, Macrocercus Macao. Genus: Cacatua, 2 specimens. Greater Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo, Cacatua Sulphurea. Genus: Centurus. 3 specimens. Carolina Paroquets, Centurus Carolinensis. Genus: Psittacus. 3 specimens; 2 species. 1 Crested Parrot, 2 Amazon Parrots. Order: GALLINACÆ. About 300 specimens. Sub-order: COLUMBÆ. Genus: Columba. About 170 specimens, many varieties, including Doves, Pouters, Tumblers, Carriers, Nuns, Swallow-Pigeons, Rufflenecks, Bantam-Pigeons, Hybrids, etc. Sub-order: GALLINÆ. Genus: Pavo. 55 specimens. Pea-fowl, Pavo Cristatus. Genus: Numidia. 44 specimens; 2 varieties. Guinea-fowl, Numida Meleagris; 41 Gray, 3 White. Genus: Phasianus. 5 specimens. Hybrid Bantams. Genus: Ortyx. 3 specimens. 3 American Quails, Ortyx Virginianus. Genus: Lophortyx. 6 California Quails, Lophortyx Californicus. Genus: Penelope. 3 specimens. Penelopes, Penelope Cristatus. Genus: Crax. 4 specimens; 2 species. Curassows, Crax Alectra. Genus: Meleagris. 2 specimens. Turkeys, var. alb., Meleagris Gallopavo. Order: GRALLATORIÆ. 6 specimens. Genus: Ardea. 3 specimens; 2 sub-genera. 1 Black-crowned Night Heron, Area Nycticorax; 2 Tiger Bitterns, Tigrisoma Brasiliense. Genus: Ciconia. 2 specimens. White Storks, Ciconia Alba. Genus: Canroma. 1 specimen. Arapapa, or Boat-bill, Cancroma Cochlearia. Order: PALMIPEDES. About 200 specimens. Family: Totipalmatœ. Genus: Pelicanus. 1 specimen. Louisiana Pelican, Pelicanus Fuscus. Family: Lamellirostres. Genus: Cygnus. 65 specimens; 2 species. 2 Trumpeter Swans, Cygnus Buccinator; 63 White European Swans, Cygnus Olor.66 Genus: Cygnopsis. 11 specimens; 2 varieties. 7 White and 4 Gray Chinese Swan Geese, Cygnopsis Sinensis. Genus: Anser. 8 specimens. Black-headed Poland Geese, Anser Cynoides. Genus: Bernicla. 5 specimens. 4 Canada or Wild Geese, Bernicla Canadensis; 1 Brant, Bernicla Brenta. Genus: Dendrocygna. 4 specimens; 2 species. 3 Central America Whistling Ducks, Dendrocygna Autemalis; 1 Yagaza, or Porto Rico Wild Duck. Genus: Chaulelasmus. 4 specimens. Gadwalls, or Gray Ducks, Chaulelasmus Streperus. Genus: Aix. 1 specimen. Wood Duck, Aix Sponsa. Genus: Cairina. 8 specimens. Muscovy Ducks, Cairina Moschata; 9 adult Brazilian Ducks, with several broods of young, and about 60 Hybrid Ducks. ____________ Reptilia. 23 specimens. Order: CHELONIA. 17 specimens. Family: Testudininia. Genus: Testudo. 13 specimens; 2 species. 3 Gallipagos Tortoises, Testudo Planiceps (T. Indica, Linn and Darwin;) 10 South American Marginated Tortoises, Testudo Marginata. Family: Emydiodœ. Genus: Cistudo. 4 specimens. Box Tortoises, Cistudo Virginie. Order: SAURIA. 6 specimens. Family: Crocodilidœ. Genus: Alligator. 6 specimens. Common Alligator, Alligator Mississippiensis. 67 SUMMARY. Mammalia. Aves. Reptilia. Quadrumana, . 8 Rapaciæ, . . 30 Chelonia, . . 17 Carnaria, . . 24 Passerinæ, . . 6 Sauria, . . . 6 Rodentia, . . 53 Scansoriæ . 10 Pachydermata, . 1 Gallinaciæ, . . 300 Ruminantia, . 131 Grallatoriæ, . 6 Palmipedes, . .200 _____ _____ ____ Mammalia, . . 217 Aves,. . . 552 Reptilia, . . 23 GRAND TOTAL. Mammalia, . . . 217 Aves, . . . . . 552 Reptilia,. . . . . 23 Living collection, . . 79268 APPENDIX B. Statement in detail of the gifts, devises, and bequests for the purpose of embellishing or ornamenting the Park, and of the names of the persons by whom the same are so given, devised, or bequeathed. WORKS OF ART. OCTOBER, 18, 1860. Eighty-seven Casts, in Plaster, of the Works of the late THOMAS CRAWFORD, presented by Mrs. LOUISA W. CRAWFORD, consisting of the following Statues, Bas-Reliefs, and Sketches: Statues. 1. Orpheus, life size. 2. Apollo and Diana, third life size. 3. Cupid, life size. 4. Genius of Mirth, life size. 5. Pilgrim Princess, third life size. 6. Boy playing marbles, life size. 7. Flora, life size. 8. Beethoven, heroic. 9. The Mechanic, little larger than life size. 10. The Schoolmaster, little larger than life size. 11. The Schoolboy, little larger than life size. 12. The Merchant, little larger than life size. 13. The Soldier, little larger than life size. 14. The Woodsman, little larger than life size. 15. Indian Hunter, little larger than life size. 16. Indian Chief, little larger than life size. 17. Indian Woman, little larger than life size. 18. America. 19. Indian Grave. 20. Hebe, life size. 21. Hebe and Ganymede, life size. 22. Mercury and Psyche, third life size. 23. Daughter of Herodias, life size. 24. Dancing Jenny, life size. 25. Boy, with a broken Tambourine, life size. 26. Aurora, two-thirds life size. 27. Tenants, life size. 28. The Peri, life size. 29. Hunting Boy, with hound, life size. 30. Raphael, one-third life size. 31. James Otis, heroic. 32. Patrick Henry, colossal. 33. Thomas Jefferson, colossal. 34. Children in the Wood, life size. 35. Dying Indian Girl, two-thirds life size. 69 Bas-reliefs. 1. Woman of Samaria. 2, 3. Two Monumental Groups. 4. Origin of Drawing. 5. Hercules and Diana. 6. Cupid, stringing his bow with flowers. 7. Apollo and Pegasus. 8. Muse, with the Lyre. 9. Anacreon and Nymph. 10. Fawn and Goat. 11. Muse and Cupid. 12, 13, 14. Three bas-reliefs of a Nymph and Satyr. 15. Huntress. 16. Repose in Egypt. 17. Justice. 18, 19. Two niches for the monument of Mr. Binney. 20, 21. Two bas-reliefs for the Washington Monument, Va. 22. Christ blessing little children. Sketches. Eve, with Cain and Abel. Eve listening to the Tempter. Two sketches of the Flora. Thomas Jefferson. Washington Monument, Va. Equestrian of Washington. Equestrian of Washington, with Liberty. Freedom, for the U. S. A. Capitol. Dancing Jenny. Aurora. Justice and History, for the U. S. A. Capitol. Jacob wrestling with the Angel. Children of the Wood. Washington. Beethoven. James Otis. Patrick Henry. Mason. Two Sketches of Sappho. Rebecca. Daughter of Herodias. Dying Indian Woman. The Tenants. Boy, with broken Tambourine. Indian Chief. Raphael. Spring and Autumn. Burd Monument. Jupiter and Psyche. The Pediment for the U. S. A. Capitol. 1860. June 25. The statue of Flora, in marble, by Crawford, presented by R. K. Haight, Esq. (This statue has not yet been delivered on the Park.) 1862. Sept. 20. Plan and model for laying out the Park, presented by Mrs. Susan M. Parish. Nov. 22. One Venetian Gondola, presented by John A. C. Gray, Esq. 1863. Feb. 28. One Bronze Fountain—Boy and Swan—presented by Thomas Richardson, Esq.70 1863. May 18. One group of Bronze Eagles, presented by G. W. Burnham, Esq. 1864 Feb. 23. One Rustic Settee, presented by the Officers of the One Hundred and Thirty-second Regiment New York State Volunteers. July 14. One Bronze Statue of Eve, presented by Marshall O. Roberts, Esq. " " One Stone Idol, presented by Capt. John M. Dow. Aug. 9. One Stone Idol, presented by Hon. E. O. Crosby, who accompanies the donation with the following note: "From the correspondence of Don Pablo Jaurequin, who was Curate of Quiche from 1783 to 1794, it appears that, about a year before he left the curacy of Quiche, he repaired the church, taking for that purpose the stones from the ancient ruins of Utatlan, the old capital of the Quiche kings. "Among the ruins he found, in very good state of preservation, what he calls a giant, which, as soon as it was discovered, the Indians at work began to cry (he says) and utter some peculiar prayers, saying it was the ancient god and such things. To prevent their returning to idolatry, he caused this stone statue to be brought to the Capital and city of Guatemala, but the Indians for some cause defaced it on the way, and dragged it on the road several times, so that the priest Jaurequin gave up the idea of sending it to the Museum at Madrid, as he at first intended, and placed it at the corner of his house, in May, 1794. In 1803, observing that some of the Indians from Quiche and Solola used to burn copal gum at night before the idol, he had it removed, and buried it in the court-yard of his house." 1864 Nov. 17. One fine specimen of Amethyst, presented by John McIntyre, Esq. Dec. 2. One Topographical Map of the Central Park, presented by H. F. Krause, Esq. Presented in the year 1865. 1865. Mar. 29. One Stone Group, "Auld Lang Syne, presented by the Scotch residents of the city of New York. May 25. Plaster Bust of Most Rev. Archbishop Hughes; Plaster Bust of Prince of Wales, presented by Charles J. Innes, Esq. July 18. Photographs of Members of National Hose Company No. 24, and Newark Hose Company No. 1, presented by Members of Hose Company No. 24. Aug. 15. One Bronze Statue of "Commerce," presented by Stephen B. Guion, Esq. 1865. Aug. 25. Model of Steamer "Signal Light," presented by John B. Murray, Esq. Sept. 2. Photographic Views of the City of Richmond, Va., presented by Messrs. E. & H. F. Anthony & Co. Oct. 18. Photographic Views of Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, presented by Ignaz A. Pilat, Esq. 71 Prepared Specimens. 1862. Feb. 6. Ox "General Scott," presented by William Lalor, Esq. Oct. 24. Ox "Constitution," presented by Bryan Lawrence, Esq. " " Two Sheep, presented by Bryan Lawrence, Esq. 1863 Mar. 18. One Calf, presented by William Lalor, Esq. 1864 Oct. 22. Two California Hares, presented by James Stokes, Jr., Esq. Presented in the year 1865. 1865. Feb. 7. Skeleton of a Sea Turtle, presented by Frederick Holcomb, M. D. Mar. 22. Collection of Shells, Minerals, etc., presented by Frank A. Pollard, Esq. Apr. 28. Skull and part of a Skeleton of a Negro. Skin of Ichneumon. June 10. Skull of trotting horse, "George M. Patchen," presented by James H. Roome, Esq. Aug. 30. Piece of petrified wood, presented by P. Chase Coffin, Esq. Botanical Ten Betula Pumila, fifty Ledum Latifolium, fifty Andromeda Polifolia, presented by Prof. George Thurber. Seed of the Giant Cedar of California, presented by Fred. Law Olmsted, Esq. Seed of the Nelumbium Luteum, presented by C. E. Whitehead, Esq. Seed of the Pawpaw, presented by W. F. Drake, M. D. Seed of the Convolvulus, presented by John G. Crosby, Esq. Rosin Plant, presented by Lewis Masquerier, Esq. 1864. Feb. 20. A lot of Laurel from Lookout Mountain, presented by Major-General Daniel Butterfield. May 12. A lot of Pitcher Plants, presented by John M. Reed, Esq. Nov. 28. One Cactus Plant, presented by F.C. Beschomann, Esq. Presented in the year 1865. 1865. Feb. 3. Three Cactus Plants (2 D.), presented by Mrs. T. A. Post. May 18. Nine Plants, Cedars of Lebanon (4 D.), presented by Henry Easton, Esq. 672 1865. Sept. 23. Four Orchis Plants, presented by Dr. G. Naphegy. Oct. 18. Seed of the Lignum Vitæ, presented by Alfred Coffin, Esq Dec. 16. Seed of the Flowering Currant, Oregon Maple, and Oregon Grape, presented by C. H. Larrabee, Esq. Miscellaneous. Presented in the year 1865. 1865. Oct. 10. One Cannon, one small Mortar, one 18lb. Ball and Grape Shot, all taken from wreck of British Frigate Hussar. " 12. One 450lb. and One Parrot Shell, from Fort Sumter, presented by Charles C. Northrup, Esq. Nov. 1. Three large Shells, from Charleston, S. C., presented by Brig-Gen. C. H. Van Wyck. An ornamental Brass Six-pounder, presented by Gen. Lafayette to Gen. Cropper, the hero of Accomac, in the Revolutionary Way, which was seized by the rebels in the late war, recovered by our forces, and returned to Gen. Cropper's grandson, by order of President Johnson, has been deposited with the Board, subject to the order of the owner. The following ANIMALS have also been presented. 1860. May 24. Twelve White Swans, presented by the Senate of the City of Ham- burg. Oct. 18. Twenty-four White Swans, presented by the Worshipful Company of Vintners, London. " " Twenty-six White Swans, presented by the Worshipful Company of Dyers, London. Nov. 1. Ten White Swans, presented by the Senate of the City of Hamburg. " " Two Trumpet Cranes, presented by G. Granville White, Esq. " " One American Eagle, presented by Albert H. Jocelyn, Esq. " " One Deer, presented by Joseph Conrad, Esq. " " One Deer " " Gold Fish, presented by Wm. D. Murphy, Esq. " " Two Canadian Geese, presented by Charles M. Graham, Esq. 1862. Feb. 8. One Young Swan, presented by Capt. Grumley. May 8. One Deer, presented by Geo. Wm. Curtis. Esq. June 14. One Doe, presented by Edward E. Mitchell, Esq. " 21. Two Poland Geese, presented by Thomas Richardson, Esq. " " Five Aylesbury Ducks, presented by Thomas Richardson, Esq. " " One Gynerium Argenteum, presented by Thomas Richardson, Esq. 73 1862. July 29. One Raccoon, presented by I. A. Pilat, Esq. Aug. 19. Two Pelicans, presented by Col. Thorpe. Sept. 1. One Australian Cockatoo, presented by Robert Lerwin, Esq. " 24. One Monkey, presented by Frank Towle, Esq. " " One Black Eagle, presented by Isaac B. Caryl, Esq. " " One Marsh Hawk, presented by Woodhull Lawrence, Esq. Oct. 30. Two Deer, presented by Hon. Bayard Clark. " 23. One Red Fox, presented by Thomas S. Dick, Esq. Nov. 1. Two Syrian Gazelles, presented by G. Granville White, Esq. " 10. One Eagle, presented by William H. Beardsley, Esq. " 11. One Opossum, presented by J. Potter, Esq. " 20. Two Musk Deer, presented by G. Granville White, Esq. " 24. One Doe, presented by S. T. Nichols, Esq. " " One American Eagle, presented by W. T. Blodgett, Esq. 1863. March 7. One Gallipagos Land Tortoise, presented by Col. J. S. Williamson. May 4. One Macaw, presented by Jacob Hays, Esq. " 10. One Cockatoo, presented by S. E. Sifkin, Esq., June 9. One pair Poland Star Pigeons, presented by John Norris, Esq. " 16. One pair English Rabbits, presented by George W. Snow, Esq. " 25. One pair Peacocks, presented by John A. Havens, Esq. July 6. One Horned Owl, presented by D. M. Collins, Esq. " 8. Three Marsh Hawks, presented by M. B. W. Wheeler, Esq. " " One Pelican, presented by G. Granville White, Esq. " 20. One Black Bear, presented by S. W. Phœnix, Esq. " 22 Two pairs Skylarks, presented by Louis B. Binsse, Esq. " 23. One White English Rabbit, presented by Edward McHugh, Esq. " 24. One Magpie, presented by John Norris, Esq. " " One American Eagle, presented by Captain Pennell. " 30. Two pairs Yaguaza Ducks, presented by George Latimer, Esq. Aug. 7. Three Bitterns, presented by Francis Armbruster, Esq. " 29. Three American Eagles, presented by H. E. Dickenson, Esq. Sept. 11. Six Deer ; Two Fawns ; Thirteen Gray Squirrels, presented by the Authorities of the city of Philadelphia. " 15. One Prairie Wolf; One Silver Gray Fox, presented by C. S. Foster, Esq. " 22. One pair Fish Hawks, presented by M. W. Cooper, Esq. " 24. One White Owl, presented by R. B. Minturn, Esq. " 30. One Screech Owl, presented by F. A. Pollard, Esq. Oct. 8. Four pairs of Pigeons, presented by Mrs. R. B. Roosevelt. " 14. Five pairs Pigeons, presented by Mrs. R. B. Roosevelt. " " One pair of Spanish Bantams, presented by Mrs. R. B. Roosevelt. " 21. One Small Owl, presented by Frank Towle, Esq. " 23. Three White Rabbits, presented by Dr. H. Giles Luther.74 1863 Oct. 30. One Hen Hawk, presented by Hugh Farraly. Nov. 4. Six Brazilian Black Ducks, presented by Thomas Richardson, Esq. " 7. One Bittern; One Squirrel; One Perro de Agua (or Water Dog) ; One Parrot, presented by Captain John M. Dow. " " One Snapping Turtle, presented by Timothy Daly, Esq. " 11. One Ringtail Monkey, presented by Captain Joseph M. Scott. " 12. One pair Paroquets, presented by George Latimer, Esq. " 13. One Opossum, presented by Miss G. E. Treadwell. " 24. One Arctic or Snowy Owl, presented by Dr. S. M. Francis. " " One Heron; One pair Pigeons, presented by Miss Sarah Van Wagener. Dec. 2. One Swan Goose, presented by J. Emory, Esq. " " One Bittern, presented by F. A. Koepping, Esq. " " One American Eagle, presented by Dr. S. M. Francis. " 19. One pair Guinea Pigs, presented by James A. Bracklin, Esq. " 24. Eighty Fancy Pigeons, presented by W. R. Powell, Esq. " 28. One Red Fox, presented by Dr. W. F. Drake. " 29. One Fawn, presented by Dr. Guido Furman. " 31. Two Red Foxes; One Owl, presented by John G. Bell, Esq. " " Two English Rabbits, presented by Charles T. Henley, Esq. 1864. Jan. 2. One American Swan, presented by S. E. Van Tine, Esq. " 6. One Coypu, presented by N. Espenchied, Esq. " 8. Twenty-two Fancy Pigeons; Six Rowen Ducks, presented by W. R. Powell, Esq. " 12. One Gray Squirrel, presented by Mortimer Hendricks, Esq. " 15. One Japanese Bantam, presented by Dr S. M. Francis. " 18. One pair Lopped-ear Rabbits, presented by Master Gardiner Stewart. " 19. One pair Grouse; One Eagle, presented by James Grant, Esq. " " One Gray Eagle, presented by Col. S. H. Mix. " 25. One Trumpet Crane, presented by Salvador Cisneros. Feb. 8. One Hen Hawk, presented by John Ransom, Esq. " 9. One Raccoon, presented by Dr. Lord. " 13. One Raccoon, presented by J. W. Folger, Esq. Mar. 4. One Deer, presented by the Forester Club. " 5. One owl, presented by G. W. McCormick, Esq. " 20. Three Quails. April 1. One pair Rabbits, presented by Master Willie Northrup. " 2. One Florida Black Eagle, presented by the officers and crew of the U. S. S. Restless. " 15. One pair Paroquets, presented by George Latimer, Esq. " 16. One Crested Currassow, presented by H. P. Degroff, Esq. " 19. One Hawk, presented by Stanley A. Dayton, Esq. 75 1864. April 21. Twenty-one Fancy pigeons; One Gray Squirrel, presented by Mrs. R. B. Roosevelt. " 23. Two Deer, presented by Col. N. Martin Curtis. " " Three Fox Squirrels, presented by E. A. Layton, Esq. " 30. One Fox, presented by Miss Bessy Price. May 2. One pair Joey Birds, presented by Mrs. D. Hayward. " 4. Three Quail, presented by A. M. Allerton, Esq. " 5. One Silver-Gray Fox, presented by Augustus Faller, Esq. " 7. One Thrush, presented by E. C. Colton, Esq. " 9. One Raccoon, presented by Robert Gentle, Esq. " 10. One Rabbit, presented by Miss Sophia Griffiths. " 11. One Pea-Hen, presented by John O'Reilly, M. D. " 14. One Utia, presented by T. M. Bengiere, Esq. " 18. One Red Fox, presented by George Wilkes, Esq. " 19. One Ring Dove, presented by W. A. Conklin, Esq. " 25. One Deer, presented by Thomas Kirkpatrick, Esq. " " One pair Brown China Geese, presented by E. O. Wendell, Esq. " " One Parrot, presented by David Hoadley, Esq. " " Five Ring Doves; Six Paroquets, presented by George latimer, Esq. " 29. One Rabbit, presented by Miss Collyer. " 30. One Eagle, presented by Officers of the Twenty-second Regiment N. Y. S. N. G. June 2. Two Swan Geese, presented by Elias Wade, Jr. " " Two Broadtail Sheep, presented by Messrs. C J. & F. W. Coggill. " 4. One Porcupine, presented by A. J. Huntoon, Esq. " 7. Two pair Curassows; Two penelopes; Two Great Plovers; Two Macaws; One Parrot; One Water-Hen; Five Whistling Ducks; One Kinkajou; One Pisoto, or Ant Bear; One Opossum, presented by Capt. John M. Dow. " 11. One Red Fox, presented by Wm. Williams, Jr., Esq. " " One pair Ringdoves, presented by master F. W. Fuller. " 13. One Monkey, presented by R. H. Swift, Esq. " 15. One pair Tumbler Pigeons, presented by William Carr, Esq. " 23. Five young Prairie Wolves, presented by A. M. Allerton, Esq. " " Three Peacocks, presented by Henry Winthrop Sargent, Esq. " 25. One Siebright Hen, presented by Miss Emma Havens. " 28. One Raccoon, presented by David Edrehi, Esq. " " One Rabbit, presented by H. R. Hedden, Esq. " " One Barer-Pole Snake, presetned by Capt. A. J. Chapman. " 29. One Prairie Wolf, presented by jacksonhaines, Esq. July 5. One Woodcock, presented by John D. Nelson, Esq. " 6. One Opossum, presented by John McGuygen, Esq. " 13. One Rabbit, presented by master H. F. Steinecker.76 1864 July 14. One Rabbit, presented by W.A. Conklin, Esq. " 16. One Silver-Gray Fox, presented by James W. Tappen, Esq. " 19. One pair Rabbits, presented by William E. Sparks, Esq. " 23. One Water Turtle, presented by Capt. J. G. Richardson. " 26. One young Doe, presented by Isaac P. Martin, Esq. " 29. Three Muscovy Ducks, presented by Capt. Stamper. Aug. 4. One Parrot, presented by Master E. W. Clarke. " 6. One pair Rabbits, presented by Mrs. Mary Bleknap. " 8. One Eagle, presented by Stewart McIver, Esq. " 9. Two Tortoise Turtles, presented by Capt. M. Chichester. " 12. One Quail, presented by Mrs. Henry Spence. " 13. One Raccoon, presented by James Odell, Esq. " 19. One Cuban Dove, presented by "Americano." " 23. One Iguana, presented by Messrs. H. G. Schmidt & Co. " 25. One Boa Constrictor, presented by Brig.-Genl. Asboth. " 26. One Pea Hen, presented by Henry Winthrop Sargent, Esq. " " One pair Squirrels, presented by Miss Lucy S. Waterbury. " 29. One Monkey, presented by Henry Decker, Esq. " 30. One pair Pigeons, presented by Mrs. Howard. Sept. 2. One Osprey, presented by Thomas W. Geary, Esq. " 14. One Red Fox, presented by James S. Brower, Esq. " 15. One pair Foxes, presented by R. W Cameron, Esq. " " One pair Peccaries, presented by Robert Gordon, Esq. " " One Venezuela Fox, presented by Robert Gordon, Esq. " 22. One pair Flamingoes, presented by Elias Wade, Jr., Esq. " 23. One Raccoon, presented by E.McDonald, Esq. " " Eleven Cuban Birds, presented by G. Y. Hernandez, Esq. " 29. One Raccoon, presented by D. W. Diggs, Esq. Oct. 8. One Pea Hen, presented by Master John L. Beland. " 11. One Raccoon, presented by William Willett, Esq. " " One Hawk, presented by Capt. Wm. B. Bell. " 21. One Hoot Owl, presented by Charles A. Miller, Esq. " 22. One pair Snapping Turtles, presented by M. A. Kellogg, Esq. " 28. One Eagle, presented by C. W. Bradley, Esq. " " One Partridge, presented by C. R. Carpenter, Esq. Nov. 2. One Hawk, presented by D. G. Piper, Esq. " 18. Two Ant Bears, presented by Hon. R. C. M. Hoyt. " " Eight Spanish Bantams, presented by Mrs. R. B. Roosevelt. " 19. Three Rabbits, presented by Master George R. Brooks. " 22. Two Penelopes; One Curassow, presented by Charles H. Russell, Esq. " 30. One pair Guinea Pigs, presented by Alex. McC. Stetson, Esq. Dec. 2. One pair Blue Jays; One Robin, presented by T. F. Trenor, Esq. " 3. One Black Bear, presented by Brig.-Gen. Asboth. 77 1864. Dec. 7. One Gray Squirrel, presented by Miss Bessy Greenfield. " 12. One ocelot Cu, presented by Sauel Ward, Esq. " 18. One Buffalo; One Elk, presented by Charles M. Elleard, Esq. " 21. One Deer, presented by Francis Butler. " " One Duck, presented by John Butterfass, Esq. " 24. One pair China Doves, presented by Capt. James Chisam. " 28. One Horned Owl, presented by R. L. Stuart, Esq. " " One Eagle, presented by Brig.-Gen. Asboth. Presented in the year 1865. 1865. Jan. 8. One Deer (D.), presented by George Lewis, Esq. " 16. One Horned Owl, presented by John Ferris, Esq. " 23. One Pelican (D.), presented by Samuel Moore, Esq. " 24. One pair Paroquets (1 D.), presented by "F. G." Feb. 3. One White Guinea Fowl, presented by W. A. Conklin. " 4. One Deer (D.), presented by Mrs. Charles Ransom. " 16. One Raccoon (D.), presented by J. A. Willard, Esq. " 17. One Opossum (D.), presented by B. F. Bigelow, Esq. " 21. One Deer (D.), presented by E. G. Ditmars, Esq. Mar. 3. One Deer (D.), presented by James Broadmeadow, Esq. " 10. One Fox (D.), presented by Wm. Skidmore, Jr. " 29. One Red Fox (D.), presented by D. B. Young, Jr., Esq. " 31. One pair Guinea Fowls, presented by J. Jones, Esq. April 1. One Gray Squirrel, presented by Miss Josephine V. Garbrecht. " 9. One Coatimundi, presented by Capt. Thomas Smythe. " 10. Three Cape Buffaloes, presented by Major-General Meigs. " 22. One Flores Bull, presented by J. W. Alsop, Esq. " 26. One Hawk, presented by James Pierson, Esq. " 28. One White Dove, presented by Mrs. Goubits. " " One pair Crested parrots (D), presented by William Parks, Esq. " " One Monkey, presented by P. Grovesnor Monroe, Esq. May 4. One Deer, [D] presented by Vice-Admiral D. C. Farragut. " " One Guinea Hen presented by J. Jones, Esq. " " One Eagle, presented by Salmon C. Foote, Esq. " " Three S. A. Tortoise Turtles, [2 d] presented by Joseph C. Howell, Esq. " 5. One pair English Blackbirds, presented by John Sutherland, Esq. " 11. One Eagle, presented by Washington market Social Club. " 15. One Coatimundi, presented by A. N. Lambert, Esq. " 18. One Canary Bird, presented by F, G. " 19. One Goat, presented by Ernest Friedricks, Esq. " 20. One pair Rabbits, presented by Eugene Plunkett, Esq. " " One Water Hen, [D] presented by Master Wm. Norris. " 25. One Cockatoo, presented by Mr. Dodge.78 1865. May 25. One Beaver, presented by Hon. Caleb Lyon. " " One possum, [D] presented by a Lady. " 29. One Curassow, presented by Mr. Hamilton. " 30. One Alligator, presented by J. B. Hildreth, Esq. " 31. One Great Virginia Rail, [D] presented by Dr. E. J. Parmley. June 1. One Spider Monkey, [D] presented by J. C. Woods, Esq. " 11. One Ring-tail Monkey, presented by James B. Mingay, Esq. " 12. Eight Pea Fowl, presented by Charles H. Lilienthal, Esq. " 11. One pair Cuban Game Fowl, [D] presented by James D'Hervilly, Esq. " 15. One Ocelot, [D] presented by Robert Gordon, Esq. " 17. One Hawk, presented by T. L. Browning, Esq. " 21. One Alligator, [D] presented by E. G. Allen, Esq. " 23. One Owl, presented by A. C. Brady, Esq. " 26. One Peccary, presented by John Dalton, Esq. " 29. One Ocelot, presented by F. Waiebel, Esq. July 1. One pair Turtles, [D] presented by Captain Joseph Cathcart. " 7. One pair C. A. Robbins, [1 D] } presented by Mrs. D. E. Sickles. " " One Monkey, [D] " " One Gray Squirrel, presented by Master Alonzo Dayton. " 8. Two Hawks, [D] presented by Ambrose Andrews, Esq. " " One Owl, presented by J. T. Detsohel, Esq. " 11. One Raccoon, presented by J. B. Mingay, Esq. " " One small Alligator, presented by Matthew Goldie, Esq. " 13. One pair Guinea Pigs, [1 D] presented by George W. Chambers, Esq. " 14. One pair Eagles, presented by John G. Lightbody, Esq. " 15. One Red Fox, [D] presented by Elias Schilling, Jr. July 18. One Black Bear [D] presented by William Osborn, Esq. " 24. One Osprey [D] presented by Dr. E. J. Parmley. " 26. One Turtle, presented by Levi Travis, Esq. " 29. One Alligator, presented by Captain E. E. Vaile. Aug. 1. One pair Turtles, presented by Master L. M. Crane. " 2. One pair Bullfinches [D] presented by F. G. " 3. One Mexican Deer, presented by Mons. A. Chol. " 4. Three Rabbits, presented by Miss Josephine Harmon. " 5. Two Fawns, presented by Hon. Benjamin Wood. " " Two Owls, presented by Messrs. Hall & Whitman. " 11. One Macaw, presented by George Latimer, Esq. " 12. Two Monkeys [1 D] presented by John P. Heiss, Esq. " 17. One pair Badgers [1 D] presented by David L. Wells, Esq. " 23. One Owl, presented by Charles P. Clevenger, Esq. " 30. One Turtle [D] presented by John S. Stivers, Esq. Sept. 5. Seven White Mice [2 D], } presented by S. W. Geery, Esq. " " Three Ring Doves, " " One pair Rabbits, 79 1865. Sept. 8. One Caraccas Sheep, presented by J. C. Buckingham, Esq. " 14. One Silver-Gray Fox, presented by William R. Morgan, Esq. " " One Crow, presented by Milton Finkle, Esq. Sept. 14. One Alligator, } presented by George B. Dixon, Esq. " " One Turtle [D], " 15. One Coatimundi, presented by J. L. Valentine, Esq. " " One pair Guinea Pigs [D] presented by Mrs. Lafayette Rape. " 16. One Marmot [D] presented by P. McCabe, Esq. " 21. One Guinea Pig, presented by Miss M. G. Lewis. " 23. One pair Rabbits, presented by J. W. B. Rockwell, Esq. " " One pair Trumpeter Swans, presented by Adolph Strauch, Esq. " " One pair Hawks [1 D] presented by Major C. H. Boyd. " 28. One Osprey [D] presented by Richard Hastings, Esq. Oct. 2. One pair Guinea Pigs, presented by Mrs. W. H. Marshall. " 3. Seven California Quail [1 D] presented by Andrew G. Agnew, Esq. " " One pair Jamaica Ring Doves, } presented by J. C. Woods, Esq.. " " One Parrot, " 4. One Toucan (D) presented by Charles A. Whitney, Esq. " 6. Three Ground Squirrels (1 D) presented by Truman W. Pepper, Esq. " " Three German Sparrows, presented by Louis Gros, Esq. " " Two Alligators, } presented by Brig-Gen. Asboth. " " Two Squirrels, " " Five Turtles, " 9. One Woodchuck (D) presented by William J. Hays, Esq. Oct. 9. One pair White Rats, presented by Edward Hussey, Esq. " 12. One pair English Rabbits, } presented by Mrs. John M. Ferry. " " One pair Turkish ", " 17. One Stag, presented by Samuel Churchill, Esq. " " One pair Turtles, presented by Miss Mary R. Sandford. " 18. One pair Guinea Pigs, presented by Mrs. E. Wesley. " " One Ground Mole, (D) presented by J. B. Andrews, Esq. " 21. Three Muscovy Ducks, presented by W. N. Clark, jr., Esq. " 23. One Eagle, presented by Daniel Mackintosh, Esq. " " One Owl, presented by Frederick Berthoud, Esq. " " One Owl, presented by Charles J. Smith, Esq. " 21. One Gallipagos Turtle, presented by Capt. John M. Dow. " 28. One Bittern, presented by Henry Arthur, Esq. " 31. One Fawn, (D) presented by Andrew H. Pride, Esq. Nov. 1. One Wood Duck, presented by J. Jones, Esq. " " One Red Fox, (D) } presented by Master Albert Gregory. " " One Hawk, " " Six Pea Fowls, (2 D) presented by C. H. Lilienthal, Esq. " 3. One Tortoise Turtle, presented by Edmund R. Bell, Esq.80 1865. Nov. 3. One Opossum (D) presented by Samuel Moore, Esq. " 8. One Eagle, presented by Hon. L. F. S. Foster. " 9. One Deer, presented by Miss Mamie Garrison. " 11. One Red Fox, (D) presented by Henry Mataran, Esq. " " Eight Chinese Geese, presented by Charles Hartland, Esq. " 14. Three Quail, presented by A. Beekman, Esq. " 14. One Guinea Pig, presented by Mrs. Wright. " 16. One Caribou Calf, presented by Hon. James J. Rogerson. " 18. One pair White Rats, presented by Miss Libbie Ogden. " 24. Two Coatimundi, presented by W. S. Gregory, Esq. " " One Coatimundi, } presented by Fred Law Olmsted, Esq. " " One Ocelot, (D) " 27. Eight White Rats, presented by Master Cecil Sagueys. Dec. 4. One Arapapa, presented by Solon Dike, Esq. " 5. One Crow, presented by David S. Parbor, Esq. " 11. Seven White Mice, presented by Master D. M. Hagadorn. " 13. Two White Turkeys, presented by Capt. James Hand. " 16. One Deer, presented by Albert Steinway, Esq. " 18. One Raccoon, presented by B. W. Pycock, Esq. " 20. One Red Fox, presented by Albert Steinway, Esq. " 25. One Brandt Goose, presented by Wm. C. Johnson, Esq. " 26. One pair Ring Doves, presented by Peter Muller, Esq. " 28. One Silver Gray Fox, presented by Marcus F. Whitehead, M.D. The letter D opposite the donation denotes that it is dead. The above are in good condition, except otherwise noted. 81 APPENDIX C. A tabular statement of the details of the expenses of the Zoological Garden of London for the years 1855, '56, '57, '58 & '59. THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON—EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE YEARS 1855. 1856. 1857. 1858. 1859. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. £. s. d. For Rent, Rates, Taxes, &c. . . 977 8 7 922 5 3 927 7 5 915 18 7 953 3 0 " Salaries, Wages, Pensions, and Gratuities. . . 3,104 15 0 3,108 14 3 3,344 19 8 3,276 7 2 3,944 10 9 " Cost of Animals.. . 595 1 0 1,017 9 0 301 0 0 462 5 8 617 11 9 " Carriage of Animals and Keepers' Expenses. 91 16 1 203 1 2 496 2 2 330 11 6 349 9 11 " Provisions. . . 3,858 11 11 3,739 12 8 2,720 9 11 2,528 3 7 2,686 3 10 " Menagerie expenses. . . 1,424 13 2 1,575 12 7 1,120 12 7 1,360 16 10 1,317 9 3 " Keepers' Dresses. . . 90 14 0 95 8 5 97 3 0 97 0 6 101 16 5 " New Buildings and Works connected. . . 123 17 9 1,772 11 6 " Other Works, Repairs, Materials, Alterations, &c. 1,607 19 7 1,900 14 8 1,294 18 9 968 11 4 912 9 7 " Garden expenses. . . 565 10 0 760 19 4 470 3 9 491 19 1 547 3 6 " Band expenses. . . 260 6 6 201 11 6 203 2 6 160 15 0 199 10 0 " Advertisements. . . 189 8 0 131 8 6 113 17 6 129 5 1 138 14 0 " House and Office expenses. . . 192 4 7 222 3 0 333 12 10 225 7 8 271 3 1 " Library expenses. . . 93 4 8 75 0 5 58 4 6 76 17 1 115 15 0 " Museum expenses. . . 86 13 0 157 12 0 49 15 6 23 13 10 1 11 0 " Stationery and Account Books. . . 34 8 3 43 4 5 38 2 3 52 7 0 32 13 2 " Printing (Miscellaneous). . . 111 17 0 79 17 0 109 16 6 131 6 3 129 3 0 " " (Transactions). . . 24 12 0 133 9 0 81 18 6 55 13 10 177 9 10 " " (Proceedings). . . 936 7 1 495 0 11 632 7 3 732 0 9 714 2 11 " Returned Subscriptions. . . 3 0 0 10 1 0 12 0 0 20 11 0 3 0 0 " Cost of Medals. . . 36 1 0 " Law expenses. . . 5 12 8 Total. . . 14,248 10 5 15,003 15 6 12,305 14 7 12,039 11 9 15,021 12 682 APPENDIX D. CITY OF NEW YORK—CENTRAL PARK. AUTHORIZATION OF THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE MONUMENT TO WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, April 23, 1864. James H. Hackett, Esq., William Wheatley, Esq., Edwin Booth, Esq., and the Hon. Charles P. Daly, of the city of New York, having made application to the Commissioners of the Central Park, on behalf of the actors and theatrical managers of the city of New York, for leave to place within the said Park the foundation of a monumental statue to William Shakespeare, and the said Commissioners having, on due consideration, determined that such monument would be eminently appropriate to the public grounds of the city, have, therefore, consented to accept the same, and to place it within the said Park for the adornment thereof, there for ever to remain for the public gratification and enjoyment. To this end the said Commissioners have further consented that the foundation of said monument be laid in the said Park on the 23d day of April, 1864, subject to the ordinances and rules provided or to be provided for the control and preservation of statuary and monumental structures of the said Park. By authority of the Commissioners of the Central Park, ANDW. H. GREEN, Comptroller of the Park. CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK, April 23, 1864. 83 APPENDIX E. TABULAR ARRANGEMENT OF THE VERTEBRATA OF NORTH AMERICA. PREPARED BY ALBERT H. GALLATIN, M.D., Curator of the Zoological Gardens. The object of the following tables is to present a clear and concise statement, sufficiently accurate for general use, of the Vertebrata existing on the North American Continent. No attempt has been made to refine on the classifications of Audubon, Holbrook, and Girard, although much has been done since the publication of their labors by Agassiz, Dana, Baird, Lawrence, and others. From this table the Cheiroptera, the Reptilia west of the Rocky Mountains, and the Pisces east of the Rocky Mountains are excluded. The authorities followed are Audubon for Quadrupeds and Birds, Holbrook for Reptiles, and Girard for Fishes. CLASSIFICATION OF THE GENERA OF THE QUADRUPEDS OF NORTH AMERICA. Order "Carnaria." Family "Insectivora." Family "Carnivora." Genus "Sorex." Genus "Condylura." Tribe "Plantigrada." Tribe "Digitigrada." Genus "Scalops." Genus "Meles." Genus "Lynx." Genus "Mephitis." Genus "Procyon." Genus "Vulpes." Genus "Mustela." Genus "Ursus." Genus "Canis." Genus "Lutra." Genus "Sulo." Genus "Felis." Genus "Bassaris." Genus "Putorius." Genus "Enhydra."84 Order "Marsupialia." Genus "Didelphis." Order "Rodentia." Genus. Genus. Genus. Genus. "Arctomys." "Spermophilus." "Hystrix." "Meriones." "Lepus." "Fiber." "Pseudostoma." "Georychus." "Nestoma." "Pteromys." "Arvicola." "Aplodontia." "Sciurus." "Mus." "Castor." "Dipodomys." "Tamias." "Sigmodon." "Lagomys." Order "Edentata." Order "Pachydermata." Genus "Dasypus." Genus "Dycotyles." Order "Ruminantia." Genus "Bison." Genus "Antilocapra" Genus "Elaphus." Genus "Ovibos." Genus "Ovis." Genus "Rangfier." Genus "Cervus." Genus "Capra." 85 II.—Tubular arrangement of the number of described species in North America; of the total number of described species on the globe, and of the geographical distribution; of those genera of quadrupeds found in North America. GENERA. FOUNDERS OF THE GENERA. TYPES OF THE GENERA IN GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. Number of Total number NORTH AMERICA. described of described species in species. North Am. Sorex Linnæus Say's Least Shrew 13 species in North America; 20 species in Eastern Continent 13 about 33 Condylura Illiger Common Star-Nosed Mole 1 species in North America; none elsewhere 1 1 Scalops Cuvier Common Am. Shrew Mole 5 species in North America; none elsewhere 5 1 Meles Brisson American Badger 1 species in America; 1 in Europe; 1 in India 1 3 Prceyon Storr Raccoon 2 species in North America (one in northern parts, the other in the southern); none elsewhere 2 2 Ursus Linnæus Polar, or White Bear 3 species in North America; 1 in mountains of India; 1 in Java; 1 in Thibet; 3 in Europe (the Polar Bear being common to Europe and North America) 3 8 Gulo Storr Wolverine, or Glutton 1 species in Arctic regions of both continents; 2 in South America; 1 in Africa 1 4 Lynx Audubon Common American Wild 2 species in America; 1 in Africa; 2 in Persia; one in Arabia; Cat, or Bay Lynx 2 in Europe 2 8 Vulpes Cuvier Red Fox 4 species in North America; about 8 elsewhere 4 about 12 Canis Linnæus Black American Wolf, and 5 species of wolves and 2 of dogs in North America 7 Esquimaux Dog Felis Linnæus Ocelot, or Leopard Cat 4 species in North America; about 29 species elsewhere 4 about 33 Putorius Cuvier Mink 6 species in America; 9 in Eastern Continent 6 15 Mepitis Cuvier Common American Skunk 2 species in North America; 14 in Central America and South America; 1 at Cape of Good Hope 2 17 Mustela Cuvier Martens 4 species in North America; 8 elsewhere 4 12 Lutra Ray, Cuvier, Linnæus Canada Otter 2 species in North America; 1 in Brazil; 1 in Europe; 1 in island of Trinidad; 1 in Guyana; 1 in Kamtschatka; 1 in Java; 1 in Malay; 1 in Pondicherry; 1 at Cape of Good Hope 2 11 Bassaris Lichtenstein Ring-tailed Bassaris 1 species in Mexico and Texas; non elsewhere 1 1 Enhydra Fleming Sea Otter 1 species in waters which bound northern parts of America and Asia, and separate those continents; none elsewhere 1 1 Didelphis Linnæus (restr'd by Owen) Virginian Opossum 1 species in North America; most of the other species in tropical America 1 15 Arctomys Gmelin, Cuvier Wood Chuck 3 species in North America; 5 on Eastern Continent 3 8 Lepus Linnæus American Hare About 17 species in North and South America; about 13 in Eastern Continent about 30 Neotoma Say and Ord Florida Rat 2 species in North America; none elsewhere 2 2 Selurus Linnæus, Erxleben, Cuvier, Fox Squirrel About 20 species in North America; about 50 species elsewhere about 20 about 70 Geoffroy, Illiger 86 Tamias Illiger Chipping Squirrel 4 species in North America; 1 in South America; 1 in northern portions of Eastern Continent 4 6 Spermophilus F. Cuvier Thirteen-striped Souslik 12 species in North America; 3 in Europe 12 15 Fiber Illiger Musk Rat, or Musquash 1 species in North America; none elsewhere 1 1 Pteromys Illiger Oregon Flying Squirrel 4 species in North America; 1 in north of Europe; 8 in Asia and other parts of the Old World 4 13 Mus Linnæus Mouse 6 species in North America; more than 200 elsewhere 6 ab't 200 Sigmodon Say and Ord Cotton Rat 1 species in North America; none elsewhere 1 1 Hystrix Linnæus Canada Porcupine 2 species in North America; 3 in South America; 1 in Southern Europe; 1 in Africa; 1 in India 2 8 Pseudostoma Say Pouched Rats 6 species in North America; none elsewhere 6 6 Arvicola Lacépède Wilson's Meadow Mouse About 7 in North America; found in each quarter of the globe about 7 about 40 Castor Linnæus American Beaver 1 species in North America; none elsewhere 1 1 Lagomys Geoffroy Little Chief Hare 1 species in Rocky Mountains of North America; 1 in the northern mountains of the Old World; 1 in Mongolian Tartary; 1 in southeastern parts of Russia 1 4 Meriones Illiger Jumping Mouse 1 species in North America; 10 species in sandy and elevated regions in parts of Asia and Africa 1 11 Georychus Illiger Hudson's Bay Lemming 4 species in America; 2 in Europe; 4 in Asia 4 10 Aplodontia Richardson Sewellel 1 species in North America (western slopes of Rocky mountains, &c.); none elsewhere 1 1 Dipodomys Gray Pouched Jerboa Mouse 1 species in America; none elsewhere 1 1 Dasypus Linnæus Nine-banded Armadillo 9 species in America (the southern parts of North America, Central America, and South America; none elsewhere 9 Dycotyles F. Cuvier Collared Peccary 2 species in America; none elsewhere 2 Bison Pliny Am Bison or Buffalo (?) 1 in America; 1 in the forests of Southern Russia, in Asia; the Circassian Mountains, and the deserts of Kobi; 1 in Ethiopia and the forests of India; 1 in the mountains of Central Asia; 1 in Ceylon 1 5 Elaphus Griffith Wapite Deer, or Am. Elk (?) 1 species in America; 1 in Europe; 1 in Walhihii 1 3 Ovis Linnæus, Brisson, Erxleben, Rockly Mountain Sheep 1 species in America; 1 in Corsica, Sardinia, and the highest Cuvier, Geoffroy mountain chains of Europe; 1 in the mountains and steppes of northern Asia, Tartary, Siberia, and Kurile islands; 1 in the mountains of Egypt 1 4 Cervus Elk, or Moose Deer 5 species in North America; none elsewhere 5 5 Antilocapra Ord Prong-horned Antelope 1 species in North America; none elsewhere 1 1 Ovibos Blainville Musk Ox 1 species in the Arctic portions of North America; none elsewhere 1 1 Rangifer Hamilton Smith Caribou, or Am. Reindeer 1 species in the Arctic regions of North America; 1 in the Arctic regions of the Old World 1 2 Capra Linnæus Rocky Mountain Goat 1 species in the Rocky Mountains of North America; 1 in the Alps; 1 in Abyssinia and Upper Egypt; 1 in the Caucasian Mountains; 1 in the mountains of Persia; 1 in the Himalaya. 1 87 III.—The principal Genera of Birds inhabiting North America, with the number of American species in each genus described by Audubon: FAMILY. GENUS. AUTHOR OF TYPE OF GENUS IN AMERICA. Number of Am. GENUS. species described by Audubon. I. Vulturinæ 1. Cathartes Illiger Turkey Vulture 3 II. Falconidæ 1. Polyborus Vieillot Caracara Eagle 1 2. Buteo Bechstein Harris' Buzzard 7 3. Aquila Brisson Golden Eagle 1 4. Haliætus Savigny Washington Sea-Eagle 2 5. Pandion Savigny Fish Hawk, or Osprey 1 6. Elanus Savigny Black shouldered Hawk 1 7. Ictinia Vieillot Mississippi Kite 1 8. Nauclerus Swallow-tailed Hawk 1 9. Falco Linnæus Iceland or Jer Falcon 4 10. Astur Cuvier Goshawk 3 11. Circus Bechstein Marsh Hawk 1 III. Striginæ 1. Surnia Dumeril Hawk Owl 5 2. Ulula Tengmalm's Owl 2 3. Strix Linnæus Barn Owl 1 4. Syrnium Cuvier Great Cinerious Owl 2 5. Otus Cuvier Long-eared Owl 2 6. Bubo Cuvier Great-horned Owl 2 IV. Caprimulginæ 1. Caprimulgus Linnæus Chuck-Will's Widow 2 2. Chordeiles Swainson Night Hawk 1 V. Cypselinæ 1. Chætura Stephens Chimney Swallow, or Am. Swift 1 VI. Hirundinæ 1. Hirundo Linnæus Purple Martin 7 VII. Muscicapinæ 1. Milvulus Swainson Fork-tailed Flycatcher 2 2. Muscicapa Linnæus Arkansas Flycatcher 15 3. Ptilogonys Swainson Townsend's Ptilogonys 1 4. Culicivora Swainson Blue-gray Flycatcher 1 VIII. Sylvicolinæ 1. Myiodioctes Audubon Hooded Flycatching-Warbler 5 2. Sylvicola Swainson Yellow-crowned Wood-Warbler 24 3. Trichas Swainson McGillivray's Ground-Warbler 4 4. Helinaia Audubon Swainson's Swamp-Warbler 10 5. Mnistifta Vieillot Black and White Creeping-Warbler 1 IX. Certhianæ 1. Certhia Linnæus Brown Tree-Creeper 1 2. Troglodytes Cuvier Rock Wren 9 X. Parinæ 1. Parus Linnæus Crested Titmouse 6 XI. Sylvianæ 1. Regulus Cuvier Cuvier's Kinglet 3 2. Sialia Swainson Common Blue-Bird 3 XII. Turdinæ 1. Cinclus Bechstein American Dipper 1 2. Orpheus Swainson Common Mocking-bird 4 3. Turdus Linnæus Varied Thrush 6 XIII. Motacillinæ 1. Seiurus Swainson Aquatic Wood-Wagtail 2 2. Anthus Bechstein American Pipit or Titlark 1 XIV. Alaudinæ 1. Alauda Linnæus Shore Lark 1 XV. Fringillinæ 1. Plectrophanes Meyer Lapland Lark-Bunting 4 2. Emberiza Linnæus Black-throated Bunting 11 3. Niphæa Audubon Common Snow-bird 2 4. Spiza Bonaparte Painted Bunting 3 5. Ammodramus Swainson Macgillivray's Shore Finch 4 6. Pencæa Audubon Bachman's Pinewood Finch 2 7. Linaria Ray Mealy Redpot Linnet 3 8. Carduelis Cuvier American Goldfinch 5 9. Fringilla Linnæus Fox-colored Finch 8 10. Pipilo Vieillot Arctic Ground-Finch 2 11. Erythrospiza Bonaparte Purple Finch 3 12. Corithus Cuvier Pine Grosbeak 1 13. Loxia Linnæus Common Crossbill 2 14. Corydalina Audubon Prairie Lark-Finch 1 15. Pitylus Cuvier Cardinal Grosbeak 1 16. Coccoborus Swainson Song-Grosbeak 3 17. Coccothraustes Brisson Evening Grosbeak 1 18. Pyranga Vieillot Summer Red-bird 3 788 AUTHOR OF Number of Am. FAMILY. GENUS. GENUS. TYPE OF GENUS IN AMERICA. species described by Audubon. XVI. Agelainæ 1. Dolichonyx Swainson Ricebird, or Bob-o-Link 1 2. Molothrus Swainson Cow-pen bird 1 3. Agelaius Swainson Crimson-winged Tropial, or Red and Black-shouldered Marsh Black-bird 4 4. Icterus Brisson Baltimore Oriole, or Hang-nest 3 5. Quiscalus Vieillot Boat-tailed Grakle, or Great Crow Black-Bird 3 XVII. Sturninæ 1. Sturnella Vieillot Meadow-Lark, or Meadow Starling 1 XVIII. Corvinæ 1. Corvus Linnæus Raven 3 2. Pica Brisson Common Magpie 3 3. Garrulus Brisson Steller's Jay 5 4. Nucifraga Brisson Clarke's Nutcracker 1 XIX. Lanunæ 1. Lanius Linnæus Great American Shrike 2 XX. Vireoninæ 1. Vireo Vieillot Yellow-throated Viero, or Greenlet 6 XXI. Piprinæ 1. Icteria Vieillot Yellow-breasted Chat 1 XXII. Ampelinæ 1. Bombycilla Brisson Black-throated Waxwing, or Bohemian Chatterer 2 XXIII. Sittinæ 1. Sitta Linnæus White-Breasted Nuthatch 4 XXIV. Trochilinæ 1. Trochilus Linnæus Mango Humming-bird 3 2. Selasphorus Swainson Ruff-necked Humming-bird 1 XXV. Alcedinæ 1. Alcedo Linnæus Belted Kingfisher 1 XXVI. Picinæ 1. Picus Linnæus Imperial Woodpecker 22 XXVII. Cuculinæ 1. Coccysus Vieillot Yellow-billed Cuckoo 3 XXVIII. Psittacinæ 1. Centurus Carolina Parrott 1 XXIX. Columbinæ 1. Columbus Linnæus Band-tailed Dove, or Pigeon 6 2. Ectopistes Swainson Passenger Pigeon 2 XXX. Pavoninæ 1. Meleagris Linnæus Wild Turkey 1 XXXI. Perdicinæ 1. Ortyx Stephens Common American Partridge 4 XXXII. Tetraoninæ 1. Tetrao Linnæus Ruffed Grouse 6 2. Lagopus Willow Ptarmigan, or Willow Grouse 4 XXXIII. Rallinæ 1. Gallinula Brisson Purple Gallinule 2 2. Fulica Linnæus American Coot 1 3. Ortygometra Leach Sora Rail 3 4. Rallus Linnæus Great Red-Breasted Rail, or Fresh Water Marsh Hen 3 5. Aramus Vieillot Scolopaceous Courlan 1 XXXIV. Gruinæ 1. Grus Brisson Whooping Crane 1 XXXV. Charadriinæ 1. Charadrius Linnæus Black-billed Plover 7 2. Aphriza Audubon Townsend's Suft-bird 1 3. Strepsilas Illiger Turnstone 1 4. Hæmatopus American Oyster-catcher 3 XXXVI. Scolopacinæ 1. Tringa Linnæus Bartramian Sandpiper 12 2. Phalaropus Brisson Red Pharalope 1 3. Lobipes Cuvier Hyperborean Pharalope 2 4. Totanus Bechstein Spotted Sandpiper, or Tattler 6 5. Limosa Brisson Great Marbled Godwit 2 6. Scolopax Linnæus Wilson's, or Common Snipe 3 7. Microptera Nuttall American Woodcock, or Bogsucker 1 8. Recurvirostra Linnæus American Avoset 1 9. Himantopus Brisson Black-necked Stilt 1 10. Numenius Brisson Long-billed Curlew 3 XXXVII. Tantalinæ 1. Ibis Cuvier Glossy Ibis 3 2. Tantalus Linnæus Wood Ibis 1 3. Platalea Linnæus Roseate Spoonbill 1 XXXVIII. Ardeinæ 1. Ardea Linnæus Black-crowned Night Heron or Qua-bird 12 XXXIX. Anatinæ 1. Phœnicopterus Linnæus American Flamingo 1 2. Anser Brisson Canada Goose 6 3. Cygnus Meyer Trumpeter Swan 2 4. Anas Linnæus Dusky Duck 10 5. Fuligula Canvass-back Duck 16 XL. Merginæ 1. Mergus Linnæus Buff-breasted Merganser, or Goosander 4 XLI. Pelicaninæ 1. Phalacrocorax Brisson Common Cormorant 5 89 AUTHOR OF Number of Am. FAMILY. GENUS. GENUS. TYPE OF GENUS IN AMERICA. species described by Audubon. 2. Plotus Linnæus American Anhinga or Snake-bird 1 3. Tachypetus Vieillot Frigate Pelican or Man-of-War Bird 1 4. Peleccanus Linnæus American White Pelican 2 5. Sula Brisson Common Gannet 2 6. Phæton Linnæus Tropic Bird 1 XLII. Larinæ 1. Rynchops Linnæus Black Skimmer, or Razor-billed Shearwater 1 2. Sterna Linnæus Cayenne Tern 12 3. Larus Linnæus Forked-tailed Gull 13 XLIII. Procellarinæ 1. Lestris Illiger Gomarine Jager 3 2. Diomedea Linnæus Yellow-nosed Albatross 3 3. Procellaria Linnæus Gigantic Fulmar 4 4. Puffinus Brisson Wandering Shearwater 3 5. Thalassidroma Vigors Leach's or Forked-tailed Petrel 3 XLIV. Alcinæ 1. Mormon Illiger Tufted Puffin 3 2. Alca Linnæus Great Auk 2 3. Phaleris Curled-crested Phaleris 2 4. Mergulus Ray Common Sea-Dove, or Little Guillemot 1 5. Uria Latham Black-throated Guillemot 6 XLV. Colymbinæ 1. Colymbus Linnæus Great Northern Diver or Loon 3 2. Podiceps Latham Crested Grebe 5 IV.—Reptiles of the united States East of the Rocky Mountains. ORDER. FAMILY. Number of Genera Number of Species in the Untied in the Untied States, East of States, East of the Rocky Mountains, the Rocky Mountains, described described by Holbrook. by Holbrook. I. Chelonia Chersites 2 3 Elodites 4 21 Potamites 1 2 Thallasistes 2 4 II. Sauria Crocodilida 1 1 Iguanida 4 7 Lacertinida 1 1 Scincoidea 3 4 Chalcida 1 1 III. Ophidia Crotaloidea 3 9 Elapsoidea 1 1 Coluberoidea 11 37 IV. Batrachia Ranoidea 3 10 Hyloidea 2 8 Bufonidea 2 6 Caudata—Mutabilia 2 23 Cryptobranchoidea 2 4 Phanerobranchoidea 2 590 V.--The Fishes of Western North America [[4 column table]] |Order.|Family.|Number of Western North American Genera.|Number of Species described by Girard.| |----|----|----|----| |I. Acanthopteri. . .|Percidæ. . .|9|27| |----|Trachinidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Sphyrænidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Heterolepidæ. . .|4|6| |----|Cottidæ. . .|10|15| |----|Scorpænidæ. . .|2|6| |----|Gasterosteid. . .|1|7| |----|Sciænidæ. . .|3|4| |----|Atherinidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Scombridæ. . .|3|3| |----|Squamipennes. . .|1|1| |----|Blennidæ. . .|3|9| |----|Gobidæ. . .|1|2| |----|Cyclopteridæ. . .|2|2| |----|Lophidæ. . .|----|----| |----|Batrachidæ. . .|1|1| |II.Anacanthini. . .|Ophididæ. . .|2|2| |----|Gadidæ. . .|2|2| |----|Pleuronectidæ. . .|5|8| |III.Pharyngognathi.|Scomberesocidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Pomacentridæ. . .|1|1| |----|Labridæ. . .|1|1| |----|Embiotocoidæ. . .|9|17| |IV.Physostomi, or Malacopteri. . .|Siluridæ. . .|1|6| |----|Cyprinidæ. . .|38|100| |----|Cyprinodontidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Esocidæ. . .|----|----| |----|Salmonidæ. . .|6|15| |----|Scopelidæ. . .|2|----| |----|Clupeidæ. . .|4|7| |V.Plectognathi. . .|Balistidæ. . .|----|----| |----|Gymnodontidæ. . .|1|1| |VI.Lopobranchii. .|Hippocampidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Syngmathidæ. . .|1|5| |VII.Ganoidei. . .|Amiadæ. . .|1|2| |----|Sauridæ. . .|1|3| |----|Sturionidæ. . .|3|5| |VIII.Holocephald. . .|Chimæridæ. . .|1|1| |IX.Plagiostomi. . .|Scylliodintidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Mustelidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Cestraciontidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Notidanidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Spinacidæ. . .|1|1| |----|idæ. . .|1|1| |----|Rhinobatidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Torpediuidæ. . .|1|1| |----|Raiidæ. . .|2|2| |----|Myliobatidæ. . .|1|1| |X.Dermopteri. . .|Petromyzontidæ. . .|4|8| [[End of table]] 91 General Summary of the North American Vertebrata. _____ QUADRUPEDS. Approximate number of genera, . . . 47 " " " species, . . . 149 BIRDS. Approximate number of genera, . . . 138 " " " species, . . . 441 REPTILES (of the United States, East of the Rocky Mountains). Approximate number of genera, . . . 47 " " " species, . . . 147 FISHES (West of the Rocky Mountains). Approximate number of genera, . . . 144 " " " species, . . . 28392 Topographical Description of the Central park, by Areas of Surface, &c., January 1, 1866. Length of Park, from 59th to 110th streets 13,507 ft. 9 4/10 in. Breadth " " 5th to 8th avenues 2,718 " 6 9/10 " Superficial area, including Manhattan Square 862. 073/1000 acres. Acres. Elevation of water above tide. Area, exterior to inclosure, 59th street and Feet. 110th street, Broad Walks 3. 098/1000 Do. occupied by four Transverse Roads 9. 474/1000 Do. " new Croton Reservoir 106. 726/1000 115.20 Do. " old Reservoir 35. 239/1000 115.20 154. 587/1000 " Total area of park within enclosure, exclusive of above areas 707 486/1000 acres. Acres. Elevation of surface when full above tide. Summer lev'l. Area of the Pond (near 59th street, between Feet. 5th and 6th avenues) 4. 300/1000 26.00 Do. " Lake (between 72d and 78th sts) 20. 167/1000 53.20 Do. " Conservatory water (east of Lake, near 5th av.) 2. 579/1000 41.00 Do. " Pool (neaer 8th av., between 101st and 102d streets 2. 013/1000 45.00 Do. " the Harlem Lake 13. 11.00 Do. " the Loch 1. 046/1000 24.50 Total area of waters of the park at this date 43. 605/1000 acres. Acres. Area occupied by Carriage Road 49. 580/1000 Do. occupied by Bridle Roads 15. 371/1000 Do. occupied by Walks 37. 809/1000 Total 102. 760/1000 acres. 146. 365/1000 " Total area of ground within inclosure, exclusive of Reservoirs, Ponds, Roads, and Walks 567. 192/1000 acres. Area of rock surface, mainly without soil or shrubbery, estimated 24 Area of park ground fertilized, or chiefly fertilized, and in trees and shrubbery, or in open lawns, exclusive of Reservoirs, Roads, Walks, ponds, rock surface, &c., estimated 524. 121/1000 acres. [*(9)*] 93 Greatest natural elevation of surface of ground above tide—"The Knoll," near Eighth avenue, between Eighty-third and Eighty-fourth streets 136 feet.* Least natural elevation of surface of ground, near Fifth avenne, at One Hundred and Seventh street, below tide 2/10 " * A point of ground has been raised, by filling over a part of the rock through which the tunnel passes, at the southwest corner of the old reservoir, to a height of 140 feet.94 REFRENCES TO PARK MAP. Area of Pond at A, . . . 5 acres. " Lake at B, . . . 20 " " Open ground at C, . . . 10 " " " " D, known as "The Green," . . . 15 " " Ground known as "The Ramble," between the Lake and the Reservoir O, . . . 36 " " Open ground at F, . . . } 23 " " " " G, } " Pool H, . . . 2 " " Loch I, . . . 1 " " Harlem Lake, H. L., . . . 13 " Ornamental Water, O, in connection with intended Conservatory, K. . . . 2. 579/1000 " Length of Mall, 1,212 feet; width, 35 feet. Site reserved for Refectory, J. Old Arsenal, altered for a Museum and Park Offices, L. Terrace for a Concourse of Carriages, N. Tunnel P, length 142 feet; width, 40 feet; height, 19 feet. Roads and Walks finished are represented in full lines, and colored. Walks in progress of construction, dotted lines, and colored. " not commenced, are represented in dotted lines, and not colored. Grounds planted or in grass, or ready for planting or seeding, are colored in green. Water is colored blue. Black figured show the widths of Road. Red figured show the elevation above Tide-water. Rocks that are especially prominent are indicated by line shading. Trees and shrubs are indicated in the usual manner. The red figures on the 5th and 8th Avenues, and 59th and 110th Streets, show the elevations of the established grades. R. Music Pavilion. S. Waterfalls. T. Water Terrrace. U. V. Gate-houses of New Croton Reservoir. W. Casino. Z. Dove Cote. 95 CHAP. 564 AN ACT For the Improvement of part of the City of New York, between One Hundred and Tenth Street and the Harlem River. Passed April 24, 1865; three-fifths being present. The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows : SECTION 1. All that part of Sixth avenue, in the city of New York, lying between the southerly side of One Hundred and Tenth street and the Harlem River, shall be widened on the map or plan of said city, by adding thereto on each side thereof, twenty-five feet of land, so as to make the whole width of that part of the said avenue one hundred and fifty feet. § 2. The said part of the said avenue so widened is hereby declared to be one of the streets or avenues of the city of New York, in like manner, and with like effect, as if the same had been so laid out by the Commissioners appointed in and by an act entitled "An Act relative to improvements touching the laying out of streets and roads in the city of New York, and for other purposes," passed April third, eighteen hundred and seven, and all acts and parts of acts now in force in relation to the widening, opening, laying out, grading, regulating, sewer- ing, paving and improving streets and avenues in the said city shall apply to the said part of said avenue in its enlarged width, except as hereinafter provided. §3. The Commissioners of the Central Park are hereby authorized and directed, in behalf of the Mayor, Alderman and Commonalty of the city of New York, and for public use, to apply by petition to the Supreme Court, at any Special Term96 thereof held in the first judicial district, for the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment for the opening of said Sixth avenue, as hereby widened, or so much thereof as has not already been opened, from the southerly side of One Hundred and Tenth street to the Harlem River, and for the opening of any or all of the streets not already opened which are laid out on the map or plan of the said city, between One Hundred and Tenth street and the Sixth and Seventh avenues and the Harlem River; and all the laws now in force relative to the opening of streets in the city of New York, not inconsistent with this Act, shall be applicable to proceedings had relative to the opening of said avenue and streets; and it shall be the duty of the Counsel to the Corporation of the city of New York to perform all the legal services required of him in the proceedings authorized by this act without any additional compensation beyond the salary and allowance now provided by law. The assessment for said improvement shall, upon confirmation of the report of the Commissioners of Estimate, become a lien upon the lands assessed, and such assessment may be collected and be enforced in the manner now provided by law relative to assessments for opening streets in said city. § 4. The said Sixth avenue, and the streets laid out on the map or plan of the city of New York, between the southerly side of One Hundred and Tenth street and the Sixth and Seventh Avenues and the Harlem River, shall be wholly under the care, management and control of the Commissioners of the Central Park, for the purpose of fixing the grades of the said avenue and streets, and of regulating and grading, and otherwise improving the same, in such manner as they may deem the public interest may require; and for that purpose the said Commissioners as to said avenue and said streets, and the use thereof, shall have, possess and enjoy all the powers now or heretofore possessed, enjoyed or exercised by such Commissioners in respect to the Central Park in said city, and by the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York and the several departments of said city, in relation to the streets, avenues, and similar improvements thereof in other parts of the said city; and the expense of such improvements shall be assessed upon 97 the owners and occupants of all the lands and premises benefitted thereby, and shall become a lien upon such lands, and be enforced in like manner as now provided by law in relation to assessments for regulating and grading, and otherwise improving streets in the city of New York. The moneys collected upon such assessments shall, as collected, be deposited by the Comptroller of the city of New York to the credit of the Commissioners of the Central Park, with such bank or trust company as shall be designated by said Commissioners, and such moneys shall be applied by said Commissioners in payment for the work authorized by this section. In case the said Commissioners shall, during the progress of the work hereby authorized, require money therefor before the same can be collected by the assessments hereby authorized, the said Commissioners may obtain advances of money on the faith of the moneys to be collected upon such assessments, at an interest not exceeding seven per cent. per annum, and to an amount not exceeding at any one time the sum of ten thousand dollars; and the person or corporation making such advance shall be entitled to be reimbursed by said Commissioners out of such moneys the amount of such advances. § 5. This Act shall take effect immediately. STATE OF NEW YORK, } Office of the Secretary of State. I have compared the preceding with the original law on file in this office, and do hereby certify that the same is a correct transcript therefrom, and of the whole of said original law. [SEAL.] Given under my hand and seal of office, at the city of Albany, this twenty-seventh day of April, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five. CHAUNCEY M. DEPEW, Secretary of State.98 CHAP. 581. AN ACT In relation to the Croton Aqueduct in the city of New York, and certain streets in the said city. Passed April 27th, 1865, three-fifths being present. The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: SECTION 1. That part of the Croton Aqueduct in the city of New York south of Ninety-second street and west of the Eighth avenue is hereby discontinued; and the Croton Aqueduct Department is hereby authorized and directed, in their discretion, to make the necessary excavation, and construct a branch aqueduct, and also sewers and drains, or to lay iron pipes from the present line of the Croton Aqueduct, at some point between the westerly line of the Eighth avenue and the new Reservoir in the Central Park, to the old Reservoir in the said Park, through the Eighth avenue and the Central Park, but such part of the same as may be in the Central Park shall be on such line and on such conditions as the Commissioners of the said Park shall approve. And also, if necessary, to construct a gate-house in the said Park after the Commissioners of the Central Park shall have approved of the plan and location of the said gate-house; and the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, by their Comptroller, are hereby authorized and directed to raise by loan such sum of money, not exceeding two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, as the Croton Aqueduct Department shall certify to be necessary to meet and defray the expense of the work authorized by this section, by the creation of a public fund or stock to be called "The New Aqueduct Stock of the City of New York," which stock shall bear an interest not exceeding seven per cent. per 99 annum, and be redeemable at a fixed period within twenty years; and the lots, pieces, and parcels of ground now forming the line of the Croton Aqueduct south of Ninety-second street and west of the Eighth avenue, are hereby specifically pledged for the redemption of the said stock. The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund of the said city shall, at such time as they may deem best, sell all of the land taken for that part of the Croton Aqueduct discontinued in pursuance of the provisions of this act, at public auction, upon a notice of at least thirty days, to be advertised in four of the daily newspapers published in said city; and the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, shall convey the land so sold to the purchasers thereof, upon the payment by them of the purchase money into the Treasury of the city of New York, as part of its sinking fund. The Croton Aqueduct Department may, however, retain any part of the present Aqueduct above Ninetieth street, and connect the same through Ninetieth or Ninety-first street at the Eighth avenue, with the conduit for which provision is above made. § 2. The grade of the Eighth avenue, between Fifty-ninth and Ninety-third streets, is hereby established as follows: Commencing at an elevation seventy-four feet six inches above the high-water line, at the point where the centre line of Fifty-ninth street intersects the centre line of the Eighth avenue, and continuing thence in a straight line at such rate of ascent as to intersect a continuation of the centre line of Sixty-second street at an elevation eighty-one feet six inches above the high water line, and thence on a level line (except such inclinations between the streets not exceeding eight inches to one hundred feet as may be necessary for drainage,) intersecting a continuation of the centre line of Sixty-sixth street at an elevation eighty-one feet six inches above the high water line; and thence on a straight line at such rate of ascent as to intersect a continuation of the centre line of Sixty-ninth street at an elevation ninety feet above the high-water line; and thence on a level line (except such inclinations between the streets not exceeding eight inches to one hundred feet as may be necessary for drainage,) intersecting a continuation of the centre line of Seventy second street at an elevation ninety feet above the high-water line; and thence on a 100 straight line at such a rate of descent as to intersect a continuation of the centre line of Seventy-seventh street at an elevation seventy-five feet six inches above the high-water line; and thence in such manner as the Commissioners of the Central Park may prescribe, so as to intersect a continuation of the centre line of Eighty-first street at an elevation eighty-six feet nine inches above the high-water line; and thence in a straight line at such a rate of ascent as to intersect a continuation of the centre line of Eighty-fourth street at an elevation of one hundred and six feet above the high-water line; and thence in a straight line at such a rate of ascent as to intersect a continuation of the centre line of EIghty-fifth street at an elevation one hundred and eight feet above the high-water line; and thence on a level line (except such inclinations between the streets not exceeding eight inches to one hundred feet as may be necessary for drainage) intersecting a continuation of the centre line of Eighty-seventh street at at an elevation of one hundred and eight feet above the high-water line; and thence on a straight line at such a rate of ascent as to intersect a continuation of the centre line of Ninety-second street at an elevation of one hundred and seventeen feet aboev the high-water line; and thence on a straight line such a rate of descent as to intersect a continuation of the centre line of Ninety-third street at an elevation of one hundred and eight feet above the high-water line, provided, however, that the Commissioners of the Central Park shall, within three months after the passage of this act, approve of the grade hereby authorized. The said Commissioners may, however, approve of such part of the grade hereby authorized as is between any two points at which the said grade and the present grade intersect, and reject the grade between any or all of the other intersecting points, or the said Commissioners may, with the consent of the owners of a majority of the lineal feet of the front of the lots on the westerly side of the Eighth avenue between any two points at which the grade hereby authorized and the present grade intersect, prescribe and establish any other grade between such intersecting points; and when the grade of the said avenue is finally established in pursuance of the provisions of this act, it shall be the duty of the Commissioners of the Central Park to prepare and certify a map or profile of the grades so established, 101 and file the same in the office of the Street Commissioner of the city of New York, and the grade of the said avenue shall be thenceforth established and held to be as shown in and by the said map or profile, and any and all grades previously established for that part of the said avenue are hereby discontinued and abrogated, and the grade established in pursuance of this act shall not thenceforth be changed or altered. It shall be the duty of the Street Commissioner, as soon as the said map or profile is filed in his office, to proceed forthwith to regulate the said avenue in conformity with the grade established in pursuance of the provisions of this act. The expense of grading and regulating the said avenue as herein provided, to be assessed, collected, and paid in the manner now provided by law. § 3. Whenever in the opinion of the Commissioners of the Central Park it shall be necessary for the proper drainage of the Park, or of any street or avenue bounding the said Park, or under the charge of the said Commissioners, to open any street in the said city, and whenever in their opinion it shall be necessary to grade or regulate any street bounding the said Park, or under the charge of the said Commissioners, they may notify the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of said city that it is necessary to open, regulate, or grade such street; and the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty shall, within thirty days thereafter, commence the proceedings prescribed by law to open, grade or regulate such street, and shall continue and complete such proceedings without delay, suspension, or discontinuance; and if said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty shall fail to take, continue, and complete such proceedings as herein required, the said Commissioners shall thereupon become vested with and possess all the powers in the matter possessed by the said The Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, and may commence, continue, and complete such proceedings for and in the name of the said The Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New York. Provided, however, that all necessary legal proceedings shall be conducted by the Corporation Counsel without any extra charge or compensation. § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.102 STATE OF NEW YORK, } Office of the Secretary of State. I have compared the preceding with the original law on file in this office, and do hereby certify that the same is a correct transcript therefrom and of the whole of said original law. Given under my hand and seal of office, at the city [L. S.] of Albany, this 28th day of April, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five. ERASTUS CLARK, Deputy Secretary of State. SUPPLEMENTAL CATALOGUE OF PLANTS CULTIVATED ON THE CENTRAL PARK, 1865. (For the Principal Catalogue, see the Seventh Annual Report.) March. April. May. June. July. August. Sept. October. Agrimonia parviflora, . . . H|. .|. .|fl|fl Agrimony. Akebia quinata, . . . D|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl Akebia. Aletris Aurea, . . . H|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl Colic-Root, Stargrass. Anemone cylindrica, . . . H|. .|fl|fl| Long-fruited Anemone. Antennaria margaritacea, . . . H|. .|. .|. .| |. .|fl|fl Pearly Everlasting. Araucaria imbricata, . . . E| Chili Pine. Asparagus officinalis, . . . H|. .|. .| |fl Garden Asparagus. Aucuba Japonica, . . . E| Aucuba. Azalea arborescens, . . . D|. .|. .|. .|fl Smooth Azalea. Bidens bipinnata, . . . H| |. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Spanish Needles. Biota orientalis var. gracilis, . . . E| Graceful Chinese Arbor Vitæ. Biota orientalis var. Sieboldii, . . . E| Siebold's Chinese Arbor Vitæ. Brunella vulgaris, . . . H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl Heal-All. Calluna vulgaris, . . . E|. .|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl European Health. Cichorium Intybus, . . . H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Succory, Cichory. Crotalaria sagittalis, . . . H|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl Rattle-Box. Cryptotaenia Canadensis, . . . H|. .| |. .|. .|fl Honewort. Cunninghamia Sinensis, . . . E| Chinese Cunninghamia. Cupressus Lawsoniana var. pyramidalis, . . . E| Lawson's Pyramidal Cypress. Cynara Scolymus, . . . H| |. .|fl|fl Artichoke. Dactylis glomerata, . . . H|. .|. .|. .|fl Cocks' Foot, Orchard Grass. Dianthus barbatus, . . . H|. .|. .|fl|fl Sweet William.104 March. April. May. June. July. August. Sept. October. Dianthus plumarius, H|. .|. .|fl|fl Pheasant's Eye. Dianthus Sinensis, H|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Indian Pink. Dianthus Sinesnsis var. Heddewigii, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl|fl Heddewig's Pink. Dianthus Sinensis var. laciniatus, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl|fl Fringed pink. Erechthites hieracifolia, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl Fireweed. Erica carnea, E|fl|fl Flesh-colored Heath. Erigeron Philadelphicum, H|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Fleabane. Fragaria Virginica, H|. .|fl|fl|fl Wild Strawberry. Geum Album, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl Avens. Genista tinctoria, fl. pl., H|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl Dyers' Green Weed, double flowered. Geranium Carolinianum, H|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl Carolina Cranesbill. Geranium maculatum, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Wild Cranesbill. Gnaphalium polycephalum, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Common Everlasting. Gnaphalium uliginosum, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Low Cudweed. Hieracium scabrum, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl Rough Hawkweed, Itea Virginica, D|. .|. .|. .|fl Itea. Kerria Japonica, D|. .|. .|fl|fl Kerria. Krigia Virginica, H|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl|fl Dwarf Dandelion. Lactuca elongata, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Wild Letuce. Lepidium Virginicum, H|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl Wild Peppergrass. Ligustrum myrtifolium, D|. .|. .|fl|fl Myrtle-leaved Privet. Liparis Loeselii, H|. .|. .|. .|fl Twayblade. Lobelia Spicata, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl Spicate Lobelia. Lonicera Ledebourii, D|. .|. .|fl|fl Ledebour's Honeycuckle. Lysimachia ciliata, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl Fringed Loosestrife. Lysimachia quadrifolia, H|. .|. .|. .|fl Four-leaved Loosestrife. Matricaria Madiana, H|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl Double-flowered Feverfew. Medicago sativa, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl|fl Lucerne. Mentha Canadensis, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Wild Mint. Mimulus alatus, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Monkey-Flower. Monotropa uniflora, H|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Indian Pipe. Nasturtium officinale, H|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl Watercress. Oxalis stricta, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl|fl Sorrel. 105 March. April. May. June. July. August. Sept. October. Physalis viscosa, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Clammy Ground-Cherry. Picea Fraseri var. Hudsonica, E| The Hudson's Bay Silver Fir. Picea pectinata, E| Common Silver Fir. Plantago Patagonica, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl Patagonian Plantain. Plantago pusilla, H|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl|fl Dwarf Plantain. Plantago Virginica, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl|fl Virginian Plantain. Platanthera flava, H|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Yellowish Orchis. Polygala verticillata, H|. .|. .| . |fl|fl|fl|fl|fl Whorled Milkweed. Potentilla argentea, H|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl Silvery Cinque-Foil. Primula veris, H|. .|fl|fl Common Primrose, Cowslip. Prunus Laurocerasus, E|. .|. .|fl|fl Cherry Laurel. Prunus triloba, D|. .|. .|fl|fl Double Flowered Plum. Scutellaria galericulata, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl Skullcap. Silene Armeria, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Sweet William Catchfly. Silene inflata, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl Bladder Campion. Spergula arvensis, H|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl|fl|fl Corn Spurrey. Solidago sempervirens, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Evergreen Golden Rod. Syringa Persica var. laciniata, D|. .|. .|fl|fl Cut-leaved Lilac. Trichostema dichotomum, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Bastard Pennyroyal. Trientalis Americana, H|. .|. .|fl Star Flower. Tritoma Uvaria, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Tritoma. Uvularia perfoliata, H|. .|. .|fl Smaller Bellwort. Verbena hastata, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Blue Vervain. Verbena hybrida, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl|fl|fl Verbena. Verbena urticifolia, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Nettle-Leaved Vervain. Veronica Chamædrys, H|. .|. .|fl|fl Lovely Speedwell. Veronica serpyllifolia, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Thyme-leaved Speedwell. Viola Canadensis, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl Canada Violet. Viola odorata, H|. .|fl|fl|fl Sweet Violet. Viola pubescens, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl Dowy Yellow Violet. Viola sagittata, H|. .|fl|fl Arrow-Leaved Violet. Viola tricolor, H|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl|fl Pansy, Hearts' Ease. Xanthium strumarium, H|. .|. .|. .|. .|. .|fl|fl|fl Common Cocklebur.107 CENTRAL PARK, OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER, January 1st, 1866. To ANDREW H. GREEN, Esq., Comptroller of the Park: Sir, -- Since the date of my last report, of January 1, 1864, the work of the Park has progressed slowly and with a comparatively small force, but several classes of work have been closed up, or nearly closed up, and, as a whole, the Park is now advanced to nearly its final completion. During the last two years the portion of the Park north of 102d street, and including what is known as the "Extension," has chiefly engaged attention, being the district that was last entered upon in the general work of improvement. This is now mainly completed. Having been entrusted with the exercise of a liberal discretion in the execution of this part of the work, since the retirement of Mr. F. L. Olmsted from its general direction, I trust the result is not inharmonious with the work at large. This district of the Park -- from the boldness and ruggedness of its natural features, its masses of rock and prominent elevations commanding extended interior and exterior views, its deep indentations and depressions, occupied in their lowest parts by pools of water, running brooks, cascades and other accessories -- presents an enlivening and picturesque contrast to the adjacent grounds that was much needed, giving variety to the general landscape, and keeping up the interest to visitors throughout the entire extent of the work.108 The unfinished work of the Park consists now, in the main, of: the northern lake (designated Harlem Lake) and its environs; the Park enclosing wall; gate entrances, and exterior walk adjoining enclosing wall; 7,396 feet of interior walks; one iron foot bridge (No. 24) over the Bridle road adjoining the new Croton Reservoir; the closing up of 19,735 lineal feet of the border slopes of the Park, the completion of the large fountain at the Terrace, and the interior work of the Terrace Colonnade; the Conservatory (the foundations of which have been in part prepared), and the improvement of the plot of ground that has been annexed to the Park west of Eighth avenue, formerly known as Manhattan Square, together with a passage-way or communication between that ground and the Park, crossing Eighth avenue. There is, besides, a considerable amount of work involved in the proposed change of grade of Eighth avenue, affecting a portion of the partly completed work of the western border of the Park. I submit with this report the Annual Map of the Park, showing the progress of the work; a topographical description of the park by areas of surface; a condensed statement of the quantities of work done and materials employed; together with a few sketches illustrating special plans etc. The detail of work that has been done since the last report is as follows: A few statistics heretofore given are repeated—some with final additions —for convenience of reference. ROADS AND WALKS. 1st.—Carriage Roads. DATES OF COMPLETION. Miles. Feet. Completed in 1858 1,200 " 1859 3 230 " 1860 1 2,870 " 1861 1 4,143 " 1862 1 850 " 1863 935 " 1864 1 508 " 1865 2,635* Total completed, being all that is designed 9 2,811 * This item includes 246 feet of road at the different entrances to the Park, that is not completed. 109 KINDS OF ROAD. Miles. Feet. 1. McAdam Road—material all of broken stone 1 2,434 2. Telford " —sub pavement of rough stones with broken stones on top 1 2,542 3. ________ road, with sub-pavement, with a layer of broken stones first, and next a layer of gravel of about same depth on top. 3,038 Miles. Feet. 4. Gravel road, with sub-pavement and gravel on top 1 2,309 5. " with quarry rubble stone bottom, not paved, with gravel on top* 5 3,048 6 77 6. " included in the last two items, is 2,700 feet of gravel road finished with coarse screened gravel The different widths constructed are: Miles. Feet. Crowned, in middle Inches. 1. Roads of 60 feet in width 1 768 9 2. " 50 to 55 feet in width 3,528 9 3. " 45 feet in width 2 4,868 6 to 9 4. " 40 " " 2,432 6 5. " 33 " " 3 3,068 6 6. " 30 to 32 feet in width 2,524 5 7. " 20 to 25 " " 353 5 8. " 16 " " 1,110 4 The principal grades are:— 1 foot rise in 16½ feet on 522 feet of road. This is on a part of the narrow lateral road connecting the west drive with the elevated point designated as "The Knoll," west of the old Croton Reservoir. 1 foot rise in 18 to 20 feet on 1,085 feet of road. 1 " " " 20 feet on 2,950 " " 1 " " " 20 to 25 feet on 2,875 " " 1 " " " 25 to 30 " 7,393 " " 1 " " " 30 to 35 " 3,785 " " 1 " " " 35 to 45 " 6,350 " " * Including short pieces of road over bridge arches, which, in some cases, are composed wholly of gravel, the stone pavement, or rubble bottom being omitted. 110 The shortest curves on any line of road, except at intersections, and at the circles or standing places for carriages, are on a radius of 110 to 160 feet, for an aggregate distance of ....... 1,250 feet. Curves on a radius of 170 to 220 feet, for an aggregate distance of 1,035 " Do. do. 225 to 250 " " " " 1,060 " Do. do. 266 to 535 " " " " 1,730 " Curves of 110 to 217 feet radius are combined with grades of 1 in 18 to 1 in 25 on an aggregate distance of 1,123 feet. This is on the drives of 40 and 45 feet in width, north of 106th street, descending toward the north end of the Park. The last piece of road was finished and opened to the public on the 23d of November last. This consisted of about 2,000 feet, extending from Mount St. Vincent to near the Seventh avenue entrance on 110th street, winding down the hill, and crossing the ravine below to the west of the former point by a circuitous line.* The portion of the west drive extending from the bridge over the ravine at the foot of the Pool (H, on the map) to the summit of the "Great Hill," was previously opened about 1st of August, 1864; and from the latter point, descending to the north and curving around the brow of the hill near the Eighth avenue, and turning eastwardly to the Seventh avenue and Sixth avenue entrances on 110th street, the road was opened in November, 1864. These portions of road are in no part less than 40 feet, and are chiefly 45 feet in width—having enlargements to 50 feet in width for the branch connecting the main western route with the circle on the Great Hill, to 55 feet for the circle, and to 50 feet for the road skirting the lake from the Sixth avenue entrance on 110th street to the junction with the road extending eastwardly from the Seventh avenue. The maximum grade, in overcoming the greatest declivities of this region, is one foot in 18 feet of distance, and the shortest curves are on a radius of 110 to 160 feet. A good deal of time was given to adapting these roads to the exigencies of the ground, and to meet a diversity of questions that were presented in regard to them. All the practicable routes of the district were mapped out, estimated and examined in their different bearings before settling upon the positions the roads now occupy. In the construction of the roads the endeavor has been to preserve the essentials of utility, and disturb as little as practicable the natural features of the ground. * At the same date the last piece of the "Old Boston Road," crossing the Park grounds, was finally closed. 111 The method of forming the roadway, and the materials employed, have been the same as heretofore described in detail under the term of "gravel roads," as adopted since 1860, a foundation of rubble stone being laid, over which is deposited a body of coarse gravel, &c. Screened Gravel Road. The portion of the road mentioned as having been last completed, had a surface coating of gravel from which the finer portions and dirt were screened out. The advantages of using gravel in this special form have been pointed out heretofore. The importance of the subject induces me to recur to it again, and to add the following particulars as to the process adopted, and to note some of the results that have been observed in the use of the first sample of road of this kind that was constructed: 1st. As to mode of construction and materials: After applying on the road foundation (composed either of a rough pavement, or of rubble stones not paved) a layer of common gravel about three inches in depth, and rolling it down moderately, the screened gravel is added. This is prepared by passing the gravel, as it comes from the pit, over a set of screens, so arranged and graduated that stones that are too large are thrown out on one side, the pebbles that are too small, together with sand and dirt, are passed out on the other side, or fall to the bottom below the screens, and the pebbles of the size desired are shot forward and deposited separately by themselves. The object of screening is to obtain as nearly as practicable pebbles not exceeding for the largest, such as are not over two and a half inches through, the largest or longest way, and for the smallest not less than three-fourths of an inch though.* Stones that exceed the larger size, that happen to find their way into the screened material, are removed by raking or picking them off when deposited on the road. The gravel is applied in an even layer conforming to the transverse curvature or crown of the road, of such depth, that when fully rolled and compressed, the entire depth of common, and screened gravel, is about six inches—being rather less at the sides of the road than in the middle. Before rolling, the gravel is wet and a light coating of binding material —gravelly hardpan or sandy loam—is added, together with a small amount * This does not admit spherical stones that are as large as two and half inches in diameter.112 of clean fine gravel, sufficient in all to about fill the surface interstices of the layer. The rolling is then commenced with the lighter two-horse rollers, the work being closely followed up by men who are skilled in raking and keeping evenly spread and adjusted the binding material and the general surface of the road. Watering is carefully attended to, so as not to drench the work, or allow it to become too dry. The rolling is first confined mainly to the sides of the road, in order to consolidate the material at those parts, and prevent a tendency it has, when the heavy roller is applied, of working off and rising up along the gutters. When the gravel is well compacted in this way, the heavy roller is put on. This roller weighs six and a half tons, is drawn by eight horses, and performs literally a heavy service. The perfection of the work depends very much upon the thorough and powerful compression it receives by this implement. (Its manner of construction and adaptation have been heretofore particularly described.) As the process of rolling is going on, additional binding material is added, from time to time, as seems to be required. The difficulty is, to avoid applying too much of this material, rather than the reverse; an excess is permanently injurious, while a small deficiency may be gradually compensated for, in the wear of the road, the pulverizing of the finer gravel, and the natural addition of earthy matter. When the road is opened to public travel, it requires attention by moderate rolling and carefully re-adjusting any spots that incline to break up, until it attains a permanent and settled condition. After this, but trifling and ordinary repairs are required to keep it in good order. 2d. As to the results of wear, &c.: The experience of five years, during which the piece of road of this kind of about 800 feet in length, first constructed, has been in use by the public, has given the following results: No renewing material has been added, or has as yet become necessary. No breaking up of the surface of the road has occurred, except at the point of a curve where the turning of carriages causes particular abrasion. This has required occasional attention. The road has been uniformly in good condition, (except when temporarily obstructed by snow) for travel, during all seasons, being unusually free from dust and mud. The chief attention to repairs has been given in the spring of the year, after the frost had gone out, and at other times after heavy rains. On such occasions, the light two-horse roller passed a few times over it, has restored it to its usual condition. The wear that has taken place, which amounts to about 1½ inches in 113 depth, has been remarkably even; the road retaining at the present time, a regular crowning surface, similar to that with which it was first constructed. The preservation of its true crowning form has doubtless been of great advantage to it. A moderate estimate shows that the durability of the surface material, for the period it has been in use, is about three times as great as that of the ordinary (unscreened) gravel. It is not practicable to compare it accurately with the broken stone roads, as these roads have mostly been covered with a considerable depth of gravel from time to time, which has changed their character; and the few spots where they have not been so treated, have been coated with gravel to smooth over the asperities of the stones, to such an extent, as to prevent a full test of their wear. It appears, however, from some observations that have been made, that the exposed broken stone surfaces have been worn, exclusive of the gravel that has been added, quite as much (with about the same service), as the screened gravel road, showing that the actual wear would have been somewhat more than that of the latter road, if gravel had not been added. In regard to the broken stone roads, it is found that the drying and loosening effect upon the stones, of frost in winter, and heat in summer, is greater than in the case of the screened gravel road, and that they require more watering to remedy this difficulty. I am not aware that such results have been heretofore attained in roads of this kind. In analyzing the causes that give the superior qualities to the screened gravel surface, as compared with the ordinary gravel roads, and the broken stone roads, the following points seem to be naturally deduced: 1st. That the rounded form of large pebbles, (not too much polished by attrition), freed from the smaller particles and earthy matter, is peculiarly favorable to their strength to resist crushing, wear and abrasion, and to their packing and consolidation, through the intervention of the binding material; giving them,—as compared with gravel intermixed with the natural gradations of coarse and fine pebbles, and with angular broken stones, superior power to resist displacement. The pebbles, being firmly held in place and prevented form slipping about and grinding upon each other, but little wear takes place, except upon the surfaces actually exposed to contact with wagon wheels. 2d. That the binding material employed, from its nature, and the treatment it receives by powerful compression, (the latter, greatly aided by 114 the rounded form of the pebbles), becomes in itself a firm and serviceable substance, that contributes in no inconsiderable degree to the perfection of the wearing surface of the road, and to the exclusion of moisture and frost. 3d. That, as compared with broken stones, the gravel is of a hard and tenacious character, being the natural product of a species of fine grained compact stone, not dissimilar to trap stone, and equal, if not superior in qualiy, to the trap stone from which the best broken stones are obtained, irrespective of the advantages of the rounded form. Upon some of these points different opinions and theories have prevailed. It has been held, for instance, by some road makers, that gravel is inherently a difficult material to make a superior road of. The rounded form of the pebbles, (together with, perhaps, their too greatly polished surfaces in some instances,) has been the source of the difficulty. It has been reasoned in regard to this, that the pressure of a wagon wheel upon a pebble, surrounded by and lying upon, or partly between, other pebbles, must necessarily have the effect to displace, not only the one in contact with the wheel, but many others, each pebble acting in the manner of a wedge under the weight of the wheel, to crowd away those in its vicinity. Results something like this have doubtless been observed, and it is easily understood that they must take place with gravel in its ordinary condition, especially when dry,—for the pebbles, like round shot, piled on top of each other, without any intervening substance to produce cohesion, must give way on the application of a slight pressure; but it does not follow that such results must take place under all conditions of practice. The advocates of broken stones have also held, that the flat sides of such stones, when brought into contact and adjusted together in a mass, (as McAdam’s theory supposes) must cause them to lie more firmly and to be less liable to jostle each other out of place, than can be the case with rounded ones. This might be true, if the contact and adjustment of the stones, and the forms of the stones, were of the perfect kind imagined— which practice shows is by no means the case. The result, in the construction of the broken stone roads of the Park, that have been alluded to in a former report, illustrate this point. As regards any failures that may have occurred heretofore, in the construction of gravel roads, it is believed they are attributable to incompleteness of manipulation, or to inferior materials, or to both, rather than to any inherent difficulty in the material itself. In the case of a short piece of road that was tried in the Park with smooth beach gravel, (the pit gravel not being on hand at the time) it was found that no success could 115 be attained in compacting the surface until such a quantity of binding material was added as to destroy the character of the road as a gravel road. The material was necessarily removed and the pit gravel substituted in its place. It is scarcely necessaly to adduce a merely theoretical investigation to sustain the facts and conclusions that have been stated, and which have been demonstrated by practice, cautiously and thoroughly observed; but it may be added, that such an investigation does not, at least, weaken the evidence that has been given of the superiority of the screened gravel road.* As between a road of that description and one of the common unscreened material, there would seem to be no doubt upon the main questions of utility and economy as connected with the Park roads. As between angular broken stones, artificially produced, and rounded natural pebbles, I think the evidence is in favor of the latter material as to durability, although the comparative results are not so decisive on this point. The question between gravel roads in general, and broken stone roads, has been regarded as settled for several years past, by the preference of the public for the former roads, and the economical advantages attending their construction. There is an apparent reason, in freezing and thawing weather, for giving broken stone roads a temporary preference, as their surfaces at such times, if compared with the common gravel roads, and especially with portions that have been freshly repaired, are firmer and cleaner. I have, however, observed no unfavorable contrast of this kind, between the broken stone roads, and the screened gravel roads on such occasions. It is desirable that gravel roads (as well as broken stone roads) should be put in the best practical condition, on the approach of winter, to resist the very trying influences of that season. A hard, clean, well compacted, and well drained surface, is necessary for this object. ——————————————————————————————————— * That the rounded form of stones is favorable to their consolidation is shown by the experiment of depositing them in a water-tight box, when the spaces between them are found to admit a considerable less quantity of water than in the case of broken stones similarly treated. The rounded stones, as an equal mass, have the greater solidity. A further illustration of the advantages of the rounded form, may be found in the fact familiar to all persons who are observant of such matters, that an isolated rounded stone, partly imbedded in a common road, retains its place much longer under the action of wagon wheels than a flat or angular one, similarly situated. It is, also, obviously less exposed to wear, and the jolt caused by a wagon wheel passing over it, is slighter than in the case of the angular stone.116 In regard to the last piece of screened gravel road, constructed as before mentioned, it is not expected that it will immediately exhibit the same thorough results that have characterized the one first constructed, as it was completed late in the season, when the rolling could not be done to the best advantage, and was opened to the public when the weather was unfavorable to the wearing of a fresh surface. The gravel, also, was not, throughout, of the same kind and quality as heretofore used, having been in part obtained from excavations in the vicinity of Harlem Lake. With proper care in the treatment, the surface will receive no material injury before the ensuing spring, when it will be expected to improve in condition. 2d.—Bridle Roads. These roads were completed in 1863, with the exception of the closing up of two small portions of the work necessarily delayed by the unfinished condition of bridges Nos. 24 and 28, which carry walks over the Bridle road near the gate houses of the new Croton Reservoir. This work has recently been completed. It had previously been kept in temporary order so as to admit of the public use of the entire roads during the last two years. The widths and lengths of different portions of these roads, are as follows: Road—30 feet Wide ............... 1 mile, 3,564 feet. " 25 " " .................. 2 " 264 " " 20 " " .................. 605 " " 16 " " .................. 3,094 " " 12 " " .................. 5,008 " In turnouts and standing places of various widths, equivalent to 680 feet or road, 12 feet wide.............................. 680 " Making a total length of........... 5 miles, 2,655 feet, or 15 feet over 5½ miles. The grades of greatest inclination on the main lines of road, not including turnouts, have a rise of 1 foot in 17 to 30 feet of distance for a length of 6,123 feet. The shortest curves, excepting at intersections or turnouts, have a radius of 104 to 200 feet.The face stones are laid in mortar, not less than 9 inches back from the face ... the balance of the stones in rear is laid dry. Rubble stones are filled in rear as shown. SECTIONS OF RETAINING WALLS OF THE TRANSVERSE ROADS. 1. 8 feet Batter 2" to 1 foot 3' 6" 4' 0" Where the ground declines in rear as a.c. the thickness of 8 foot wall is diminished as shown by rear dotted line. 2. 15 feet Batter 2" to 1 foot 4' 0" 4' 6" 25 feet 3. Batter 2" to 1 foot 4' 0" 4' 9" 5' 6" Scale 6 Feet to 1 inch. 117 The shortest curves are combined with grades of 1 in 17 to 22 feet on a length of road of 1,500 feet. Additional experience in the use of these roads, has tended to confirm the observations heretofore made upon their plan of construction, materials, and treatment, under service. The rubble stone foundation, gutters, and drainage works, seem to stand well ; and no better material, it is believed, can be employed to meet the necessary practical conditions of the service of the roads, than coarse sand or fine screened gravel, intermixed with a due proportion of loam to give it a desired consistence. The roads are generally in the most agreeable condition for both horse and rider, in damp or wet weather, showing the necessity of a liberal use of water when the weather is hot and dry. 3d.—Transverse Roads. These roads are substantially completed to the extent at present designed. The last work done on them was in 1864. The roadways of Roads Nos. 3 and 4, were finished in that year. A small piece of work remains to be done to close up the side walls and terminal piers of road No. 3, at the Eighth avenue entrance, and some additional works (beyond that already commenced on Roads Nos. 1 and 2) is necessary for lighting them with gas. The roadways have been formed of a character adapted to the present moderate use of the roads, by the deposit of a layer of quarry rubble stones of about one foot in depth, the smaller stones being placed on top, with some breaking up of the larger stones by hand to adjust the surface. Over this was spread, about two inches in depth, such gravelly earth, hard-pan, etc., as could be conveniently obtained, which was wet and rolled until the materials were well compacteds. The surface is crowned in the middle and gutters are constructed at the sides. The gutters are composed of quarry stone (chiefly), laid compactly together, but not set on edge and paved as substantially as on the main roads of the Park. The side walks are evenly graded, with an inclination towards the gutters, but they have not been gravelled or flagged. The grades of greatest inclination are as follows : they are stated as ascending, or descending, in the direction from Fifth avenue towards Eighth avenue. Road No. 1, 212 feet of descending grade of 1 foot in 27 feet of distance, 525 feet of ascending grade of 1 foot in 26 to 29 feet of distance. Road No. 2, 705 feet of descending grade of 1 foot in 22½ to 24½ feet of distance.118 700 feet of ascending grade of 1 foot in 25 to 27½ feet of distance. Road No. 3, 550 feet of ascending grade of 1 foot in 25 to 30 feet of distance. Road No. 4, 200 feet of descending grade of 1 foot in 30 to 38½ feet of distance. 200 feet of ascending grade of 1 foot in 25 to 30 feet of distance. Roads Nos. 1 and 4 are quite direct, with but little curvature. Road No. 2 has an aggregate of 1,300 feet of curvature on a radius of 513 to 750 feet. Road No. 3 has a curvature atone point of 420 feet on a radius of 418 feet, and other curves to the extent of 1,320 feet on a radius of 640 to 915 feet. These roads have been in use by the public from three to six years. The various works connected with them have stood well. The principal feature in their design is their sunken position relatively to the genera surface of the adjoining grounds of the Park. The drainage which this feature rendered necessary to be attended to with considerable care, has operated successfully and proved, thus far, to be on an adequate scale. The retaining walls at the side of the roads, which have formed a prominent item in their construction, and which are from 7 to 8 feet high, and in some parts from 20 to 25 feet high, have not as yet been subjected to the full strains that were considered in their design, such as may be caused by trees of large growth with their roots penetrating in rear of the walls, and their strength has consequently not been fully tested, but they have shown no evidence of being unequal to such contingencies. Sectional drawings showing the dimensions and manner of construction of these walls, accompany this report: 4th.—Walks. Miles. Feet. Completed up to Jan. 1, 1864................ 20 5,095 " in 1864............ 1 2,501 " in 1865............ 2 1,906 Add to this, various enlarged spaces connected with the walks, equivalent to a length of walk of 12 feet wide, of. 4,372 Total completed.................. 25 3,314 119 One mile 2,116 feet of walks is in progress. This, with the completed work, will make an entire length of 27 miles and 150 feet. The incomplete portions, as far as at present designed, are all north of 104th street, except a few short pieces at the site of the Conservatory, at the approaches to Bridges Nos. 24 and 28 near the gate houses of the new Croton Reservoir, and in connection with the entrances to the Park. Side gutters of small cobble stones, have been laid on one or both sides of the walks of recent construction where most exposed to wash, and the usual surface and under drainage work has been done, as heretofore, 5,800 feet of the walks of the northern part of the Park have been covered with gravel and sand obtained from the excavations for Harlem Lake. The walks of this part of the Park, necessarlly occupy to a considerable extent rough and irregular ground. The main lines are made as easy as practicable, having generally rustic stone steps added where the ground is more precipitous than a rise of one foot in eight or ten feet of distance. This is found to be desirable, not only for facility to pedestrians, but to obviate the washing off of the gravel in rains. It may be noted, on the other hand, that it is found to be a convenience in making repairs, to be able to drive a horse and cart over the walks, or to use wheelbarrows, unobstructed by steps. Hence, wherever the acclivity of the ground would admit of it, or where a detour was admissible to gain distance and lighten the grades, steps have been avoided. Exterior catch-water drains, sluices, and small rustic stone bridges, have been constructed in connection with the walks at different points, to give them greater security against the effects of running water, to which this district is specially liable. The walks of the Park are scarcely less important appendages to the work at large than the roads. They give facilities for easy and agreeable access to all parts of the grounds. They have been in use now, to a considerable extent, from five to seven years, and have afforded an opportunity of judging of their general adaptation in plan, materials, and details, to the ground, climate, seasons, &c. The plan first adopted in their construction, has been followed throughout, with some few modifications and improvements in gutters and drainage work. Since the substitution, in the early part of the work, of hard gravel for the slate gravel that was first tried, no change has taken place in the materials employed, except that during the last year, gravel and sand obtained within the Park, have been used as before stated. This latter, gravel is not of quite as good a quality as that previously used. If the walks upon which it has been used are surfaced, after a little wear, with the better material, they will be somewhat improved.120 Although the walks are comparatively simple in construction, and require less skill than the carriage roads, they nevertheless possess the character of roads, and need similar attention and the application of the same principles to ensure their success. The conditions that fit them for use at all seasons of the year and in almost all weather—that guard them against heaving by frost, and gullying by rains, and that very much economize their maintenance, are not obtained without a resort to the adequate means that have been employed. Experience shows that they repay the care that has been bestowed upon them; and it has not proved that there is much wanting. Occasionally, heavy rains develop the necessity of the extension of a side gutter at some point, or some further provision for the disposal of water brought from slopes and steep ground. The surface gravel, where not kept well compacted and crowned in the middle, is washed off from portions of the walks having the greatest descent. This also occurs in cases of obstruction of gutters or drainage inlets. These points can be improved, but it is not practicable to altogether avoid them. Where fine screened gravel has been used, and the greatest pains taken in forming the footway, the most perfect and enduring surface has been the result. There is but little doubt that the use of screened gravel is conducive to economy in this case, as well as in that of the roads, and it is fortunate that the fine material, as screened out from the coarse, for roads, is adapted, by the same process, to the walks. When their general object is considered, the propriety of using the best available materials, and all other reasonable aids to completeness, cannot be questioned. Cement or Concrete Gutters.—The experimental gutters of this kind, that were described in the report of 1862, have remained in use up to this time. They were made in 1859, and have consequently had a trial of upwards of six years. The principal portion was formed of two parts of gravel and one part of cement; this portion has stood well, and is now nearly as good as when first made. The part in which a larger proportion of gravel was tried (2½ to 3 of gravel to 1 of cement) has not stood so well, as it has absorbed more moisture and has had less strength to resist the action of frost. The best part, has been but slightly affected by the surface scaling off in light films by the frost or by wear by the action of water. The trial is considered sufficient to warrant the more extended use of such gutters for walks, wherever, as a matter of taste or convenience, it may be desirable to adopt them. Their cost is not ordinarily more than that of well made cobble stone gutters. 121 A sectional drawing of a walk is appended, showing the general mode of construction, drainage works, &c. BRIDGES. Forty bridges and archways, of various classes, have been built. Two bridges are in progress, nearly completed, and one small foot bridge has not been commenced—making in all, as it present designed, forty-three bridges. At the date of my last report, the bridges then incomplete, or not commenced, were, numbers 24, 26, 27, 28, and 29, and three small foot bridges. No. 27, a cast iron foot bridge, of 38½ feet span, 10 feet 8 inches rise, and 12 feet 8 inches width of footway, crossing the Bridle Road between the old and new Croton reservoirs, was completed in 1864. No. 26, a rustic bridge, carrying the West Carriage Road over the ravine, brook, and walk, east of the Pool (designated H. on the map), consisting of stone abutments and wooden superstructure, the latter having a width of roadway of 40 feet, a length of 63 feet, and a height of 22¼ feet above the brook, was completed in 1865. The two rustic wooden foot bridges, with stone abutments, over the brook, the one to the west and the other to the east of Bridge No. 26, having a width of footway of 10 feet and of 9¼ feet respectively, were completed in 1864. Bridge No. 29, carrying the East Carriage Road over the ravine, brook and walk, near the head of Harlem lake, was completed during the last season. This bridge has a span of 22 feet, a height of 16 feet above the brook to the underside of the arch at the highest part, and a breadth of roadway of 45 feet. The extreme breadth of the bridge, including parapets, is 51½ feet. It is built on a curve, to adapt it to a necessary turn in the road at that point. The material is stone, of a massive rustic description; the beds of the stones have been dressed and fitted to make strong durable work, but, in other respects, they have been left in their natural rough forms. The stones were obtained near the site of the bridge, in convenient positions for removal in large sizes, and they range generally from 1 to 20 tons in weight. One boulder, that was moved but a short distance, was estimated at 100 tons. All appearance of art, except that of a rude kind, has been avoided in the work and its immediate surroundings. The larger portion of the masonry was done in the winter, and was laid without the use of mortar. A sketch of this bridge is submitted. The cast-iron foot bridge No. 28, over the Bridle Road, near the north 122 gate house of the new Croton Reservoir, having a span of 37½ feet, height of 12 feet 10½ inches, and width of footway of 12 feet 8 inches, was completed late in the last season, except the flooring and painting, which will be done as soon as the weather is suitable in the ensuing spring. The abutments of bridge No. 24, consisting of granite, closely dressed on beds and joints, with rock face, and laid in mortar, were completed during the last season, with the exception of the copings of the wing walls The coping stones are being prepared, ready to be set in the spring. The cast-iron superstructure is under contract, to be completed by the first day of may next. This bridge is situated near the south gate house of the new Reservoir and is intended to carry a walk of the park over the Bridle Road, and to connect with the reservoir walk at the gate house. It will have a span of 34 feet, height of 10¼ feet, and width of footway of 17 feet. The small foot bridge of 11½ feet span required for the walk crossing the brook at the head of Harlem Lake, has not been commenced. Foundations of rough stones have been prepared for it. The foregoing does not include a few small rustic stone foot crossings of brooks that have been mentioned under the head of walks. A portion of the unfinished work connected with the Terrace Bridge (No. 1) mentioned in the last report, was completed in 1864. The interior work of the arcades remains to be done, together with the tone base for the fountain of the lower esplanade. The fountain basin, the circular rim of which was built in 1864, has shown, since its trial by filling with water and exposure to extreme changes of temperature, that it will be necessary to add a lining of lead or copper to the lighter part of the wall, above the surface of the ground, to prevent filtration. Although the work was done with much care, and all practicable precautions used in order to obviate the necessity of a lining, if possible, and for some time after it was filled with water it appeared successful, yet the subsequent contraction of the stone has been such as to start the joints, and cause the escape of water, sufficient at times to affect the exterior. This effect of extremes of cold and heat is a difficulty that is encountered, in various degrees by the best masonry of the country. The addition of the lining to the basin, it is believed, will securely complete the work. It is scarcely practicable to dispense with such a precaution in light walls built above ground, in this climate. GRADING AND SHAPING OF GROUNDS> The quantities of work done under this head, during the last two years, materials of all kinds excavated and removed within the park, are as follows: 123 Rock. Earth. Muck or Top-soil. Cubic Yards. Cubic Yards. Cubic Yards. In 1864 17,336 162,894 40,436 " 1865 8,526 116,100 41,663 Totals 25,862 278,994 82,099 Materials from without the Park, by contracts and by Park labor. Earth Filling. Muck or Top-soil. Cubic Yards. Cubic Yards. In 1864 6,789 " 1865 11,028 3,067 Totals 11,028 9,856 These last quantities include 8,100 cubic yards of clay hauled from outside by Park teams, during the last year, for puddling Harlem Lake. The aggregate of all materials excavated and removed within the Park, and obtained from without the Park, including in the latter item building materials, stone, brick and sand, and gravel for roads and walks, from the commencement of the work to the present date is 3,894,921 cubic yards. The principal items of excavation, during the last two years, have been as follows: 16,700 cubic yards, mostly earth, to form the piece of water termed the Loch, and the adjoining slopes in the ravine, intermediate between the Pool and Harlem Lake. 109,500 cubic yards of earth, sand, and gravel, from the site of Harlem Lake, and 44,700 cubic yards of rock and earth for the carriage roads and adjoining slopes, north of the range of 104th street. This material has been employed in making necessary fillings, and in 124 shaping the grounds. The best of the stone has been used in making roads and walks, bridges, dams, wasteweirs, and other works of masonry, and in rock work, cascades, etc. 96,800 cubic yards of filling has been done around Harlem Lake, to raise the low ground to a requisite elevation between the Lake and 110th street and Fifth avenue. A considerable amount of filling has also been done in the bottom of the Lake, at the eastern part. The balance of the work of this kind remaining to be done, so far as at present determined, consists of the shaping of the main portion of the exterior slopes of the Park adjoining the enclosing walls, completion of the filling and shaping of the district of ground contiguous to or bordering on Harlem Lake, and the filling to complete the puddling and the protection to the puddling, in the bottom of the Lake. About 16,000 cubic yards of excavation and 28,000 cubic yards of filling, as nearly as can be estimated, remain to be done, to complete the Lake and adjoining work as designed. The Loch was completed and filled with water on the 16th of December last. It has an area of 1 046/1000 acre, a length of 685 feet, and a depth of water of 3½ to 5 feet. A small cascade was constructed during the last season at the inlet of the brook, from bridge No. 25 and the east meadow. The Loch discharges the water received from this brook and from the brook passing bridge No. 26, from the Pool at the head of the Ravine, by a larger cascade at its lower end near bridge No. 29. This cascade and the connected dam were constructed during the last season. The dam is of rubble masonry resting on the rock below, laid in cement; it is 97 feet long, and faced on the upper side with puddling. It has a waste pipe for emptying it of water, and wasteweirs to relieve the main overfall, and prevent the water from rising above a desirable height in the Loch during floods; the whole is enclosed and disguised by the surrounding work. No puddling has been required for the bottom or sides of the Loch, and no leakage has been detected from it. The natural supply of water from the drainage of the Park, is sufficient to keep the water pure, though not sufficient, at all times, for the best effect of the cascades. The channel of the brook passing from the lower cascade to bridge No. 29, through the bridge and thence to its entrance into Harlem Lake, has been treated in a way to secure it from wash during the greatest discharge of water, and, as far as practicable, so as not to impair its rural features. Harlem Lake was so far advanced on the 25th of December last, as to admit of partially filling it with water; the weather at that time not being favorable for a continuance of the work of excavating and puddling the bottom and protected the pudding from frost. 125 The water has since then stood within about one foot of the height intended for the winter level of the lake, having an average depth over the main area of about 3 feet. It has not been practicable from the unfinished state of the work to test the leakage, although it is apparent from the amount of water passing the wasteweir at the outlet, compared with the amount entering the lake from the main source of supply and several minor sources, that a considerable portion of the water escapes (as was expected), by filtration through the part of gravelly bottom that has not yet been puddled. The bottom level before the addition of the puddling is about 4 feet above the mean high tides of the East River, which set back to the Fifth avenue near the lake, and have been found to rise and fall quite perceptibly through the gravel bottom of the lake where holes were dug for the purpose of examination. This, together with the additional fact, that standing water on a considerable portion of the bed of the lake, caused by rains, subsides in a few hours, has been deemed sufficient to necessitate the careful puddling of the principal area and the elevation of the puddling around the gravelly and sandy portions of the border to a height of one foot above the intended top water line. Until this is completed, more or less water will be lost. At the best, from the situation of this ground, it is not considered practicable to obtain quite as impervious a basin as in the case of the other waters of the Park. The plan of the Lake is, to have a maximum depth of water in summer of 5½ feet, and by drawing down and adjusting the wasteweir at the outlet, to reduce the depth to 3½ to 4 feet in winter for the greater security of persons occupying the ice. The summer depth is considered necessary to prevent the growth of grass and weeds on the bottom, and for the greater purity of the water. The puddling of the bottom, about 6 acres of which has been done, is one foot in thickness, of the best clay that could be obtained, and is covered with six inches of sand or gravel, to protect it from any reasonable chance of accident. It is carried up at the shores, sloping outward, about two feet thick, to a height of one foot above the summer level. The sloping part is covered with three feet of earth and is protected from wash by a rough facing of stones and gravel. The area of the lake at summer level, will be when completed, very nearly 12¾ acres. The form is favorable for the accommodation of nearly the same numbers of skaters as the larger bnt more irregularly shaped lake of the Park. All practicable precautions have been taken to prevent injury to the ice by currents of water from the inlets. The natural supply of water is obtained from a drainage of 210 39/100 acres within the Park.126 An estimate based upon similar, but not as full and accurate, data as that applied to the large lake (2d Ann., Rep. Jan., 1859,) shows that this supply will be inadequate in the summer months, to make good the losses by filtration and evaporation, and keep up a necessary circulation and change of water for purity. In this estimate it is assumed that the loss by filtration will be no greater than that of the larger lake. The extra supply must be depended upon from drafts from the Croton and from an irregular and uncertain supply that is at present contributed from a drainage area outside the Park west of Eighth avenue, and which will be cut off when the proper sewarage of that part of the city is attended to. For the purpose of utilizing the neccesary extra supply, from whatever source it may derived, after its discharge from the lake and before its final escape from the Park, the wsateweir at the outlet of the lake has been constructed with a chamber adapted to the use of a wheel and pump worked by the discharged water to re-elevate a portion of it for fountains or other purposes that may be desirable in that vicinity. The fall at the wasteweir admits of an overshot wheel of 10 to 12 feet in diameter which will be effective for the object in proportion to the amount of the waste, and with little expense beyond the cost of attaching the necessary fixtures of wheel, pump and conducting pipe. The details of this work have been left to be determined hereafter, according to the ascertained supply of water and the special purpose it may be desirable to apply it to, &c., The wasteweir is constructed under ground, with suitable entrances to the different parts. Two brick conduits have been built, leading from the waste-weir to the Fifth avenue, where they connect temporarily with two sewers, heretofore constructed by the city, crossing the avenue, the one at 107th street, and the other at 108th street. These old sewers are in a dilapidated state, and are of insufficient capacity to be safe at all times. It is understood that is designed to replace them by more substantial work, and it is desirable that this should be attended to without delay. A free vent for the waters of the Park, that will not be liable to obstruction, should be had to the East River. It is practicable at this point, to introduce salt water into the Park from the East River without great difficulty, should it be deemed expedient to do so. As a further question of hydraulics connected with this vicinity, I will suggest that—it being the lowest ground of the Park, an opportunity is afforded of obtaining here the greatest effect of water, by means of a jet, that is attainable in any part of the work. All persons who recollect the jet that was temporarily exhibited at the High Bridge of the Croton Aqueduct, over the Harlem River, during the construction of that work, will rememberScale. 4 feet to 1 inch. SECTION OF WALK-SHOWING METHOD OF DRAINAGE, &c 127 it as an object of rare interest. Such a jet it would be practicable, at a moderate expense, to raise above the surface of Harlem Lake. I have alluded in a former report, to the general supply of water for the Park. I will add now, that it seems unquestionable as a matter of utility, as well as ornament, that measures should ere long be taken to procure a more abundant and certain supply. The mode I have indicated, as an aid to this object, by the use of an engine—one or more—to elevate, economize and re-distribute the water from the lakes and ponds of the Park, seems to be the one most practicable at present. This would place the Park beyond the contingencies to which the curtailment of the supply from the Croton renders it liable at seasons of greatest need. It would not render the present supply any the less necessary, however, and it would be expected that the supply would hereafter be increased, so that additional measures would not be demanded for some time to come. The economy of carrying on, or at least maturing the designs of all works of immediate, or of clearly foreseen necessity, consecutively, has been well exemplified in the execution of the works of the Park that have thus far been completed. A stream of impure drainage water, that is at times offensive, now enters Harlem Lake, opposite the Sixth avenue and 110th street entrance, from a district north and west of the Park, which it is very desirable should be diverted by means of a city sewer through 110th street, that has not yet been built. DRAINING OF GROUNDS, The work pertaining to both superficial and sub-drainage is nearly closed All that remains of the former class, is a small amount of work connected with the unfinished walks and contiguous grounds, and with some parts of the incomplete slopes of the exterior of the Park. About two acres of ground, east of the Loch, remains to be sub-drained, together with some strips of the border work and ground connected with the enclosing walls. This latter item has been deferred in some cases, where the drains must necessarily connect with exterior street sewers that have not yet been built. The brick sewers and pipe drains laid in 1864 and 1865, for superficial drainage, are as follows: 1864. 1865. Brick Sewers, Circular, 2 to 5 feet diameter .......... 1,967 ft. 148 ft. Do , Rectangular, 3½ x 3½ ft. and 2 x 2 ft. .......... 72 " 70 " Vitrified pipes, 2 to 10 inch bore, .......... 3,001 " 5,210 " Do , 12 " 18 " " .......... 253 " 534 " Cement pipes, 6 " 18 " " .......... 417 " 66 " Tiles for roads and walls, 2¼ to 3½ inch bore, ... 2,714 " 1,202 " Rough stone culverts laid dry .......... 520 " 10 " Totals. .......... 8,944 ft. 7,240 ft.128 The length of sub-drainage lines laid during the last two years, consisting of tiles from 2¼ to 6 inch bore, together with the number of acres drained is: In 1864, length 7,491 feet, acres drained 2.85 " 1865, " 5,008 " " " 3.36 Totals, 12,499 " " " 6.21 This inclndes 4,660 linear feet of stone drains. 12,793 feet of such drains have been laid in all. The aggregate number of acres drained is 462. WATER PIPE SYSTEM FOR IRRIGATION, &C. The length of water pipes laid, and the number of hydrants and stopcocks set in 1864—5, are as follows: Length of Pipe No. of hydrants No. of Stop laid—feet. set. Cocks set. In 1864 3,018 5 4 " 1865 1,968 4 2 Totals 4,986 9 6 The system is completed as far as at present designed. About 1,200 feet of 6-inch pipe, that was laid early last spring along the carriage road last completed, has leaked at some points more than usual. This has been corrected by the contractors, who fully guarantee and make good the work at their own expense. The general success of the work in regard to leakage, I have heretofore shown to be somewhat remarkable. 129 RECAPITULATION OF UNDERGROUND WORKS FOR DRAINAGE, DISTRIBUTION OF WATER, GAS PIPES, &C. Totals Totals in feet. in miles 1st. For Surface and Sub-drainage: Length of brick sewers of all kinds 22,869 " stone culverts 530 " vitrified pipes 79,130 " cement 27,185 " tile drains, including stone drains 325,816 Total 86 27/100 2d. For Supply and Distribution of Water: Length of wrought iron and cement water pipe, 4 to 16-inch bore 83,121 Length of wrought iron and cement water pipe, 1 to 2 inch bore 1,567 Length of lead pipe 961 " cast-iron pipe 556 Total 16 33/100 3d. Brick Conduits and Sewers pertaining to the Croton Reservoir, and passing through the Park Grounds: Two main conduits, supplying old and new reservoirs respectively 1,400 Waste sewers supplying 3 to 4 feet diameter 4,600 " drain pipe " 1 " 3,335 Distributing cast iron mains, 36 to 48 in. diameter 22,192 Total 9,526 1 80/100 4th. Gas mains and pipes Aggregate 110 37/100 No. of brick silt basins, in connection with road and walk drainage, surface drainage, and agricultural or sub-drainage 1,636 " mud depositing basins and filters, of brick and stone, in connection with drainage inlets to lakes and ponds 12 " hydrants for watering roads, walks, and grounds 526 " drinking hydrants 17130 No. of stop cocks (and enclosing brick chambers) to water distribution system 88 " waste weirs, of stone and brick, at outlets of lakes and ponds 9 " cascades 11 " jets and fountains in use or designed 7 " water closets and urinals (separate from buildings) 13 The above works, embracing a linear measurement of 110 37/100 miles of pipeage of all kinds, extend over the principal area of the Park, and as exhibited on the reduced scale of a map appear to interlace with each other in a variety of combinations, but they are constructed separately and distinctly, and in a way to harmonize in the performance of their several objects and in their separate maintenance. They have been delineated and recorded for reference, in connection with other above ground works, and separate drawings and explanations of special details have been made, as far as has been practicable during construction. Some work of this kind is yet incomplete, together with that pertaining to unfinished grounds, which will be closed up as soon as means will permit. There are a few points, where springs and other drainage water may be further developed and turned to account, for useful or ornamental purposes. One of these is on the east side of the new Croton Reservoir at the base of the embankment near Ninety-fifth street, Fifth avenue. it consists of a stream of water gathered from filtrations in rear of the enclosing walls, which is at present, discharged through a five inch pipe into a temporary drain in the avenue. It can be conducted by a water pipe to the lower ground of the Park betwen Ninety-eighth and Ninety-ninth streets, near Fifth avenue, where it would have a head of about 24 feet, which would be effective for a small fountain. The several sources of pure water from springs, old wells &c., that may be made useful have been noted on the working maps. Where it could readily be done, such springs have been already adapted to convenient drinking places, contiguous to the walks. FERTILIZING AND FINISHING GROUNDS. The total area of ground, fertilized and finished, (except some parts of the planting), up to January 1st, 1864, was 416 acres. In 1864 35 " In 1865 22 " Total up to the present time 473 " This includes rock surfaces. Remaining to be treated in this manner, about 26 acres. 131 The balance of the grounds, consisting of about 42 acres, excluding areas occupied by water, roads and walks, it is not contemplated at present to improve, beyond some additional planting, the removal of loose stones, etc., which has for the greater part been already done. All ground south of 103d street, except the border work and a few small areas, consisting of 16½ acres, was fertilized and finished in 1864. About 19 acres north of 103d street was done during the same year. About 25 acres done that year was fertilized by applying to the sub-soil from 9 to 12 inches of much or top soil, and one coat of night soil or other compost. The latter was either plowed in before seeding, or was pointed in with spades. Ten acres had the same amount of much covering, but no compost. In 1865, the work done has been limited chiefly to the district between 103d and 110th streets. The fertilizing has been done by the use of 9 to 12 inches of muck, without compost. The ground has been finished and seeded down without the use of the plow, except where the muck, after spreading, had become too much hardened by sun and rain, in which cases it was plowed and barrowed, and the seed applied and raked in. No subsoil plowing has been done since 1864. ENCLOSING WALLS OF THE PARK. At the date of the last report, the first piece of "vertical" wall adjoining Fifty-ninth street had been completed, consisting of 600 lineal feet. Since that date the balance of the wall adjoining Fifty-ninth street has been completed—in 1864 and 1865 1,507 " " And two separate pieces on Fifth avenue, south of Sixty-sixty street, in 1865 733 " " Together with three separate pieces of "battered" wall on Eighth avenue, completed in 1865 191 " " And two pieces on Fifth avenue completed in 1864 84 " " Making a total length of vertical and battered wall now completed, of 3,115 " " In addition to this there is now, of vertical wall, partly built 9,282 " " Battered wall partly built 3,147 " " Making a total length of wall, of both kinds, finished and under way—exclusive of foundation upon which wall has not been built, of 15,544 " " Which is equal in content, including foundation wall, to 15,855 c. yds.132 Remaining not commenced, vertical wall 8,665 lin. feet " " " battered " 4,905 " " Total not commenced, vertical and bettered 11,000 c. yds., or 13,570 lin. feet. Total length designed of both kinds of wall 29,114 " " The spaces left for gate entrances, and where perpendicular faces of rock render no wall necessary, make up a length of about 3,370 feet. Of the vertical wall remaining to be built, the foundation and the part of the wall below the level of the side walk, termed "one faced wall" constitutes 8,665 feet, and the upper part, termed "two faced wall" constitutes 17,948 feet. All but 6,900 c. yards of the walls have been built by contracts; 1,590 feet of unfinished vertical wall and 1,417 feet not commenced, are now under contract. The battered or retaining walls have been built, thus far, in part of gniess, obtained in the park or its vicinity, and in part of lime stone. Two kinds of the latter stone have been used, the one from Mott Haven, near Harlem River, and the other from Greenwich, Connecticut. That from Mott Haven is of a lighter color than the gniess and has been used in a separate part of the wall—that from Greenwich is very similar in color and quality to the gniess, and has been used in part to complete the wall that was commenced with the latter stone an abandoned by a previous contractor. The lower portion of the vertical wall has been built chiefly of gniess. Some portions during the last season have been built of light brown sandstone from the base of the Palisade range on the Hndson River. A sample was built in 1864 of Hudson River blue stone, and a piece in 1865 of lime stone. The base stones that coincide with the grade of the exterior sidewalk have been obtained thus far, with a slight exception, from Hudson River bluestone or "Mountain grawacke." New Brunswick freestone has been used for the upper portion of all the vertical wall yet built, except a short sample that was built of gniess. MANHATTAN SQUARE. The are of 12 45/100 acres of rugged and unimproved ground lying west of the Park, between Eighth and Ninth avenues, and between Seventy-seventh and Eighty-first streets, formerly designated as Manhattan square, having been annexed to the park, has been surveyed and mapped out with reference to its future improvement. This work was done principally in 1864 and completed in the early part 133 of last year, at which time a special report and topographical map were submitted, giving a full description of the ground. CHANGE OF GRADE OF EIGHTH AVENUE. A report and estimate were made, in accordance with instructions, during the last season upon this proposed work, so far as it affects the adjoining Park grounds. A modification of the work has since been made and the change now applies to Eighth avenue and the connected works of the Park between Fifty-ninth and Ninety-third streets, (nearly continuously) with reduced quantities of cutting and filling, and other reduced items of expense to the Park. DRINKING FOUNTAINS. Two specimen drinking fountains, adapted to one-hand use, have been erected at the upper end of the Mall, and have had a trial by the public for a considerable length of time. They seem to be a convenience that is appreciated, and as they can be constructed in simple and cheap forms, (as well as ornamental ones), I allude to the subject merely to suggest that their use be further extended on the park, with some little improvement in the mechanical work that it was not practicable to give to the original samples. They were designed to obviate the objection that ordinary drinking fountains have, especially to women and children, that of requiring the application of some strength, and the use of both hands, in drawing a cup of water. Since their erection, they have derived additional interest, not then anticipated, by the large increase in numbers of persons in the community, who have unfortunately, during the events of the last few years, been deprived of the use of an arm or a hand. THE PARK FORCE. The number of working days, the number of men employed, &c., in 1864-'5, are as follows: 1864. 1865. Number of working days for the year, 264 267½ Total number of mechanics, laborers, and teams employed during the year, 770 643 largest force employed at any one time, exclusive of contractor's force, 494 372 Average force employed per day, including contractor's force, 495 380 Average force employed per day, exclusive of contractor's force, 451 341 Average number of general foremen, 1 1 " " foremen, 14 11 " " assistant foremen, 3 2134 The number of men discharged for inefficiency, violation of rules, &c. In 1864, . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 " 1865, . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 CASUALTIES. In 1864, none. " 1865, one man injured, not seriously, by the falling of a bank. " " one man run over by cart—a leg and arm broken. The aggregate number of men employed in eight years, for longer or shorter periods, including contractors' force, is estimated at about twenty thousand. This large force has been composed—owing to its being taken from the immediate population of the city of New York, and to the great variety of work for which it was needed—in larger proportion than ordinary on public works, of persons of dissimilar habits, nationalities and languages, and it is a matter worthy of note that in all this diversity there have been no occurrences to disturb the public peace. But few offences have been committed for which any further resort was necessary than the rules of discipline as administered within the Park. The work has never been interrupted or delayed by strikes or combinations. In periods of greatest excitement even, good order has prevailed, and whatever exterior causes of difference of views or opinions may have existed on any subject, they have not been manifested within the Park enclosure, to the detriment or the discredit of the work or of the employés. It has been the endeavor to enforce strict, just, and equal discipline, to exact all that was due from each man, and to render all that was due to him. Men have always had ample facilities for making complaints and for exculpating themselves on any charge against them; they have also had the privilege of appealing from the decisions at the Park to the Commissioners, and I cannot recall an instance in which any individual has complained that he has not had the benefit of these privileges to the extent he desired. Precautions against accidents under circumstances, at times of more than ordinary danger, from the amount of blasting done, have been as successful as could have been expected. Fatal injuries to only five persons have occurred, from all causes, since the commencement of the work. It is gratifying to be able to state these facts, and to reflect that the large numbers of men who have been employed in the construction of the Park, and who have now to a large extent dispersed to seek other occupations, have left a good record behind them, and have perhaps received some influences 135 from the peaceful and harmonizing nature and objects of their services here, that will make them not less good and useful citizen, elsewhere. THE ENGINEER CORPS. The Engineer Corps, has been reduced since the last report to the following force: 1 Principal Assistant Engineer. 1 Assistant Engineer. 2 Rodmen, one acting as Plane Table Surveyor. 2 Draughtsmen, one acting as Assistant Engineer. 3 Office Assistants, one acting as Rodman. 4 Axemen. It has not been practicable, with the force retained, to keep the various accounts of the work fully written up. The records of construction, delineation of details &c., in the form necessary for reference, in the maintenance of the work, and further improvements that may hereafter be made, are also somewhat in arrears. These it will be endeavored to close up during the present winter, while the demands for the field work and superintendence are diminished. It is intended soon to dispense with the services of the Plane Table Surveyor and two or three axemen. Respectfully submitted, WM. H. GRANT, Superintending Engineer.TENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CENTRAL PARK, FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1866. _________________ NEW YORK: WM. C. BRYANT & CO., PRINTERS, 41 NASSAU STREET, CORNER OF LIBERTY. _______ 1867.CONTENTS. PAGE Commissioners of the Central Park,—Officers, and Committees, . 5 Annual Report, . . . . . . . . 7 Summary of the Treasurer's Accounts, . . . . . . 61 References to the Central Park Guide, . . . . . . 69 Statement of living animals on the Park, . . . . . 71 Statement of Mammalia that have bred on the Park in 1866, . 76 Statement of gifts, devises and bequests in 1866, with names of donors, . . . . . 77 Topographical Description of the Central Park, . . . . . 81 References to the Park Map, . . . . . . 82 Several Acts of the Legislature respecting the Central Park, . . 85 Communication of the Comptroller of the Central Park, relative to works outside of the Park, . . . . . . 101 Description of the Design for the Zoological Garden, . . . 149 ILLUSTRATIONS. Designs for Ramps of the Terrace, . . . . . . . 10 Rustic Bridge over the Ravine, . . . . . . . 12 The Belvedere, . . . . . . . . . 14 Summer House in the Ramble, . . . . . . . . 18 The Brook, . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Rustic Shelter, . . . . . . . . 38 Design for the Zoological Garden, . . . . . . . 42 The Ravine—water, . . . . . . . . 51 Central Park Guide Map, . . . . . . . . 69 Map of Central Park, showing the progress of the work up to January 1st, 1867, . . . . . . . 82 Designs for the 7th Avenue Improvement, . . . . . . . . 105 Map of that part of the City of New York above 155th Street, . 114 Diagram of Building for Carnivorous Specimens, . . . . 151Board of Commissioners of the Central Park. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES. 1867. CHARLES H. RUSSELL, J. F. BUTTERWORTH, WALDO HUTCHINS, THOMAS C. FIELDS, ANDREW H. GREEN, HENRY G. STEBBINS, R. M. BLATCHFORD, M. H. GRINNELL. President. HENRY G. STEBBINS. Vice-President. M. H. GRINNELL. Treasurer and Comptroller. ANDREW H. GREEN. Secretary. THOMAS C. FIELDS. Finance.—Messrs. RUSSELL, GRINNELL, BUTTERWORTH. Executive.—Messrs. GRINNELL, GREEN, HUTCHINS, RUSSELL, FIELDS. Auditing.—Messrs. GRINNELL, FIELDS, BUTTERWORTH. By-Laws and Ordinances.—Messrs. HUTCHINS, FIELDS, GREEN. Statuary, Fountains, and Architectural Structures.—Messrs. RUSSELL, BUTTERWORTH, GREEN.REPORT. To the Honorable the Common Council of the City of New York: The Board of Commissioners of the Central Park respectfully presents this report of its proceedings for the year ending with the 31st day of December, 1866, being its Tenth Annual Report. Within this period the principal operations at the Park have been those connected with its maintenance and government. The works of construction, owing to divers circumstances, have been very limited, and are principally included in the following statistics: The surface of the Park at the northeast corner being completed, the water was confined in the Harlem Lake in August Last. The rustic stone bridge carrying the road across the valley north of the Loch is complete; under this bridge passes the walk by the side of the running brook that supplies the lake. 4,915 feet of additional walk have been completed. 1,611 feet of drain-tile and pipe laid. Five stop-cocks set, and one iron and one brick urinal 8 have been erected. 14 2/3 acres of land were laid down to grass. The principal outlay of the year chargeable to construction has been in building portions of the boundary wall. 1,513 cubic yards of this wall below the grade of the avenue; 55 cubic yards of the double face wall above the grade, have been laid; and 417 lineal feet of wall-coping have been set. Portions of the wall on the Fifth avenue side of the Park are complete to its whole height. The wall is completed up to the grade of the avenue along the whole length of the Park on the Fifth avenue, except at those places left as openings for entrances. With like exceptions, the wall on the southern boundary of the Park is complete, and the northern boundary wall up to the grade of the street, from Fifth to Sixth avenue, with the additional exception that on One Hundred and Tenth street, from Fifth to Sixth avenue, its height will require to be somewhat increased by reason of the change of the grade of One Hundred and Tenth street. The removal of a very considerable portion of the wall heretofore constructed along the western boundary of the Park, as well as a portion of that of the northerly boundary west of the Sixth avenue, will be required by the change in the grade of the Eighth avenue and of One Hundred and Tenth street. The time when the construction of these portions of the wall can be completed, will depend much upon the progress made by the Street Department in the actual work of grading the Eighth avenue and One Hundred 9 and Tenth street, as will also the time of completing the considerable modifications required in the surface of the Park along its westerly line occasioned by these changes of grade. 17,708 trees and shrubs have been planted during the year, most of which have been taken from the thickening plantations of the Park; 7,318 herbaceous plants have been planted. Elm trees have been planted along the portion of the Fifth avenue Park walk, extending from Sixty-fifth street to Eighty-fifth street. The development of the foliage at the Park is quite apparent; already at many points the trees so overhang the walks and the drive, as to give them a covered and furnished aspect, opening one view of the way after another as the visitor progresses. The total number of foremen, mechanics, laborers, laborers with carts and teams, masons, stone-cutters, carpenters, blacksmiths, &c., employed during the year was 917. The employment of these persons was for different periods, from a fraction of one day upwards. The average force per day engaged in works of construction and maintenance for 365 days was 256, exclusive of men employed by contractors. To maintain the fertility of the land under the constant cropping of the herbage, enrichment must be supplied adequate in quantity and quality. For several years past a top-dressing of night-soil, properly composted, has been used, as the most economical fertilizer that could be obtained 210 The droppings gathered from the drive have been composted and used in the same manner. During the past year about 7,000 hand-cart loads of these droppings have been secured, equal to about 2,300 cubic yards; it has been deemed better to depend upon known substantial and reliable manures. Manufactured fertilizers have been used but sparingly. The total length of the Park Drive now in use is 9 485/1000 miles. The total length of Bridle Road now in use is 5 503/1000 miles. The total length of Walk now in use is 26 559/1000 miles; of the Walk 4,915 feet were constructed in the last year. The wear of the roads by the action of great numbers of wheels and horse-shoes upon them is very large; about 9,833 cubic yards of gravel were required to keep the drive in proper condition; this quantity of gravel spread over the whole of the roads shows an average wear of about 1½ inches of the surface of the carriage-ways. At points where the greatest wear occurs it is doubtless double this amount. The average quantity of gravel required to keep the roads in repair would seem to be about 27 cubic yards per day throughout the entire year. About 300 yards of gravel have been required to keep the walks in repair, the steeper portions requiring more frequent attention by reason of the wash occasioned by the rains. The iron arch, No. 28, near the north gate-house, and THE TERRACE. Photographs of Designs for Ramps. General Design, C. Vaux, Arch't. Details, J. W. Mould, Arch't.11 the iron and granite arch near the south gate-house of the Great Reservoir are complete. Small pieces of walk, a portion of the walk gutter, and a floor to the summer-house have been laid with a substance known as metallic lava, with the view of testing its capacity of enduring the various atmospheric changes. A contract has been entered into for the iron-work for the ceiling of the interior of the Terrace, and also for the encaustic tile for the ceiling and for the floor of the same structure. The prices of labor have generally advanced. The total expenditure chargeable to construction during the year was $250,983 17. With the general increase of the rates of the compensation of mechanics and laborers, and in the price of materials, the cost of maintaining the Park steadily increases. The economy of retaining men in employment continuously is apparent. A large proportion of the work done at the Park requires a class of labor that partakes, in some respects, of the characteristics of skilled labor; it is therefore, of obvious importance that the employees of the Park should not be continually changing, but that so long as fidelity and efficiency are exhibited, each person should be continued in the field of duty in which he has by experience become especially serviceable. It is the aim of the Board, on the one hand, to preserve for those necessarily engaged in its service continuousness and permanency and exemption from any other removal than the exigencies of the work require, and on the other, to prevent this rule of continuousness from degenerating 12 into a cover for inactivity or idleness. With the political sentiments of its employees of all classes, it is still the continued policy of the Board not to interfere, nor to permit any person in its service, however humble, to be influenced in his political action by any threat or inducement on the part of any person in authority over him. This method of dealing with men engaged on the Park is, it is believed, acceptable to them, and is productive of economy and efficiency. The following is a table of the rates of wages paid to various classes of employees at the Park for the last nine years. The time is kept in hours. The rates of the table are for a day of ten hours: RUSTIC BRIDGE OVER THE RAVINE. 13 1857. 1858. 1859. 1860. 1861. 1862. 1863. 1864. 1865. 1866. Nov. Apl. Nov. Apl. Nov. Apl. Nov. Apl. Nov. Apl. Nov. Apl. Nov. Apl. Nov. Apl. Nov. Apl. Nov. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. 1st. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. $ cts. Foremen ............ 1 50 1 50 1 75 1 75 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 20 2 50 3 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 3 00 Assist. Foremen .... ...... .... 1 25 1 25 1 50 1 50 1 50 1 50 1 50 1 50 1 50 1 50 1 65 1 80 2 25 2 25 2 25 ..... ..... Laborers .......... 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 90 90 1 00 1 25 1 25 1 50 1 80 1 90 1 90 1 90 1 90 Double-teams ...... 3 50 3 50 3 50 3 50 3 50 3 50 3 50 3 50 2 75 2 60 2 70 3 30 3 50 3 90 4 40 4 70 4 70 4 70 5 00 Carts with horse and driver ........... 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 1 80 1 75 1 80 2 20 2 50 2 80 3 15 3 40 3 40 3 40 3 40 Blacksmiths ........ 1 50 1 50 1 50 1 50 1 75 1 87½ 1 87½ 1 87½ 1 60 1 60 1 65 1 90 2 00 2 50 3 00 3 25 3 25 3 25 3 50 Helpers ........... 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 ..... ..... 1 25 1 25 1 00 1 05 1 10 1 25 1 35 1 60 1 90 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 Carpenters .... .... 1 50 1 50 1 50 1 50 1 75 1 75 1 75 1 75 1 60 1 60 1 75 2 00 2 00 2 50 3 00 3 25 3 25 3 25 3 50 Rockmen .......... ...... ...... ...... ...... 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... 1 60 1 90 2 00 2 00 2 00 ..... Hand-drillers ....... ...... ...... ...... 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... Gardeners ......... ...... ...... ...... 1 40 1 40 1 00 1 30 1 30 1 15 1 10 1 10 1 30 1 40 1 60 1 90 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 Masons ........... ...... ...... 1 75 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 1 65 ..... 1 75 ..... 2 20 2 50 3 00 3 50 3 50 3 50 3 50 Stone-cutters ....... ...... ...... 1 75 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 1 65 ..... 1 75 ..... 2 25 2 75 3 00 3 50 3 50 3 50 3 50 Bricklayers ........ ...... ...... 1 75 1 75 2 00 2 00 2 00 .... 1 65 1 70 ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... Pavers ............ ...... ...... ...... 1 25 .... 1 10 1 10 1 00 1 00 ...... ...... 1 35 1 60 1 90 ...... ...... ...... ...... Tile-layers ......... ...... ...... ...... ...... 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 10 1 00 ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ...... ......14 By an arrangement between the Croton Aqueduct Board and the Commissioners of the Park, that Board is authorized to erect a structure for the occupancy of the Superintendent of the Reservoirs, at a point south of Transverse Road No. 3 and between the two reservoirs. It was deemed essential by the Croton Aqueduct Board, that the Superintendent should reside at a point , so convenient to the gate-houses of each reservoir as to render them readily accessible by night and day, in case of accident to the reservoirs, the mains, or the distributing-pipes in the city. The Croton Aqueduct Board has consented that the Commissioners of the Park use a small rocky piece of land within the old reservoir inclosure, as its southwest corner, for the purpose of effecting more favorable connections of the walks of the Park, and also for the erection thereon of a picturesque structure that will be the focal point of view from the Mall and the Terrace. Hitherto the boundary wall of the reservoir inclosure has seriously encroached on the somewhat limited rocky tract that occurs near its southwest corner, the most elevated and prominent point of the lower Park, at a disadvantage in artistic effect that has long been manifest. In consequence of the arrangement with the Croton Aqueduct Board, above referred to, this obstruction is now removed, and the ground has been regraded and partially planted, so as to accord harmoniously with the generally picturesque scenic outline of that portion of the Park which is in the immediate vicinity. The slightly elevated outlook which it is proposed to erect on this OLMSTED, VAUX & CO. LANDSCAPE ARCHTS. THE MAJOR KNAPP ENG MFG & LITH CO. 71 BORADWAY, N.Y.15 ground, while it commands attractive views of the lower Park, will also naturally supply the best points from which to see the whole extent of the two reservoirs. By consent of the Croton Aqueduct Board the fence that bounds the other portion of the old reservoir grounds has been reduced in height and conspicuousness, thereby diminishing the rectangular lines of that structure that are not in harmony with those of the Park. As soon as the assent of the Croton Aqueduct Board is obtained, other inexpensive changes in the same direction are practicable. The work of connecting the new line of pipes with the Aqueduct in the Park is well advance. At several points on the Bridle Road and on the Walk, rustic arbor frames of cedar, together 650 feet in length, have been erected, which, when covered with the foliage and flowers of climbing plants, will become interesting incidents in the progress of the visitor, and offer grateful shelter. One Rustic Bridge over the Brook has been completed. As opportunity offers, rustic seats are introduced at agreeable places in the walks, where the surroundings invite the visitor to their use. 22 seats of this character, of a length of 260 feet, have been built during the past year, and 101 of the Park settees, of a total length of 505 feet, provided. An additional place for watering horses has been arranged near Mount St. Vincent, in a rocky recess from the Bridle Road. Two additional fountains and one drinking-hydrant have also been provided.16 During the year the grass has been cut and removed from about 483 acres. Upon the open lawns, where the ground and shrubbery would admit of their use advantageously, this has been accomplished by the most approved lawn-mowers and rollers. These lawns were cut once in from seven to nine days during the season commencing on the 15th of April and ending the 15th of October. When the plantations of trees and shrubs or the irregularity of the surface of the ground would not admit of the use of the machines, the work has been performed by hand with the scythe and sickle. The cutting of these portions of ground varied from once in nine days to about three times during the season. The lawns reserved for hay and the newly seeded grounds were cut by hand, generally, but once during the season. The following shows approximately the extent of the grass-cutting during the past season: Cut by machine once per week------------------ 33 acres. Cut by machine once in nine days--------------148 " Cut by hand once in nine days-------------------- 18 " Cut by hand three times during the season 201 " Cut by hand once during the season----------- 83 " The appearance of those portions of the lawn cut by the lawn-mowers over those cut by the scythe is markedly superior. The sod is firmer and the grass much more dense and even, and seems to maintain its freshness for a longer period. 17 The receipts from sales of grass for the year was $3,874 50, being about one-fifth the cost of the care of the turf. Hay sufficient to supply the sheep and other animals belonging to the Park during the winter has been made and properly secured. The Assessed value of the Three Wards surrounding the Park, for eleven years, is as follows: WARD. 1856. 1857. 1858. 1859. Twelfth $8,149,360 $8,134,013 $8,476,890 $10,062,725 Nineteenth 8,041,183 8,558,624 10,961,775 12,621,894 Twenty-second 10,239,022 10,489,454 11,563,506 13,261,025 Total *$26,429,565 $27,182,091 $31,012,171 $35,945,644 WARD. 1860. 1861. 1862. 1863. Twelfth $11,857,114 $12,454,375 $13,100,385 $14,134,825 Nineteenth 16,830,472 16,986,152 17,903,137 19,003,452 Twenty-second 14,775,440 17,666,866 18,041,857 18,281,222 Total $43,463,026 $47,107,393 $49,045,379 †$51,419,429 WARD. 1864. 1865. 1866. Twelfth $15,493,575 $18,134,805 $18,381,650 Nineteenth 20,462,607 23,070,890 37,636,050 Twenty-second 18,756,276 19,824,265 24,052,715 Total $54,712,458 $61,029,960 $80,070,415 26,429,565 ------------------ Showing a total increased valuation on these three Wards, from 1856 to 1866, of $53,640,850 * The area occupied by the Park to One Hundred and Sixth street was dropped from the assessment books this year, the last tax collected on it being that of 1855. † The area occupied by the Park from One Hundred and Sixth to One Hundred and Tenth street was dropped from the assessment books this year.18 The rate of tax for the year 1866 is 2.30, yielding on the increased valuation above stated an increased tax of $1,233,739.55. The total expenditures for construction from May 1, 1857, to January 1, 1867, is.................................. $4,986,035 05 The cost of the land of the Park to the city is 5,028,844 10 Total cost of Park up to this time...... $10,014,879 15 Total increased tax in three Wards... $1,233,739 55 The annual interest on the cost of the land and improvement of the Park up to this time, at six per cent................................. $600,892 75 Deduct on per cent. on $399,300 of the above stock, issued at five per cent................................. 3,993 00 $596,899 75 Excess of increased tax in three Wards over interest on the cost of land and improvements.... $636,839 80 SUMMER HOUSE IN THE RAMBLE. 19 The subjoined tables shows the NUMBER OF ARRESTS on the Park for the past four years: MONTHS. 1863. 1864. 1865. 1866. January . . . . . 18 2 8 1 February . . . . 5 6 11 4 March . . . . . 5 10 1 6 April . . . . . 8 7 3 10 May . . . . . 13 30 17 17 June . . . . . 11 8 11 10 July . . . . . 3 18 16 17 August . . . . 1 17 15 17 September . . . 5 13 11 9 October . . . . . 5 7 7 9 November . . . 7 6 7 7 December . . . 5 6 9 3 Total . . . . 86 130 115 110 These Arrests were for the following causes: CAUSES. 1863. 1864. 1865. 1866. Fast driving . . . . 47 63 60 52 Fast riding . . . . 1 5 3 1 Breaking shrubs and flowers . 9 2 0 2 Assault and battery . . . 1 6 6 1 Thieving . . . . . 1 6 1 2 Disorderly conduct . . . 23 48 34 31 Interfering with an officer . . 0 0 0 4 Insane persons . . . . 0 0 0 3 Impersonating an officer . . . 0 0 0 1 Other offences . . . . . 4 0 11 13 Total . . . . . . 86 130 115 11020 The penalties imposed upon those arrested and taken before the Magistrate during the year were as follows: Fined ten dollars and less each - - - - - - 71 Bound over for trial or to keep the peace - - - - 8 Sent to the House of Correction or Asylum - - - - 7 Committed for five days each - - - - - - 2 Temporarily committed - - - - - - - 5 Discharged with reprimand or otherwise - - - - 17 Total - - - - - - - - - 110 These tables show the gratifying fact that it has been found necessary to apply compulsory discipline to but one visitor in about 75,000. In addition to these arrests, cautions are given by the Park-keepers to those committing lesser breaches of the ordinances. There are but few wanton violations of the rules, and these in most cases are the result of ignorance or inattention. The disposition to drive on the Park roads at a rate of speed exceeding that allowed by the rule is such as to require constant watchfulness on the part of the keepers stationed on the roads; it will be seen that the arrests for this offence far exceed any other. The force of Park and gate keepers has not been increased. These keepers have generally performed their duty with fidelity. It is strictly enjoined that they be courteous to all and ready to afford information concerning the Park to strangers. The compensation of the Park-keepers is somewhat less than that of the Metropolitan Police force. The Park-keepers' 21 pay being at the rate of $2.75 per day of actual service, in addition to their uniform, the average cost of which is about $100. Notwithstanding the apprehensions of pestilence during the summer months, the number of visitors of all classes continues to increase, those of the last year being greater in numbers than those of any previous year. The following table shows the number of visitors for five years past, estimating three persons with each vehicle. These figures, it is believed, are nearly correct, falling short rather than exceeding the actual numbers: 1862 . . . . 4,195,515 1863 . . . . 4,327,409 1864 . . . . 5,740,079 1865 . . . . 7,593,139 1866 . . . . 8,239,073 THE BROOK.22 The following table gives the number of Visitors at the Park during each month of the year, for the past five years. 1862. _______________________________________ Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. January.... 254,672 1,984 32,773 February.... 302,827 1,671 39,052 March...... 81,865 4,024 32,446 April........ 76,927 7,839 58,567 May... ... 133,701 10,349 77,974 June... ... 202,000 8,919 84,254 July.... ... 184,048 4,814 62,074 August. ... 272,093 4,715 69,802 September... 192,236 7,334 70,184 October..... 153,387 7,822 67,099 November... 97,507 7,049 60,789 December... 55,155 5,125 53,996 _____________________________________________________________________________________ 1,996,918 71,645 709,010 _____________________________________________________________________________________ 1863. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. January.... 51,462 3,952 38,069 February.... 49,080 3,489 49,344 March...... 41,064 4,490 44,520 April........ 115,764 10,094 79,095 May... ... 137,999 449 3,618 June... ... 159,779 12,630 110,792 July.... ... 89,160 9,378 92,363 August. ... 189,366 12,250 115,970 September... 181,850 9,211 163,600 October..... 150,418 10,035 108,531 November... 75,231 9,195 50,990 December... 227,163 5,551 65,558 __________________________________________________________________ 1,469,335 90,724 922,450 1864. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. January..... 555,668 3,953 83,246 February.... 134,322 6,244 55,038 March..... 90,630 7,635 67,757 April..... 95,386 14,192 87,575 May..... 151,678 13,533 147,344 June..... 121,574 14,802 111,258 July..... 380,165 8,085 242,511 August..... 186,016 4,778 89,524 September... 225,256 5,288 92,159 October..... 148,488 9,395 98,112 November... 87,291 9,308 92,361 December.... 118,725 3,184 81,281 ___________________________________________________________ 2,295,199 100,397 1,148,161 1865. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. January..... 658,741 1, 641 77,364 February..... 163,383 4,472 70,768 March..... 77,743 6,191 86,548 April...... 188,019 11,344 125,864 May..... 191,527 10,386 126,789 June..... 299,974 11,874 153,279 July..... 467,729 8,750 146,023 August..... 467,665 9,705 157,756 September... 340,355 9,985 180,526 October.... 205,444 10,429 104,709 November... 94,578 8,097 124,431 December.... 63,898 5,486 77,184 _____________________________________________________________ 3,219,056 98,360 1,425,241 1866. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. January..... 640,964 2,755 99,917 February.... 290,191 3,897 63,329 March..... 64,200 5,943 73,754 April.... 77,141 3,882 53,028 May...... 269,604 12,394 165,363 June..... 375,160 13,390 163,563 July..... 313,851 6,372 130,924 August.... 330,011 5,321 115,691 September.... 356,881 7,331 154,127 October..... 242,641 12,135 363,135 November... 125,049 8,582 134,618 December... 327,199 4,755 62,459 _________________________________________________________________ 3,412,892 86,757 1,579,808 The largest number of pedestrians entering the Park during any one month was, in January........... 640,964 The largest number of equestrians entering the Park during any one month was, in June........ 13,390 The largest number of vehicles entering the Park during any one month was, in October....... 363,135 Allowing two extra for each vehicle, the number of visitors in 1866 was ..... 8,239,073 23 The following table gives the number of Visitors at each entrance to the Park for each month during the year. ________________________________________________________________________________________ PEDESTRIANS. ________________________________________________________________________________________ 1866. | 50th st. | and | 5th av. _____________________ January.... 58,900 February..... 10,885 March..... 6,123 April..... 29,838 May..... 44,113 June..... 67,068 July..... 41,735 August... 48,106 September... 60,827 October.... 49,871 November... 13,714 December... 63,179 _____________________ 494,359 | 72d st. | and | 5th av. _____________________ January.... 120,793 February..... 12,572 March..... 1,936 April..... 9,273 May..... 20,455 June..... 31,563 July..... 33,216 August... 48,674 September... 40,111 October.... 19,307 November... 8,972 December... 59,020 _____________________ 405,892 | 79th st. | and | 5th av. _____________________ January.... 24,775 February..... 2,334 March..... 3,310 April..... 5,798 May..... 13,980 June..... 9,439 July..... 13,900 August... 11,125 September... 8,372 October.... 7,229 November... 1,648 December... 6,980 _____________________ 108,890 | 90th st. | and | 5th av. _____________________ January.... 11,305 February..... 628 March..... 2,050 April..... 1,185 May..... 4,029 June..... 3,093 July..... 311 August... 2,936 September... 5,210 October.... 5,566 November... 2,315 December... 3 716 _____________________ 42,344 | 162d st. | and | 5th av. _____________________ January.... 201 February..... 197 March..... 163 April..... 208 May..... 512 June..... 525 July..... 461 August... 452 September... 438 October.... 319 November... 145 December... 170 _____________________ 3,791 | 59th st. 59th st. | and and | 6th av. 7th av. _____________________ January.... 117,453 37,467 February..... 56,675 7,992 March..... 11,328 11,160 April..... 13,965 10,029 May..... 73,725 45,493 June..... 95,478 77,694 July..... 73,394 57,775 August... 108,215 67,860 September... 106,217 69,030 October.... 60,745 31,431 November... 17,920 31,525 December... 87,389 73,912 _____________________ 822,502 521,368 | 59th st. | and | 8th av. _____________________ January.... 179,507 February..... 26,882 March..... 20,740 April..... 10,781 May..... 43,770 June..... 56,973 July..... 71,031 August... 59,801 September... 67,210 October.... 16,109 November... 31,325 December... 143,011 _____________________ 727,140 | 72d st. | and | 8th av. _____________________ January.... 50,908 February..... 11,833 March..... 2,063 April..... 2,751 May..... 11,354 June..... 19,000 July..... 5,718 August... 18,587 September... 17,819 October.... 7,921 November... 2,762 December... 53,989 _____________________ 204,705 | 85th st. | and | 8th av. _____________________ January.... 1,741 February..... 740 March..... 1,215 April..... 1,976 May..... 8,020 June..... 1,185 July..... 6,298 August... 5,220 September... 4,980 October.... 1,987 November... 1,920 December... 5,524 _____________________ 40,806 | 96th st. | and | 8th av. _____________________ January.... 228 February..... 220 March..... 300 April..... 153 May..... 502 June..... 468 July..... 524 August... 497 September... 529 October.... 327 November... 236 December... 329 _____________________ 4,313 | 100th st. | and | 8th av. _____________________ January.... 434 February..... 453 March..... 424 April..... 226 May..... 643 June..... 823 July..... 881 August... 1,619 September... 972 October.... 489 November... 176 December... 323 _____________________ 7,463 | 110th st. | and | 6th av. _____________________ January.... 1,017 February..... 761 March..... 1,639 April..... 958 May..... 3,011 June..... 3,839 July..... 3,868 August... 5,530 September... 6,263 October.... 7,489 November... 4,984 December... 3,657 _____________________ 43,016 | 110th st. | and | 7th av. _____________________ January.... ...... February..... ...... March..... ...... April..... ...... May..... ...... June..... 4,741 July..... 4,748 August... 3,710 September... 1,896 October.... 906 November... ...... December... ...... _____________________ 16,00124 EQUESTRIANS. 1866. 50th st. 72d st. 79th st. 90th st. 96th st. and and and and and 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. January 427 30 81 13 .......... February 613 43 79 19 .......... March 3,067 151 81 194 ............ April 2,346 158 86 55 ............. May 6,411 415 316 291 ............. June 9,176 398 267 308 ............. July 3,252 268 241 30 ............. August 5,739 272 292 39 ............. September 7,846 310 167 40 ............. October 5,455 217 154 27 ............. November 3,262 107 127 19 ............. December 3,849 99 113 17 ............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 51,443 2,468 2,004 1,052 EQUESTRIANS. [continued] 102d st. 59th st. 72d st. 85th st. 96th st. and and and and and 5th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. January 7 206 27 17 4 February 19 247 30 20 6 March 6 1,434 95 51 21 April 8 655 101 44 62 May 7 2,889 415 302 174 June 7 1,514 283 45 72 July 2 1,223 193 51 41 August 7 1,367 231 60 52 September 5 1,572 197 54 47 October 4 667 175 49 52 November 2 139 89 37 40 December 1 120 90 35 39 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 75 12,033 1,926 765 610 EQUESTRIANS. [continued] 100th st. 110th st. 110th st. and and and 8th av. 6th av. 7th av. January 7 37 ......... February 83 123 ......... March ......... 741 ......... April 4 363 ......... May 23 1,150 ......... June 15 1,155 150 July 39 907 122 August 127 1,096 73 September 563 500 ......... October 681 433 ......... November 221 118 ......... December 279 458 ......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2,042 7,081 345 VEHICLES. 59th st. 72d st. 79th st. 90th st. 96th st. and and and and and 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. January 40,621 1,324 2,547 1,060 .......... February 32,617 983 1,106 993 .......... March 29,008 994 1,389 708 .......... April 27,621 545 1,352 486 .......... May 84,665 1,796 2,436 1,386 .......... June 81,027 2,360 1,963 1,585 .......... July 66,850 2,237 1,904 127 .......... August 83,737 2,756 2,019 143 .......... September 102,436 3,189 2,127 1,684 .......... October 93,008 3,891 2,272 20,681 .......... November 60,527 5,993 2,768 11,772 .......... December 87,851 5,755 2,795 10,689 .......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 789,968 31,823 24,678 51,319 VEHICLES. [continued] 102d st. 59th st. 72d st. 85th st. 96th st. and and and and and 5th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. January 42 10,749 627 314 400 February 29 6,645 549 216 421 March 24 8,371 490 353 521 April 25 4,315 718 317 246 May 76 16,828 1,724 4,652 900 June 102 13,987 3,030 363 840 July 75 9,950 2,176 250 924 August 102 11,139 2,630 167 800 September 150 11,850 3,671 130 899 October 156 12,851 4,149 200 1,080 November 467 13,824 5,199 372 914 December 475 12,321 4,979 369 927 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1,723 132,830 29,942 7,703 8,872 VEHICLES. [continued] 100th st. 110th st. 110th st. and and and 8th av. 6th av. 7th av. January 37 25,732 ......... February 96 23,719 ......... March 29 31,886 ......... April 24 17,379 ......... May 93 50,807 ......... June 181 51,799 6,316 July 148 42,277 4,206 August 192 56,808 5,720 September 400 81,720 3,852 October 720 63,481 2,769 November 832 58,868 1,222 December 937 89,760 950 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3,689 594,236 25,035 25 The largest number of pedestrians that entered the Park on any one day was on June 24—81,312. The smallest number of pedestrians that entered the Park on any one day was on February 9—197. The largest number of equestrians that entered the Park on any one day was on August 25—1,037. The smallest number of equestrians that entered the Park on any one day was on June 3—13. The largest number of vehicles that entered the Park on any one day was on June 9—15,507. The smallest number of vehicles that entered the Park on any one day was on February 12—183. STATEMENT Showing Sunday attendance at the Central Park, by months, during the past four years. 1863. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. January 17,529 792 8,254 22 February 13,334 522 11,794 .......... March 18,019 661 6,476 .......... April 42,043 1,439 12,781 .......... May 63,994 2,141 20,423 .......... June 65,113 2,184 17,881 .......... July 38,613 1,018 13,845 .......... August 73,428 2,600 21,855 .......... September 43,651 1,498 21,729 .......... October 60,159 1,575 18,206 .......... November 40,775 1,614 16,550 .......... December 25,276 461 7,032 .......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 501,944 16,455 176,826 22 1864. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. January 134,738 757 9,881 11,097 February 68,355 1,321 14,972 .......... March 59,458 1,755 16,911 .......... April 50,245 2,631 15,552 .......... May 115,493 1,880 30,601 .......... June 74,707 1,997 16,651 .......... July 135,673 1,416 29,486 .......... August 55,293 540 11,400 .......... September 51,287 576 12,962 .......... October 46,698 1,196 16,749 .......... November 32,634 1,478 15,728 .......... December 57,542 403 7,793 9,624 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 882,123 15,860 198,590 20,721 1865. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. January 133,477 201 6,560 4,404 February 21,755 319 7,293 .......... March 38,279 1,152 16,840 .......... April 107,543 2,232 27,346 .......... May 58,988 1,186 17,122 .......... June 118,982 1,663 26,509 .......... July 171,738 1,626 31.097 .......... August 106,430 1,595 27,467 .......... September 107,416 2,153 34,205 .......... October 90,522 1,832 32,736 .......... November 40,630 1,386 24,450 .......... December 26,113 810 10,748 4,989 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1,201,873 16,155 262,373 9,393 1865. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. January 640,964 2,755 93,452 6.465 February 290,191 3,897 60,409 2,920 March 64,200 5,943 73,754 .......... April 77,141 3,882 53,028 .......... May 269,604 12,394 165,363 .......... June 375,160 13,390 163,563 .......... July 313,851 6,372 130,924 .......... August 330,011 5,321 115,691 .......... September 356,881 7,331 154,127 .......... October 242,641 12,135 363,135 .......... November 125,049 8,582 134,618 .......... December 327,199 4,755 62,435 24 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3,412,892 86,757 1,570,899 9,409 3The following Table shows the number of Visitors entering the Park during each hour of the day, each month during the year. Pedestrians. Months. | 5 A.M. to 6 A.M. | 6 A.M. to 7 A.M. | 7 A.M. to 8 A.M. | 8 A.M. to 9 A.M. | 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. | 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. | 11 A.M. to 12 M. | 12 M. to 1 P.M. | 1 P.M. to 2 P.M. | 2 P.M. to 3 P.M. | 3 P.M. to 4 P.M. | 4 P.M. to 5 P.M. | 5 P.M. to 6 P.M. | 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. | 7 P.M to 8 P.M. | 8 P.M. to 9 P.M. | 9 P.M. to 10 P.M. | 10 P.M. to 11 P.M. | January | ... | ... | 466 | 3,043 | 17,125 | 20,123 | 29,413 | 25,587 | 63,685 | 116,532 | 89,473 | 87,384 | 73,296 | 13,641 | 53,989 | 64,964 | 36 741 | 543 | February | ... | ... | 710 | 2,162 | 5,885 | 11,227 | 15,579 | 17,126 | 33,700 | 53,890 | 47,145 | 36,108 | 16,210 | 8,856 | 18,868 | 15,009 | 5,279 | 1,653 | March | ... | 14 | 374 | 1,056 | 1,924 | 2,800 | 2,542 | 5,298 | 10,475 | 14,857 | 12,517 | 7,381 | 3,050 | 1,288 | 513 | 118 | 11 | ... | April | ... | 397 | 749 | 1,218 | 2,120 | 2,799 | 3,540 | 3,863 | 5,906 | 15,374 | 19,454 | 12,874 | 5,425 | 1,909 | 984 | 524 | 5 | ... | May | ... | 1,114 | 2,347 | 4,141 | 8,458 | 13,737 | 16,547 | 10,315 | 22,974 | 41,974 | 60,937 | 51,827 | 23,079 | 7,049 | 1,636 | 524 | 28 | ... | June | ... | 1,781 | 3,368 | 6,103 | 10,262 | 15,017 | 17,873 | 15,672 | 26,471 | 49,679 | 80,798 | 70,829 | 40,040 | 15,586 | 11,577 | 7,268 | 2,052 | 424 | July | 781 | 1,883 | 3,224 | 4,726 | 7,616 | 10,683 | 12,146 | 8,864 | 17,363 | 37,537 | 55,656 | 56,324 | 33,885 | 17,107 | 21,018 | 17,363 | 5 795 | 1,880 | August | 1,789 | 8,222 | 6,424 | 9,337 | 12,239 | 9,987 | 14,013 | 16,375 | 31,625 | 42,797 | 61,203 | 66 147 | 29,853 | 11,423 | 5,577 | 2,290 | 710 | 332 | September | 332 | 1,249 | 9,449 | 10,078 | 13,446 | 10,454 | 10,819 | 8,119 | 28,182 | 41,153 | 48,847 | 63,818 | 27,641 | 10,982 | 6,422 | 2,078 | 819 | 154 | October | 20 | 983 | 1,197 | 6,802 | 2,256 | 3,429 | 2,782 | 6,687 | 11,413 | 13,900 | 36,599 | 49,410 | 9,683 | 3,762 | 4,768 | 1,232 | ... | ... | November | ... | 44 | 248 | 232 | 1,716 | 1,538 | 953 | 3 047 | 9,747 | 9,253 | 23,923 | 30,077 | 9,683 | 3,762 | 4,768 | 1,232 | ... | ... | December | ... | ... | 449 | 372 | 1,828 | 4,918 | 5,324 | 14,676 | 20,194 | 60,415 | 107,749 | 92,251 | 4 625 | 3,960 | 10,806 | 82 | ... | ... | 2,922 | 15,687 | 29,055 | 49,370 | 84,372 | 106,721 | 127,531 | 129,709 | 281,685 | 497,361 | 644,301 | 624,430 | 271,748 | 96,148 | 138,491 | 96,326 | 51,440 | 4,986 Equestrians January | ... | ... | 155 | 90 | 110 | 75 | 165 | 60 | 221 | 279 | 588 | 462 | 343 | 157 | 90 | 10 | ... | ...| February | ... | ... | 231 | 198 | 234 | 264 | 216 | 201 | 330 | 469 | 690 | 579 | 265 | 93 | 10 | 2 | 1 | ... | March | ... | 297 | 523 | 319 | 245 | 260 | 240 | 116 | 448 | 677 | 957 | 902 | 557 | 205 | 42 | 3 | ... | ... | April | ... | 505 | 590 | 169 | 165 | 161 | 138 | 99 | 515 | 326 | 506 | 577 | 324 | 116 | 43 | 8 | ... | ... | May | ... | 1,406 | 1,442 | 800 | 565 | 536 | 471 | 221 | 461 | 851 | 1,388 | 1,979 | 1,445 | 634 | 184 | 11 | ... | ... | June | ... | 1,734 | 1 536 | 895 | 673 | 417 | 301 | 324 | 574 | 880 | 1,037 | 1,436 | 1,566 | 1,192 | 629 | 180 | 18 | 4 | July | 313 | 772 | 606 | 342 | 247 | 224 | 190 | 58 | 132 | 237 | 403 | 553 | 637 | 693 | 683 | 255 | 26 | 1 | August | 624 | 1,553 | 724 | 700 | 150 | 144 | 76 | 30 | 42 | 158 | 400 | 962 | 1,238 | 1,182 | 778 | 381 | 45 | 2 | September | 37 | 432 | 2,182 | 124 | 434 | 388 | 273 | 127 | 351 | 457 | 893 | 1,349 | 1,467 | 1,002 | 214 | 79 | 21 | 1 | October | 17 | 1,184 | 817 | 279 | 490 | 314 | 279 | 121 | 207 | 493 | 1,173 | 1,255 | 907 | 313 | 109 | 5 | ... | ... | November | ... | 394 | 787 | 463 | 504 | 427 | 379 | 172 | 294 | 704 | 1,096 | 1,116 | 484 | 132 | 30 | 6 | ... | ... | December | ... | ... | 15 | 35 | 50 | 987 | 198 | 102 | 173 | 825 | 872 | 827 | 328 | 67 | 8 | ... | ... | ... | 991 | 8,277 | 92,602 | 4,414 | 3,867 | 4,197 | 2,926 | 1,631 | 3,748 | 6,356 | 9,953 | 11,997 | 9,561 | 11,997 | 5,786 | 2,820 | 940 | 111 | 8 | Vehicles. Months. | 5 A.M. to 6 A.M. | 6 A.M. to 7 A.M. | 7 A.M. to 8 A.M. | 8 A.M. to 9 A.M. | 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. | 10 A.M. to 11 A.M. | 11 A.M. to 12 M. | 12 M. to 1 P.M. | 1 P.M. to 2 P.M. | 2 P.M. to 3 P.M. | 3 P.M. to 4 P.M. | 4 P.M. to 5 P.M. | 5 P.M. to 6 P.M. | 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. | 7 P.M to 8 P.M. | 8 P.M. to 9 P.M. | 9 P.M. to 10 P.M. | 10 P.M. to 11 P.M. | January | ... | ... | 517 | 1,269 | 1,931 | 3,294 | 3,209 | 3,697 | 2,920 | 20,980 | 21,851 | 20,341 | 7,128 | 3,125 | 1,967 | 994 | 489 | 100 | February | ... | ... | 702 | 1,196 | 1,921 | 2,280 | 2,388 | 2,270 | 3,689 | 8,628 | 15,045 | 14,505 | 7,046 | 93 | 819 | 174 | 97 | ... | March | ... | 141 | 500 | 1,424 | 2,261 | 2,421 | 5,917 | 1,807 | 3 588 | 7,588 | 15,066 | 18,158 | 12,183 | 4,197 | 1,259 | 425 | 49 | ... | April | ... | 330 | 716 | 1,095 | 1,377 | 1,432 | 1,456 | 1,029 | 1,688 | 5,838 | 10,787 | 12,924 | 8,560 | 4,392 | 1,321 | 542 | 61 | ... | May | ... | 1,152 | 2,648 | 3,585 | 4,267 | 4,718 | 5,045 | 3,190 | 5,184 | 10,899 | 26,198 | 42,281 | 32,979 | 16,433 | 5,855 | 1,451 | 18 | ... | June | ... | 2,285 | 3,361 | 3,843 | 3,842 | 3,687 | 3,349 | 3,227 | 4,339 | 11,668 | 20,422 | 29,408 | 28,051 | 22,980 | 14,430 | 6,265 | 1,753 | 393 | July | 591 | 1,329 | 2,604 | 3,036 | 3,139 | 3,607 | 3,212 | 2,119 | 2,966 | 4,454 | 7,086 | 11,433 | 15,310 | 22,467 | 24,550 | 15,951 | 5,493 | 1,577 | August | 601 | 1,802 | 2,381 | 2,784 | 3,169 | 1,654 | 2,472 | 1,047 | 2,343 | 3,432 | 13,597 | 19,403 | 30,080 | 39,611 | 16,568 | 2,352 | 964 | 321 | September | 109 | 937 | 1,963 | 2,417 | 2,558 | 2,450 | 1,238 | 4,312 | 5,975 | 9,301 | 19,284 | 30,368 | 42,174 | 22,991 | 7,341 | 2,324 | 967 | 204 | October | 327 | 2,419 | 3,881 | 3,694 | 4,764 | 5,822 | 4,720 | 5,910 | 18,659 | 20,942 | 28,965 | 56,299 | 43 361 | 20,163 | 11,373 | 9,170 | 4,830 | 697 | November | ... | 839 | 2,650 | 3,981 | 4,895 | 4,989 | 5,985 | 7,131 | 14,857 | 15,143 | 19,921 | 19,343 | 18,657 | 11,162 | 5,838 | 1,541 | 459 | ... | December | ... | ... | 2,979 | 4,799 | 6,987 | 7,852 | 9,858 | 10,608 | 10,748 | 12,568 | 15,014 | 15,755 | 9,762 | 9,921 | 5,479 | 2,888 | ... | ... | 1,628 | 11,214 | 25,412 | 33,133 | 41,136 | 51,206 | 49,734 | 46,874 | 76,736 | 131,406 | 213,244 | 290,112 | 255,291 | 177,473 | 96,280 | 44,027 | 15,180 | 4,339 28 The subjoined table shows the days on which Musical Entertainments were given at the Park during the past eight years. [Table] Total number of musical days. 1859 ......... 10 1860 ......... 9 1861 ......... 10 1862 ......... 21 1863 ......... 20 1864 ......... 26 1865 ......... 30 1866 ......... 23 The influences and surroundings of the music in the open air at the Park are so widely different from those that prevail at musical entertainments elsewhere, that there is little ground to apprehend any diminution in the extent of interest with which it is regarded by the public. 29 Every practical effort is made to maintain and improve upon the character of the music, as well as to afford facilities for its enjoyment. It is the desire of the commissioners of the Park to secure the best compositions appropriate for out-of-door music, as well as new and valuable improvements in musical instruments and appliances as they are invented, and to render these Park entertainments superior in every respect to those of out-of-door music elsewhere. In forming the programmes the aim is to comprehend selections that will be acceptable to the cultivated musical taste, as well as the simpler airs that have become, bu associations and memory, dear to those among whom they had their origin. An increase in the number of the Park band is very desirable, and another band at a different part of the Park would not lack an audience. The whole cost of the music during the past year was $4,981 00 The following contributions toward paying the expenses of it have been received: Central park North and East River Railroad Company $570 00 Seventh Avenue Railroad Company 225 00 W. R. 10 00 805 00 Expenses over collections $4,176 00 With these exceptions the City Railroad Companies have declined to make contributions to the park music.[*30*] The subjoined table shows the statistics of the BOAT service for 1866. WEEK. CALL BOATS. PASSAGE BOATS. For the week ending May 5th, . . 41 86½ " " " 12th, . . 279 796 " " " 19th, . . 346 808 " " " 26th, . . 523½ 1,772 " " June 2d, . . 558 1,787½ " " " 9th, . . 431 1,914 " " " 16th, . . 615 2,457½ " " " 23d, . 664½ 2,370½ " " " 30th, . 407½ 953 " " July 7th, . 979½ 3,758½ " " " 14th, . 726 2,469 " " " 21st, . 433 1,186 " " " 28th, . 1,392 1,908 " " Aug. 4th, . 1,158 3,154½ " " " 11th, . 1,145 4,337½ " " " 18th, . 1,016 3,953 " " " 25th, 1,181 3,620½ " " Sept. 1st, 1,347 4,648 " " " " 8th, 925 3,599 " " " " 15th, 1,031½ 3,306½ " " " " 22d, 955 2,896½ " " " " 29th, 573½ 1,952½ " " " Oct. 6th, 829 2,694½ " " " " 13th, 366½ 1,058 " " " " 20th, 780 2,247 " " " " 27th, 615½ 1,705½ " " " Nov. 3d, 428 763 " " " " 10th, 318 635 " " " " 18th, 112 302½ Total, 20,177 63,160 The total revenue derived from these passengers by the contractor was $8,870 55 Total expense of conducting the boats 7,825 34 As compared with the year 1865, there appears an increase of 12,438 persons carried. [*31*] The subjoined Table shows the days on which there was Skating at the Park during the past eight winters. 1858-9. 1858. Dec. 29 1859. Jan. 3 " 22 " 23 " 24 " 25 " 26 " 27 " 28 " 29 " 30 Feb. 10 " 11 " 12 " 21 " 22 " 23 March 5 " 6 Days, 19 1859-60. 1859. Dec. 24 " 25 " 26 " 27 " 28 " 29 " 30 " 31 1860. Jan. 1 " 2 " 3 " 4 " 5 " 6 " 7 " 26 " 27 " 28 " 29 " 30 " 31 Feb. 1 " 2 " 3 " 5 " 8 " 9 " 10 " 11 " 12 " 13 " 14 " 15 " 16 " 17 " 20 Days, 36 1860-1. 1860. Dec. 14 " 15 " 16 " 18 1861. Jan. 11 " 12 " 13 " 14 " 18 " 19 " 20 " 21 " 22 " 23 " 26 " 28 " 29 " 30 " 31 Feb. 1 " 4 " 5 " 6 " 7 " 8 " 9 " 10 Days, 27 1861-2. 1861. Dec. 29 " 30 " 31 1862. Jan. 1 " 2 " 3 " 4 " 5 " 6 " 7 " 8 " 11 " 14 " 17 " 22 " 23 " 24 " 27 " 28 " 29 Feb. 1 " 2 " 3 " 4 " 5 " 6 " 8 " 9 " 10 " 11 " 12 " 13 " 15 " 16 " 17 " 18 " 19 " 21 " 22 " 23 " 25 " 26 " 28 March 1 " 2 " 3 " 5 " 6 " 7 " 8 Days, 50 1862-3. 1862. Dec. 22 1863. Jan. 20 Feb. 5 " 24 " 25 " 26 Days, 6 1863-4. 1863. Dec. 11 " 23 " 24 " 25 " 26 " 27 1864. Jan. 3 " 4 " 6 " 7 " 8 " 9 " 10 " 11 " 12 " 13 " 14 " 16 " 17 " 22 " 23 Feb. 18 " 19 " 20 " 21 Days, 25 1864-5 1864. Dec. 21 " 22 " 23 " 24 " 25 " 30 1865. Jan. 2 " 3 " 4 " 5 " 6 " 8 " 9 " 11 " 12 " 13 " 15 " 16 " 17 " 18 " 19 " 20 " 21 " 22 " 24 " 25 " 26 " 27 " 28 " 29 " 30 " 31 Feb. 1 " 2 " 3 " 4 " 6 " 7 " 9 " 10 " 11 " 13 " 14 " 15 " 18 " 19 " 20 " 21 " 22 " 24 Days, 50 1866. 1866. Jan. 8 " 9 " 10 " 11 " 12 " 15 " 17 " 18 " 19 " 21 " 22 " 23 " 24 " 26 " 27 " 28 " 29 " 30 " 31 Feb. 1 " 2 " 3 " 4 " 5 " 6 " 7 " 17 " 18 1866. Dec. 15 " 16 " 19 " 20 " 21 " 22 " 26 " 28 " 29 " 30 " 31 Days, 3932 [*A*] The first entertainment, or rather opportunity for entertainment, afforded by the Park, in addition to its rides and walks, was its ponds for skating; and it may, perhaps, be well at this time to trace briefly what has been the influence of the Park on this now very popular amusement. During the first season a scanty supply of commonplace American skates, with a few old-fashioned pairs of English manufacture, were all that could be discovered in the shop-windows. This matter of skating and the necessary implements had been fairly left to private enterprise from time immemorial, and the results showed that the varieties of skates were few and poor and the varieties of skaters still fewer and poorer. A single year, however, developed a marked improvement. Ice there had always been; but ice preserved day after day in good order and order preserved day after day on good ice were attractive novelties, and the tide of invention was fairly set in the direction of this health-giving winter amusement. When the second season opened the stores presented a very different aspect. There was competition everywhere, and new forms of skates were to be found carefully adapted to the needs, not only of skaters, but of learners, whether they happened to be men or women, boys or girls, or even young children. But little improvement was yet to be see in the article offered to the expert. This was a problem that did not press for immediate solution and the solid highly-polished high-priced import skate seemed to be in the 33 ascendant. During the next two or three years, however, numberless experiments were made. Patents were taken out having, in one way or another, special reference to skates. Ingenuity was exerted in every minute detail. Nothing escaped attention; the wood, the brass, the steel, the leather, were all compelled to appear in new forms, not fantastically, but scientifically and analytically conceived. Every part has been from time to time modified and remodified, until now a maximum of ease, simplicity, elegance, and durability seems to have been reached, and the only thing wanted in this line is, apparently, the machinery by means of which the best style of skate can be manufactured at a reasonable price. It is, also, clearly established that the public skating pond leads rapidly to the establishment of the private skating pond supported by subscription. The number of these enterprises is, as it should be, continually on the increase; they are legitimate results of an increasing interest in the art of skating, and serve to show how successful the Park has been as an educator of the public taste in this particular direction. [*B*] Before the Park ices existed the citizens of New York seemed to care but little for skating. Now it is found necessary to have extensive preparations for the especial use of skating clubs or private subscribers; and thus the end, so far as this particular amusement is concerned, seems to have justified and to be justifying the means adopted to arrive at it; for the Park skating ponds may be said now to have taken their permanent position in the public estimation, and the main object of their maintenance 34 35 tenance as skating grounds seems to be fairly realized in fostering such a taste for skating, that when the young people grow up or the older beginners become expert they readily provide themselves for the sake of exercising their acquired skill in a more private manner. It is to be borne in mind, however, that the Park-ponds will always have a decided advantage in the attractiveness of their immediate surrounds; and as successful competition in this respect can hardly be looked for, even in the most liberally conceived private enterprises, they will be on this account pleasantly remembered by many who in after years will make use of subscription ponds. On the whole, it may be said, that up to this time the influence of the Park on the amusement of skating has been beneficial, for it has directly encouraged habits of active winter exercise in both old and young, and, indirectly, has stimulated invention and assisted in the development of a new branch of home manufacture. It has, moreover, by degrees, taught many of its former visitors to be almost entirely independent of it, and has induced them to undertake and carry to a successful issue, by private subscription, schemes that would otherwise never have been thought of as possible or desirable. It is not to be inferred from the great success that has attended the skating ponds that similar general use of the playgrounds of the Park would be equally advantageous. It may seem but a very simple matter to throw open these grounds for use; but it is to be remembered that while ice is a substance which, when worn and cut out by the skaters, renews itself, and its surface can be refitted for use by inexpensive machinery, the tender verdure that constitutes the turf, when worn, is not readily restored to a condition that renders its appearance agreeable. Further than this, all the spaces of the Park that are available for playgrounds are limited in extent, and any use of them as playgrounds should be subordinate to the principal idea of the design, which is to provide an agreeable recreating ground for the whole community. If a considerable number of people of the city were impressed with the importance of out-of-door exercise for themselves and their children to a degree that would lead them to provide the opportunities for it at their own cost and charges, the necessity for the Park playgrounds would be largely diminished; but the taste for these out-of-door sports is but very limited, and it has been deemed proper so to regulate the use of this portion of the Park as to stimulate and develop a taste for them. With this object in view, opportunities for the use of the playgrounds have been extended to the schoolboys of the city, who will be likely in after-life to keep up the habits they have formed at the Park, and become members of organizations whose accommodations are provided from their own means. The use of the playgrounds of the Park for exercises and the extent to which the lawns will admit of that use, has been the subject of further observations and attention.36 In a communication heretofore made to the Board of Education of the city, suggestions were submitted by the Commissioners of the Park looking to such an extent of the use of the lawns as was admissible by the children of the public schools. It was deemed impracticable to satisfy the requirements of the numerous cricket, ball, and other adult clubs within the area of the Park, and at the same time preserve in the grounds an appearance that would be satisfactory to the much more numerous class that frequent the Park for the enjoyment of the refined and attractive features of its natural beauties. While it is obvious that the practice of these clubs cannot be allowed in the Park without destroying some of its chief attractions, yet there is undoubtedly a degree to which play can be admitted. The problem is to ascertain this limit and to establish such regulations as will control it. It was thought that, by extending the privilege to boys attending the public schools, the Park might be well made a valuable ancillary to the educational system of the city. The number of children would be sufficient to occupy the grounds to the fullest extent practicable. No unfriendly allegation of favoritism to one class or another would have any foothold for mischief. The children that attend the schools are the children of the people; with the assistance of their teachers the privilege of the Park play could readily be made an inducement to regular attendance at school and to diligence in study. Giving effect experimentally to these views during the 37 past season, facilities for play have been extended to considerable numbers of the boys of the schools. At a late period in the season a circular was addressed to the principals of the schools, stating the arrangements of the Commissioners of the Park in this regard. At one part of the season play was allowed on the playgrounds for two days in each week; at a later period, on three days in each week; and the increase of applications for play was such as to require the space known as the "green" for the same purpose. 7,520 lads have played on the grounds, and there is every reason to believe that all the facilities that can be extended at the Park for this class of exercise will be required and fully used by the youth of the city. The development of this idea will not be limited to boys. It is intended next season to set apart one or more grounds where the girls of the schools can play at croquet and other games under regulations adapted to their amusement and protection. The Commissioners of the Park do not know of any instance of a satisfactory appearance being maintained in a public park where the play of games is generally allowed on the grass. Unsatisfactory results are certain to follow such play on the Central Park; and in the effort to pursue a medium course where so many interests are concerned, they will be careful to provide and maintain such thorough regulations as shall ensure that the enjoyments in which the public now participate shall not be diminished. Convenient arrangements specially adapted to the 38 amusement of a still younger class of children than those who are not yet quite equal to the sturdy conflicts of the active games that interest the older boys have appeared to be desirable. With the view of satisfying this apparent need, the Commissioners have made on the lower Park somewhat extensive arrangements for their accommodation and designed to afford them opportunities for amusements suited to their age. A structure of adequate dimensions of a rustic character is in process of erection at an accessible point. It will be partially closely roofed as a protection from sun and rain, and partially of an open frame work to be covered with foliage. A smooth floor of 110 feet in diameter is contemplated, with benches, blocks, and other small facilities for children's amusement. This arbor-like structure is subdivided into compartments and corridors of divers shapes and dimensions by wide rustic seats or lounges, introduced between the uprights, in each of which tables are placed for the use of the children; the general aim being to provide for a number of groups, each of which can have the advantage of the accommodation without interference with the other. Around the outside of the structure is an open verandah, unoccupied by seats or tables, affording a running stretch of several hundred feet. In the immediate vicinity is the dairy, from which will be dispensed milk and other light and simple refreshment. A small, secluded green sward is provided, upon which children can tumble about when sunshine favors. II0 FEET ELEVATION SEAT TABLE TABLE TABLE TABLE SEAT Olmsted, Vaux & Co., Landscape Arch'ts. E. C. Miller, Del. PLAN RUSTIC SHELTER, SOUTHWEST OF THE MALL, FOR THE SPECIAL USE OF CHILDREN. 39 This feature, which has been for some time in contemplation, is now being carried out on a tract of ground east of the playground and south of the mall. The situation has been chosen after careful deliberation, because it is comparatively isolated and interferes with no other part of the design; it is not remote from the southerly boundary of the Park and is easily approached by the protected system of footwalks from the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth avenue entrances at the Fifty-ninth street. No difficulty or danger will attend the passing to and from of the children and their attendants, even when the Park roads are crowded with vehicles. The Park, as a whole, is undoubtedly expected to afford to the citizens of the metropolis, day after day and year after year, a succession of views of a rural character so real and genuine as to convey very positive ideas in regard to natural scenery, even to a person who might never see anything more country-like than will ultimately be contained within its limits; and this, in connection with the opportunity it offers for a social enjoyment of fresh air and exercise, is perhaps the most important service that it is calculated to perform in a direct way. Hill and dale, wood and water, grass and green leaves, are the natural food and refreshment of the human eye— an organ of sense so delicately adjusted as to require something more than dull colors and uninteresting forms, and is but little ministered to, in a pleasant way, in the portion of the city devoted to plain, straight-forward business or even domestic routine.40 Indirectly, however, the influence of the Central Park as an educator of the popular taste, in regard to natural scenes, works in the same way as it has been shown to do in reference to the more easily defined amusement of skating, and as it may doubtless be made to do in other matters, such as music, playgrounds, zoological gardens, museums, &c. The almost undeveloped capacity for enjoyment of broad, simple, natural lines, forms and colors, being gradually fostered by habitual visits to the city Park, the taste grows by what it feeds on, and ere long demands something fresh that shall be more broad, more simple, and more natural; the result of all this being that thousands of residents of this city acquire the habit of going into the country every now and then, in search of interesting scenery. During the last few years the change in this respect, so far as New Yorkers are concerned, has been very easily traceable. Quiet localities that used to be almost wholly neglected, are now visited by hundreds every summer; and there is in every direction the same evidence that an increased proportion of the population manages to spend some time every year in this way. The New York Historical Society having submitted designs for a building within which to establish a museum of antiquity and science and a gallery of art, as contemplated by an act of the Legislature of the State passed March 25, 1862, several interviews were had between the representatives of that society and the Commissioners of the Park on the subject. The views developed by a very 41 full interchange of the sentiments of the two bodies rendered it quite apparent that the Board, considering its responsible relations toward a valuable portion of the public domain, at the same time giving due weight to the important objects intended to be accomplished by the establishment of the museum, ought not to accept the designs submitted. The views of the Board, with its action on the subject, have been fully communicated to the Historical Society. The entrances to the Park are now open, unobstructed and convenient for all seeking admission in conformity with the regulations; the character and plans of the structures to be erected at these entrances have received especial attention. With the increase of visitors at the Park, the portions of the streets and avenues immediately adjacent to the entrances are being occupied as hack-stands and by the cars stopping to deliver and take up passengers, the confusion and danger arising from these causes outside the gates are such as to demand arrangements adequate to the exigencies. The Legislature, at its last session, made a liberal enlargement outside the entrance at the junction of Fifty-ninth street and the Eighth avenue and Broadway, adequate, if properly arranged, to secure the comfort and safety of the large number of vehicles and foot passengers that will seek the Park at this point. The establishment of Zoological Gardens in the Park has long been the subject of attention, and plans are now so far complete as to warrant the expectation of an early 442 commencement of the work of improving the grounds upon which they are to be established. The considerations of public convenience and of future economy in their management give great importance to the question of their location. Circumstances seem to point to that part of the Park lying west of the Eighth avenue as a favorable site; but it is not without its disadvantages, a principal objection being that its area is scarcely sufficient for the full extent of the future development of the gardens. To render such an establishment unobjectionable to the neighborhood and agreeable to visitors, and to preserve the life of the various creatures that are to make it a home, it is of the first importance that the most ample conveniences be provided for draining the ground, and for constant cleanliness in every department. Any measures that are taken toward securing these requisites short of the very best known methods, are certain to result either in finally increased expenditures or in the abandonment of the whole enterprise. The experience in these respects of European gardens ought to be made useful in the outlet of our own. Without the provision of these essential preliminaries the Gardens cannot be successful. With them the greatest care and intelligent supervision will be required to give the Gardens the character that is desired. The extremes of our climate are such as will require continued circumspection to preserve in health the tender and delicate animals of the tropics and the more robust organizations adapted to the frigid zones. DESIGN FOR LAYING OUT THE GROUND, WEST OF THE EIGHTH AVENUE, AND FOR THE ARRANGEMENT THEREON OF THE PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE THE ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTION. 9TH AVENUE 9TH AVENUE 77TH STREET 77TH STREET 80 FEET 81ST STREET 81ST STREET 8TH AVENUE 8TH AVENUE 20 FEET ENTRANCE FOR VISITORS BUILDING FOR LIVING SPECIMENS 50 FT 200 FT LAWN POOL ENTRANCE FOR VISITORS MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. 50 FT 320 FT OUTLET LAWN POOL POOL ARENA ARENA SPACE OCCUPIED BY SEPARATE YARDS ATTACHED TO DENS PUBLIC HALL BUILDING FOR CARNIVOROUS SPECIMENS 100 FT 100 FT 45 FT 40 FT 340 FEET 445 FT OPEN YARD HALL OUTLET ENTRANCE FOR VISITORS ENTRANCE ENTRANCE ARCHWAY THE HUNTERS GATE BRIDLE ROAD PARK WALK BRIDLE ROAD ENTRANCE TRAFFIC ROAD FOOT ENTRANCE E. C. Miller [?] Olmsted, Vaux C. Landscape Architects SCALEDESIGN FOR LAYING OUT THE GROUND, WEST OF EIGHTH AVENUE, AND FOR THE ARRANGEMENT THEREON OF THE PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS REQUIRED TO ACCOMMODATE THE ZOOLOGICAL COLLECTION. 9TH AVENUE 9TH AVENUE [77TH STREET 77TH STREET 80 FEET] 81ST STREET 81ST STREET 8TH AVENUE 8TH AVENUE 20 FEET ENTRANCE FOR VISITORS BUILDING FOR LIVING SPECIMENS 50 FT 200 FT LAWN POOL [ENTRANCE FOR VISITORS MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. 50 FT 320 FT OUTLET] LAWN POOL POOL ARENA ARENA SPACE OCCUPIED BY SEPARATE YARDS ATTACHED TO DENS PUBLIC HALL BUILDING FOR CARNIVOROUS SPECIMENS YARD COVERED BY BARN 130 FT 50 FT BUSINESS ENTRANCE 100 FT 100 FT 45 FT 40 FT 340 FEET 445 FT OPEN YARD HALL OUTLET ENTRANCE FOR VISITORS ENTRANCE ENTRANCE ARCHWAY THE HUNTERS GATE [BRIDLE] ROAD PARK WALK BRIDLE ROAD ENTRANCE TRAFFIC ROAD FOOT ENTRANCE E. C. Miller [?] Olmsted, Vaux C. Landscape Architects SCALE43 The Zoological Gardens established as a part of a popular pleasure ground will assimilate, in their character, to the main object of the ground, that is, recreation; and while they will become a valuable aid in common school instruction, their primary object will be to offer agreeable entertainment to the general visitor. A purely scientific arrangement will not be attempted, as it will necessarily interfere with the main object of the gardens, and render them more formal and less free and attractive. Statistics have been adduced in a former report on the subject of the annual expense required to maintain similar establishments; these, of course, are enhanced in a ratio corresponding with the extent and the degree of refinement that are developed. The Commissioners of the Park are not willing, at this time of severe taxation, to augment the budget of city expenditures; they therefore are inclined to proceed on the assumption that at least a portion of the annual outlay of the gardens shall be returned from the collections of a moderate entrance fee for admission to such parts as comprehend the animals of a rare and costly character. Schedule A, hereto annexed, shows the number of living animals in captivity at the Park. This collection is a continually increasing source of interest. The percentage of mortality is much less than last year, and the general condition of the animals is excellent, notwithstanding the necessarily unsatisfactory nature of their temporary accommodations. A necrological list will always attend an institution44 of this character. As its facilities improve the more delicate foreign animals find a home in the collection. The eagles now number twenty-four individuals; twenty-three bald eagles exhibit this species in every stage of plumage. The Harpy eagle is believed to be the only living specimen in the country. Reproduction is, doubtless, the most satisfactory evidence of acclimatization. In schedule B, hereto annexed, will be found a list of the mammals that have bred on the Park during the past year. In schedule C, hereto annexed, will be found a statement in detail of the gifts, devises, and bequests during the past year, for the purpose of embellishing or ornamenting the Park, and of the names of the persons by whom the same are so given, devised, or bequeathed. Among these will be found a most interesting collection of what are known as beaver cuttings, collected and presented by L. H. Morgan, Esq., being sections of the trunks of trees which have been actually gnawed off by the beavers, for the purpose of using them in their dams, showing various stages of the work of these curious animals. The house sparrows, a few of which were let loose in the Park a few years since, are rapidly increasing in numbers and are now to be found in several parts of the city, and in quite large numbers at Jersey City, Hoboken and Bergen Point. An article in the annals of the New York Lyceum of 45 Natural History, by George N. Lawrence, Esq., an eminent naturalist, thus alludes to the efforts to colonize this bird: "This familiar European species has been successfully introduced in New York, and colonies have been established at several distant points, where they could have been seen during the past winter. "After the extreme cold of January, 1866, when the thermometer marked ten degrees below zero, I noticed them in their usual quarters, apparently unharmed. In Jersey City also they are quite numerous. I first observed them in the spring of 1865. A friend conversant with our local native birds informed me that he had seen a species in the shrubbery around the church on the corner of Fifth avenue and Twenty-ninth street, with which he was not familiar. On going to ascertain what they were, to my surprise, I found them to be house sparrows; they were domiciled in the ivy which grew on the walls of the church, and were quite gentle and fearless, some alighting to the streets and dusting themselves quite near to where I stood. I afterwards learned from our associate, Mr. Eugene Schieffelin that he had been looking at them with much interest; in fact, he is entitled to the credit, in a great measure, for this important acquisition to our city. In 1860 and for three years thereafter, he yearly set free five or six pairs, mostly in the neighborhood of Madison square; seven pairs were let out in the Central Park by the Commissioners in 1864. "Mr. Schieffelin told me that in the yard of his father's house in Twenty-sixth street, near Madison square, quite 46 a number were to be seen at almost any time. This was early in June. I went there with him and had the opportunity of examining them very satisfactorily. Some were in the trees, other on the ground feeding among the poultry; I noticed a company of six young birds (no doubt of the same brood) which kept close together on the ground, mixing freely with the chickens, and when pecked at for being in the way, paying but little heed to the admonition, merely hopping to one side. There was a fountain in the yard, and on the edge of the basin this same party were afterwards enjoying a bath together. One pair of adult birds especially took our attention, both being in perfect plumage. I was surprised to see the male possessed of such pure and bright colors, so different from the dingy smoke-begrimed specimens from Europe usually seen in collections. "Their flight is strong, rapid, and direct; they probably have two or more broods in a season, as at this date (the end of March) some appear to be already mated.* "I never expected to see the realization in this city, and by the species supposed to be alluded to, of 'a sparrow alone upon the house-top.' "That pest of our shade-trees and the horror of pedestrians, the caterpillars, or larvae (of Ennomos subsignaria Hüb.,) familiarly known as the 'measuring worn,' from a single one of which a sensitive lady shrinks in disgust, * At this time (April 15th) several nests are built in the ivy on the church at the corner of Twenty-ninth street. The nest is globular in form, with an entrance at the side. 47 are said to form part of the diet of this species. In Philadelphia, where these worms abound to a much greater extent than in New York, the introduction of this bird would confer a boon on the inhabitants they could not fail to appreciate." The varieties of native birds appear in their accustomed seasons at the Park, and leave on their annual migrations when the weather becomes too severe for them. Great pains is taken to secure them an unmolested habitation and to free them from annoyances and practices that are calculated to frighten them, in the hope that they will continue to add to the Park the charms of their interesting habits, their plumage, and song. So few will credit the extent that these little creatures may be won, and attached to place and person by the extension of kind attention to their wants, that an example of what has been accomplished in that way, extracted from a late work published in England by our countryman, Elihu Burritt, will be read with interest: "He of Tregedna is a man of impressive individuality, resembling the portrait of one of the old bards or sages of classic history. His grounds, in their natural conformation, were admirably fitted up for works of art and taste. And he has filled them overflowing full of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants, until his mansion door looks like the entrance into a grotto of living wood. As a specimen or measure of the florid style of embellishment which he has blended with graver orders, he has planted over one hundred thousand rose trees of different 48 kinds. But the great and distinguishing attainment he has won is the feat of making himself the Rarey of the bird-world; and as such I would introduce him and his beautiful triumphs especially to the younger portion of my readers. “At this advanced stage of Christian enlightenment, when such triumphs of faith and patient kindness have been won in the softening of the rough natures of both man and beast; at a time when iron wire, enough to belt the globe with a netting a yard wide, is made yearly into cages for birds of different form and feather, it is instructive as well as interesting to see what the mild eyes, the kind voice, and gentle hand of this half-hermit of Tregedna have accomplished in securing a goodly companionship of the free warblers of the grove for his deeply-embowered home. He has proved by the happiest illustration that any one with the law of kindness in his heart, on his tongue, in his eye, and in his hand, may have the most intimate fellowship of these sweet singers, and their best songs from morning till night, without the help of snares or cages. Every such example is worth more to the world than the discovery of any Arctic explorer. It bridges the chasm between the two worlds, linking earth to the nearest heaven and bringing both into pleasant communion. It does away with the old hereditary alienation between man and the creatures given to walk the earth in his company for his help, or to fly the air and fill it with their songs for his cheer. Thus, the day may come when the natural dread and enmity which have banished so many beasts and birds 49 from the habitations of man shall disappear; when his dominion shall be complete, and the wildest of them all shall yield him homage and service. “What prettier out-door exercise for the kindly dispositions of gentle-spirited children could there be, as a change from lessons of love to their own kind, than this playing of the Rarey among the birds? What a pleasant accentation it would give to their voices, as a permanent habit, to talk to these birds; to coax them down from their tree-tops or out of their hidings in the hedges with little calls and cooings such as children can make? How prettily it would train their hands for gentle actions in after-life, to put them out with tempting crumbs on the palm towards the little doubting flutterers overhead, eyeing the moment with such keen speculation as if questioning whether it meant bread or a stone! Let any boy or girl who thinks it can be done, or would know how it can be accomplished, just see how simply the bird friend of Tregedna did it. “It was all an incident to his benevolent disposition, not a premeditated design. It commenced at the time when he was laying out the grounds of his little dell park. While at work upon the walks and flower beds, and turning up the fresh earth with his spade or rake, several of the little birds would come down from the trees and hop along after him at a little distance, picking up the worms and insects. By walking gently and looking and speaking kindly when they were near, they came first to regard his approach without fear, then with confidence. They soon learned the sound of his voice, and seemed to understand 50 stand the meaning of his simple, set words of caressing. Little by little they ventured nearer and nearer, close to his rake and hoe, and fluttered and wrestled and twittered in the contest for a worm or fly, sometimes hopping upon the head of his rake in the excitement. Day by day they became more trustful and tame. They watched him in the morning from the trees near his door, and followed him to his work. New birds joined the company daily, and they all acted as if he had no other intent in raking the ground than to find them a breakfast. As the number increased he began to carry crusts of bread in the great outside pocket of his coat, and to sprinkle a few crumbs for them on the ground. When his walks were all finished, and he used the spade and rake less frequently, the birds looked for their daily rations of crumbs; and would gather in the tree-tops in the morning and let him know, with their begging voices, that they were waiting for him. He called them to breakfast with a whistle, and they would come out of the thick, green leaves of the grove and patter, twitter, and flutter around and over his feet. Sometimes he would put a piece of bread between his lips, when a bright-eyed little thing would pick it out, like a humming-bird taking honey from a deep flower-bell without alighting. They became his constant companions. As soon as he stepped from his door, they were on the look-out to give him a merry welcome with their happy voices. They have come to know the sound of his step, his walks, and recreations. Often, when leaning upon his hoe or rake, one of them will alight upon the head of it and turn up a bright eye at 51 his face. Even before he gave up the practice of shooting birds of another feather, one would sometimes hop upon the gilt guard of the lock, and peer around upon the brass trigger with a look of wonder which he interpreted aright, and left off killing birds susceptible of the same training. He leaves his chamber-window open at night, and when he awakes early in the morning he often finds a robin or goldfinch hopping about on the bedposts or on the back of a chair close by, trying to say or sing in the best articulation of its speech, ‘It is time to get up; come and see the flowers; a dew of pearl is on their leaves, and the sun is above the sea.’ And, what is more beautiful still and full of poetry—full of the sweet life of those spontaneous affinities and affections more beautiful than poetry—these birds follow him to the sanctuary on the Sunday, a distance of more than a mile from his house, as a kind of aerial escort, singing their Sabbath psalms of gladness and praise on their way. When the indoor service is ended, they meet him on his return, and escort him home with a new set of hymns.”52 WORKS OUTSIDE OF THE PARK. GRADE OF EIGHTH AVENUE. At its session of 1866, the Legislature passed an act providing for the establishment of the grade and the grading of the Eighth avenue from Fifty-ninth to One Hundred and Twenty-second street. On the 17th August last the Board approved of such part of the grade of the said avenue authorized by said act as is between the center line of Fifty-ninth street and the center line of Sixty-sixth street, and also of such part of the grade of said avenue authorized by said act as is between the center line of Eighty-fourth street and the center line of One Hundred and Twenty-second street. The map or profile showing this grade has been duly filed in the office of the Street Commissioner. This alteration of grade will require extensive changes in the completed surface of the Park all along its western boundary, and the removal of the greater portion of the Park wall that has been built on the line of the Eighth avenue. It is not unlikely, unless special effort is made to forward the actual work of excavating and filling the avenue, that it will be so delayed as to become a serious public inconvenience. The owners of property along its line generally expect great advantages from the change made in its elevations. 53 The changed grade of this avenue will, to a greater or less degree, affect that of most of the abutting and crossing streets and some of the parallel avenues. The grade of One Hundred and Tenth street has in consequence been altered from the Eighth nearly to the Fifth avenue; for the same reason the grade of the Seventh avenue has been changed, and that of the Sixth avenue is to some extent involved. GRADING OF SEVENTY-SEVENTH AND EIGHTY-FIRST STREETS. By the same act the Commissioners of the Park are required to regulate and grade, pave and flag, that part of the Eighth avenue between the center line of Seventy-seventh and Eighty-first streets, and also the northerly half of Seventy-seventh and the southerly half of Eighty-first streets, between the Eighth and Ninth avenues; these being the streets that bound the land formerly known as Manhattan square. A large proportion of the property-owners on the north half of Eighty-first street being willing to proceed simultaneously with the work of excavating and filling of the north half of the street, the Commissioners of the Park placed the south part of the street under contract and the work is now going forward. With respect to Seventy-seventh street, the filling being unusually deep, at one point not less than 30½ feet, it was deemed uneconomical to carry forward the work of grading one-half of the street until the sewer, which it is understood is to be built in this street, is completed. 54 The work of filling the whole width of the street can be carried forward at much better advantage than each half separately. The Croton Aqueduct Department have, it us understood, determined to build a sewer in this street of extra depth, for the purpose of removing the surface water that covers a large area in the vicinity of the ground formerly known as Manhattan square, and as far south as Seventy-fifth street. The improvement of this ground and the removal of the surface water from adjacent lots has long been very much desired, and it is hoped that nothing now will occur to prevent the prompt construction of the sewer, as it is important that it be done before the street is filled, rather than resort to the expensive process of removing the filling to the great depth that would be required after it has been deposited. SEVENTH AVENUE NORTH OF THE PARK. In order that this work might be under way, it was deemed prudent to let a portion of the heavier work at the northerly end, and inasmuch as the change of the grade of the Eighth avenue would be likely to affect the grade of the Seventh avenue for a considerable distance above One Hundred and Tenth street, the prosecution of the work at the part of the avenue from One Hundred and Tenth street north to One Hundred and Forty-seventh street was deferred till the grade of that part of the avenue was finally settled. 55 The work at the north end is now going on, and the Board hope soon to have it in progress along the whole extent of the avenue above the Park. SIXTH AVENUE ABOVE THE PARK. The Commissioners of Assessment were appointed on this avenue August 5, 1865; their report has not yet been made, and the Commissioners of the Park are not, therefore, able to proceed in the execution of this work. ABOVE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIFTH STREET. Immediately upon obtaining the papers of the Commissioners appointed by chapter 201 of the Laws of 1860, to lay out the island north of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street, the Board proceeded to make the necessary examinations and surveys to carry out the injunctions of the law on this portion of the Island. The work is one of great responsibility and difficulty. Some progress has been made; the west drive is laid out from the Merchants' Gate of the Park (Fifty-ninth street and Eighth avenue) to Tubby Hook, a distance of about seven and a half miles. A street of 100 feet in width has been laid out from the Hudson river to the Kingsbridge road; the Eleventh avenue has been extended from One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street to its junction with the Kingsbridge road; Maps of the portion laid out are in progress for filing. The Board is gratified to find a ready and generous56 co-operation on the part of the landholders of this section in the steps taken for its development. CIRCULAR PLACE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE PARK AT EIGHTH AVENUE AND FIFTY-NINTH STREET. An act of the Legislature passed April 13, 1857, authorized the Mayor, Alderman, and Commonalty of the city to widen Broadway between Fifty-seventh and Fifty-ninth streets, and left the lines and extent of such widening to their discretion. The Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty, in the latter part of the year 1865, defined the extent of the widening, and proceedings to carry it into effect were taken by the Corporation Counsel. This widening was projected on a very extensive scale; but it failed to dispose on any symmetrical arrangement of the small points of land and inconvenient angles involved by the junction of Broadway, Eighth avenue, and Fifty-ninth street. Owners of property in the vicinity who were not pleased with the plan of widening appealed to the Legislature, and the act of April 21, 1866, was passed, authorizing the Commissioners of the Park to widen Broadway between Fifty-seventh and Fifty-ninth streets, and to take and use as and for a public place the land included within the circumference of a circle in the act described. The result of carrying out this design will be an expanded symmetrical disposition of the angles at this intersection 57 of important streets, and it will also have a very important bearing on the character of the entrance to this part of the Park. The proceedings are now in progress to acquire the title to the land. AVENUE ST. NICHOLAS AND MANHATTAN STREET. The act of April 4, 1866, makes it the duty of the Commissioners of the Central Park to lay out and establish the grade of an avenue not exceeding one hundred feet in width, to commence at or near the intersection of the Sixth avenue and One Hundred and Tenth street, running thence in the general direction of the Harlem lane, till it intersects the Kingsbridge road at or near One Hundred and Twenty-fourth street, between the Eighth and Ninth avenues, and thence northerly as nearly midway between said avenues as the said Commissioners may deem advantageous, to One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Street, and thence northerly in the general direction of the Kingsbridge road to a point on One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street, about midway between the Ninth and Tenth avenues. This act repeals a portion of the act of 1860 requiring the new Ninth avenue to be laid out. In compliance with the provisions of the act, the Commissioners of the Park have laid out and established the Avenue St. Nicholas, from One Hundred and Tenth street to One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street; at the latter point it opens directly into the Kingsbridge road, 558 | 59 thereby providing an easterly route to Kingsbridge that will be likely to be a great public convenience. The act of 1866 last above referred to, also authorized the Commissioners of the Park to extend Manhattan street in a southerly direction to the Avenue St. Nicholas, and to widen it to a width of one hundred feet. This widening and extension have been decided on and the proceedings to perfect them will soon be in progress. The importance of securing at this time a wide street through Manhattan Valley is obvious. It is the only opening to the river that occurs for a great distance, both to the north and to the south, through which it is practicable to lay a street of such grades as will facilitate the extensive traffic that will demand accommodation. IMPROVEMENTS AT THE WEST SIDE OF THE CITY ABOVE SIXTY-SEVENTH STREET. The act of April 13, 1866, made it the duty of the Commissioners of the Central Park to cause a survey to be made of that part of the city and county of New York bounded northerly by One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street; easterly by the westerly line of the Eighth avenue north of Eighty-second street, and by the westerly line of the Ninth avenue south of Eighty-second street; east of the Tenth avenue, and by the southerly line of Sixty-seventh street, west of the Tenth avenue, and westerly by the Hudson river; and to prepare maps, plans, and profiles embracing and showing such changes in the widths, directions, and grades of the streets, avenues, and roads now laid out within the area above described, and in the pier and bulkhead lines now established, as in their opinion can be made with benefit to the property affected and to the public interests; and also the boundaries and grades of such streets, avenues, roads, and public squares and places as in their opinion can be laid out or discontinued with like benefit. The Commissioners of the Park are required, from time to time, to report to the Legislature maps, plans, and profiles, with their proceedings under this act. Their authority under this act expires on the first day of May, 1868. Impressed with the responsible character of the duties imposed by this act, and mindful of the difficulties that surround the subject, the Commissioners of the Park have desired to meet them with all practical prompitude. The magnitude of the interest involved and the paralyzing effect upon the advance of improvements throughout the whole section that is occasioned by suspense and uncertainty respecting its future plan, render it a duty for the Commissioners of the Park to exert themselves to make at least a partial report at the next session of the Legislature, in order that those desiring to improve their lands may be able to do so without apprehensions that some future change of the plan will require either the destruction or alteration of their improvements. It is not to be denied that the development of this interesting portion of the city has been much retarded by the expensive obstacles to progress that are found in60 the existing plan of the lines and grades of the streets and avenues which, as the law now stands, must sooner or later be worked out within this area. A deliberate intelligent examination of the whole subject will result either in advantageous changes of the plan or in the conclusion that such alterations are impracticable. In either event the uncertainty with respect to its future that has long been the means of retarding its advancement will be dispelled, and owners left to proceed with some confidence to improve their property. The Commissioners of the Park hope that their examinations into these various subjects beyond the area of the park may in some degree aid in removing the obstacles that have so long retarded the improvement of the western and northern portions of the city, and that by suggestions of a practical character much may be done to fix in these localities the population that is now so largely forced to go beyond the limits of the city for places of residence. The accounts of the Treasurer herewith submitted, show a detailed statement of all the receipts and expenditures of the Board during the past year, also their distribution by an appropriate classification. Dated New York, December 31, 1866. Respectfully submitted, ANDW. H. GREEN, HENRY G. STEBBINS, Comptroller of the Park. President of the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park. 61 SUMMARY OF THE TREASURER'S ACCOUNTS. Construction Account. Balance on hand December 31, 1865, $27,901 39 The total receipts for the year ending December 31, 1866, are as follows: From issue of stock by the city of New York, $349,000 00 Interest on deposits in Bank of Commerce 469 53 Sale of time-books 7 75 Sale of old materials 2,494 31 Amount re-transferred to general fund from maintenance, 1865, 64,779 93 Amount re-transferred to general fund from "Island above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street and public drive" 1,283 29 418,034 81 $445,936 20 The total expenditures for the year ending December 31, 1866, are as follows: Salaries and compensation of officers and clerks, $27,833 41 Surveys, engineers, architects, draughtsmen, &c., 14,993 92 Salaries of gardening department 2,467 50 Incidental expenses 8,192 47 Materials of construction and tools 86,650 47 Stationery, printing, advertising, drawing materials, &c., 3,739 35 Trees and plants 3,043 36 labor account, amount paid laborers, mechanics, cartmen, &c., 96,626 42 Earth filling 7,386 27 250,983 17 Balance, $194,953 0362 The total receipts of the Board from the commencement of its organization, may 1, 1857, are as follows: From issues of stock by the city of New York, $5,135,697 48 Sale of buildings on the Park, 6,155 87 Payment of lost tools, 451 23 Rent of buildings, 153 33 Exhibition of plans, 294 85 Sales of grass, 2,213 25 Sales of wool, 222 40 Interest on deposits, 21,058 79 Pound receipts 1,199 87 Licenses for the sale of refreshments, skates, &c., 7,175 61 Sales of old iron, steel, &c., 1,678 19 Sale of time-books, 7 75 Payment of labor and materials furnished by Park 4,655 94 Premium on exchanges, gold for silver 23 52 $5,180,988 08 The expenditures thus far are as follows: From May 1, 1857, to January 1, 1858 $77,881 41 " January 1, 1858, to January 1, 1859, 507,487 86 " " 1859, " 1860, 1,179,246 47 " " 1860, " 1861, 878,354 95 " " 1861, " 1862, 479,163 66 " " 1862, " 1863, 461,540 32 " " 1863, " 1864, 331,871 60 " " 1864, " 1865, 452,590 23 " " 1865, " 1866, 366,915 38 " " 1866, " 1867, 250,983 17 $4,986,035 05 Balance, $194,953, 03 63 Maintenance Account for the year 1865. To balance transferred from general fund he expenditures on account of Maintenance in the year 1865, in addition to those in the report of last year, are as follows: LABOR. MATERIALS. TOTAL. Roads, $884 62 $1,296 00 $2,180 62 Walks, 373 98 536 70 910 68 Plantations, 286 48 39 50 325 98 Ice, 27 21 49 20 76 41 Irrigation, 2 25 20 93 23 18 Tools, 12 09 22 81 34 90 Surface drainage 24 70 24 70 Buildings, 849 04 17 98 867 02 Park and gate-keepers' wages 4,291 93 4,291 93 Animals, 105 99 38 52 144 51 Manure, 103 19 103 19 Special Police, 22 87 22 87 Miscellaneous, 312 80 240 99 553 79 $9,559 78 $74,339 71 Received from the City of new York for deficiency for Maintenance, 1865, $64,779 93 Sale of grass, 2,900 00 $67,679 93 To balance carried to maintenance, 1866, $6,659 7864 Maintenance Account for the year 1866. To balance carried from Maintenance, 1865, $6,659 78 The expenditures on account maintenance, 1866, thus far, are as follows: LABOR. MATERIALS. TOTAL. Irrigation, [Table contents] Thorough drainage, Transverse roads, Masonry, Tools, Surface drainage, Roads, Walks, Plantations, Turf, ice, Water, Buildings, Gallery of Art, Manure, Music, Miscellaneous, Park and gate-keepers' wages and uniforms, Special park-keepers' wages, Stationery,printing, and advertising, Purchase and keep of animals, Proportion of salaries. 233,511 35 $240,171 13 Received from the city of New York, for maintenance of the Park, for the year 1866, $200,000 00 Received from sale of grass, 3,874 50 Received from sale of sheep, 425 00 Received from sale of wool, 291 33 Received from removing broken vehicles to Arsenal, 44 50 Received from pound receipts, 205 95 Received from railroad companies and others on account of music at park, 805 00 Received from licenses for he sale of refreshments, skates, &c., 4,744 89 Amount transferred from general fund, 29,779 96 $240,171 13 65 Island above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Street and Pubic Drive. (Chapter 565 of the Laws of 1865.) Received from the city of New York for improvement of Island above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street and public drive, for the year 1865, $12,500 00 Received from the city of New York for improvement of Island above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street and public drive, for the year 1866 12,000 00 $24,500 00 To balance transferred from general fund December 31, 1865, $1,283 29 The expenditures for the year 1866, are as follows: Surveys, maps, model, &c., 7,650 23 Stationery and drawing materials, 313 96 Incidental expenses, 197 80 9,445 28 Balance on hand December 31, 1866, $15,054 72 Claims against old Commissioners for laying out city north of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Street. Balance on hand December 31, 1865, $8,869 32 The following claims have been paid during the year ending December 31, 1866: William Harris, Jr., $300 00 Stackpole & Brother, 31 00 331 00 Balance on hand December 31, 1866 $8,538 32 Eighty-first Street. Received from the city of New York on estimate for regulating and grading the south half of Eighty-first street, between Eighth and Ninth avenues, $25,000 00 The payments on this account fro the year ending 66 December 31st, 1866, are as follows: John Healy, contractor, regulating and grading, . . . . . . . $3,420 00 Surveys and maps, . . . . 543 73 Stationery and drawing materials . . 51 86 --- 4,015 59 --- Balance on hand December 31st, 1866, . $20,984 41 Seventh Avenue. Received from the city of New York on estimate for regulating and grading Seventh avenue, . . . . . $2,572 50 Amount transferred from general fund, . . . . 433 86 -- $3,006 36 The payments on this account for the year ending December 31, 1866, are as follows: Thomas Crimmins, contractor, regulating and grading $2,572 50 Surveys, maps, &c., . . . . . . . 393 78 Stationery and incidental expenses, . . . . 40 08 -- $3,006 36 West Side Improvement. (Chap. 550 of the Laws of 1866.) Amount transferred from general fund for surveys, maps, &c., $4,684 67 Stationery and drawing materials, . . . . . . 170 82 Incidental expenses, . . . . . . . . 72 60 -- $4,928 09 Seventy-seventh Street. Amount transferred from general fund for estimate and specification, . . . . . . . . . $32 30 Balance on hand December 31, 1866, Construction account, . $194,953 03 Less amount transferred to the credit of the following accounts : Maintenance, 1866, . . . . . $29,779 96 Seventh Avenue, . . . . . 433 86 West Side Improvement, . . . . 4,928 09 Seventy-seventh Street, . . . . 32 20 --- 35,174 11 --- Balance on hand December 31, 1866, Construction account, $159,778 92 67 Balance on hand December 31, 1866, "Island above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street and public drive," . . . $15,054 72 Balance on hand December 31, 1866, "Claims against old Commissioners for Laying out City north of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Street," . . . . . . . . 8,538 32 Balance on hand December 31, 1866, "Eighty-first Street," 20,984 41 ------ Balance on hand December 31, 1866, . . . $204,356 37 Dated New York, December 31, 1866. ANDW. H. GREEN, Treasurer of the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park.Central Park Guide. [Map] A Av. Broad way The Merchants Gate 66 st. The Woman's Gate 72 St. The hunters Gate Central park, formerly Manhattan Square. The Mariners' Gate 85 St. 86 St. Drive Ride WALK TRANSVERSE ROAD Croton Reservoir. The Artizans Gate 7 Av. 59 ST. The Artists Gate 6 Av. The Scholars Gate 5 Av. 65 S. Hamilton Square The Children's Gate 72 S. The Miners Gate 79 S. 85 S. The Engineers' Gate 90 S.[Central Park] Guide. [Map] [The] Mariners' Gate The Gate of all Saints The Boys' Gate Drive Ride WALK TRANSVERSE ROAD Croton Reservoir. The Strangers' Gate The Warriors' Gate The Farmers' Gate The Pioneers' Gate The Engineers' Gate The Woodman's Gate The Girls' Gate [REFERENCE] TO THE CENTRAL PARK GUIDE. GATES. 5th Avenue and 59th Street—The Scholars' Gate. 6th " " 59th " The Artists' Gate. 7th " " 59th " The Artizans' Gate. 8th " " 59th " The Merchants' Gate. 8th " " 72d " The Womens' Gate. 8th " " 79th " The Hunters' Gate. 8th " " 85th " The Mariners' Gate. 8th " " 96th " The Gate of All Saints. 8th " " 100th " The Boys' Gate. 5th " " 72d " The Childrens' Gate. 5th " " 79th " The Miners' Gate. 5th " " 90th " The Engineers' Gate. 5th " " 96th " The Woodman's Gate. 5th " " 102d " The Girls' Gate. 5th " " 110th " The Pioneers' Gate. 6th " " 110th " The Farmers' Gate. 7th " " 110th " The Warriors' Gate. 8th " " 110th " The Strangers' Gate. [1. The] Pond. 12. Casino, or Refreshment [2. Museum] and Park Offices. House. [3. Play] Ground. 13. Fountain. [4. The] Green. 14. The Terrace. [5. The] Marble Arch 15. The Circle. [6. Site] of the Shakespeare 16. Site for Refectory. [Monument], 17. The Lake. [7. The] Mall. 18. The Bow Bridge. [8. Oak] and Elm planted by the 19. Conservatory Lake. [Prince] of Wales. 20. Site for Flower-house. [9. Music] Pavilion. 21. Dove Cot. [10. Vine-covered] Walk. 22. Evergreen Walk. [11. Carriage] Concourse. 23. The Cedars.REFERENCE TO THE CENTRAL PARK GUIDE. GATES. 5th Avenue and 59th Street—The Scholars' Gate. 6th " " 59th " The Artists' Gate. 7th " " 59th " The Artizans' Gate. 8th " " 59th " The Merchants' Gate. 8th " " 72d " The Womens' Gate. 8th " " 79th " The Hunters' Gate. 8th " " 85th " The Mariners' Gate. 8th " " 96th " The Gate of All Saints. 8th " " 100th " The Boys' Gate. 5th " " 72d " The Childrens' Gate. 5th " " 79th " The Miners' Gate. 5th " " 90th " The Engineers' Gate. 5th " " 96th " The Woodman's Gate. 5th " " 102d " The Girls' Gate. 5th " " 110th " The Pioneers' Gate. 6th " " 110th " The Farmers' Gate. 7th " " 110th " The Warriors' Gate. 8th " " 110th " The Strangers' Gate. 1. The Pond. 12. Casino, or Refreshment 2. Museum and Park Offices. House. 3. Play Ground. 13. Fountain. 4. The Green. 14. The Terrace. 5. The Marble Arch 15. The Circle. 6. Site of the Shakespeare 16. Site for Refectory. Monument, 17. The Lake. 7. The Mall. 18. The Bow Bridge. 8. Oak and Elm planted by the 19. Conservatory Lake. Prince of Wales. 20. Site for Flower-house. 9. Music Pavilion. 21. Dove Cot. 10. Vine-covered Walk. 22. Evergreen Walk. 11. Carriage Concourse. 23. The Cedars.70 24. East Carriage Step—entrance to Ramble. 25. The Ramble. 26. Ladies' Cottage. 27. Gentleman's Cottage. 28. Schiller's Monument. 29. The Tunnel. 30. Balcony Bridge. 31. West Carriage Step— entrance to Ramble. 32. Spring. 33. The Knoll. 34. Site for the Maze. 35. South Gate House. 36. North Gate House. 37. The West Meadow. 38. The East Meadow. 39. The Nursery. 40. Old Fortification. 41. Mount St. Vincent House of Refreshment. 42. The Loch. 43. The Pool. 44. The Great Hill. 45. Block House, War of 1812. 46. The Cliffs. 47. Harlem Lake. 48. Statue of Commerce. 49. Proposed Belvedere. 50. Croton Board House. 51. Children's Summer House and Play Ground. 52. The Briars. a. Arbor. c. Cascade. s. Summer House. d. Drinking Fountain. h. Drinking Place of Horses. b. Bridge, or Archway. l. Boat Landing. u. Urinal. Length of carriage roads completed, 9 485/1000 miles. Length of bridle roads completed, 5 503/1000 miles. Length of walks completed, 26 559/1000 miles. 71 SCHEDULE A. A detailed statement of the living animals in captivity on the Park, December, 1866. Prepared by ALBERT H. GALLATIN, M.D., Curator of the Zoological Gardens and member of the New York Lyceum of Natural History. Mammalia. 465 specimens. Order: QUADRUMANA. 9 specimens. Family: Simia. Genus: Circopithecus. 3 specimens. Genus: Cynocephalus. 1 specimen, Chacma Baboon, C. Porcarius. Family: Cebidus. Genus: Ateles. 1 specimen, Brown Coati., A. Arachnoides. Genus: Cebus. 4 specimens, 2 species, 2 White-breasted Sajous, C. Hypoleucus; 2 Brown Sajous. Order: CARNARIA. 38 specimens. Tribe: Plantigrada. Genus: Ursus. 5 specimens, 2 varieties; 4 American Black Bears, U. Americanus; 1 Cinnamon Bear, U. Americanus. Genus: Potos. 1 specimen, Kinkajou or Mica Leon, P. Caudivolvulus. Genus: Viverra. 7 specimens Brown Coatimundi, V. Nasuica. Genus: Procyon. 4 specimens, Raccoon, P. Lotor. Genus: Taxidea. 1 specimen, American Badger, T. Americanus. Tribe: Digitigrada. Genus: Felis. 1 specimen, Ocelot, F. Pardalis. Genus: Canis. 13 specimens, 3 species, 4 Prairie Wolves or Coyote, C. Latrans; 8 Esquimaux Dogs, C. Familiaris; Var. Borealis; 1 English Greyhound, C. Familiaris. Genus: Vulpes. 6 specimens, 2 Gray Foxes, V. Virginianus; 3 Red Foxes, V. Fulvus; 1 Fox. Order: MARSUPIALA. 2 specimens. Genus: Didelphis. 2 specimens, Common Opossum, D. Virginiana.72 Order: RODENTIA. 264 specimens. Genus: Sciurus. 13 specimen, 4 species, 5 varieties, 5 Southern Fox Squirrels, S. Vulpinus; 1 Fox or Cat Squirrel, S. Cinereus; 5 Gray Squirrels, S. Carolinensis; 1 Black Squirrel, S. Carolinensis; 1 Costa Rica Squirrel. Genus: Tamias. 1 specimen, Striped Squirrel, or Chipmunk, T. Striatus. Genus: Cynomys. 3 specimens, Short-tailed Prairie Dog, C. Gunnisonii. Genus: Arctomys. 1 specimen, Woodchuck, or Ground-hog, A. Monax. Genus: Mus. About 219 specimens, 2 species, 19 White Rats; about 200 White Mice. Genus: Hydromys. 1 specimen, Coypu or Nutria, H. Coypu. Genus: Cavia. 20 specimens, Guinea Pigs, C. Cobaya. Genus: Isodon. 5 specimens, Short-tailed Capromys or Utia, I. Pilorides. Genus: Dasyprocta. 1 specimen, Common Agouti, D. Acuti. Order: PACHYDERMATA. 5 specimens. Genus: Tapirus. 1 specimen, American Tapir, T. Americanus. Genus: Dicotyles. 4 specimens, Collared Peccary or Mexican hog, D. Torquatus (Sus Tajassu.) Order: RUMINANTIA. 147 specimens. Family: Cervidæ. Genus: Cervus. 12 specimens, 2 species, 1 American Elk or Wapiti, C. Canadensis; 11 Virgininia Deer, C. Virginianus. Genus: Maschus. 1 specimen, Napu or Musk Deer, M. Napu. Family: Cavicornia. Genus: Ovis. 126 specimens, 3 species, 1 Cape or Broad-tailed African Sheep; 123 Southdown Sheep; 2 Caraccas Sheep. Genus: Capra. 1 Domestic Goat. Genus: Bos. 5 specimens, 2 species, 4 Cape Buffaloes, B. Caffer; 1 Flores Bull. Family: Camelidæ. Genus: Camelus, 2 specimens, Dromedary or African Camel, C. Dromeda rius. ___________________ AVES. 311 specimens. ORDER: RAPACIÆ. 34 specimens. Family: Falconidæ. *Genus: Buteo. 2 specimens, Red-tailed Hawk, B. Borealis. Genus: Haliœtus. 23 specimens, Bald or White-headed Eagle, H. Leucocephalus. Genus: Thrasaetus. 1 specimen, Harpy Eagle, T. Destructor. 73 Family: Strigidœ. Genus: Strix. 2 specimens, Barn Owl, S. Pratincola. Genus: Bubo. 5 specimens Great Horned Owl, B. Virginiana. Genus: Scops. 1 specimen, Mottled or Screech Owl, s. Asio. Order: PASSERINÆ. 7 specimens. Family: Turdidœ. Genus: Turdus. 3 specimens, 2 species, 2 English Blackbirds. T. Merula; 1 Central American Robin, *T. inifuscatus? (Lafr.) Family: Fringilliœd. Genus: Cyanospiza, 1 specimen, Indigo Bird, C. Cyanea. Genus: Cardinalis. 1 specimen, Red or Cardinal Bird, C. Virginianus. Family: Corridœ. Genus: Corcus. 1 specimen, Common Crow, C. Americanus. Genus: Pica. 1 specimen, Magpie, P. Caudata. Order: SCANSORIÆ. 11 specimens. Genus: Ara. 2 specimens, 2 species, Red Macaw A. Macao and *A. Anacanga. Genus: Cacatua. 2 Specimens, Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, C. Sulphurea. Genus: Centurus. 5 specimens, 2 species. Genus: Psittacus. 2 specimens, 2 species, 1 Crested Parrot, 1 Parrot. Order: GALLINACIÆ. 146 specimens. Sub-order: COLUMBÆ. *Genus: Streptopelia. 18 specimens, 2 varieties, 16 Ring Doves, S. Risoria (Linn.); 2 S. Risoria, var. alb. *Genus: Chamepelia. 2 specimens, Ground Doves, C. Passerian (Linn). *Genus: Stamœnus. 4 specimens, Blue-headed Pigeon, S. Cyanocephalus (Linn.) Genus: Columba. 5 specimens, 2 varieties, 4 Tumbler Pigeons; 1 Fantail Pigeon Sub-order: GALLINÆ. Genus: Pavo. 53 specimens, Pea-fowl, P. Cristatus. Genus: Numida. 51 specimens; 2 varieties, Guinea-fowl, N. Meleagris; 49 Gray, 2 White. Genus: Phasianus. 1 specimen, Hybrid Silve Pheasant. Genus: lophortyx. 6 specimens, California Valley Quail, L. Californicus. Genus: Penelope. 2 specimens, Penelope, P. Cristatus. *Genus: Crax. 4 specimens, 2 species, Curassow, 2 C. Globœna; 2 C. Alectora var. Fasciolata (Spix) 674 Order: GRALLATORIÆ. 6 specimens. *Genus: Nyctiardea. 1 specimen, Heron, N. Gardeni (Gm.) Genus: Tigrisoma. 2 specimens, Tiger Bitterns, T. Brasiliense? Genus: Ciconia. 2 specimens, White Storks, C. Alba. Genus: Cancroma. 1 specimen, Arapapa, or Boat-bill, C. Cochlearia. Order: PALMIPIDES. 107 specimens. Genus: Cygnus. 53 specimens, 2 species; 2 Trumpeter Swans, C. Buccinator; 51 White European Swans, C. Olor. Genus: Cygnopsis. 21 specimens, 2 varietins; 7 White and 14 Gray Chinese Swan Geese, C. Sinensis. Genus: Bernida. 3 specimens, Canada or Wild Goose, B. Canadensis. Genus: Dendrocygna. 3 specimens, Red-billed Whisling Ducks, D. Autemalis. Genus: Aix. 1 specimen, Wood Duck, A. Sponsa. Genus: Cairina. 26 specimens, 19 Brazilian Ducks, 7 Hybrid Ducks. Reptilia. 21 specimens. Order: CHELONIA. 13 specimens. Genus: Testudo. 5 specimens, 2 species; 3 Gallipagos Tortoises, T. Planiceps (T. Indica, Linn. and Darwin); 2 South American Marginated Tortoises, T. Marginata. Genus: Cistudo. 6 specimens, Box Turtle, C. Virginea. Genus: Emys. 1 specimen, Madagascar Mud Tortoise. Genus: Chelydra. 1 specimen, Common Snapping Turtle, C Serpentina. Order: SAURIA. 5 specimens. Genus: Alligator. 5 specimens, Common Alligator, A. Mississippiensis. Order: OPHIDIA. 3 specimens. Genus: Boa. 2 specimens, Jamaica Yellow Snake. Genus: Crotalus. 1 specimen, Common Rattlesnake, C Durissus. 75 SUMMARY. Mammalia. Aves. Reptilia. Quadrumana 9 Rapaciæ 34 Chelonia 13 Carnaria 38 Passerinæ 7 Sauria 5 Marsupialia 2 Scansoriæ 11 Ophidia 3 Rodentia 264 Gallinacæ 146 Pachydermata 5 Grallatoriæ 6 Ruminantia 147 Palmipedes 107 Total 465 Total 311 Total 21 GRAND TOTAL. Mammalia 465 Aves 311 Reptilia 21 Living collection 797 NUMBER OF ORDERS, GENERA, AND VARIETIES. Order. Genera. Varieties. Mammalia, 6 30 44 Aves 6 34 47 Reptilia 3 7 8 Total 15 71 99 The determination of the species of the birds has been kindly revised by George N. Lawrence, Esq., member of the New York Lyceum of Natural History, and the species of those marked with an asterisk were indicated by him.76 SCHEDULE B. Mammalia that have bred in the Central Park during the year 1866. Prepared by Albert H. Gallatin, M. D., Curator of the Zoological Gardens. Genus: Canis. Esquimaux Dog, C. Familiaris Var. Borealis. 6 young. Born December 13. All doing well. Genus: Viverra. Brown Coatimundi, V. Nasuica. 2 young. Both killed by mother shortly after birth. Genus: Mus. White Rats, White Mice. 11 mice in one year produced about 200, now living. 60 specimens were lost in one day last summer on account of the heat. Genus: Cavia. Guinea Pig, C. Cobaya. Genus: Dycotyles. Collared Peccary, D. Torquatus. 2 young. Both doing well. It is believed that this is the first time that D. Torquatus has bred in this climate, although the White-lipped Peccary has repeatedly bred in menageries. Genus: Cervus. Virginian Deer, C. Virginianus. Genus: Ovis. Southdown Sheep. Genus: Bos. Cape Buffalo, B. Caffer. 1 born February 27. Doing well. Period of gestation, 234 days. 77 SCHEDULE C. Statement in detail of the gifts, devises, and bequests during the past year, for the purpose of embellishing or ornamenting the Park, and of the names of the persons by whom the same are so given, devised, or bequeathed. Miscellaneous. 1866. April 2. Model of Cathedral, presented by Rembrandt Lockwood, Esq. " 6. Banca Boat, presented by P. Bonnett, Esq. " 17. One 42lb. Shot, } presented by Capt. Robert McKeag. One Ship Flag, Aug. 18. Specimen of Oil-yielding Sand Rock, presented by Francis Deuren, Esq. Sep. 21. One lot of Conch Shells, presented by L. Hayman, Esq. Oct. 1. A collection consisting of 44 specimens of Beaver Cuttings, presented by L. H. Morgan, Esq. " 31. Specimen Grains of Powder, presented by Charles Smith, Esq. Nov. 10. Two specimens of Petrified Sponge. " " Two specimens of Petrified Sea-weed, presented by Mrs. Fannie A. Grigg. Prepared Specimens. 1866. May 31. Prepared specimen of Canary Bird, presented by Miss Mary G. Barrett. Oct. 10. Skin of the Demoiselle Crane, } presented by A. H. Gallatin, M. D. Nov. 21. Skin of the Demoiselle Crane, Botanical. 1866. April 3. Five Oak Plants, presented by David Christy, Esq. May 9. One package Chestnuts, } presented by Horace Dresser, Esq. One package Walnuts, Aug. 17. Ten packages Mexican Seeds, presented by G. Naphegyi, Esq. Sep. 21. Six Liatus Lilifolia, presented by Frederick Goodridge, Esq. " 24. Three Buddleia Lindleyana, presented by William C. Bryant, Esq.78 1866. Oct. 15. One package Seeds "Seqoia Gigantea," presented by Dr. D. J. Mac Gowan. " 26. One Indian Rubber Tree, presented by Mrs. A. M. Minturn. Nov. 27. Two Balm of Gilead Trees, presented by Jonathan A. Close, Esq. Dec. 1. One hundred and seventy packages of Seeds and Shrubs and Plants of Australia, collected by Dr. Mueller, Government Botanist. Animals. 1866. Jan. 2. One Coatimundi, presented by John Robinson, M. D. " 5. One Deer, presented by J. Brice, Esq. " " One Ringtail Monkey, presented by James A. Robertson, Esq. " 10. One Black Squirrel, presented by Rev. H. H. Messenger. " 15. One pair Prairie Dogs, } presented by William H. Schieffelin, Esq. One Guinea Pig, " 19. One Young Black Bear, presented by Robert Belloni, Esq. " 24. One pair Chinese Geese, presented by Captain W. P. Buckhorn. " 29. One Turkey Buzzard (D.), presented by Jaques Bowman, Esq. " 31. One Japanese Dog (D.), presented by Arthur S. Hamilton, Esq. Feb. 2. Two Owls (D.), presented by Messrs. Clark Brothers, " 3. One pair Box Turtles, presented by Master David Ehrlich. " 6. One Raccoon, presented by Francis E. Spering, Esq. " 27. Two pairs Quails (D.), presented by Joseph H. Fisk, Esq. Mar. 1. One Monkey, presented by Joseph Wollberg, Esq. " 8. One Hawk, presented by Wisner H. Townsend, Esq. " " One Marmoset (D.), presented by William Mott, Esq. " 9. One Red Fox, presented by J. H. Kubbe, Esq. " 31. One Great Harpy Eagle, presented by Theodore E. Borott, Esq. April 9. One pair Curassows (1 D.), presented by Charles C. Saulmier, Esq. " 12. One Alligator (D.), presented by Gordon, Fellows & McMillan. " 26. One pair Guinea Pigs, presented by George W. Chambers, Esq. " " One Eagle. May 3. One Owl (D.), presented by William Miller, Esq. " 5. One Florida Deer, presented by Master David Edrehi. " 7. One Deer, presented by Mr. Stranahan. " 8. One Ocelot, presented by Philip Nemegyei, Esq. " 11. One Trout, presented by H. L. Lowman, Esq. " " One Tapir, presented by Col. Figyelmesy. " 21. One California Quail, presented by Fred. Lochmeyer, Esq. " 28. One pair Squirrels, presented by Miss Carrie S. Haskett. " " Four Snakes, (2 D.), } presented by Frederick Melbye, Esq. One Snapping Turtle, June 1. Five White Rats, presented by Master Cecil Saguezs. " 4. Two Monkey-faced Owls (1 D.), presented by William H. Douglass, Esq. 79 1866. June 4. One Eagle, presented by J. E. Alger, Esq. " 8. One Ring Dove, } presented by Milton Finkle, Esq. One Pigeon, " 9. One Guinea Pig, presented by Master Freddie Calkins. " 12. One pair Peccaries (1 D.), presented by Hon. Wm. H. Seward. " 15. One Raccoon (D.), presented by Adolph Schmager, Esq. " " One Tortoise Turtle, presented by T. C. Dunn, M. D. " 19. One Opossum, presented by Michael Summers, Esq. " 21. One Hawk (D.), presented by W. A. Hopkins, Esq. " 29. One Peacock, presented by Joseph Bear, Esq. " 27. One Peacock, presented by W. H. Ward, Esq. July 2. One Red Fox (D.), presented by W. A. Conklin, Esq. " 3. One Bear Cub (D.), presented by Commodore j. Wall Wilson. " 6. Thirty-five White Mice, } presented by Master Cecil Saguezs. Twenty-two White Rats, " 7. One Snapping Turtle, presented by John D. Crimmins, Esq. " 20. One Crane, presented by John Browning, Esq. " 21. One pair Esquimaux Dogs, presented by S. Whitney Phœnix, Esq. " " One Silver-gray Fox (D.), presented by William Meader, Esq. " 24. One pair Small Turtles, presented by Master Frederick Abeel. " 25. One Silver-gray Fox (D). } presented by Master Adam H. Hampton. One Raccoon, (D.) " 27. One Greyhound, presented by David Auchenback, Esq. Aug. 1. One Muscovy Duck (D.), presented by John Dearborn. Esq. " 10. One Owl (D.), donor unknown. " 14. Two Opossums (D.), donor unknown. " 18. One Ring Dove, presented by L. L. Ackerman, Esq. " 21. One Gray Squirrel, presented by F. Hamilton, Esq. " 27. One pair Pea Fowl, presented by Mrs. William P. Williams. " 31. One Wild Cat (D.), donor unknown. Sept. 6. One Prairie Dog, presented by Mrs. A. C. Cheney. " 9. One Ring Dove, presented by Miss Mary j. Splint. 15. One Cavy, presented by Mrs. Amelia Wilkins. " 17. One Shepherd Dog, presented by John McLaughlin, Esq. " 20. One pair Ring Doves, presented by Master Thomas Lannon. " 21. Seven Cuban Doves (4 D.), presented by John L. Simi, Esq. " 34. One Eagle, donor unknown. " 26. One Black Bear, presented by Frederick Goodhue, Esq. " 28. One Humming Bird (D.), presented by William A. Conklin, Esq. " " Four Cuban Doves (2 D.), } presented by Adolph L. Carrillo, Esq. Two White do. One Cardinal Bird, Oct. 1. One Mexican Fawn, presented by John H. Conklin, Esq.80 1866. Oct. 2. One pair Paroquetes, presented by Master Freddie Downer. " 4. Forty Small Land Turtles, presented by William D. Murphy, Esq. " 7. Three Gold Finches (2 D.), presented by Adolph L. Carrillo. Esq. " 12. One Java Musk Deer, presented by J. Carson Brevoort, Esq. " 13. One Gannet (D.), presented by Hon. William C. Johnson. " 10. One Silver Pheasant, presented by Adolph L. Carrillo, Esq. " 27. Two S.A. Monkeys, presented by Henry W. Ryder, Esq. " " One Florida Black Bear, Presented by C.A. Bussell and R. W. Rowntree. " 29. One Cinnamon Bear, presented by Judson Schultz, Esq. " 31. Five Short-tailed Capromys (1 D.), presented by Masters Moses Taylor Pyne and Percy R. Pyne, Jr. Nov. 2. One Small Alligator, presented by Mrs. E. F. Noble. " 6. One Woodchuck, presented by Maters Franklin and Charles Benner. " 8. One White Rat (D.), presented by Master Charles Couillard. " 22. One White-faced Monkey, presented by Edward Bonynge, Esq. " " One Raccoon, presented by N. G. Bradford, Jr., Esq. " 24. One pair Eagles, presented by J. L. Scheitt, Esq. " " One Monkey, presented by C.L. Ranlette, Esq. " 27. One Silver-gray Fox, } presented by Patrick Mitchell, Esq. One Red Fox, " 29. One Rattle-snake, presented by W. Cotheal, Esq. " 30. One Silver-gray Fox, presented by James L. Little, M. D. " " One Silver-gray Fox, donor unknown. Dec. 3. One Magpie, presented by Anthony Seagist, Esq. " " One Florida Squirrel, presented by John O'Reilly, M. D. " 28. One Common Agouti, presented by Captain John Deakan. The letter D opposite the donation denotes that it is dead The above are in good condition, except otherwise noted. 81 Topographical Description of the Central Park, by Areas of Surface, &c., January 1, 1867. Length of Park, from 59th to 110th streets 13,507 ft. 9 4/10 in. Breadth " " 5th to 8th avenues 2,718 " 6 9/10 " Superficial area 843. 019/1000 acres. " " Ground known as Manhattan Square 19. 051/1000 " Acres. Elevation 862. 070/1000 " of water above tide Area, exterior to inclosure, 59th street and Feet. 110th street, Broad Walks 3. 098/1000 Do. occupied by four Transverse Roads 9. 474/1000 Do. " new Croton Reservoir 106. 726/1000 115.20 Do. " old Reservoir 35. 289/1000 115.20 154. 587/1000 " Total area of Park within enclosure, exclusive of above areas 707. 483/1000 acres. Acres. Elevation of surface when full above tide. Summer lev'l Area of the Pond (near 59th street, between Feet. 5th and 6th avenues) 4. 800/1000 26.00 Do. " Lake (between 72d and 78th sts.) 20. 167/1000 53.20 Do. " Conservatory water (east of Lake near 5th av.) 2. 579/1000 41.00 Do. " Pool (near 8th av., between 101st and 102d streets) 2. 013/1000 45.00 Do. " the Harlem Lake 12. 654/1000 11.00 Do. " the Loch 1. 046/1000 24.50 Total area of waters of the Park at this date. 43. 259/1000 acres. Acres. Area occupied by Carriage Roads. 49. 530/1000 Do. occupied by Bridle Roads 15. 371/1000 Do. occupied by Walks 37. 209/1000 Total 102. 760/1000 acres. 146. 019/1000 " Total area of ground within inclosure, exclusive of Reservoirs, Ponds, Roads, and Walks 560. 464/1000 acres. Area of rock surface mainly without soil or shrubbery, estimated 24 " Area of Park ground fertilized, or chiefly fertilized, and in trees and shrubbery, or in open lawns, exclusive of Reservoirs, Roads, Walks, Ponds, rock surface, &c., estimated 537. 464/1000 acres.82 REFERENCES TO PARK MAP. Area of Pond at A, . . . . . 5 acres. " Lake at B, . . . . . . 20 " " Open ground at C, "The Play ground," . . . 10 " " " " " D, "The Green," . . . 15 " " "The Ramble," E, between the Lake and the Reservoir, 36 " " "The West Meadow," F, } . . . . 23 " " "The East " ," G, " Pool H, . . . . . . 2 " " Loch I, . . . . . . . 1 " " Harlem Lake, H. L., . . . . . 13 " Ornamental Water, O, in connection with intended Conservatory, K., . . . . . 2 579/1000 " Length of Mall, 1,212 feet; width, 35 feet. Site reserved for Refectory, J. Old Arsenal, altered for a Museum and Park Offices, L. Terrace for a Concourse of Carriages, N. Tunnel P., length 142 feet; width, 40 feet; height, 19 feet. Roads and Walks finished are represented in full lines, and colored. Walks in progress of construction, dotted lines, and colored. " not commenced, are represented in dotted lines, and not colored. Grounds planted or in grass, are colored green. Water is colored blue. Black figures show the widths of Road. Red figures show the elevation above Tide-water. Rocks that are especially prominent are indicated by line shading. Trees and shrubs are indicated in the usual manner. The red figures on the 5th and 8th Avenues, and 59th and 100th Streets, show the elevations of the established grades. M. Proposed Maze. Q. Nursery and Vegetable Garden. R. Music Pavilion. S. Waterfalls. [Map]Map of the Central Park Showing the progress of the Work up to January 1st 1867 Scale of 400 feet to the inch Central Park formerly Manhattan Square.[MAP OF THE] CENTRAL PARK [Showing the progress of the] Work up to January 1st 1867. [SCALE OF 400] FEET TO THE INCH [Central Park formerly] Manhattan Square. 81st 82nd 83d 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93d 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103d 104th VIIITH AVENUE The Mariners Gate RIDE DRIVE RIDE DRIVE CROTON RESERVOIR DRIVE TRANSVERSE ROAD No 3 RIDE VTH AVENUE The Engineer's Gate 80th 81st 82nd 83d 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93d 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103d 104th The Woodman's Gate TRANSVERSE ROAD No 4 CROTON RESERVOIR The Gate of all Saints The Boys' Gate The Girls' Gate92nd 93d 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103d 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th VIIITH AVENUE The Gate of all Saints The Boys' Gate The Strangers' Gate DRIVE RIDE [?CROTON RESERVOIR] TRANSVERSE ROAD No 4 The Warriors' Gate VIITH AV. The Farmers' Gate VITh AV. The Woodman's Gate The Girls' Gate The Pioneers' Gate VTH AV. 92nd 93d 94th 95th 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103d 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th83 T. Water Terrace. U. U. Gate-Houses of New Croton Reservoir. V. Mt. St. Vincent. W. Casino. X. Proposed Belvedere. Y. Croton Board House. Z. Dove Cote. a. Children's Summer-House and Play-ground. b. Green House. Greatest elevation of surface of Ground above tide—a point of ground near site of proposed Belvedere, • • • • 140 feet. Least natural elevation of surface ground—near 5th Avenue at One hundred and seventh street, below tide, • • • • 2/1085 CHAPTER 367. AN ACT Relative to the powers and duties of the Commissioners of the Central Park. Passed April 4, 1866 ; three-fifths being present. The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: SECTION 1. So much of section nine of the Act entitled "An Act to appoint Commissioners for laying out that portion of the city and county of New York lying north of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street, and to change the plan of streets and avenues in that part of said city lying between One Hundred and Twenty-fifth and One Hundred and Forty-first streets, east of the Tenth avenue and west of a line fifty feet east of the old Kingsbridge road, and running parallel with said road," passed April 7, 1860, as requires the Commissioners therein named to lay out a new avenue of one hundred feet in width, to be called the new Ninth avenue, is hereby repealed, and it shall be the duty of the Commissioners of the Central Park immediately upon the passage of this act, to lay out and establish the grade of an avenue not exceeding one hundred feet in width, to be called the avenue St. Nicholas, which avenue shall commence at or near the intersection of the Sixth avenue and One Hundred and Tenth street, and run thence in the general direction of the Harlem Lane till it intersects the Kingsbridge Road, at or near One Hundred and Twenty-fourth street, between Eighth and Ninth avenues; thence northerly, as nearly midway between the Eighth and Ninth avenues as the said Commissioners may deem advantageous, to One Hundred and Thirty-fifth street; thence northerly in the general direction of the said Kingsbridge Road, to a point on One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street, about midway between Ninth and Tenth avenues. The said avenue shall embrace such portions of the Harlem Lane and the old Kingsbridge Road as the said Commissioners may deem it expedient to86 include therein, and may depart from the line of said Harlem Land and Kingsbridge Road wherever the said Commissioners deem it expedient. The said Commissioners may also extend Manhattan street in a southerly direction to said avenue, and may widen said street to the width of one hundred feet, if they shall deem it expedient. The said Commissioners shall, whenever they may deem it necessary, fix and establish or change the grade of any street or avenue, or any part of any street or avenue that intersects any street, road, or avenue required by law to be laid out, established, regulated or improved by them or under their direction; and whenever they have fixed, established or changed as required in this section, the grade of any street, or streets, or avenue, or part of any street or avenue, it shall be their duty to cause two maps or profiles of such street, or streets, or avenues, or part of such street, or streets, or avenues, showing the grade so fixed, established or changed by them, certified by said board or by one of the officers of said board designated for that purpose, one of which profiles shall be filed in the office of the Street Commissioner of said city, and one in the office of said Commissioners; and the grades of such streets and avenues and parts of such streets and avenues shall from the time of such filing, be established as shown in and by such maps or profiles. §2. Whenever the grade of any street, road or avenue, or part of any street or avenue, shall be fixed, established or changed by said Commissioners of the Central Park, as provided by this act, such grade shall not be thereafter changed, unless the owners of two-thirds of the land in lineal feet fronting upon the street or avenue, or part of such street or avenue where such change is proposed to be made, shall first consent in writing to such change of grade, and file their consent in the office of the said Commissioners. And upon such consent being so filed, such grade may be changed by said Commissioners, if they shall deem it expedient to make such change. §3. It shall be lawful for the said Commissioners of the Central Park, and for all persons acting under their authority, to enter, in the day time, into and upon any lands, tenements and 87 hereditaments which they shall deem necessary to be surveyed for the laying out and forming of the avenue specified in the first section, or for the widening and extension of said Manhattan street; and the said Commissioners shall cause two similar maps or surveys of such avenue, and of the widening and extension of said Manhattan street, to be made, showing the width, location and grade thereof, accompanied with such field notes and explanatory remarks as the nature of the subject may require, which maps, plans or surveys, together with such notes and remarks, shall be certified by said Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, or by one of the officers of said Board designated by said Board for that purpose, and one of which shall be filed to remain of record in the office of the Street Commissioner of the city of New York, and the other in the office of the said Commissioners of the Central Park. §4. The maps, plans and surveys of the said Commissioners of the Central Park, made and certified to as hereinbefore provided, shall be final and conclusive as to the location and width of the said avenue specified in the first section of this act, and as to the widenlng and extension of Manhattan street, and as to the grades of said avenue and of said streets, exhibited upon said maps, plans and surveys, as well in respect to the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, as in respect to the owners and occupants of lands, tenements and hereditaments within the boundaries aforesaid, or affected by said avenues and streets, and in respect to all persons whomsoever. §5. The Commissioners of the Central Park, in behalf of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, are authorized to acquire title, for the use of the public, to the lands required for the said avenue specified in the first section of this act, and for the said widening and extension of said Manhattan street, whenever they shall deem it for the public interest so to do, and such Commissioners may for that purpose make application to the Supreme Court in the First Judicial District, for the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment, specifying in such application the lands required for that 88 purpose, and the proceedings to acquire title to such lands shall be had pursuant to such acts as shall then be in force relative to the opening of streets in the city of New York, which acts, so far as the same are not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, are hereby made applicable to the avenue and street so to be laid out, widened and extended, by said Commissioners of the Central Park, as in this act provided, in the same manner and to the same extent as if the said avenue and street had been originally laid down, as and for public streets by the Commissioners appointed in and by the act entitled "An act relative to improvements touching the laying out of streets and roads in the city of New York, and for other purposes," passed April 3, 1807. §6. The said Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment may allow compensation for any building or buildings upon the said land which may have been built, placed or erected thereon, after the time for the filing of the original map or plan of the said city, but no compensation shall be allowed for any building or buildings which at any time subsequent to the filing of the maps, plans or surveys required by this act may be built, erected or placed in part or in whole upon the lands designated for the avenue by this act authorized, and for the widening and extension of said Manhattan street. §7. The said Commissioners of the Central Park shall, with respect to the avenue to be laid out by them, as required by this act, and with respect to that portion of Seventh avenue lying north of the Central Park in said city, and with respect to all streets, avenues, roads, and portions of said city required by law to be laid out or improved, under the direction of the said Commissioners, and the laying out, grading, regulating, sewering, paving and improving the same, possess all the powers and perform all the duties now or heretofore possessed, enjoyed or exercised by such Commissioners in respect to the Central Park in the said city, and by the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, and the several departments of said city, in relation to the streets, avenues, and similar improvements thereof in other parts of said city. And all the provisions of 89 section four of an act entitled "An act for the improvement of part of the city New York, between One Hundred and Tenth street and the Harlem River," passed April 24th, 1865, and the powers thereby conferred upon said Commissioners respecting Sixth avenue and other streets in said city, so far as the same are not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, are hereby made applicable to the said portion of the Seventh avenue, and to the said avenue required by this act to be laid out or improved under the direction of said Commissioners, and the improvement thereof, in like manner as if the said provisions were incorporated in this act. It shall be lawful for the said Commissioners to do all the work required to be done by them by day's work, or by contract, or in such manner as they may deem expedient; and in case the moneys collected upon the assessments laid for the purpose of carrying on the work required to be done by this act or any part thereof, or for carrying on the work required by law to be done by the said Commissioners on the said portion of the Seventh avenue, shall be insufficient to pay for the said work, the balance shall be certified by the said Commissioners to the Board of Supervisors of said city and county, and shall be raised on the estates, real and personal, subject to taxation in said county, in the next tax levied by said Board of Supervisors after the receipt of such certificate, and shall thereupon be paid over by the Comptroller of said city in the same manner as moneys collected upon the assessments authorized by this section. And the Comptroller of the city of New York is hereby authorized and directed, on the request of said Commissioners, to borrow and pay over to said Commissioners the amount of such balance on the revenue bonds of the said city in anticipation of the receipt of said taxes. The sewerage required by this section shall conform in plan, grade and section, to the general plan of sewerage adopted or to be adopted by the Croton Aqueduct Board. §8. The Commissioners of the Central Park now in office, shall continue to hold office for five years from the expiration of their present term of office, and until others are appointed in their stead; and are hereby authorized to include in the estimate that they are authorized to make by the fourth section of the act entitled "An act for the construction, regulation, maintenance 790 and government of the Central Park, in the city of New York, and to provide additional means therefor," passed March nineteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty, for the maintenance and government of the Central Park, the sum of fifty thousand dollars in addition to the sum authorized by said section four, and the amount of such estimate shall be annually raised as provided in said section, and shall be applied by said Commissioners to the payment of the expenses of the maintenance and government of the Central Park, and to the expenses necessarily incurred in performing the duties imposed by law upon said Commissioners. §9. The said Commissioners of the Central Park are hereby authorized, when they deem it expedient for the public interest so to do, for and in behalf of the Mayor, Alderman and Commonalty of the city of New York, to acquire the title, for the use of the public, to any or all streets and avenues above Fifty-ninth street, in said city, laid out on the map or plan of the city of New York, by the Commissioners appointed in and by an act entitled "An act relative to improvements touching the laying out of streets and roads in the city of New York, and for other purposes," passed April third, eighteen hundred and seven, and for that purpose said Commissioners of the Central Park may make application to the Supreme Court in the First Judicial District, for the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment, specifying, in such application, the lands required for that purpose, and the proceedings to acquire title to such lands shall be had pursuant to such acts as shall then be in force relative to the opening of streets, roads, and public squares and places in the city of New York, and it shall be the duty of the Corporation Counsel to perform and discharge all the legal services required in the proceedings to carry out the provisions of this act, without any additional compensation beyond the salary and allowance now provided by law. §10. This act shall take effect immediately. 91 CHAPTER 550. AN ACT To enable the Commissioners of the Central Park to make further improvements in the city of New York. Passed April 13, 1866; three-fifths being present. The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: SECTION 1. It shall be the duty of the Commissioners of the Central Park to cause a survey to be made of that part of the city and county of New York bounded northerly by One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street; easterly, by the westerly line of the Eighth avenue north of Eighty-second street and by the westerly line of the Ninth avenue south of Eighty-second street; southerly, by the southerly line of Seventy-second street est of the Tenth avenue and by the southerly line of Sixty-seventh street west of the Tenth avenue, and westerly by the Hudson river, and to prepare maps, plans, and profiles embracing and showing such changes in the width, direction and grades of the streets, avenues, and roads now laid out within the area above described, and in the pier and bulkhead lines now established, a, in their opinion, can be made with benefit to the property affected and to the public interests, and also the boundaries and grades o such streets, avenues, roads, and public squares and places, as, in their opinion, can be laid out or discontinued with like benefit, and to enable them to perform these duties, such of the provisions of the act entitled "An Act to provide for the laying out and improving of certain portions of he City and County of New York," passed April twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, as are applicable thereto, shall apply fully and completely to the powers and proceedings of the said 92 Commissions under this act. The said Commissioners shall, from time to time, report to the Legislature, the maps, plans and profiles above specified, with their proceedings under this act. No proceedings shall be had or taken by any officer or body for any street opening or improvement within the area above described, except that the work under contracts already made and executed may be done and completed, and except such proceedings as the said Commissioners are authorized to take, until the said Commissioners shall have reported and the Legislature shall have determined the boundaries and grade of such street, unless the Commissioners of the Central Park shall concur with such body or officer in authorizing the opening or improvement of said street. The authority of the said Commissioners under this act shall expire on the first day of May, which will be in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight. SECTION 2. This act shall not be held or construed to limit, restrain, annul, or in any manner interfere with the powers and duties of the said Commissioners conferred and imposed by the said act passed April twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, or by any other act. SECTION 3. This act shall take effect immediately. 93 CHAPTER 632. AN ACT To amend on Act entitled "An Act in relation to the Croton Aqueduct in the city of New York, and certain streets in said city," passed April twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, and to provide for the full execution thereof. Passed April 17th, 1866; three-fifths being present. The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: SECTION 1. The second section of the act entitled "An Act in relation to the Croton Aqueduct in the city of New York, and certain streets in said city," passed April twenty-seventh, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: § 2. The grade of the Eighth avenue, between Fifty-ninth and One Hundred and Twenty-second street, is hereby established as follows: Commencing at an elevation seventy-six feet four inches above the high water line, at the point where the centre line of Fifty-ninth street intersects the centre line of the Eighth avenue, and continuing thence along the centre line of said avenue on a level line, to the intersection of the centre line of Sixty-sixth street; thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of Sixty-ninth street, at such rate of ascent as to intersect the same at an elevation eighty-eight feet above the high water line; thence on a level line to the intersection of the centre line of Eightieth street; thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of Eighty-fourth street, at such a rate of ascent as to intersect the same at an elevation one hundred and six feet above the high water line; thence on a straight 94 line to the intersection of the centre line of Eighty-fifth street, at such rate of ascent as to intersect the same at an elevation one hundred and eight feet above the high water line; thence on a level line to the intersection of the centre line of Eighty-seventh street; thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of Ninety-first street, at such a rate of ascent as to intersect the same at an elevation one hundred and fifteen feet above the high water line; thence on a level line to the intersection of the centre line of Ninety-second street; thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of One Hundredth street, at such a rate of descent as to intersect the same at an elevation eighty-one feet above the high water line; thence on a level line to the intersection of the centre line of One Hundred and Second street; thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of One Hundred and Tenth street, at such rate of descent as to intersect the same at an elevation forty-five feet above the high water line; and thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of One Hundred and Twenty-second street, at such rate of descent as to intersect the same at an elevation twenty-five feet three inches above the high water line, except that there may be such elevations on the level lines hereby prescribed, not exceeding six inches to one hundred feet, as may be necessary for drainage; provided, however, that the said grade shall not be established unless the Commissioners of the Central Park shall, within four months after the passage of this Act, approve of the grade hereby authorized. The said Commissioners may, however, approve of such part of the grade hereby authorized as is between any two points at which the said grade and the grade of the said avenue, as now established, under the Act hereby amended or otherwise, intersect, and reject the grade between any or all of the other intersecting points, or the said Commissioners may, at any time prior to filing the map hereinafter specified, with the consent of the owners of a majority of the lineal feet of the front of the land, other than that included within street lines, or the Central Park east of the Eighth avenue, bounding the said avenue, between any two of such intersecting points, prescribe and establish any other grade or grades for the said avenue between such intersecting points; and the said Commissioners may give such consent for any land owned 95 by the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York. When the grade of the said avenue is finally established, in pursuance of the provisions of this Act, the Commissioners of the Central Park shall cause a map or profile of the grade so established to be prepared and certified in such manner as they may direct, and filed in the office of the Street Commissioner of the city of New York, and the grade of the said avenue shall be thenceforth established and held to be as shown in and by the said map or profile, and all grades previously established for that part of the said avenue are hereby discontinued and abrogated, and the grade established by and in pursuance of this Act shall not thereafter be changed or altered. The Commissioners of the Central Park shall regulate and grade, pave and flag that part of the said avenue between the centre lines of Seventy-seventh and Eighty-first streets, and also the northerly half of Seventy-seventh street and the southerly half of Eighty-first street between the Eighth and Ninth avenues, and shall certify the expenses thereof, and of an arch or arches, or other structure, for a passage-way under the said Eighth avenue, and also of adapting the work on the Park to the grade of the said Eighth avenue established by or in pursuance of this act, and the act hereby amended. And the Board of Supervisors of the county of New York are hereby authorized and directed to raise and collect, by tax, the several amounts of money so certified, in the same manner that the other expenses of the city of New York are raised and collected by them. The Street Commissioner of the city of New York shall proceed forthwith to regulate the rest of the said Eighth avenue in conformity with the grade hereby established, and for that purpose shall make one contract for that part of the work between the centre lines of Fifty-ninth and Seventy-seventh streets; one contract for that part of the work between the centre lines of Eighty-first and One Hundredth streets; and one contract for that part of the work between the centre lines of One Hundred and One Hundred and Twenty-second streets; and he shall insert in each contract the earliest day that in his opinion is practicable as the limit of time for the full and complete performance of the work under the contract, and also such penalty for each day that may elapse between that limit and the final completion of the work as in his 96 judgment will secure the prompt and efficient execution of the work. The part of the grading and regulating the said avenue, as herein provided, to be done by the Street Commissioner, shall be considered as one improvement, and the expense thereof shall be assessed, collected and paid in the manner now provided by law; such assessment being made upon all the property benefited by the improvement, but not to extend on either side beyond a line four hundred feet from an avenue. § 2. That part of Eighth avenue lying between One Hundred and Second and One Hundred and Tenth streets, shall be widened on a map or plan of the city of New York, by adding, on the westerly side thereof, twenty-five feet of land, so as to make the whole width of that part of the said avenue one hundred and twenty-five feet: provided that the owners of two-thirds of the lands to be taken for such widening shall file with the Commissioners of the Central Park a written consent that such land be taken; and the addition to the said avenue to be made by such widening is hereby declared to be a part of one of the streets or avenues of the city of New York, in like manner and with the same effect as if the same had been originally laid out as a part of the said avenue in the map or plan of the said city: and all acts and parts of acts now in force in relation to the widening, laying out, grading, regulating, sewering, paving and improving streets and avenues in the said city, shall apply to the said part of the said avenue, in its enlarged width, except as may be herein otherwise provided. Upon the filing of the said consent, the Commissioners of the Central Park are hereby authorized and directed, for and in behalf of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, and for public use, to apply to the Supreme Court, at any Special Term thereof held in the First Judicial District, for the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment for the widening of that part of the Eighth avenue authorized to be widened by this act; and all the laws now in force relative to the widening of the streets in the city of New York, so far as the same are not inconsistent with this act, shall apply to the proceedings for the said widening, and it shall be the duty of the Counsel to the Corporation of the city of New York to perform all necessary legal services 97 in the proceedings authorized by this act without any additional compensation beyond the salary and allowance now provided by law. The assessment of the said widening shall, upon the confirmation of the report of the Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment, become a lien upon the land upon which the assessment is made; and such assessment may be collected and enforced in the manner now provided by law. § 3. If the said avenue shall be widened in the part herein above authorized to be widened, the Commissioners of the Central Park shall have power to divide that part of the said avenue, so that the easterly part thereof as so widened, to the width of at least sixty-five feet, shall be of the grade established by or in pursuance of this act; and the westerly part thereof as so widened, to the width of at least fifty-five feet, shall be of a higher grade, to be established by the said Commissioners. And the Commissioners of the Central Park shall build a supporting wall along the easterly side of that part of the said avenues as so widened, which is of a higher grade than that established by or in pursuance of this act, and place an iron railing upon the coping of said wall; and the expenses of the said wall and railing, to be certified by the said Commissioners, shall be assessed, collected and paid as part of the expenses of regulating and grading the said avenue. § 4. This act shall take effect immediately.98 CHAPTER 757. AN ACT To amend an Act, entitled "An Act authorizing the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, to widen Broadway or Bloomingdale Road, between Fifty-seventh and Fifty-ninth streets, in the city of New York," passed April thirteenth, eighteen hundred and fifty-seven. Passed April 21, 1866; three-fifths being present. The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: SECTION 1. The first section of chapter three hundred and eighty-eight of the laws of eighteen hundred and fifty-seven, is hereby amended, so as to read as follows: The street known as Broadway or Bloomingdale Road, in the city of New York, may be widened by the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, from a point at the intersection of the easterly line of Broadway, with the northerly line of Fifty-seventh street, and thence running northerly in a straight line to a point on the southerly line of Fifty-ninth street, distant six hundred and seventy-five feet and eleven inches westerly from the westerly line of the Seventh avenue, and they may also take and use, as and for a public place all the land included within the circumference of a circle having a diameter of four hundred and thirty-two feet, and having its centre at the point where the centre line of the Eighth avenue intersects a line drawn parallel with the southerly line of Fifty-ninth street, and fifty feet northerly therefrom, and they are hereby authorized to close that portion of Broadway or Bloomingdale Road lying south of the circumference of the said circle, and between the 99 present westerly line of the Bloomingdale Road or Broadway, and a line parallel to, and one hundred feet westerly from the easterly line of said road or street, authorized by the first section of this act; they are also hereby authorized to close and discontinue that portion of Sixtieth street, lying between the westerly line of the Eighth avenue and the easterly line of Broadway or Bloomingdale Road, as the same has been or may be established by the Commissioners of the Central Park. The act entitled "an act relative to the improvements touching the laying out of streets and roads in the city of New York and for other purposes, passed April third, eighteen hundred and seven," to the contrary notwithstanding. And whenever the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, shall deem it desirable, in order to improve the access to Central Park, or otherwise, for the public convenience so to widen the said street, or to open said public place, they may order and direct the same to be done in like manner, and the like proceedings shall be thereupon had in relation to the said widening, or to said opening of said public place, as if the said widening or said opening was in a part of said city not laid out into streets and avenues, squares and public places, by the Commissioners of Streets and Roads in the city of New York, under and by virtue of the said last mentioned act; and all the provisions relative to the widening of streets in that part of the said city not laid out as aforesaid, which are contained in the act entitled, "an act to reduce several laws relating particularly to the city of New York, into one act, passed April 9th, eighteen hundred and thirteen," and the several acts altering and amending the same shall be construed to apply to said widening and to said opening of said public place. § 2. All proceedings heretofore instituted or that may hereafter be instituted for the said widening of said street, or for the opening of said public place, shall be made to conform to the provisions of the first section of this act, and all the powers now conferred by law upon the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, relative to the widening of said street, are hereby conferred upon the Commissioners of the Central Park, who are hereby authorized and directed to take all 100 proceedings necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this act. § 3. No portion of said street, between Fifty-seventh street and the northerly line of Fifty-ninth street, when so widened, shall be used for any other purpose than that of a public street, or public place, nor shall any portion thereof be used as a carriage or hackstand, nor shall any stall, stand, or erection, or incumbrances of any kind be permitted therein, but the same and every portion thereof within the limits aforesaid, shall be kept free and clear for the passage of the public, and as respects its use, shall be under the exclusive control and management of the Commissioners of the Central park, who are hereby authorized to make such rules and regulations respecting its use, not inconsistent with the provisions of this act as they may deem proper. § 4. This act shall take effect immediately. COMMUNICATION TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE CENTRAL PARK, RELATIVE TO THE LAYING OUT OF THE ISLAND ABOVE 155TH STREET; THE DRIVE FROM 59TH ST. TO 155TH ST., AND OTHER SUBJECTS.103 TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CENTRAL PARK: The Legislature of the State, at its last session (1865), conferred powers and imposed duties upon the Commissioners of the Central Park, respecting territory within the city of New York, outside of the limits of the Park, that are both responsible in character and difficult of execution. The subjects comprehended in this legislation are : 1. The changing of the grade of more than a mile and a half of the 8th avenue, from 59th to 93d streets. 2. The improvement of the 6th and 7th avenues, from the Park to the Harlem River, making together over four miles in length of way. 3. The laying out of the streets and roads, public squares and places on that part of the Island above 155th street, and a drive from that street to the junction of Broadway, 59th street and 8th avenue, a distance of over five miles. In July last, the Board disposed of the first of these subjects, that of changing the grade of the 8th avenue, by approving the grade, as provided by the law, from 83d to 93d streets, and as amended by the consent of the majority of owners of fronts on the opposite side of the 8th avenue, between 81st and 83d streets, by establishing a grade from 77th to 81st street, between the Park and Manhattan square, by approving the grade prescribed by law, from 72d to 77th street, and by rejecting the grade indicated in the law, from 59th to 72d street. At a subsequent date, the Board, by consent of the owners of a majority of the lineal feet of the opposite fronts on the west side of the 8th avenue, established a grade somewhat differing from that proposed by the law, between 59th and 69th streets, and between 75th and 79th streets. A profile of these grades as finally adopted by the Board, has, as required by law, been filed in the Street Commissioner's office.104 The result of this action will undoubtedly improve the avenue, at a large expense to the city. The outlay from the Park fund required to reshape its border along the entire length of the change of grade, at some points involving important alterations in the surface of the Park, will also be very considerable, and with all this additional outlay it will not be practicable to produce as agreeable effects on the west boundary of the Park as now exist there. In consequence of this change of grade, the larger portion of the wall now constructed along the 8th avenue must be taken down and rebuilt, and when the grades of the transverse roads are adapted to those of the avenue they will be somewhat less convenient than at present. It is not in the power of this Board to determine when this work shall be completed, as its execution is committed to the Street Commissioner; it is very desirable that it should proceed without delay. As to the second of the above enumerated subjects, the improvement of the 6th and 7th avenues, matters at this date stand thus: The necessary petition to the Court for widening 6th avenue has been signed, and is now in the hands of the Corporation Counsel, to take the proper measures for opening the avenue of the proposed additional width; until the report of the Commissioners is prepared, this Board will probably have no further duty to perform respecting it. With regard to the 7th avenue, public notice to owners interested has been given in the newspapers of a proposed change of grade of the avenue from 110th to 135th street, and of fixing the grade from 135th street to the Harlem river. The grade of the avenue was, several years since, established up to 135th street, beyond that no grade had ever been fixed. Where the grade is fixed, the law seems to require the assent of two-thirds of the owners of frontage on the avenue to change it. As the fixed grade is susceptible of improvement, without much additional expense, it was thought best to take the necessary procedings to effect the requisite change. After diligent efforts, the necessary assent of two-thirds of the owners interested was obtained, in such form as to authorize the Board to modify the grade as shown by the map herewith submitted, or in such other form as it may deem best. Notice has No 1 WALK CARRIAGE ROAD RIDE CARRIAGE ROAD WALK 22 38 30 38 22 150 feet No 2 WALK CARRIAGE ROAD WALK 10' 25' 80' 25' 10' 150 feet No 3 WALK CARRIAGE ROAD GRASS CARRIAGE ROAD WALK 10' 20' 45' 20' 45' 20' 10' 150 feet 170' DESIGNS for the improvement of the Seventh Avenue. The Major & Knapp Eng Mfg & Lith Co. 71 Broadway N.Y. 105 been given to occupants of the avenue to remove their fences and plantations from the ground of the avenue. Having acted upon this question of grade, the next thing is to determine the character of the surface of the avenue and the method of its improvement. Three plans, numbered 1, 2, 3, are submitted herewith, each indicating a method of surface improvement differing from the other. On the adoption of a plan for this improvement, the mode of sewerage, the laying of the gas and water pipes, and the actual grading of the avenue will be in order. A very heavy rock cut, at the north end of the avenue, extending more than half a mile, and of a depth of from one to forty feet, will necessarily render the work of grading the avenue very expensive; an elevated grade at this point of the avenue will be much less costly, but it is believed the lower grade will better subserve the convenience of travel, add to the appearance of the avenue, and be much better adapted to the situation of the adjacent property. On the lower grade, the excavation will amount to about 465,000 cubic yards, of which 308,000 will be of rock and 147,000 of earth—the higher grade will involve 101,000 yards less excavation, the most of which is rock. The work must, it seems as the law stands, be done by contract, and let to the lowest bidder after public notice—a method of doing the work which may lead to delay and inconveniences that it will be difficult to guard against, by any written stipulation, especially if any unreliable contractor, or one who would purposely make trouble, should get the work. It would, perhaps, be well for the Board to consider the propriety of obtaining an amendment to the existing law, so that it shall not, in this work, be strictly confined in awarding the contract to the lowest bidder but be left free to do the work partly by contract, and partly by days' work, as circumstances may determine to be best. Some years since a plan for improving this avenue (No 1) was laid before the Board, and has, form time to time been examined by property owners along its line. It contemplates a bridle-road or horse-back ride of thirty feet in width through the centre of the avenue. It may be questioned whether such a ride, which to be at all agreeable, must be made of soft and yielding material, is well adapted to the peculiar circumstances of this avenue, being intersected 8106 as it is, at every 200 feet, by cross streets. These crossings must be of material sufficiently hard to sustain the heavy traffic passing from one side of the city to the other. If the road is completed on this plan, it will present a space of 60 or 100 feet, according to the width of the crossstreet, of hard material, followed by 200 feet of soft material, an alternations, it is believed, that will not be agreeable either to rider or horse. It is especially desirable that a bridle-road should be so arranged as to admit of rapid riding without danger; it would be difficult to obtain this characteristic in a road crossed at intervals of 200 feet by vehicles of all sorts and by the passage of pedestrians. The writer recollects no prominent instance of a road of this sort so frequently intersected by lines of cross travel. Much of the satisfaction of a ride on horseback lies in the freedom from apprehension of danger of collision; the contrast is easily seen by a rider as he leaves the 5th avenue with its intersecting streets and enters upon the Ride of the Park, which for miles, is unimpeded by intersecting travel. Instead of a bridle-road, a space of 20 feet through the centre of the avenue might be occupied by a grass plot with shrubbery or trees as shown in plan No. 3; both of these arrangements, however, are objectionable, because they tend to limit the carriage accommodations of the street; they obstruct, under the best treatment, to a certain extent the facilities for those passing recognitions by the occupants of carriages going in the same or different directions, that add so much to a city pleasure drive. The addition of two lines of trees placed in the centre of the avenue will add much to its beauty, and will shade it in one-third the number of years that will be required if the trees are confined to one row at each curb. Either of these modes of arranging the avenue will be quite likely to result in the carriages going forth, taking one side of the avenue, and those returning, the other—the two being separated by trees and the bridle-road or green; and while by pruning the branches for a sufficient height from the ground, opportunity could be given to see across, yet the distance would be too considerable to admit of ready recognitions by persons travelling in different directions. Such an arrangement limits the carriageway much more than the actual width of the trees or green. In practice, carriages do not generally drive quite up to the curb, but keep off a sufficient distance for safety; any fixed structure, such as a tree, post, or monument in a street, not only occupies its own space, but a 107 space on all sides of it is rendered unavailable by the universal disposition of drivers to allow a sufficient distance to ensure safety. A carriageway 40 feet wide will not accommodate more than three lines of carriages, moving at a tolerable rate of speed, though five lines of carriages, can stand still or drive slowly, within its width. The 7th avenue is established by law (the Boad having no discretion on the subject of its width,) 150 feet in width; Broadway, below Grace Church, is about 80 feet in width, the carriageway varying, but being about 40 feet. The ordinances of the Corporation allot, in streets of 60 feet wide, 15 feet on each side for a sidewalk, leaving a carriageway of 30 feet; in streets of 100 feet in width, sidewalks of 20 feet wide on each side, leaving the carriageway 60 feet; and in streets of over 100 feet in width, the sidewalks are restricted to 22 feet. The ordinance also provides that cellar doors shall not be constructed which extend more than one-twelfth part of any street, or more than five feet into any street, or stoops or steps extending more than one-tenth the width of any street, nor more than seven feet. In the 5th avenue, the court yards, steps, stoops, areas, railings, &c., occupy 30 feet, or nearly one-third of the whole width of the street, so that a public way of 100 feet in width has been reduced to 70 feet for all classes of travel; and if other obstructions, such as lamp posts, hydrants and trees are taken into account, it is reduced to 65 feet in width for sidewalks and carriage way. Now why is so much land taken from private owners, at great expense, for a public thoroughfare, and then, immediately allowed to be occupied by private structures that obstruct and preclude its public use as a thoroughfare? Why take and pay for one hundred feet, and immediately proceed to turn over one-third of it to private occupation? Why not as well originally take but two-thirds of the quantity of land and forbid the use of any of it by private owners? In improving the 7th avenue, there is an opportunity to effect a reformation in this most objectionable practice, that has become well nigh universal. Assuming that the Board has the power, might it not, with propriety, preserve the whole width of the avenue for public use? Perhaps such an innovation upon the established custom of the city in this respect would not be favorably regarded, and might be opposed by property owners. As a 108 justification of the practice, it may be urged that if owners are allowed to place their stoops, steps, areas, bay-windows, &c., within the limits of the street, it does much to ensure an even, uniform building line for the fronts of houses, and that if each proprietor were required to build his steps, &c., on his own ground instead of in the street, the diversity of these appendages to the houses would result in an irregular line of house fronts on the street; and as these appendages are not built very high, the light and air of the street are not much interfered with by them, though the way of the street is. There is, however, now no law requiring one to build the front of his house precisely on the street line; it may be set back any distance on the lot. Custom and appearance, and the desire to make the most of the lot, generally induces the occupancy of the ground up to the building line on the street, and so it would be if these appendages were built on the lot instead of in the street. It may be further said, that if owners of lots on the avenue, use a portion of it for court yards, kept in fine order, and embellished with flowers and statuary, that this is a sort of public use, inasmuch as these grounds become pleasant accessories to the avenue and serve to render it an agreeable passage for the public. The concession of the right to use any portion of the avenue in this way should be most carefully guarded, so that the whole way may be resumed at any time that it may be desirable; and no structure should be allowed within the limits of the avenue that would have the character of a permanent occupancy; a license or easement of this character gives rise to questions of a very subtle nature, and it is difficult, when once conceded, to retract, without much inconvenience, therefore, the conditions upon which it is granted should be well guarded, and all structures forbidden that cannot be removed without damaging the principal structure on the adjacent on the adjacent lot; and as the neglect of an individual owner here and there to maintain his court yard satisfactorily to the public, the concession of the right to use a portion of the avenue as a court yard should be accompanied with the proper covenant on the part of the owner to maintain it in a prescribed condition. The disposition of private owners to encroach on the public domain had some justification in times when cities were places of refuge, confined by encircling walls, within which populations sought refuge from nomadic hordes that ravaged the adjacent 109 country. Every foot of space within the costly defensive walls was required; narrow streets were the consequence, and even the small space comprised within the limits of the streets was encroached on by private occupancy. The brief accounts that remain of the internal economy of ancient cites, show that this tendency to occupy the public streets was much the same as at present. In ancient Athens the streets were crooked and narrow. The upper stories of the houses frequently projected over the streets; stairs, balustrades, and doors opening outwards, narrowed the path. Themistocles and Aristides, in co-operation with the Areopagus, effected nothing further than to cause that projections should no longer be built over or into the streets, and this regulation was maintained in later times. The propositions of Hippeas and Iphiciades, for taking down such parts of buildings as projected over or into the public streets, were not carried into execution, because their object was believed to be, not the improvement and embellishments of the street, but extortion. The narrow and crooked streets of Rome were still more confined—above, by projecting open balconies from the upper stories of the houses, called Maeniana, from Maenius, who invented them, to accommodate the spectators of the processions in the streets below. This subject of allowing any private or quasi private use of the land within the limits of the streets should be well considered before deciding upon the plan of the avenue, as the conclusions of the Board in this case may be a guide for its action respecting streets and avenues to be hereafter laid-out. If the bridle-road, trees and grass, are omitted from the centre of the avenue, the question arises as to the width to be devoted to the carriage-way, to the side-walks, to the court-yards, steps, stoops, &c. If we allow eighty feet for a carriage-way, twenty-five feet for each sidewalk, and ten feet for court yards on each side, the whole one hundred and fifty feet will be taken up. This arrangement is shown on plan No. 2. If a single line of trees is planted in the centre of the carriage-way, it will facilitate the early shading of the avenue; the trees being open to the sun, will develop evenly on all sides, and may be removed without disturbing the avenue when the lines of trees on its sides, are far enough advanced to yield a sufficient shade. If the grass space between the carriage-ways, and two rows of 110 trees remain, we can save much in space by preventing stoops, steps, &c., from intruding at ll within the limits of the 150 feet in width, Other suggestions varying the detail of the plan can better be shown in drawing. Something of the effect of setting back the houses from the street line may be seen in the 4th avenue, between 18th and 19th streets, where the houses stand back about 50 feet from the avenue. London Terrace, in 23d street, affords another example of the same style of improvement. A clumsy effort at improving an avenue by tress and shrubbery in its centre, may be seen in the 4th avenue, between 39th and 40th streets. In this case the plan was to have the sidewalks 22 feet wide each; the carriage-ways 28 feet each; and the plat 40 feet in width; in executing it, these dimensions were somewhat changed, and no one can look at it without feeling that it is a cramped and unsatisfactory arrangement. This would be, to some extent, lessened by omitting the iron and stone fence that encloses the shrubbery in the avenue In my judgment, the sidewalks of the 7th avenue should not, on any plan, be reduced below 20 feet in width; 30 feet would be better. This avenue is likely to form part of the great drive of the city; it is, by reason of its level character, one of the few opportunities that can be found on the Island for a continuously symmetrical avenue; it is important that special conveniences be given to the drive-way, that it be spacious and convenient, and at the same time wear as much of the agreeable aspect that is given by shade trees as it practicable. To facilitate comparison, a few examples of the width and mode of laying out the streets of other cities are given. The Avenue de l'imperatrice, leading to the Bois de Boulogne, is bordered by continuous gardens; inside are carriage-roads, and beyond gardens and alleys. Its width, 429 feet, is thus distributed: Carriage-way, 50 feet Footpath, on one side, 36 " Horsepath, on the other side, 36 " Grass and Shrubbery, 87 " " " " 87 " Iron railing, 2 small streets, on each side of which four sidewalks 20 feet, 61 " 111 Iron railing, To line of houses, 36 feet " " " 36 " Total 429 " The width of the Avenue Neuilly is 231 feet " " " " Vincennes is 231 " " " " New Boulevard Malsherbes is 165 " The older Boulevards vary much in width, but nowhere are they less than the preceding. It would be interesting, did space allow, to examine the history of the modes of use of streets; changing as they do with the increase of populations. Streets were first made without division into carriage-ways and foot-walks, and were used by men and animals of burden indiscriminately. There are to-day, in many cities of Europe, streets having no sidewalks, and the foot passenger finds his way among the beasts and the filth of the kennel. The dangers and inconveniences of this indiscriminate mixture of travel, when carriages were introduced, led to a distribution of travel and traffic. To beasts of burden and vehicles were allotted one line of the way, to pedestrians another, and finally, in crowded streets, pedestrians, for convenience, arranged themselves in currents of travel, those going one way taking one side of the walk and those going the other taking the other side of the same walk. Thus the travel of the street has arranged itself to the highest degree of convenience. There was no pavement in Paris until the royal stomach of Philip Augustus was turned, as he looked out of his window in the Cité, by the odors proceeding from a wagon ploughing up the mud of the streets, and the mandate which issued thereupon must have been slowly executed, for years elapsed before the perambulation of the streets by pigs was forbidden, when a son of Louis le Gros had been thrown from his horse by one of these untoward animals. Less than two centuries since, the streets of London, if paved at all, were so imperfectly paved that the occasional wheeled carriage that passed through them was very likely to get fixed in the mire. From a mutual exertion to avoid the mud thrown by carriage wheels towards the foot passage, quarrels often arose between pedestrians as to which should "take the wall" or the side of the walk most 112 remote from the carriage-way. The still existing custom of giving to ladies the inside of the walk, arose from the desire to avoid exposing them to the contents of the gutter. The sewerage of the avenue, as the law stands, it is claimed, is under the jurisdiction of the Croton Board. Two lines of sewer pipe will be required, and as but few of the main sewers to the river in the cross streets are yet constructed, the question of disposing of the sewerage and surface water will for a long time be a troublesome one. The methods of forming the surface of the roadway and walks, and the material of which they are to be composed, are specially interesting questions. A roadway of gravel, somewhat similar to the Park roads, or of some pleasant material for travel, will be preferred by the public, but it must be remembered that it will not be practicable to exclude from this avenue the heavy traffic that will, during the process of excavating cellars and building up this neighborhood, take the best road to be found; nor after it is built up, will it be practicable to exclude heavy teams with supplies for the residents, nor those crossing the city. This character of traffic will ultimately necessitate a solid, compact road surface capable of sustaining the wear and tear of the ordinary traffic to which our streets are subjected. In an unbuilt neighborhood, on the confines of a growing city, the first street opened for use, before it is thoroughly settled, is required to sustain the haulage of the materials of filling and excavation, and of the necessary timber, brick, stone, &c., for building; the result is that the superstructure of the street, being generally laid on unsettled filling, is ruined before the vicinity is fairly populated. If a road surface adapted specially to light pleasure travel be now adopted, it is probable that but a few years will pass before a thoroughly well-built macadamized or Telford carriageway, completely drained, or a pavement will be required. The Rue Neuve des Petits Champs, of Paris, is being constructed with a surface of asphaltic composition, which is said to operate very well, but is too expensive for general use. In that city sidewalks are made of asphalt; whether this material will prove desirable in our climate is not yet fully determined, though experiments have been made with it. It might be well before the nature of the surface of the road is determined on to make further inquiry respecting it, there being abundant time for it before the excavation and filling for the road-way is completed. The Nicholson pavement, composed of coal-tar, sand, gravel and 113 wood, has been, for several years, tried in Chicago on some of the most severely travelled streets, and found to operate well. It is very durable, noiseless, pleasant for the foot of the horse, and said to be easily repaired. Experiments with wood pavements in this city were made in the year 1838, in front of the hall of Records, where three different kinds were laid, and in Broadway in the year 1836, on the block between Chambers and Warren streets, and during the succeeding ten years wooden, or as it was termed "Russian" pavement was laid at several places in the city, but its use was abandoned, as it was found too perishable when composed of hemlock, and too expensive; the average duration of it did not exceed six years, and its failure was attributed solely to its decay, experiments were tried in the years 1838, by saturating blocks of wood with gas tar and others with corrosive sublimate, according to Kyan's process, but it was found on examination of them about five years afterwards that both processes had failed to preserve the timber from rot. The results of these experiments were such as to render it very doubtful whether any pavement of this character will succeed in the climate and soil of this island. The order of the work of the avenues should be such as to ensure the introduction of the gas an water pipes at a stage that will render the upturning of the streets unnecessary in the process of laying them. Much thought has been given to the investigation of these subjects, not only with especial reference to the appearance of the avenue, but because the plan to be adopted for it has close relations with the drainage and improvement of a large portion of adjacent territory. The last of the topics above enumerated, to wit, the laying out of the streets on that part of the Island above 155th street, and a drive from that street down to the intersection of 59th street with 8th avenue, involves difficulties and responsibilities that can only be fully comprehended after a thorough examination of the subject in all its bearings. This part of the Island is 3 2/3 miles in length, and of an average width of about three-fourths of a mile. Its greatest width, one mile, is just south of Spuyten Duyvil Creek. The narrowest part a quarter of a mile, is at the extreme north end of the Island near Kingsbridge. It comprises 1,700 acres of land, being a little more than double the area of the Park, and is bounded by 155th street on the south, by the Hudson river on the west, by the Harlem river on the east, and by Spuyten Duyvil Creek on the north; the length of shore line washed by tidal waters, is about nine miles and three-quarters, [Map] [HUDSON RIVER?] Fort Washington Point [Fort? Washington] Depot Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. 12TH AVENUE [?11TH] AVENUE 10TH AVENUE AVENUE ST. NICHOLAS 9TH AVENUE TRINITY CEMETRY 153TH [STREET?] 154TH [STREET?] Kingsbridge Road Road to Depot 10TH AVENUE [?HARLEM RIVER] High [Bridge?][Map] [HUDSON? RIVER] [?Fort] Washington Point Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. Tubby Hook Inwood Depot Road to Depot 10TH AVENUE Kingsbridge Road Fort George Kingsbridge Road 10TH [AVENUE?] Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. [?HARLEM RIVER?][Map] [?HUDSON RIVER] Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. Tubby Hook Inwood Depot Kingsbridge Road 10TH AVENUE Nagle Burial Ground SPUYTEN DUYVIL CREEK Landing Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. [?HARLEM RIVER?] Kings Bridge Fortham Bridge[Map] CEMETRY 10TH AVENUE AVENUE ST. NICHOLAS 9TH AVENUE 153TH [STREET?] 154TH [STREET?] 8TH AVENUE MACOMB'S LANE 7TH AVENUE EXTERIOR ST Central Bridge Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. [HARLEM RIVER?] Kingsbridge [?Road] 10TH AVENUE High Bridge LandingMap of that part of the City of New York north of 155 Street December 1865 The red lines show the Streets and Roads laid out by the Commissioners of the Central Park The Major & Knapp Eng. Mfg. & Lith. Co. 71 Broadway, N.Y.[Map] 10TH AVENUE Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. [?HARLEM RIVER] Nagle Burial Ground Landing [?SPUYTEN DUYVIL CREEK] Kings Bridge Fortham Bridge SCALE114 quarters, and the distance from river to river, along 155th street, about 4,700 feet; its whole surface is exceedingly varied, irregular and picturesque, it includes the monotonous level of the salt marsh, the rolling pasture, and rises at times to a high degree of craggy wildness. On the east side, from 155th street up to the High Bridge, and from thence to Fort George, a distance of two and one-fifth miles, the shores are a mass of bold rocks not readily accessible from the river. Just north of Fort George, the eastern spurt of the highland terminates, and at its foot lies an area of about sixty acres of salt meadow, partially covered with water at high tide; from thence north to the Spuyten Duyvil on the east of Kinsbridge Road, the land is generally not precipitous, but of irregular surface, with occasional knolls and out-crops of rock, and with shores fringed with salt meadow to a greater or less depth. Above Tubby Hook Valley, between the base of the hills lying along the Hudson, and the Kingsbridge Road, a distinct range of high land surmounted by the residence of John F. Seaman, Esq., rises about 100 feet above tide. Close along the Spuyten Duyvil, west of Kingsbridge Road, the ground is generally a salt marsh to the foot of the chain of hills on the Hudson, at the extremity of which stood an old earthwork known as Cock Hill Fort. From this fort, the range of hills follows the Hudson river down to 155th street, and below to about 65th street; the descent towards the river from the summit of the range is generally very rapid, leaving but few opportunities for the convenient passage of vehicles, the principal and only well-defined opening above 155th street being at Tubby Hook. At Fort Washington Point, at the grounds of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, at 155th street, 158th street, and at 163d street, the river may be reached by passages more or less precipitous. At about equal distances between the Harlem and Hudson rivers, a valley is formed between the two ranges of hills, commencing near the line of Fort Washington, and lying generally in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction. Through it runs the Kingsbridge Road, now very irregular in its grades, and indirect in its lines. A small stream rises near the southern point of this valley, and running northeasterly, finds tide-water at Sherman's Creek. Several other rivulets, dry in summer, descend from the hills to the river on either side. At points on the west side of the valley, the cliff's rise abruptly and inaccessibly, the character of the rock being much the same as that seen on the other parts of the island; primitive gneiss, mixed with granite, hornblende, slate, and mica. Near Kingsbrdige, 115 the rock changes to a limestone, assuming the appearance of a whitish marble, which has been quarried to a considerable extent for building purposes. Much of the territory in question is covered with wood—the high lands particularly; the lower portions being in pasture and arable land—oaks, chestnuts, walnuts, tulips, maples, hemlocks, cedars, elm, and other indigenous trees, forming forests and groves of great extent and beauty. The soil above the marshes is composed of loam and clayey gravel, or hardpan, and much of it is quite fertile from long cultivation. It is surrounded on three sides by tide-water. Its highest point is at Washington Heights, on the grounds of James Gordon Bennett, Esq., where the hills rise to the height of 271.4 feet above low water, being the highest point of land on Manhattan Island. Here are the remains of Fort Washington, which, with several other redoubts and earth entrenchments occupied by the Americans during the attack by the British, in 1776, may still be seen. It was here that Hassler, in his famous trigonometrical coast survey, fixed one of his stations, the next being in the State of Connecticut. The principal access to this portion of the Island is at present by the Kingsbridge Road, which runs through the valley above-mentioned, to Kingsbridge; this road was laid out in the reign of William of Nassau, about the year 1695, eighth-four years after the discovery of the Island; the bridge over the Spuyten Duyvil, as it is called in the early records, was proposed about the same date. From this road public ways occasionally diverge transversely, and frequent private ways lead to the residences that are scattered over the territory— the 10th avenue having been opened and imperfectly worked nearly to Fort George, affords a means of access to the more easterly parts of it. Steamboats and smaller vessels land passengers and supplies at occasional points on both rivers; a small steamer runs regularly, in summer, on the Harlem river, as far as the Century House. The Hudson River Railroad lies along the shore of the North River, having two depots within this territory, one at Tubby Hook, and one at Fort Washington Point. The Croton Aqueduct crosses the Harlem River on the High Bridge, enters the city near the lands of Richard F. Carman, Esq., passes down through the land of the late Madame Jumel, and crosses 155th street, a little west of the Ninth avenue. During the present year, a plot of ground 7 806/1000 acres, between the line of 10th avenue and Harlem River, and near the High Bridge, has been taken as the site of a new reservoir for the 116 supply of this section with water, by means of pumping machinery, The price at which this land was estimated by appraisers appointed by the Court, is $48,000, or over $6,000 per acre. The main road is lighted with gas to Kingsbridge, and several of the cross-roads are similarly lighted. The land of the Island above 155th street is owned by about 250 proprietors, in plots varying in size from 25 feet lots to tracts of many acres in extent; the largest area owned by one person is that of Isaac Dyckman, Esq., comprising about 400 acres. Within this area there are three churches, the grounds and buildings of the Deaf and Dumb Institute, the Blind Asylum, the Juvenile Asylum, the Public School at Tubby Hook, and the Neagle Cemetery. During the past thirty-five or forty years, several efforts have been made to get a water-way for the passage of vessels to and from the East and North rivers, with the view of saving distance in passing around the Battery. In 1827, the Harlem River Canal Company was incorporated, with power to cut, construct, and make a canal from Spuyten Duyvil Creek to Harlem river, from and to such points and places as its directors deemed most expedient and advantageous, and to improve the navigation of Harlem river so as to afford to vessels, boats, and other freighting craft secure and easy navigation. It does not appear that under this charter anything was accomplished. The remains of a canal authorized by the Legislature in 1826, to pass from the entrance of Harlem Creek across the island to the North river, to any point between 95th and 135th streets, are now to be seen. The subject has lately been revived, and, in 1863, the Hudson and Harlem River Canal Company was chartered, with power to construct, maintain, manage and operate a canal from the Hudson river, at the mouth of the Spuyten Duyvil, to the Harlem river; and to deepen the channel of either of the said rivers. By a subsequent act, the company was authorized to extend its canal to Long Island Sound. This will be a most important facility to the river commerce bound to and from the East, already estimated at over 200,000 tons annually, saving in distance more than twenty miles of dangerous navigation by the already crowded water-way around the island, and the time now lost in frequent detentions by reason of adverse winds and tides. The canal will, doubtless, within a few years, be the means of establishing depots on the line of the Harlem river, for coal, lumber, building materials, and other supplies for the north part of the city and the adjacent settlements of Westchester county. This company has already made its 117 surveys, located its line of canal, and acquired a considerable portion of the land needed for basins and appurtenances; its line lies just along the Spuyten Duyvil valley, and includes an old canal that crosses the Kingsbridge Road, partially constructed many years since to operate a mill for marble sawing. A considerable piece of land will be left between this canal and the Spuyten Duyvil; the arrangements for crossing it will be of much importance to the land travel, and affect the administration of the commerce of the canal. The channel of Harlem river above 155th street is narrow, varying in depth from five to thirty-one feet, and is obstructed by the piers for the erection of bridges over the river. At low water, extensive mud flats are left bare on each side the channel. If this river is to subserve the purposes of commerce, it will be well to consider at an early day, whether the channel may not be advantageously widened, and the exterior line of bulkhead readjusted for this purpose. This is suggested here because of its obvious bearing on the location and expense of the continuation of the exterior street on the Harlem river, and to make provision for an adequate water-way both for convenience of commerce and for the health of the vicinity. There are now not far from 350 houses on this portion of the Island, some of them country seats—spacious, elegant, and costly. About 120 of these buildings would stand in the streets and avenues if the old rectangular plan were continued over it. Its population is about 4,000. The land, as at present held, generally has a frontage on either one of the rivers, or on the Kingsbridge Road; the larger tracts generally extend from the river to the road. The southernmost part of the territory is being rapidly subdivided. The exceeding picturesqueness of this part of the Island, the varied scenery comprehended within its wide horizon, and the unrestricted movements of the healthful currents of air over the adjacent waters, are among the characteristics that have, during the past century, rendered it a favorite resort of much of the wealth and intelligence of the city; the occupants of the beautiful retreats that now adorn it are watching with interest the steady approach of improvements that are pushing towards, and will soon surround them. The tract, of which I have presented a very imperfect chorography, is that with which the Board has now to do. Will it be strange if its proprietors, whether of limited areas or of larger acreage, regard the exercise of the powers that have been so liberally conferred upon this Board with interest, and with some degree of solicitude? Each of these owners has, doubtless, his own plans and expectations 118 with reference to his property—some seeing corner lots in the near future, others apprehensive lest their seclusion should be disturbed and their cherished retreats seized and appropriated by the outreaching arms of our ever-unsatisfied city. An examination of the whole subject discloses embarrassments of no ordinary character in the way of a successful performance of the duties that rest upon the Board. In addressing itself to the work of surmounting them, it will, perhaps, not be uninstructive to review, briefly, the fortunes of the previous efforts that have been made in the same direction. At a meeting of the Common Council of the city of New York, held Feb. 16, 1807, the following Memorial to the Legislature, with a Bill in conformity therewith, was read and approved, and the seal of the Common Council ordered to be thereunto affixed, viz.: "To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York, in Senate and Assembly convened: The Memorial of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, in Common Council convened, most respectfully sheweth: That the laying out streets and roads in the city of New York form a branch of their duties highly interesting and important. The necessity of projecting them in such a manner as to unite regularity and order with the public convenience and benefit, and in particular to promote the health of the city, must be obvious in the prosecution of the subject, however various and complicated difficulties and embarrassments exist. The first which naturally presents itself, is a radical defect in the power of your memorialists; any regulation, however promotive of utility, adopted by one Board, unless carried fully into execution, may b disregarded or annulled by its successors. There are others equally palpable, and of very considerable magnitude. The diversity of sentiments and opinions which has heretofore existed, and probably will always exist, among the members of the Common Council, the incessant remonstrances of proprietors against plans, however well devised or beneficial, wherein their individual interests do not concur, with the impossibility of completing those plans thus approved, but by a tedious and expensive course of law, are obstacles of a serious and very perplexing nature. As these evils are continually accumulating by reason of our increasing population, and the rise of frequent subdivisions of property, 119 your memorialists find it necessary to appeal to the wisdom of the Legislature for relief in the premises. Your memorialists do, therefore, pray that such measures may be adopted by your honorable Body as will obviate the difficulties which at present lie in the way of public improvements in the city of new York, or at least in such parts thereof as shall appear most susceptible of advantage from the interposition of your Honorable Body." The Recorder was requested to forward the preceding Memorial and Bill to the Hon. De Witt Clinton. On the 3d o April, in the same year (1807), the Legislature of the State appointed Gouverneur Morris, Simeon De Witt and John Rutherford, Commissioners to lay out streets, roads, and public squares of such width, extent and direction as to them shall seem most conducive to public good, and to shut up, or direct to be shut up, any streets or parts thereof which had been heretofore laid out, and not accepted by the Common Council, within that part of the city of New York to the northward of a line commencing at the Hudson river, running through Fitzroy road, now Ganesvoort street, Greenwich lane, now Greenwich avenue, and Art street, now Astor Place, to the Bowery road; thence down the Bowery road to North, now Houston street; thence through North street to the East river. It was, by the act, made the duty of these Commissioners "to lay out the leading streets and great avenues of a width not less than 60 feet, and in general to lay out said streets and public squares of such ample width as they may deem sufficient to secure a free and abundant circulation of air among said streets and public squares when the same shall be built upon," and they were "not in any case to lay out any street of less than fifty feet in width;" they were empowered to make surveys, a map of the streets and roads laid out by them, to erect durable monuments, and to take the elevation of the several intersections or squares above high water-mark. Their plans were to be final and conclusive, and they were entitled to receive $4 per day for each day they were employed on the work. These Commissioners were men of distinction. Mr. De Witt was the Surveyor General of the State; Mr. Morris, an eminent publicist, and one of the projectors of the Erie Canal, was, with others, in 1810, appointed to prosecute the business of constructing that great work.120 It may not be amiss to endeavor, in a few words, to bring before the mind something of the condition of things as they were at the time these gentlemen entered on their work. In the year of their appointment Jefferson was President, and Daniel D. Tompkins, Governor. The assessed value of the property of the city was $24,959,955. The total tax was $129,155.09. Far-sighted men began to have a large realization of the growing commercial importance of the city; its population was (1801) 60,489, in 1810 it reached 96,373. It was already apparent that it was to take precedence of all other cities of the continent; and various schemes of public improvement tending to its advantage began to be agitated, of which the most important were the filling of the lake north of the present Park, called the Kolck or Collect, the building of the present City Hall, and the new Alms House (lately fronting on Chambers street, in the Park), and the scheme for laying out the streets. Public works of the State also began to command general attention. The war between England and France, soon involving all Europe, caused a check to the commercial prosperity of the country; New York was not an exception, importations soon ceased, and immigrants were but few. The measures adopted by the belligerents affecting the rights of neutrals, the orders in council of the British Government, and the retaliatory measures of Napoleon, gave rise, during the first ten years of the century, to the embargo, non-intercourse and non-importation acts, and finally culminated in war. In 1800, Boston had a population of 24,937—in 1810 it reached 33,250. Philadelphia, though founded sixty-eight years after New York, had, in 1800, a population of 70,287—considerably more than New York; in 1810, 96,287, and was the most populous city on the Continent for a quarter of a century after the Declaration of Independence. Baltimore, in 1800, had 26,514, and in 1810, 35,538. The Alleghanies had not been crossed by any main avenue of transportation, neither the National road, the pioneer of civilized travel toward the West, nor the Erie Canal had been completed. Robert Fulton had just navigated the first steamboat from the Jersey shore, opposite the city, to Albany, consuming thirty-two hours in the passage. In the same year (1807) Congress had abolished the slave trade, and the President recommended the establishment of that most important work, the National Coast Survey, "for the purpose of making complete charts of our coast, with the adjacent shores 121 and soundings." The internal land travel of the country was confined to stage coaches and vehicles of small capacity; it was a journey of four to six days by the packets to Albany—two to three by stage coach. The ferries from the city were row-boats, barges and lighters, and these, with sailing vessels, freighted its commerce. At the time these Commissioners commenced their work there were very few improvements in the city above the New York Hospital. What is now Canal street was then a ditch running through Lispenard's Meadows, crossed at Broadway by an arched stone bridge. The custom of each householder cleaning the street before his own premises, and that of the owner of every tenth house hanging out a lantern on a pole on certain nights, had given way, and the streets were lighted by oil lamps, few and far between; the sidewalks of Broadway had been but a few years paved from Vesey to Murray streets; the Park had just been enclosed with a post-and-rail fence. Above Canal street the lands were partly fenced in lots and fields— and, although the jurisdiction of the Commissioners commenced in these fields, far above the settled portion of the city, their surveyors were constantly annoyed by suits for trespass for going over private grounds, cutting off branches of trees, &c., to make the necessary surveys—showing, at that day, a determined opposition to the prosecution of any plan for laying out the city. The Commissioners were allowed a period of four years to complete their work. They filed their report April 1, 1811, two days prior to the expiration of the time alloted for the performance of their duty. De Witt Clinton was Mayor. Messrs. Morris and Rutherford subsequently received the thanks of the Common Council for their gratuitous services. The actual laying out on the ground of the streets, avenues and places, according to the plan and the setting of the monumental stones, was afterwards committed, by the Corporation of the city, to John Randel, Jr., the Surveyor of the Commission, who completed a set of maps of the topography of the city that embody much valuable information, and have been constantly referred to for over forty years. One of the first objects which claimed the attention of these Commissioners, was to determine whether they should confine themselves to rectilinear and rectangular streets, or whether they should adopt some of those supposed improvements by "circles, ovals and stars," which, as they say, "certainly embellish a plan, whatever may be their effect as to convenience and utility." The consideration "that 9122 a city is to be composed principally of the habitations of men, and that straight-sided and right-angled houses are the most cheap to build and the most convenient to live in," determined them in favor of the rectangular plan, on which the upper part of the city is now laid out. The Commissioners endeavored, within the territory that was adjacent to the then settled portion of the city, where owners had already begun to develop their method of proposed improvements, to amalgamate their plan with those that had already been adopted by individuals. This effort they were compelled, after various attempts, to abandon, and in furtherance or what they deemed the public interests, they found it necessary to override the less, expanded views of individual owners. In their plan they made provision for a site for a large reservoir, for an observatory, a grand parade, a public market, and for several public squares. They thought it no unreasonable conjecture that in half a century the city would be closely built up to the northerly boundary of the Parade (32d and 34th streets), and contain 400,000 souls. This period, completed in 1861, found within the limits of the city more than double the prophesied number. The plan having been filed, it became by the law final and conclusive; and the corporate authorities of the city, as well as owners of private property, began gradually to conform in their transfers of land to the lines of the streets and avenues laid down upon it; it was the guide to the corporation in working such streets and avenues; and no avenue or street could be laid out by the corporate authorities, except as shown on the plan, unless Legislative authority was given to do so. It soon came to be regarded as a great convenience. Notwithstanding the growing tendency to acquiesce in its features, an examination of the statute books will show that as soon as the city began to approach the territory comprehended in it; as soon as it was required for actual use and occupancy, and as early as the year 1814, applications were made to the Legislature to change it; and since that year no less than thirty-eight laws have been passed for that purpose, so that almost every feature of the plan, excepting that of the rectangular system has been abolished or materially altered. So difficult is it, even for men of recognized experience and observation of public affairs, to forecast the details of the prospective wants of a growing city. These Commissioners, in making a plan 123 for the island, appear to have done no more than to indicate on paper (for they did no actual work on the ground) the lines of certain avenues, streets and squares; and it is not too much to say, that they carried to an extreme, a system perhaps well enough adapted to the surfaces of the ground of the lower part of the city, less irregular and less rocky than the upper part. They found something similar to it already existing in the neighborhood of the Seventh Ward, and they fixed it upon irregular and precipitous portions of the island, to which it was not at all adopted. A plan now in existence, dated November, 1803, drawn from actual survey by Casimir T. H. Goerek, and Joseph Fr. Mangin, City Surveyors, shows a laying out of the central portion of the Island up to about 20th street. The Commissioners failed to discriminate between those localities where their plan was fit, and those to which its features are destructive, both in point of expense and of convenience. It may be said without exaggeration that the features of this plan which had so little of the merit of design, has been the means of retarding seriously the growth of the city. They designated those ways which run in a northerly direction, avenues, and those that crossed them, streets, and numbered them from 1 to 155, a nomenclature that has the merit of simplicity and convenience, yet, perhaps, is not the most efficient aid to the memory.* The subject of sewerage and drainage, and of lighting, do not seem to have received any special attention. This plan does not comprehend any territory north of 155th street, except that the 10th avenue was continued over Fort George Hill to Harlem river, which it strikes near Kingsbridge. The Commissioners were authorized to lay out the whole island; on this subject they remark: "To some it may be matter of surprise that the whole island has "not been laid out as a city; to others it may be a subject of merriment "that the Commissioners have provided space for a greater "population than is collected at any spot on this side of China. "They have, in this respect, been governed by the shape of the "ground. It is not improbable that considerable numbers may be *The following selection of names of townships in the western district of this State was attributed to one of these Commissioners, Mr. De Witt, then Surveyor General of the State: Lysander, Hannibal, Cato, Brutus, Camillus, Cicero, Manlius, Aurelius, Marcelius, Pompey, Romulus, Scipio, Sempronius, Tully, Fabius, Ovid, Milton, Locke, Homer, So'on, Hector, Ulysses, Dryden, Virgil, Cincinnatus, Junius, Galen, Sterling. He denied the paternity of this absurd nomenclature, and credits it to the Commissioners of the Land Office, consisting then of the Governor, the Secretary of State, the Treasurer, the Auditor, and the Attorney General.124 "collected at Harlem before the high hills to the southward of it "shall be built upon as a city; and it is improbable that (for centuries "to come) the grounds north or Harlem Flat will be "covered with houses. To have come short of the extent laid out, "might, therefore, have defeated just expectation, and, to have "gone further, might have furnished materials to the pernicious "spirit of speculation." Much of that portion of the city, for which they provided a plan, was less difficult to arrange than the remaining portion; the territory below 42d street is of less uneven and rocky surface than that above, if we except the Harlem commons and the marshes along the water. It may well be questioned whether the rocky ridges of the Island along the shores of the rivers, running as they generally do, longitudinally, should be cut through by numerous crossing streets, especially where the grades to reach the river must be so steep as to render the convenient passage of vehicles impossible, and whether the longitudinal streets should not have been more, and the cross streets less frequent. The natural indications of the Island might have been more closely conformed to if more longitudinal avenues had been provided; they would be much less expensively made, the public would have been better accommodated, for the bulk of city traffic is lengthwise the island, and property owners would have been benefited, in that a lot on an avenue is considerably more valuable than on a street. The error may yet, perhaps, in some degree be remedied by changes in the plan of some portions of that naturally beautiful part of the Island which have not been much built on or subdivided, lying west of 8th avenue, between 72d and 155th street. It is not yet fully established that, under a fair administration of the city streets, it would not have been better to have provided alleys in rear of all lots, through which the waste of the houses could be removed, instead of compelling its offensive passage and deposit in the face of the passers on the street. The objection has been made that alleys are but places for noxious accumulations, and that they would not be kept clean. This is no more true with respect to alleys than it is to streets, as may be readily seen by passing through many of the streets of our city, the sidewalks of which are encumbered with lines of contrivances in the shape of barrels and boxes for the storage of the refuse of dwellings. The modern style of building already brings the rears of houses inconveniently near to each other, on the street blocks, and the chief justification for the abolition of alleys is, that under 125 a shiftless administration of municipal affairs, if the offensive refuse of the city is brought constantly into conspicious view, it will be the more likely to be removed. The territory laid out by these Commissioners south of 155th street was sufficient to accommodate a large prospective population; it has sufficed up to this time, but the increase of numbers and the tendency to build above that street has long demanded a plan for that ground, so that the buildings about to be erected need not be found out of place when a plan is adopted, and to avoid the many inconveniencies that grow up in a city without any plan. The second attempt at laying out part of the Island was made in 1851, when the Common Council of the city directed the Street Commissioner to present a plan for laying out streets and avenues in the city, north of 155th street. John T. Dodge, Esq., then Street Commissioner, appointed Messrs. Edwin Smith and Gardner A. Sage, two City Surveyors, and Mr. Wm. Dodge, Jr., to take the matter in charge and to report thereon. These gentlemen made no plan, and, beyond a few meetings, accomplished nothing under their appointment; no appropriation having been made to enable them to proceed with the work. A third effort to obtain a plan for this part of the city was made in 1860. The Legislature, in that year, appointed a Board of seven Commissioners, all of whom were, it is believed, extensive property holders within the district to be laid out. Their powers were very ample; they were to receive no compensation. They employed engineers and surveyors, caused an elaborate topographic survey and map of the territory to be made, and while it does not appear that, during their four years of official term, any of the serious and responsible questions involved were finally determined, or that any streets or other improvements were finally laid out, yet the papers of their office show that these subjects had been examined and discussed. Their expenditures amounted to the sum of $41,236 38, and several claims for services are still outstanding. By the Act of April 24, 1865, the powers of these Commissioners were transferred to the Commissioners of the Park. This act also conferred upon this Board powers still more extended —adequate not only to the laying out of streets, roads, public squares and places, but to the taking of the land necessary therefor, and to the regulating, grading and improving of the same. The mode in which moneys for these purposes are to be raised is also specified in the act. This Board is, therefore, invested not only 126 with the powers of the Corporation of the city, but also with those of some of the Executive departments, with relation to the streets of this portion of the Island. An act passed a few days subsequently seems to place in the Croton Aqueduct Board the power of making a plan for sewerage of the whole Island; wherever this Board is required to make improvements, there can be no doubt that if it were to carry on all classes of the work simultaneously, time and money would be saved. It has been well said, that, "next to the genial influence of the seasons, upon which the regular supply of our wants, and a great portion of our comforts so much depend, there is perhaps, no circumstance more interesting to men in a civilized state than the perfection of the means of interior communication;" this is as applicable to the ways of a city as to the more extended system of roads throughout the country. The chief work that the Board has to do is to make a plan of this area that will, when executed, accommodate the future necessities of this portion of the city. The ground to be laid out is of an unusually difficult formation to arrange symmetrically; it includes many small proprietorships, the improvements upon which, already made, or contemplated, will necessarily be, to a great or less degree, interfered with by any plan that may be adopted. It is a work that can only be accomplished, in all its details, in course of a considerable space of time. By the law, the Commissioners are not required to complete the laying out of all the streets, roads, public squares and places before filing maps and plans of a portion thereof. It is for the Board to determine which portion of the proposed streets shall first be laid out and worked. In this the law greatly side us by placing special stress upon the main drive from the north end of the 6th avenue or 7th avenue up the Harlem River side of the city, and down along the Hudson River side of the city, to the entrance to the Park at 59th street and 8th avenue. The laying out of the ground for, and the planning of a city is, if done with any degree of foresight, a work of great responsibility, involving liberal consideration of questions of defence, or approaches, of climate, including temperature, snow and rain fall, and prevailing winds, of the means of the daily supply of water and food, of the vocations of its inhabitants, and of sanitary regulations, including modes of cleansing and purification, of interment, and of the means 127 of movement and circulation of its population and property, animate and inanimate. The adoption of a plan presupposes its execution; it should therefore be adapted to our climate condition, and to the spirit of our institutions, and in making it, reference should be had to the facilities for maintaining and keeping in order the city it contemplates. The execution of any plan will require the raising of large sums of money, and, if it is not well considered, questions of time and expense, and convenience will arise that will demand its abrogation, and the substitution of another. We need not go off the Island to see lamentable results of the want or largeness of ideas in the attempts that have been made to provide for the growing wants of a great people. The process of straightening and widening streets in the lower part of the city, where property has acquired immense value, has been going on for many years, and is still going on at a great cost. More than forty years ago Harman street was widened from forty to ninety feet, and called East Broadway; thirty years ago Chapel street, from Franklin street to Chambers street, was widened from forty to ninety feet, and called West Broadway; twenty-nine years ago Centre street was widened and cut through to the Park. Proceedings are now pending for the widening of Church street. The same processes will soon commence in the upper portion of the city. The Imperial outlays for the improvement of the city of Paris, afford another instance of the cost of providing for the growing necessities of modern population, after a city has been built. In looking back to the early history of what are now large cities, it is remarkable to see how little forethought and system, controlled their inception and progress. They are but examples on a larger scale of the same insufficient provision for future accommodation that we find made by individuals in their own establishments. Probably not one dwelling-house in ten is built at once on a plan that is at all adequate to meet the wants of its owner and projector; additions shortly succeed its supposed completion. The want of pecuniary means and of a defined estimate of future requirements, influence as well the habitations of communities as of individuals. With some exceptions on this continent, and few in Europe, the cities that have, since the commencement of the Christian era, attained great extent, have been the subjects of gradual accretion, without original plan. As population required increased territorial accommodations, the domains of private owners were appropriated or conceded to city occupancy, and by force of the law of values 128 they pass to that occupancy, with the schemes of their owners already fixed upon them, conforming in a greater or less degree to the existing features of the proximate city. The instances of European cities, laid out from their inception on a plan, are generally found under a form of government that has power of decreeing with an irresistible authority, that overrules alike the wishes and the rights of private ownership, or that seizes the primeval fields and converts them into a city by the attractions of a Court and the vocations that thrive in its presence, or from newly created currents of commerce. That part of Athens, only known as the Piraeus, was regularly laid out by the architect Hippodamus, probably in the time of Pericles. "Kings and potentates have vied with one another in embellishing her streets and places of resort— and if she presented, like modern cities, no capacious square or long vistas lined on either side with superb edifices, it was owing to the inequality of her original site, and the scruples which had spared her narrow and tortuous lanes, after so many capitulations." In ancient Rome, the temples and palaces were for the most part planted on the summits of the hills, and in many cases surrounded by gardens; the dwellings of the humbler classes clustered in the narrow valleys, were generally built over rows of shops, and entered by stairs from the outside; in the height of 70 feet there were probably from seven to ten stories. The roads were measured from the gates of the Servian enclosure, and here began the straight lines of the interminable avenues. Within the walls no regularity existed, the streets may be said to have grown up by mere caprice or accident, following the tracks of the cattle of primitive antiquity to their pasture and watering places, they were narrow and winding. The Forum alone of all the public places was regularly designed; its open space was nearly rectangular in form, enclosed by paved roads intended for public processions, and lined, where they approached the base of the hills with temples and public edifices. In districts where the masses of the population were collected every available inch of ground was seized for building, and the want of space was compensated by elevation. The Emperor Augustus limited by law the height of the houses, and, as is supposed for the purpose of economizing space the thickness of the walls was restricted to a foot and a half. The streets or rather the narrow and winding alleys, were miserably inadequate to the circulation of the people who moved along or thronged them. Juvenal laments the hardships of the poorer citizens whom he advises to emigrate from the smoke of Rome to 129 the little towns of Italy, where they might purchase a cheerful and commodious dwelling for the same price which they annually paid for the rent of a dark and miserable lodging. Corinth, after its restoration "became a centre of commerce, art and literature. The beauty of its situation, the splendor of its edifices, the florid graces of its architecture, and the voluptuous charms of its parks and pleasure grounds delighted the stranger, whom its commerce had attracted." The city of Peter the Great was founded on a most infelicitous site, being near the Arctic Circle, in a flat marshy region, and on a river navigated only by small vessels; the soil is such that the foundations of the buildings must be made on piles; it is laid out with regularity and embellished with squares, its streets are comparatively broad, its buildings often occupy large plots of ground, and it already ranks among cities of the first class. Where a city is symmetrically built, it will be found the work of a single mind or of a single interest, in both cases the absolute power by reason of entire ownership, or a common interest controling the territory is the first requisite. These circumstances do not often occur, and the consequence is that the progress of settlement is according to the contrary views of individual settlers, or as is said, the habitations of men are located on the paths made by the beasts of the field. Uniformity of arrangement prevailed in the laying out of new towns in the Spanish possessions in America. There was always to be a large square, in it was to be the governor's palace. The extent of ground allowed to each inhabitant for the building of his house was generally a settled quantity. Antioch was regularly laid out in squares, it had its palace and arch like that of Napoleon. On the mountains were placed the temple, a citadel, and at the base, a street extended four miles across the length of the city, where sheltered crowds could walk through continuous colonades from the eastern to the western suburb. An unusual diversion of the current of the world's travel sometimes affords the opportunity for rapidly building up a city. Alexandria, the foundation of which, by Alexander the Great, terminated the commercial importance of Athens, intersected by streets running north and south, east and west, with its canal, lighthouse, regular streets, palaces, exchange, halls of justice, temples, theatres, churches, groves, gardens, fountains and obelisks, became the centre of commerce between the basin of the Mediterranean and Africa, Arabia and 130 India; in turn, its decay was completed by the change of the track of commerce caused by the discovery of the Cape route to the East Indies, and this it was that gave impetus to the great modern cities of Western Europe and blighted the ancient seats of commerce. The city of Cordova, under the Moors, contained more than 200,000 houses, 1,000,000 inhabitants, 300 mosques and 900 baths. "After sunset, a man might walk through it in a straight line for ten miles by the light of the public lamps. Seven hundred years after this time there was not so much as one public lamp in London." "In Paris, centuries subsequently, whoever stepped over his threshold on a rainy day stepped up to his ancles in mud." Most of the cities of our own country have attained their growth by the same process of gradual, irregular expansion that has characterized those of the European continent. Examples are, however, numerous of cities of an inferior rank proceeding, from their outset, on a plan such as Chicago, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, of so rapid growth from immigration, or other favorable conjuncture of circumstances, as to render it at once apparent to the proprietors of the land that a considerable area would, within a short period, be required for population. A common interest of landed ownership and a common perception of the most profitable use of the land, will generally ensure symmetry in the plan of a city. Philadelphia is an instance of a peculiarly symmetrical city. Penn, early in the settlement of the country, selected its site on a formation mainly of dry, well drained gravel, rendering the sewerage and drainage easy, and planned the city. From the first he proposed to survey a place nearly as large as that now occupied, and he proceeded to lay out in squares, with broad rectangular streets, on a comprehensive scale. From the peculiarly rocky formation of New York, a large percentage of the cost of building the city of Philadelphia, has been required to get the land of the upper portion of this city, in a condition fit to begin to build upon. The city of Washington, at first known as the Federal City, was laid out in the last century, by Major L'Enfant, on a plan that time has scarcely approved; the idea of pointing fifteen of the diagonal streets towards the States, the names of which they bear, having in it more of fancy than of convenience. Washington, in a letter dated at Mt. Vernon, 1798, says, with respect to the Federal City: "A century hence, if this country keeps united (and it is surely 131 its policy to do it), will produce a city, though not as large as London, yet of a magnitude inferior to few others in Europe, on the banks of the Potomac, where one is now establishing for the permanent seat of the Government of the United States, between Alexandria and Georgetown, on the Maryland side of the river; a situation not excelled for commanding prospect, good water, salubrious air, and safe harbor, by any in the world; and where elegant buildings are erecting and in forwardness for the reception of Congress in 1800." Jefferson, then Secretary of State, in a letter to Washington, dated April 10, 1791, says: "I received last night, per Major L'Enfant, a request to furnish him any plans of towns I could for his examination. I accordingly sent him, by this post, plans of Frankfort-on-the-Maine, Carlsruhe, Amsterdam, Strasburgh, Paris, Orleans, Bordeaux, Lyons, Montpelier, Marseilles, Turin, and Milan, on large and accurate scales, which I procured while in those towns respectively; they are, none of them, however, comparable to the old Babylon revived in Philadelphia and exemplified." A glance at the map of New York will show that its earlier progress was governed by the temporary convenience of the growing population; when the public mind became impressed with the idea that the city was to grow to great proportions, a plan was demanded for its future improvement, and the public authorities were enlightened enough to secure one; the rectangular plan was adopted, and is fixed upon those parts of the island of regular surface, and has also impressed itself upon the cities, towns and villages growing up in the vicinity. The growing desire to occupy the part of the city above 155th street, having rendered it necessary that provision should be made for the accommodation of the class of improvement for which it is fitted, several unavailing efforts have been made to locate the lines and fix the grades of the streets and roads, in such manner that improvements may be made without leaving owners to the apprehension that a change of plan, would necessitate the destruction or expensive alteration of completed structures. The ruggedness of large portions of the surface, has stubbornly repelled repeated efforts to fix upon it the rectangular plan of avenues and streets. These efforts have, however, left their impress, and extensive excavations may be seen upon lines of road that have been, or should be stopped in their course, by reason of their utter impractibilty. Two generations have been educated into the plan of rectilinear132 streets for this island; it is difficult to unseat ideas to which the public mind has become habituated. Lines of streets that do not exist above 155th street are continually used as boundaries of the transfers of land. These considerations, so imperfectly presented, may, perhaps, aid in appreciating, to some extent, the business in hand, and tend to impress upon the Board, the importance of the subject upon the practical solution of which it is about to enter. It will not be expected that I should go much into the detail of the intended work. That can be much better shown in a plan now in course of preparation. A few general ideas are all that can be presented with utility, until further investigation furnishes the necessary information to enable the Board to dwell upon details. This territory lies between the city on the south, the growing populations of the villages of Westchester on the north and east, and those of the Jersey shore on the west. Tidal waters encompass it on three sides. Across it, passages for business and pleasure, from all directions, must be provided—and these must have direct relation and reference to the probable course of the ways, on the opposite shores of each river. As few of these ways are yet located, we shall be compelled, by examination of the topography of the land across the river, to assume where they ought to be. It would be a mistake to act in this matter solely with reference to the convenience of people residing upon this island—due regard is to be had to convenient passage to and from the city for those residing elsewhere and doing business here. The general movement of the people will call them to the denser part of the city, as because the steep hills along the rivers preclude frequent cross-passages. The heavier business traffic will naturally seek the most accessible and level roads: the depots for commerce will ultimately find accommodations on the shores of the rivers and on the comparatively level land contiguous to them. The more elevated surface will be less subdivided, and will be crowned with elegant suburban residences. This may as well be at once recognized, and efforts to force these picturesque elevations into city lots abandoned. The longitudinal avenues for moving the heavier traffic through the whole length of this portion of the Island, cannot, by reason of the intervening highlands well be more than three,—one of which 133 will be immediately on the shore of each river, a few feet above high tide, and the other will generally follow the line of Kingsbridge road. These avenues should be of ample width and of light grades. Avenues for traffic across the island, and for passage of persons and things from Westchester to the North river and Jersey, should be provided at each opening of the hills; and it may, at some remote day be found necessary to provide one or more tunnels across the island from river to river, which, with the avenues above mentioned, and the water ways on each side of the island, will furnish the needed convenient facilities, for the business movements of this part of the city. The Act of 1860, appointing the Washington Heights Commission, expressly provides that nothing in it shall authorize the closing of the Tenth avenue, or of the Kingsbridge road, or of the Bloomingdale road. A street should at once be laid from Tubby Hook to the exterior street on the Harlem river. The opening in the hills at this point must continue to be of growing importance; it affords the only good opportunity for a street of traffic between Manhattanville and Spuyten Duyvil. A street has already been laid out on the map of a private estate at this place, which it is claimed is public by reason of dedication and use. If this street is perpetuated, it should be widened on its southerly side immediately south of another street. It may be laid to continue in a straight line from river to river, the existing street only extends from the Hudson to Kingsbridge road, and at this point a bend will probably be necessary. The Act of April 14, 1852, provided for a permanent exterior street along the shore of the Harlem river, between the Sound and the Hudson river. This street has been laid out, under authority of the Common Council, seventy feet wide, a width that will be found insufficient, and some changes will probably be required in its course. This exterior street will mainly run upon the land covered with water, along the shore of the Harlem river, the ownership of which is vested in the Corporation of the City. As the effect of the filling on this land may obstruct the channel of the river, by forcing the loose mud out from the shore into the channel, the erection of a continuous line of bulkhead line lies quite near the shore, no piers being allowed by reason of the narrowness of the channel. The law prescribes that a road shall run from the "northerly portion of the 6th and 7th avenues, in a generally northerly or 134 northwesterly direction, upon the easterly or Harlem river side of the city, as far north as the Commissioners may determine; thence, in a generally westerly direction, to or near the Hudson river; and thence, in a generally southerly and southeasterly direction, along the westerly or Hudson river side of the city, until such road or public drive shall enter the Park at or near the junction of the Bloomingdale road, 8th avenue and 59th street." There is nothing in this language to prevent this road being laid along the river shore; but, for reasons that appear conclusive, when the objects to be attained are considered, and for the purpose of affording opportunities for the most advantageous improvement of the lands, it should be laid on the Highlands, confirming in grade and line, much to the natural surface of the land; it may be moderately circuitous, but direct, where the land will admit, with grades not over one in twenty, and of this steepness only occasionally; it should be generally located so that it will be some 100 or 200 feet interior from the line where the marked declivity towards the river begins, or below this line and on some of the favorable benches of the declivity, according as circumstances favor: the general idea being to keep it where the view will be continuously fine, and to afford opportunities for favorable villa lots on each side of it, where the breadth of the table land is sufficient to justify its being divided by an avenue. It would be wearisome to state the details of this line of drive, or the thousand circumstances that should enter into the consideration of its location and construction. It should not, I think, be limited to the area south of Tubby Hook, but should extend above the proposed canal to the bridges that are to cross the Spuyten Duyvil, whether the present Kings, or some one or more other bridges, and thence around the high hill at the confluence of the Hudson with the Spuyten Duyvil. This drive need not at present necessarily be worked of its full width throughout the whole line; in actual working, it should conform to the conditions of the land, and, so far as practicable, to the convenience of existing proprietorships and settlements. The land to be taken for it should generally be of equal width throughout, for uniformity and for convenience of adjusting the slopes of its sides to those of adjacent land; but the actual roadway may, for economy in construction and maintenance, and for tastefulness, vary in width according to varying circumstances; this arrangement will always admit of an 135 increase of width of the travelled road, without the further taking of land to meet the exigencies of future years. The table land from 155th street up towards Fort George, east of the Kingsbridge road, will require for its development, and readily admit of several longitudinal streets, as also will the land north of Fort George. These areas will ultimately be subdivided and more compactly built. In our times, streets are used not only for traffic and travel, but underneath their surface, are carried, by the authority of the law, the channels of sewerage and drainage, and of gas and water. However irregular the lines of ownership of land may now be, they will sooner or later adjust themselves to the lines of the streets and roads when these are designated and defined; the necessity for the outlet of travel and of drainage will compel this. The owner of land on the brow of the hill must, if there is no public way through which he can drain his land to the river, find some way to drain it across the adjacent lands of his neighbor below him. This may be tolerated in farm lands, and in the case of the drainage of the rain fall, but where the discharges of domestic sewerage are to be provided for, adequate legislation must be had to permit the laying on established lines, main drains and sewers, gas and water pipes from streets, over adjacent lands. The frequency of the streets in the older parts of the city, provides abundant ways for sewers without crossing private property. Great obstacles, however, already exist to drainage where the streets have not been opened and worked. The principle that should govern in the determination of the number of extent of streets and ways, is, that where they are required for public convenience, or where there is a considerable settlement or tendency to settle, whether in large or small tracts, it should be aided and encouraged by the working of proper means of access. In presenting a plan for this part of the city, it by no means follows that all the streets laid down on the plan, are to be worked immediately. There are over a hundred miles of streets now on the plan of the city that have not been worked, and should not be, until population requires them for use. It would be unwise to exercise the power of opening and working streets before they are needed; the owners interested should not be required to advance the moneys to pay the necessary expenses, 136 long before a compensating use can be made of the property. These expenses are often considerable, and, if made before the property is usable, are in the light of advances of money without interest, and to owners of small means are often oppressive. The owners of adjacent property may generally be relied on as the best judges, of the necessity of opening and working those ways that are more especially intended for the accommodation of the neighborhood. All those roads, streets, squares, and places that are ultimately to exist, should be indicated in line and grade on a comprehensive plan, and put on file to be afterwards opened and worked as occasion requires. The course and direction of the streets should be determined with reference to the probable currents and volume of travel from the city below, from the future cities that are to crown the opposite Jersey heights, the fields of Westchester, and from the waters that are to bear that portion of commerce that is to seek accommodation at this end of the island. The Spuyten Duyvil and the Harlem River are already spanned by several bridges—others will be established as popnlation thickens on their shores. No less than seven bridges, with and without draws, already exist across these waters, and another is in progress. Most of the avenues of the city leading to the Harlem River, will, ultimately, be carried over on bridges to the mainland, and this stream and its connections with the Hudson, will, within a few years, form "a silent highway" in the midst of a dense city, occupying each of its sides, like the Seine or the Thames. The convenience for supplying cities with water and gas, and with the means of sewerage and drainage, are intimately connected with their systems of public ways. The drainage and sewerage of this city, thus far, has been often unscientific in plan and arrangement, and much of it very unskillful in execution; with the improvements of the last ten years in the science, it would be inexcusable if this part of the city were to be left without the best possible provision in this respect. A plan for a city intended to include arrangements for the most important public necessities, would provide for slaughter houses, markets, and dumping-grounds, and the mode of disposing of the refuse of the city. The law, however, imposes no such duty upon the Board, and as their location depends so much upon questions 137 of private ownership, that it is scarcely worth while here to do more than mention them. The discharge of the sewerage into a river like the Harlem, may perhaps be tolerated for a few years, but the time is not distant when other arrangements will be required, and they should be now contemplated. In London, enormous expenditures are now being made to free the city from the dangers and annoyances arising from the discharge of the waste into the Thames. Few have a correct idea of the immense bulk of the refuse or a large city. Our waters have, thus far, mainly received that of this city, but that mode of disposing of it has already gone on too long, and will soon be, if it has not already become, the occasion of serious impediments to the navigation of the waters of the city. Some idea of the quantity of the refuse of ancient cities and of the inartificial method of disposing of it, may be gained from a brief extract from a later work by the Hon. G.P. Marsh: "Every traveller in Italy is familiar with Monte Testaccio, the mountain of potsherds, at Rome; but this deposit, large as it is, shrinks into insignificance when compared with masses of similar origin in the neighborhood of older cities. The castaway pottery of ancient towns in Magna Grecia composes strata of such extent and thickness, that they have been dignified with the appellation of the ceramic formation. The Nile, as it slowly changes its bed, exposes, on its banks, masses of the same material, so vast that the population of the world during the whole historical period would seem to have chosen this valley as a general deposit for its broken vessels." "In the neighborhood of the Nile manures are little employed, the domestic waste, which would elsewhere be employed to enrich the soil, is thrown out in vacant places near the town. Hills of rubbish are thus piled up which astonish the traveller almost as much as the solid pyramids themselves." "The heaps of ashes and other household refuse collected on the borders and within the limits of Cairo, were so large that the removal of them by Ibrahim Pacha has been looked upon as one of the great wonders of the age." "The soil, near the cities, the street sweepings of which are spread upon the ground as manure, is perceptibly raised by them and by other efforts of human industry, and in spite of all efforts to remove the waste, the level of the ground on which large towns 10138 stand, is constantly elevated. The present streets of Rome are twenty feet above those of the ancient city." "The Appian Way, between Rome and Albano, when cleared out, a few years ago, was found buried four or five feet deep, and the fields along the road were elevated nearly or quite as much. The floors of many churches in Italy, not more than six or seven centuries old, are now three or four feet below the adjacent streets, though it is proved, by excavations, that they were built as many feet above them." The modern pavement of the cité of Paris is said to be six feet above the level of the time of Philip Augustus. The Act of 1865, devolves upon the Board the duty of continuing a Drive from 155th street to the junction of the Bloomingdale Road, 8th avenue and 59th street, "such road to follow the course " of the Bloomingdale Road below 106th street, whenever the Commissioners " shall deem such course advantageous. The said Commissioners " shall determine the location, width, courses, winding, " and grades of said road and public drive, and may widen the " Bloomingdale Road, and determine the grades thereof, and of intersecting " streets and avenues, as they may deem it necessary for " the perfecting of such road or public drive." From 106th street north, the location of this drive is left discretionary with the Commissioners of the Park. Near this street the Eleventh avenue crosses the Bloomingdale Road. An inference may be drawn from the terms of the law, that the drive is not to follow the Bloomingdale Road above 106th street, while there is something more than an intimation in the law, that it should be followed below 106th street, " wherever the Commissioners shall deem such course advantageous." The Eleventh avenue has already been opened, 100 feet wide, up to 144th street, and cessions of portions of its width have been made to 148th street, leaving but a short distance to be opened to reach 153d street, where it strikes the grounds of the Trinity Cemetery, through which the drive following the avenue will naturally pass. Below 106th street, the main questions for the Board to determine will be, what divergences from the line of the Bloomingdale Road shall be made, and the width of the proposed drive. Broadway has been laid out, by several Acts, of a width of 75 feet up to 86th street; beyond that, it is now merely a country road, discontinuable at any time by act of the Common Council. A glance at the map will show that if the drive were to follow 139 the Bloomingdale Road from 86th to 105th street, it would bring its easterly line very near the line of the Tenth avenue, at some points within 67 feet of that avenue, and so near as to render the course that road between these two streets disadvantageous for the drive. If the Bloomingdale Road between these points, were not already where it is, no one would deem it proper to place it there. The owners of fronts on the road may think it desirable that the new drive follow the line of the road, and if a different location is deemed detrimental to their property, it will be, because the new drive will take the travel, and diminish the importance of the Bloomingdale Road; if it takes the travel, it will be, because it is the better route, if it is the better route, it is a reason why it should be adopted. The drive might follow the course of the Bloomingdale Road from 59th street to 71st street, thence take the Tenth avenue to 101st street, and thence cross the Bloomingdale Road to the 11th avenue. The effect of this would be the abandonment of a still greater portion of the line of the Bloomingdale Road, a still wider departure from the intimation of the law that the line of the road below 106th street was to be followed. On the other hand, perhaps, it would be better to locate the drive on the course of the Bloomingdale Road from 59th street to 86th street—thus preserving the diagonal line of the street, the property on which, in a rectangular city, is generally considered as of peculiar value—thence at about equal distances between the 10th and 11th avenues, up to where it would strike the present line of Bloomingdale Road, at about 105th street, thence on the line of the Bloomingdale Road to the 11th avenue, and thence along the 11th avenue to 155th street. The number and value of the buildings on the line that will be affected is inconsiderable. The Eleventh avenue, as the grades of the streets and avenues of this part of the city are now established, occupies high ground for nearly the whole distance from 106th street to Manhattanville valley, and from this valley to 155th street. From this avenue, the grades, as now fixed, generally fall towards the river; some work has already been done upon it, and it is probably the line that can be worked with more economy and expedition than any other. It is also the nearest avenue to the river that it is practicable to take. The 12th avenue lies to a great extent under the bank, is near to, or occupied by the railroad, and will be less attractive as those classes of business that generally cling to the river move upwards. The land of the 11th avenue being already owned by the city, for 140 nearly its whole length, the cost of opening a new avenue between it and the 12th avenue will be avoided. In locating this drive, it will be found necessary to look at the ground in this district as it now is, and as it will be when existing legal requirements have been carried out, and the surface reduced to its final shape. It may not be amiss to say, in passing, that this district affords an exemplification of the peculiar infelicity of the plan on which it has been laid out. There is no doubt that a wise, regard to the public convenience, the interests of the property owners, and the economy of expenditures, both public and private, require a re-examination and re-arrangement of the plan of portions of the territory west of the 10th avenue, north of 72d street, to 102d street, and west of the 8th avenue, north of 102d street to 155th street. Should the line of Broadway, the Bloomingdale Road, and the 11th avenue, be approved for the drive, it will be rendered attractive by many existing improvements. On it the Orphan Asylum has a front line of 238.5 feet; the Lunatic Asylum a front of over 1,500 feet, and Trinity Cemetery a front of 460 feet on each side. The grounds of these institutions will probably for a long time remain open spaces, and be important ornaments to the drive. If the angles formed by the intersection of the line with the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th avenues should be taken for public use, symmetrically arranged, and so restricted as to their use as to prevent their becoming objectionable, they will afford fit space for monumental ornamentation, become architectural centres or nuclei for public edifices, and much to the variety and magnificence of the drive, and continue on Broadway the succession of parks and places that are now strung along its line—the Battery, the Bowling Green, the City Hall Park, Union and Madison Squares, and the Central Park. With respect to the width of the Sixth and Seventh avenues, from the Farmers' and Mariners' Gates of the Park, to the Harlem River, the Board has no discretion, both being fixed by law. It is otherwise with the drive from the Merchants' Gate of the Park to and around the north end of the Island, as well as with the streets and roads above 155th street; of these, the width is to be determined by the Commissioners of the Park, and upon no portion of their duty will there be a greater variety of sentiment. We are so much influenced by what we are accustomed to see, that the constant tendency will be to determine this question by what is immediately 141 around us. Fortunately there are at this moment such marked examples of large expenditures to rectify the mistakes of former years in the width of the streets of this city, that liberal views will readily be entertained. The intelligent determination of the width of an avenue for travel, and of the proper material for its surface, involves the consideration of the present and prospective volume of travel upon it, the character of this travel, the relative proportion of the various classes of travel, whether for man, on foot or in vehicles, or for traffic or pleasure, and the class of traffic, in fact the whole subject of the circulation of the population of the city. The ventilation of the whole city and the light and air of its buildings are also to be considered in fixing the width of its streets. On the upper part of this Island there is no doubt that the avenues running lengthwise should be the most capacious— the cross streets acting as so many feeders to them. The crowd already upon the existing avenues shows that as population increases they will be inadequate—not perhaps that they are too narrow, but of insufficient number. When the Island is entirely built over, and this city, literally the metropolis—the mother city—of cities already springing up on its confines, the cross throughfares that are the termini of bridges and ferries will become more important and more thronged; but it is not probable to travel up and down the city will ever be much less, proportionately to the cross travel, than at present. The tendency of population is towards the upper end of the city, and towards Westchester county, which is accessible by bridges in all weather, thus so locating population as to increase the use of the longitudinal streets. While we are especially impressed from the remarkable tendency of people to collect in cities, with the necessity of a large provision in the width of ways, it is not to be forgotten that the error may be easily fallen into, of making them too wide. The desideratum is to find the proper width for the particular circumstances of each case. The need in a great city like ours for storage accommodation is such that public places that are left open and unused, are immediately seized upon for private purposes. For example, the slips and the streets along the river are occupied with all sorts of articles, such as lumber, timber, iron boilers, anchors, chains, and other heavy merchandise. It is, of course, cheaper for merchants to store these things in the streets than to hire places for them; but this sort of use of streets is not to be provided for in determining their width—they are not places for 142 storage, but for circulation. The law of the street is motion, not rest, and theoretically the man who stops with his team in the street violates the law, as does he who stands upon the sidewalk. If one desire rest for himself or his goods he must find it outside of the channels appropriated to travel, the encumbrance of which the law does not permit. We are now discussing the street as a legal institution, and not as respects the possibilities of its ornamentation. In tropical countries, the people live more in the open streets than is possible in our climate, provision for or against this use is therefore unnecessary. We occasionally, in some country city, see a wide street ornamented with umbrageous trees, having spaces of green interposed in its area, the portion used for travel being very limited. This arrangement is only possible where thronging population and crowding commerce are not at liberty to overlay and smother the laws that are made to secure the legitimate use of the public streets. It would seem inexpedient at any rate until some better permanent administration of our streets is secured, [not] to attempt these fanciful arrangements to any great extent in a commercial city, under our form of government, where pecuniary interests are likely to be promoted by facile representatives allowing their constituents the use of public property to the injury of those who pay rents and taxes, as is instanced in the case of railroads occupying streets that have been graded and prepared, as it were, for and without expense to them, without any compensation for franchises worth millions; in the stacks of lumber, timber, etc., that encumber the public ways, and in the numerous permissions granted by the Common Council to use the public walks, streets and parks for private advantage, that lately have become so frequent as to have secured the passage of a general ordinance to facilitate them. The visitor at Washington can scarcely have failed to observe the unnecessary width of its principal thoroughfare—Pennsylvania Avenue. This avenue is 170 feet in width from house to house. It is said that it was the intention of the author of the plan of the city to lay out a promenade in the centre of the avenue, to be planted with trees, and that an engraving is in existence representing this walk. The following extracts from a late communication of the Mayor of Washington to the Secretary of the Interior, shows how the expanse of wide streets is regarded: "The adoption of the plan of wide streets and avenues was by General Washington, for some practical utility, though it may not as yet have been 143 developed, and if a way of obviating the difficulty could be found without ultimately and permanently destroying that plan, it would be a temporary relief, and until the utility of wide streets should be developed, it would be well to avail ourselves of it." "he avenues vary from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and sixty feet in width, and the streets from eighty to one hundred and forty feet, the average being ninety feet, costing more than double the amount of streets of the same length and more moderate dimensions, and as it has not grown in the usual manner but has necessarily been created in a short time, the pressure for improvement has been burdensome to its citizens." The Fourth Avenue of this city, above 334th street, was several years since widened to 140 feet, to accommodate the railroads. The other avenues of the city are generally 100 feet wide. market street, in Philadelphia, is 100 feet, and Broad street, in the same city, 113 feet wide; the other streets of that city are generally 50 to 66 feet wide, and many of the squares are subdivided by small streets or alleys. Commonwealth Avenue, in Boston, has been lately laid out of a large width, and planted with rows of trees. Brooklyn has its Atlantic Avenue, of 120 feet in width, Chicago, its Michigan Avenue, 120 feet in width. The Neva Perspective, in St. Petersburg, one of the finest streets in Europe, is 130 feet broad. Unter den Linden, In Berlin, is about 300 feet wide. The width of several of the Boulevards of Paris have already been stated. In forming a judgment on the question of the width of the drive, it will be well not to leave out of view the fact, that as the city railroads have been thrust into streets where they should not go, they are quit as likely to be placed upon this drive, in spite of all remonstrances and opposition. Is it not better, then to give this drive such width as will accommodate a railroad, if it should be forced into it, rather than leave it of a width that will render its use difficult and inconvenient when the railroad is placed there. When the width of the drive is determined, the mode of it subdivision and grades becomes prominent; the width of the carriageway, the walks, the lines of trees, the courtyards, etc., the mode of surface drainage, the sewerage, and the lighting will come up for settlement; the conclusions arrived at will depend much upon the views that we take of the character of the use to which this drive is to be devoted. It is not likely that it will be practicable to exclude from it vehicles of traffic. The part of the city west of the park through which this drive is to pass, will probably be built 144 with dwellings of a costly character, and these, after having served their day and generation, will give way, as in other localities, to the pressure of business. If the drive is made of adequate width, it will be easy to adjust its subdivisions to meet the changes that time may show to be desirable. It is to be borne in mind that every additional foot in width of a street adds proportionately to the cost of grading, regulating and paving it, thus laying an increased burden upon property owners who pay the assessments. The system of improving the surface of the street will depend much on the character of the use to which it is to be subjected; of the approved modes of surface construction that which is best administered will be found the best. The keeping of the street in repair, whether it be of pavement, or gravel, or of broken stone after the plan of MacAdam, requires a large annual outlay; the waste of material on a largely travelled road, except it is paved, is almost incredible, and every foot of paved surface beyond the space required for convenient use, adds unnecessarily to the annual tax. It is probable that a change in the bulkhead line above 155th street will be found necessary, in order that the landings may be made by boats; at many points the ground is bare at the bulkhead line, at low water. The subject of the nomenclature of the streets is an interesting one, and will early require attention. No public pleasure ground of the city, except the Battery, lies adjacent to the river. The exceeding picturesqueness of the ground along the Hudson River, both above and below 155th street, much of which being well grown with fine park trees, affords an opportunity to supply what will shortly be a want in a part of the city, against which it cannot be urged that sufficient space has already been taken for parks. This Park need not be very extensive; one of the points jutting out into the river, cut off from the hills by the line of the Hudson River Railroad, that from the slope of the land, affords a convenient opportunity to bridge over the railroad, and a safe and agreeable access from the hill to the river side would be suitable. Fort Washington Point, occupying about eight acres of land, with a portion of the land to the east of the railroad, offers, perhaps, the most favorable opportunity to establish a Park of this character; it would immediately become a place of resort, and the exterior street should be so arranged as to continue the natural 145 connection of the Shore Line with the river without the intervention of any bulkhead. The view of the river and the opposite shore is unsurpassed, and a convenient access to the water will do very much towards the encouragement of swimming schools, boating and other aquatic sports. At least two of the numerous commanding summits lying still further to the north should be secured for public grounds. It would be desirable to establish, in the neighborhood of the city, a Fair Ground, for the periodical public exhibition of agricultural and mechanical products from all parts of the State and Nation. It could, under proper regulations, be arranged to serve also the purposes of a market for horses, cattle, sheep and other living animals, for use or consumption. The growth of the city will, within a few years, push the live stock markets that now adorn the Fifth Avenue, beyond the limits of population, and the facilities which it is hoped will soon be afforded by railroads, will make them convenient of access if located either at the extreme northerly part of the Island or in Westchester county. Establishments of this character, even if they look simply to the improvement of agriculture, are more wisely located in the immediate vicinity of a large city than in the country. Where one person would visit them if situated in the interior, thousands from the country, temporarily drawn to the city on business or pleasure, would count much upon the instruction and entertainment to be derived from them; such establishments should be planted not too near, but in convenient proximity to the localities where masses of men congregate. Within the limits of these Fair Grounds might be arranged a course for horse exercise. There is a very large class of gentlemen in this city devoted to riding and driving, including many enthusiasts on the subject of improving the breed of horses; the large sums of money they are willing to pay for animals of peculiar points of breeding, shows how strong is their interest in their favorite animal. By the census of 1860, it appears that there were in this country, in round numbers, 7,300,000 horses. The services of this class of animals to man have long rendered them objects of attention and culture, and whatever facilities can be properly furnished to aid in their improvement should not be lightly regarded. As the movement of population up town will soon require for other uses the roads that have for many years served as a racecourse, some other public road will be seized on where horses can 146 be exercised and fast-driving indulged. It is vain to argue against such establishments from the abuses that may attend them. A course for riding and driving at a higher rate of speed than would be safe on the streets and roads of the city, would be one effectual mode of preventing dangerous driving elsewhere; but should not such establishments be the creations of private enterprise? It will, I think, on consideration, be found that the necessary expenditure for a course of this character would be so considerable as to prevent its use, except by those whose wealth enables them to meet the required dues; others would still seek, on some public road, the opportunity to indulge in their favorite sport. In the Bois de Boulogne is the race course Longchamp, with pavilions of different classes, of great extent, and fitting arrangements for the accommodation of crowds. This Course, under the direction of the Society for encouraging the breed of horses in France, and under the supervision of the officers of the Wood— is frequented by immense numbers of people, and is one of the most popular entertainments of Paris. The Ascot, Derby, and Epsom Courses, in England, maintained for many years, show how general and enduring is the taste for this class of entertainment. A piece of road, disconnected for the present, from the Main Drive, might be appropriated for this purpose for the next few years, and until approaching population requires it for other uses. It is not, perhaps, too early to consider the question of purchase by the city of a large tract of ground in Westchester County to be devoted to these classes of objects. The owners of property that I have had an opportunity to see personally, generally express themselves gratified with the prospect of having the long deferred work of laying out the northerly portion of the Island satisfactorily accomplished. They regard the whole subject as of great importance, in acting upon which it is quite probably the views of private owners will to some extent of necessity, be subordinated to requirements of the public interests. The convenience of travel will, I think, be subserved by opening and widening Harlem Lane from 110th street, near 6th avenue, to Manhattan street, and by widening that street. There is no power conferred on the Board for this improvement, but it would be so manifestly an advantage to the neighborhood, that the requisite amendment to the law would be readily obtained. 147 By the Act of 1860, it is made the duty of the Board to lay out a new avenue, 100 feet in width, to be called the New Ninth Avenue, along to the east of the grounds of the Convent of the Sacred Heart. It seems to me that the termination of the avenue, as fixed by the Act, might be improved by opening it into the Kingsbridge Road, somewhere near Breakneck Hill, by means of which convenient access to the plateau on the hill, to the north part of the Island, and across the city, could always be had. To effect this, an alteration in the law would be required. As power to make applications for opening the streets in the district above 155th street, and for opening and widening several streets below that street is vested in this Board, I think it exceedingly desirable to apply to the Legislature for such amendments to the law as will facilitate a reduction of the expenses of this class of proceedings, and to get rid of the gross abuses that have long fastened upon them. The manner in which any plan that is adopted by the Board, for laying out this part of the city, will be received by the public, depends much upon the evidence it bears of an intelligent, comprehensive, appreciation of the various subjects it presents. To ensure the approval of present and future times, it must comprise something more than a succession of regular figures, such as instinct leads the industrious insect to arrange for its habitation and storehouse. It would be easy to write an essay or make a picture that would stimulate and encourage the imagination with visions of parks, groves, terraces, fountains, statuary and palatial residences; we have, however, to deal with practical things and not to excite unattainable expectations. Money will be needed, and it should, as far as is possible, be required at such times, and in such amounts as will not be burdensome, and so applied as to give no just occasion for criticism. While sufficient time should be taken to thoroughly mature a plan, it is to be remembered that delays are prejudicial to the interests of proprietors as well as to the convenience of the public; until the lines and grades of the streets and avenues are determined, improvements will be retarded. The unsettled plan operates as notice to proprietors that if they proceed to improve, it is at the risk of waste of their outlay. This state of things ought not to exist one day longer than is necessary, and energy and intelligence should combine to terminate it. The tendency of modern contrivances for transportation seems to be to facilitate the massing of population in cities.148 New York, pre-eminently commercial, is rapidly becoming a great manufacturing centre of the country, population presses upon its territory, and with convenience for rapid travel through its extent, will very soon wholly occupy it. For the want of convenient means of reaching the upper part of the island in the same time that points thirty miles further off can be reached, population is compelled to seek the towns in the country. Tarrytown can, by the cars, be reached from Chambers street in less time than it requires to get by the horse-cars to Harlem River Bridge, and numerous other places, similarly situated, receive accessions of population from the city because the means of rapid movement to desirable situations on the island are not provided. This is a subject of permanent interest to the city, and to owners of property that is not occupied because it cannot be got at. Something more than the accommodations now furnished by horse-cars must be had. If we assume the population of the city, in 1865, at one million, which is probably less than its actual number, and that the increase is to continue in the same proportion as it has for fifty years past, the year 1880 will close with two millions people on this Island. On this assumption, the territory south of 135th street will be built over in ten years, and all south of Kingsbridge in five years more, even on the supposition that the north part of the city is to be as densely occupied as the more central part. There are doubtless portions of the marshy grounds on the Harlem River that will for a time be left unoccupied in the flight of population. The settlement of the island is not by the regular building up of entire successive streets, the avenues are generally first filled, and settlements radiate from centres, like Harlem, Yorkville and Bloomingdale. The wise exercise of the powers of the Board, on the subjects under consideration, will do much towards accommodating this rapid growth. A commodious system of ways will provide unobstructed circulation for this increasing tide of human existence, and enhance the comforts of daily life, by rendering habitations of the people more salubrious and agreeable. New York, December, 1865. Respectfully submitted, ANDW. H. GREEN, Comptroller of the Park. 149 To the President of the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park: SIR,—We presented some time since for your consideration, a plan to connect the established system of Park walks with the section of territory under the control of the Commissioners, formerly known as Manhattan square, and we now submit a preliminary study for laying out the additional tract thus proposed to be brought into direct communication with the grounds that have been already improved. The Archway, designed to provide a passage through the Eighth avenue embankment at the point of junction, is intended to be of such liberal dimensions, that visitors will be enabled to walk to and fro with entire freedom. The embankment itself is, however, so elevated, that it must always act as a barrier to any general view in connection with the interior of the Park, and the landscape effects of the nineteen-acres added on the west side of the avenue will therefore be entirely isolated from those already carried into execution on the east side. Although this is on some accounts to be regretted, it evidently allows of a more individual treatment of the new territory than would otherwise be advisable, and the study now made is intended to show how this tract of broken, irregular ground can be adapted to the special purposes of a Zoological Garden. It will scarcely be thought desirable that the Central Park Commissioners should undertake to provide the public with a collection of living specimens which shall be scientifically complete, but, on the other hand, it seems eminently proper that the Park should contain within its limits, a collection representative of the animal kingdom so liberally arranged, that it will afford ample gratification and entertainment to the public generally and at the same time be especially valuable, as an adjunct to the Common School system of education. The hardy grazing animals are proposed to be kept in various detached paddocks at different points within the original ground of the Park: the district under consideration being reserved for tropical specimens which require special accommodatiou and treatment. [*See also Plan opp. p. 42*]150 As the land belongs to the City, and is a portion of the public pleasure ground of New York, the general impression conveyed by its improvement, should undoubtedly be that the whole area, however it may be laid out, is open freely to citizens and strangers without charge ; and public walks similar to those in the Park are, with this view, arranged in the present plant to skirt the various paddocks and exercising grounds intended for unacclimated specimens. As, however, on the other hand, the larger structures required for the accommodation of the collection will contain but a limited amount of standing room for the public, it seems desirable to reduce the temptation to use these buildings as lounges for idlers, and they are therefore so located in our design, that whenever expedient, a charge may be made at the door for admittance, without seriously interfering with the impression of general publicity which should be conveyed by the collection as a whole. If admittance to all the buildings were made free on Saturdays, and a small fee were collected on other days, the convenience of the public at large would probably be better consulted than if either arrangement were adopted invariably; the main object of the suggested charge for admission not being to provide a fund for the support of the institution, but to prevent the buildings from being habitually occupied by visitors little interested in the collections. The system once established in reference to the large buildings, could, of course, by the issuing of proper tickets, be made to apply day by day to any isolated structures that might be found in practice to be overcrowded when left entirely free to the general public. In the study submitted, one of the first considerations has been to secure an open landscape effect of sufficient extent to give character to the whole design, and the central stretch of level ground between Eight and Ninth avenues is therefore unencumbered by any buildings and is laid out with lawn and trees and an ornamental pool of water, which would be available for the uses of aquatic birds and animals. The largest building, intended specially for the accommodation of carnivorous specimens, is situated near the north boundary of the property, so that it may have a full south frontage and be sheltered from the cold winds by the private residences to be erected on the other side of Eighty-first street, which is proposed to be widened twenty feet. In this situation it would be seen at 151 once as the terminus of the northerly view by all approaching from the interior of the Park, and a somewhat smaller building placed near the Ninth avenue line would furnish a satisfactory boundary to the view in a westerly direction across the central open spaces already referred to. In the prominent positions assigned to them on the edges of the property, these structures would close up the most important landscape outlines suggested by the present configuration of the ground, and if elegantly designed, would help to improve the general artistic effect. It is very desirable, however, that the interior of a zoological garden should not seem to be crowded with artificial structures, and with the exception of a museum for stuffed specimens that could be entered for Seventy-seventh street, all the other necessary accommodations are proposed to be provided in buildings of a character so unobtrusive that they would, in connection with the proposed plantations, be comparatively inconspicuous. The building for carnivorous specimens can be entered either from the Park or from Eighty-first street, and is proposed to be arranged as indicated in the annexed diagram, WALK CORRIDOR SECTION FOR FOR THE USE OCCUPIED VISITORS OF VISITORS BY ANIMALS OUTER ARENA SMALL YARD FOR EXERCISE SINGLE NIGHT REAR ATTACHED TO EACH DEN DEN COMPARTMENT PASSAGE so that each den may have its small open yard, which will connect with an arena of much larger dimensions, intended for occasional use by the animals, singly or in pairs, during the warm weather. It is anticipated that a higher standard of health will thus be secured to the menagerie, and that visitors will derive a great advantage from seeing in turn the various wild beasts moving about the large airing courts in a comparatively untrammelled way. Such portion of the principal building as is not shown to be connected 152 with the arenas would be suitable for reptiles. The Monkey tribe would probably occupy a part of the building on the westerly side. The arrangement proposed for the smaller buildings may be gathered from the study, which in its present stage of development, is only intended to illustrate the leading ideas that we think should control the design. No exact sites are indicated for the Elephant, the Bears, the Hippopotamus, the Aviaries &c. We desire rather to present for consideration at this time the general plan of single or double buildings with airing courts attached, and laid out in irregular plots, of varying size, partially planted. This arrangement is adapted to a great variety of specimens, and may be modified to any extent in detail. It will thus be seen that the more ferocious animals, and those requiring at all times an unusual degree of heat, are provided for in buildings of considerable size, located near the outskirts of the property, but that the aim has been to make an informal arrangement of the Zoological Garden as a whole, so that the attention of visitors passing through the grounds may be easily concentrated on individual specimens, instead of being distracted as is usually the case, by a great variety of interesting objects seen in close proximity. It will also be observed, that the proposed informal arrangement allows of a far more rural and park-like general effect than would otherwise be practicable. Respectfully, OLMSTED & VAUX, Landscape Architects.11TH 1867 11TH 1867THE TERRACE. Photograph of portion of East flank of East Steps. (SPRING.) Calvert Vaux and J. Wrey Mould, Arch'ts. ELEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CENTRAL PARK, FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1867. NEW YORK: WM. C. BRYANT & CO., PRINTERS, 41 NASSAU STREET, CORNER OF LIBERTY. 1868.CONTENTS. PAGE. Commissioners of the Central Park,—Officers, and Committees, . . . 5 Annual Report, . . . 7 Summary of the Treasurer's Accounts, . . 77 Reference to the Park Guide, . . . 85 Correspondence relative to Bronze Tigress, . . . 87 Statement of gifts, devises and bequests in 1867, with names of donors, . . . 89 Statement of living animals on the Park, . . . 96 List of animals exhibited for first time on Park during year 1867, 102 List of animals that have bred on the Park during 1867, 103 Meteorological Observations at the Park during 1867, 104 Circular to principals of schools relative to play grounds at the Park, 113 Several Acts of the legislature respecting the Central Park, 115 Communication of the Comptroller o the Park, relative to the district between 55th street and 155th street, west of the 8th avenue and around the Park, 131 Communication of the Comptroller of the Park, accompanying plan adopted for the west side of the city, 157 Topographical Description of the Central Park, 167 ILLUSTRATIONS. The Terrace—east flank of east steps, 1 The Terrace—die at foot of east flank of west steps, 8 Drinking Fountain for horses, 16 The Springs, 24 Boys Play House, 26 The Tigress, 28 The Lake and Bow Bridge, 32 A music Day, 41 Rustic Stone Arch carrying the Drive over the Brook, 43 Boat on the Lake, 45 Children at the Lake, 48 Map of that part of the City of New York above 155th st., 70 Central Park Guide Map, 85 Map showing the effect of extending an intermediate avenue, 138 Map showing progress made in laying out streets, roads and public squares, and places between 59th and 155th sts, west of the Park, 156Board of Commissioners of the Central Park. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES. 1868. CHARLES H. RUSSELL, ANDREW H. GREEN, J. F. BUTTERWORTH, HENRY G. STEBBINS, WALDO HUTCHINS, R. M. BLATCHFORD, THOMAS C. FIELDS, M. H. GRINNELL. President. Treasurer and Comptroller. HENRY G. STEBBINS. ANDREW H. GREEN. Vice-President. Secretary. M. H. GRINNELL. THOMAS C. FIELDS. Finance.—Messrs. RUSSELL, GRINNELL, BUTTERWORTH. Executive.—Messrs. GRINNELL, GREEN, HUTCHINS, RUSSELL, FIELDS. Auditing.—Messrs. GRINNELL, FIELDS, BUTTERWORTH. By-Laws and Ordinances.—Messrs. HUTCHINS, FIELDS, GREEN. Statuary, Fountains, and Architectural Structures.—Messrs. RUSSELL, BUTTERWORTH, GREEN. Roads and Avenues.—Messrs. BLATCHFORD, FIELDS, GREEN, HUTCHINS, BUTTERWORTH.REPORT. To the Honorable the Common Council of the City of New York : The Board of Commissioners of the Central Park respectfully presents this, its report, for the year ending with December 31, 1867. The expenditures for the year, in prosecuting work at the Park, will be found much reduced. The total amount expended on the Park during the year, exclusive of the operations of maintenance, being $199,264 06. The work accomplished during this year is briefly the following: A Walk, after the usual method of the Park walks, has been completed, in connection with the Children's Shelter, leading northerly toward the Marble Arch, and eastwardly south of the open lawn intended for the little children's play-ground, and north of the Bridle Road, from which it is separated by dense plantations. This walk, passing along the base of a mass of rocks, in the clefts of which a cluster of young sassafras trees, 8 from their peculiar growth, afford a shaded resting-place of something of a tropical aspect, terminates just north of Bridge No. 11. Several walks have been opened of a diversified character, tending to develop the area at the north part of the Park in the vicinity of the Block House. In all, 4,798 lineal feet of walk, of various widths, have been made; 14 recesses have been formed in the sidewalks for the rustic seats. Increased height has been given to the two masses of rock just north of the Scholars' and Artists' Gates, respectively, the proper planting of which will give variety and interest to the horizon line, as seen from without and within the limits of the Park. The foundation-work of a structure contemplated as a lookout at the southwest corner of the old Reservoir has been commenced. The Nursery, or Children's Shelter, is nearly complete. The following structures of rustic work have been completed: 2 rustic arbors, 54 feet in length and 20 in width. 610 lineal feet of seats. 135 small rustic bird-cages. 100 feet of rustic fence. 16 rustic tables, 4 feet diameter. THE TERRACE. Photograph of Die at foot of East flank of West Steps. (AUTUMN.) Calvert Vaux and J. Wrey Mould, Arch'ts.9 550 feet of Park seats, of iron and wood, have been provided. 850 feet of picket fence built. 6 drinking fountains erected. 10 stop-cocks set. 33 walk and 5 road basins built. 5 water trucks and 1 two horse roller made. 1,282 feet of lead, and 915 feet of vitrified pipe laid. The Mt. St. Vincent buildings have been improved for use, and the grounds about them have been graded and arranged for a flower-garden. The ornamental and other iron work of the interior of the Terrace is nearly complete, and the encaustic tile for its ceiling and flooring are arriving from the manufacturers, and are now being laid. The passage-way of the Terrace has been substantially inclosed, and the work of tiling will, it is hoped, be completed in the coming spring. The emblematic carving on the stone of this structure has also been considerably advanced. A contract has been made for casting in bronze the artistic figures of the fountain of the Esplanade, north of the Terrace. 2,293 feet of base course of mountain graywacke have been set on the east boundary wall of the Park. The Croton Aqueduct Board having brought the stone dwelling-house, situated between the Reservoirs,10 and in immediate connection with Transverse Road No. 3, to a sufficient degree of completion for occupancy, the old house, a much dilapidated building, west of the old Reservoir, has been removed, without disturbing the ancient willows when surrounded it. To the east of the Block House a ravine has been opened, and a small stream of water is here and there caught in pools from miniature cascades, as it falls over the boulders that have been mysteriously carried in great numbers to this place, adding greatly to its natural wildness. An area of about 2½ acres, lying northeast of Mt. St. Vincent, has been appropriated for the nursery grounds, from which a great variety of cuttings, shrubs, and trees can be drawn as occasion requires; contiguous thereto is a vegetable garden, containing specimens of most of the esculents that will thrive in this climate, properly arranged, with their respective names so conspicuously placed that a person passing through it may see and readily recognize them. The ripened vegetables, which while growing serve the purpose of instruction, are used in feeding the animals. The frequent contributions of rare tropical plants to the collections, rendered it necessary that a stove or green house should be provided for their preservation, without delay. 11 A house of this character, 94 feet in length, 25 feet in width, has been completed, and provided with approved heating apparatus, as has also a propagating house, 30 feet in length by 12 in width. The Green-House is situated on the southerly side of the Art Gallery, at St. Vincent. Several hundred signs, bearing the common as well as the botanical name of the respective plants, have been placed at the foot of the more uncommon shrubs and trees, for information of visitors, to remain until the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens furnish a more regularly classified and complete collection, for the observation of those seeking precise information. Among the contributions above alluded to, may be mentioned 353 valuable plants from the green-house of James Lenox, Esq.; also 71 from the house of W. G. Wood, M. D. The removal of trees, both deciduous and evergreen, is continually going on in the proper season, as the thickets become sufficiently dense to require it. Among the most noteworthy evergreen trees cultivated on the Park are a scattered group northeast of the Ramble, consisting of the Lofty Bhotan Pine, Pinus excelsa; Swiss Stone Pine, Pinus Cembra; Oriental Spruce, Abies orientalis; Mount Enos Fir, Pinus Cephalonica; Pïnaspo Fir, PInus Pinsapo; the Red Pine, Pinus resinosa; European Silver Fir, Abies pectinata; 12 intermixed with the White Pine, Pinus Strobus; White and Norway Spruces, Abies alba and excelsa. They are remarkable with regard to their vigorous growth and fine development. The "Big Tree" of California, Sequoia gigantea, west of the Terrace, and the Cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus Libani; the Japanese Cedar, Cryptomeria Japonica; Menzies' Spruce, Abies Menziesii; Great Silver Fir, Picea grandis; Golden Arbor Vitæ, Thuja aurea; are also worthy of attention. There are other fine specimens of coniferous trees, as the rough-barked Pine of Mexico, Pinus Montezumœ; the Star or Cluster Pine, Pinus Pinaster; the Corsican Pine, Pinus Laricio; the Siberian Silver Fir, Picea Pichta; the compact dwarf White Pine, Pinus Strobus compacta; the Low Mountain Pine, Pinus Pumilio; the Mount Atlas Cedar, Cedrus atlantica; and the yew-leaved Torreya, Torreya taxifolia; the weeping and golden Yew, Taxus Dovastonii and variegata; the Lawson Cypress, Cupressus Lawsoniana; and many more less rare, besides a great variety of Catawba Rhododendron, Rhododendron Catawbiense; the hairy and rusty-leaved Rhododendron of the Alps, Rhododendron hirsutum and ferrugineum; the numerous-flowered and calyculate Andromeda, Andromeda floribunda and A. calyculata. Among the deciduous trees may be especially mentioned a collection of Magnolias, consisting of nine different 13 varieties: the fastigiate Locust, Robinia pyramidalis; the dwarf Locust, R. Bessoniana; the globe-headed Locust, Robinia umbraculifera, are remarkable with regard to their peculiar habit and delicacy of foliage; the weeping, purple and fern-leaved Beech, Fagus pendula, purpurea and heterophylla; the weeping silver-leaved Linden, Tilia argentea var. pendula; the cork-barked and Fords' Elm, Ulmus suberosa and montana fastigiata; the Gingko or Maiden Hair Tree, Salisburia adiantifolia; the Oriental Sycamore, Platanus orientalis; the double-flowering Chinese Crab, Pyrus spectabilis fl. pl. ; and the weeping Larch, Larix pendula, are all well-grown specimens, and, as their names indicate, very characteristic trees. Among the large number of flowering shrubs cultivated in the Park, the following deserve special notice; The flaming and Pontic Azaleas, Azalea calendulacea and Pontica; the Chinese Guelder Rose, Hydrangea hortensia; several groups of these may be seen in the Ramble and at the Terrace. Less showy but quite as noteworthy are the Two-winged Snow-Drop Tree, Halesia diptera; the Sorrel Tree, Oxydendron arboreum; the Indian Tamarisk, Tamarix Africana; the purple and cut-leaved Hazel, Corylus purpurea and C. laciniata; the shining-leaved Privet, Ligustrum lucidum; the Stuartia pentagyna and the White Fringe Tree, Chionanthus Virginica.14 A material, or combination of materials, that will withstand the influences of the extremes of temperature of this climate and work in with natural surroundings, with less formalness and rigidness than do all sorts of stone or brick pavement, has long been sought. Especially is this want felt in Walks, the lines and the undulations of which must be shaped to the ever-varying natural conditions of the area through which they lead. Experiments have been made for several years with cements, asphalt, concrete, and pavements of various sorts, none of which have proved entirely satisfactory, though some have developed valuable qualities. Several pieces of walk have been laid in the Park during the fall, with a composition of tar, gravel and cement, coal tar having been first used, and subsequently the ordinary tar of commerce. The appearance, when properly mixed and laid, is thus far the most satisfactory of anything that has yet been tried: it is readily formed and shaped to meet the various conditions of the ground through which it is laid—it is compact and pleasant to walk upon—it is claimed to be free from dust, and that it is not so materially affected by the heat or cold as to diminish its practical usefulness. It is not intended to express any opinion as to the merits of this combination of material. If experience proves that it answers all that is promised, it will be very serviceable in all places where walks of a rural character 15 are desired, especially on those which, from the steepness of the acclivity, are liable to wash. These materials have been put down in several different methods on the Park in various localities, and with a variety of substructure, for the purpose of testing its merits. It is quite likely that where walks thus made are in much frequented places, they will require washing and cleansing to preserve a neat appearance. This composition has also been laid on two portions of the Drive, for the purpose of testing its value as a carriage-way. Its effects on vegetation are yet to be observed. The demand upon the Arsenal building for storage purposes, and for the accommodation of the collection of living animals and specimens illustrative of natural history, has been so great as to render it desirable to provide another place for the statuary. The interior of the portion of the brick edifice at Mt. St. Vincent, formerly used as the chapel of the Convent, has been decorated and fitted for the reception of the statuary, and although this gallery is situated at a remote part of the grounds, it is much frequented, and is probably the most generally attractive collection and arrangement of statuary in the whole country. Numerous rustic rock fountains for supplying pedestrians with drinking water, have been provided in different localities; fountains of this simple, natural 16 character, have the great merit of being less expensive and much more pleasing and satisfactory than any other, for the Park purposes and objects. It is intended to execute a design for a new drinking fountain for horses at the Circle, provided with cups for birds, during the coming year. DRINKING FOUNTAIN FOR HORSES. The undetermined condition of the grades of the avenues bordering the Park, as well as the extent of the area of public places proposed at the entrance-ways, have, with other circumstances, combined to render it inexpedient to prosecute the erection of the exterior enclosing walls and entrance gates. In the administration of the grounds, new problems 17 arise with each season, that are to be resolved with reference not only to immediate requirements, but to the results that will grow out of any privileges or uses of the grounds that may at the present time seem advantageous. It will be found much less difficult and much more satisfactory to maintain at the outset proper restrictions as to the uses of the grounds by multitudes of people, than to restrain them within these limits after they have been accustomed to exceed them. With the development of each department of the Park comes the necessity of further subdivisions of the classes of labor and of the supervision required in it. It is doubtless advantageous in most of the departments, that those familiar with the special duty assigned to them should be continuously employed; in fact a large proportion of the Park labor is not of the ruder class; continuousness and permanent are essential to satisfactory results, and so long as these characteristics do not degenerate into a chronic easiness and dullness, and a mere perfunctory discharge of duty, they promote economy and excellence in the work performed. The successful conduct of all affairs, where any especial knowledge, skill, or delicacy of treatment are required, demands experience, and it would not be too dearly obtained by the retention of competent employees, by the offer of rewards, in the shape of pensions or half-pay 18 when, after a long term of service, they become unfitted by years or accident, for the further full accomplishment of a regular day's task. The constant changing of persons employed in the public service, is inconsistent with a vigorous, compact, and intelligent administration of affairs, and is believed to be one reason why this service is so generally characterized by negligence and inefficiency. The policy of the Board has been to continue in employment those who show themselves capable and faithful, so long as their services are needed i the occupations in which they were engaged. [*1867*] The whole force now employed on the park, both in operations of maintenance and construction, is, at the date of this report, as follows: 1 (Firm) Landscape Architects. 8 Clerks and Assistants. 1 General Foreman. 3 Foremen of laborers. 1 Foreman of mechanics. 186 laborers. 1 painter. 18 Carpenters. 4 Blacksmiths and Helpers. 32 Stone Cutters and masons. 6 Double Teams. 19 35 Carts. 13 Gardeners and Assistants 1 Plumber. 50 Park-keepers. 19 Uniformed Gate-kepeers. 6 Ununiformed " The out-of-door working force is employed only as required. Of these eight clerks and Assistants:— Five have been in the employ of the Board over nine years. Three have been in the employ of the Board over five years. The head Gardener has been in the employ of the Board over nine years, and his Assistant over five years. Seven of the Gardeners have been in the employ of the Board over nine years. Three of the Gardeners have been in the employ of the Board over six years. One of the Gardeners has been in the employ of the Board over four years. The General Foreman, and three foremen, all have been in the employ of the Board over eight years. The Foreman of Mechanics is employed, from time to time, only as required. Of the fifty park-keepers now employed, six have been employed over nine years.20 Six have been employed over eight years. Ten have been employed over seven years. Fourteen have been employed over six years. Six have been employed over five years. Two have been employed over four years. Five have been employed over three years. One has been employed over two years. Of the twenty-five Gate-keepers, one has been employed about eight years. Two have been employed about five years. Six have been employed about four years. Five have been employed about two years. Six have been employed about one year. Five have been employed less than a year. The Gate-keepers are regularly promoted to Park-keepers as vacancies occur, and in all the departments of the Park service, as far as is consistent with its efficiency, promotions are made from one grade to another, as opportunity offers. In addition to the above, the following persons are temporarily employed on works outside of the Park, most of whom were transferred from the Park service, when there no longer required: Four engineers. One clerk. Two draughtsmen. One foreman. Three axemen. 21 Fifty-eight laborers, employed as required in grading Mount Morris Square. Of these six engineers and draughtsmen:— Two of them have been in the employ of the Board over nine years. One of them has been in the employ of the Board about five years. One of them has been in the employ of the Board about two years. Wages have, on the whole, ranged higher than in any previous year since the Park work commenced. Materials used on the Park have generally declined a small percentage in price. The following tables show the force employed on the Park during each month, and the average working force per day for each month during the past year: 22 STATEMENT showing force employed on the Park during each month of the year 1867, and the number of hours of work performed by each class. Month General Foremen. Foremen. Laborers. Carts. Double Teams. January 31 124 4,804 623 152 February 28 85 2,080 443 136 March.. 31 93 2,566 502 165 April 30 90 3,268 983 156 May 31 108 3,799 1,094 181 June 30 113 4,330 1,221 173 July 31 120 5,376 1,282 221 August 31 119 5,410 1,272 215 September 30 127 4,931 1,190 260 October 31 145 4,832 1,049 199 November 31 140 4,570 874 186 December 31 145 4,206 487 95 Gardeners. Skilled Laborers. Carpenters. Stone Cutters. January 297 61 259 3 February 279 53 234 ... March 299 59 250 ... April 297 57 288 25 May 292 61 349 45 June 286 59 420 76 July 290 62 510 187 August 282 61 470 209 September 287 59 411 397 October 283 87 440 697 November 255 89 428 593 December 273 92 413 495 Masons. Painters. Blacksmiths. Helpers. Carvers. Plumbers. January 8 26 49 26 ... ... February 9 47 48 24 ... ... March 11 51 51 26 ... 27 April 45 52 51 26 ... 28 May 54 40 54 27 ... 14 June 193 34 50 25 42 24 July 283 26 52 26 66 23 August 81 24 52 26 64 27 September 51 25 51 25 25 5 October 123 27 89 27 51 22 November 122 26 96 25 25 8 December 82 25 92 ... 10 25 Gas Fitters. Plasters. Sculptors. Janitors. Laborers Ladies, Zoological Maids. Department. January ... ... 26 93 152 124 February 17 ... 24 84 139 85 March ... ... 26 93 136 93 April ... ... 26 90 121 90 May ... ... 25 93 146 93 June ... 10 25 90 146 90 July ... 9 28 93 155 93 August ... 6 15 93 155 93 September ... ... 18 90 148 90 October ... ... ... 93 155 93 November ... ... ... 90 150 90 December ... ... ... 90 155 90 Uniformed Ununiformed Messenger Gatekeepers. Gatekeepers. Boys. January 558 153 52 February 521 138 48 March 572 129 52 April 526 122 52 May 513 139 54 June 500 187 50 July 514 198 52 August 518 180 54 September 520 143 50 October 553 130 54 November 544 146 52 December 541 152 50 23 STATEMENT of the average working force per day employed for each month of the year 1867. Month General Foremen. Foremen. Laborers. Carts. Double Teams. January 1 4 160 23 4 February 1 3 76 16 5 March 1 3 85 32 6 April 1 3 110 34 7 May 1 3 122 38 6 June 1 4 146 45 6 July 1 4 175 45 8 August 1 4 178 45 7 September 1 4 167 42 6 October 1 5 166 35 7 November 1 5 158 30 7 December 1 5 145 18 3 Gardeners. Skilled Laborers. Carpenters. Stone Cutters. January 10 2 9 ... February 11 2 10 ... March 10 2 9 ... April 11 2 11 1 May 11 2 13 2 June 11 2 17 3 July 10 2 20 7 August 10 2 17 8 September 11 2 16 15 October 10 3 17 28 November 10 3 16 24 December 9 3 17 20 Masons. Painters. Blacksmiths. Helpers. Carvers. Plumbers. January ... 1 2 1 ... ... February 1 2 2 1 ... ... March ... 2 2 1 ... 1 April 2 2 2 1 ... 1 May 2 1 2 1 ... ... June 8 1 2 1 ... 1 July 11 1 2 1 2 1 August 3 1 2 1 2 1 September 2 1 2 1 1 ... October 4 1 3 1 2 1 November 5 1 4 1 1 ... December 3 1 4 ... ... 1 Gas Fitters. Plasterers. Sculptors. Janitors. Laborers Ladies' Messenger Zoological Maids. Boys. Department. January 2 ... 1 3 5 4 2 February 1 ... 1 3 5 3 2 March ... ... 1 3 4 3 2 April ... ... 1 3 4 3 2 May ... ... 1 3 4 3 2 June ... 1 1 3 5 3 2 July ... ... 1 3 5 3 2 August ... ... ... 3 5 3 2 September ... ... 1 3 5 3 2 October ... ... ... 3 5 3 2 November ... ... ... 3 5 3 2 December ... ... ... 3 5 3 224 Several of the most eminent physicians of the city expressed, in a memorial to the Board, their approval of "An establishment where springs and wells of artificial mineral waters, such as Selters, Vichy, Kissengen, Congress, &c., may be dispensed to convalescents and invalids, as well as to the public generally;" and their belief "that the results in the increased health and satisfaction of the people must be very great from the use of such waters, in connection with exercise in the open air." Messrs. Shultz & Walker, of this city, a firm of high reputation, engaged in the manufacture of mineral waters, and who were strongly recommended by these physicians, made application some years since the Board, for permission to erect on the Park an establishment of this character. In their application they say: "Nature has treasured up in different parts of the globe a number of healing springs, the great power of which, was curative agencies upon the human system, has been acknowledged since a remote period, and which are annually resorted to by thousands of patients. "Exercise in the open air, change of habits and freedom from the cares of life, have always constituted necessary adjuncts to a successful cure. "The remoteness, however, of such springs exclude the less wealthy from their use. * * * "Dr. Struve, who must be called the father of artificial mineral OLMSTED & VAUX, L. A. THE SPRINGS Front Elevation. SEAT COUNTER Plan.25 waters," * * * "opened his institution in Dresden, Saxony, as early as 1820," * * * "conquered all prejudices, and now we find similar institutions in almost all the larger cities of Europe." * * * "They are situated on or in close proximity to promenades," * * * "enjoy the patronage of physicians, and are, in many cases, frequented in preference to watering-places." "Why should the Central Park, with its many natural attractions and beautiful walks, not be devoted to the direct promotion of health in our community?" To carry out these recommendations, Messrs. Schultz & Warker are, by agreement with the Board, at their own expense, to erect an ornamental structure north of the Green, upon a plan and in a manner to be approved by the Commissioners of the Park, at which they are to keep their mineral waters for sale, in the most pure and healthful, and agreeable forms. The Board have deemed it better that the plan should be sufficiently comprehensive to include such of the waters of springs of established reputation in all parts of the world, as will bear transportation without deterioration. The structure will be completed next year, at a cost of not less than $30,000. The conditions of the establishment of the springs reserve to the Commissioners of the Park entire control of the quality and kinds of water to be sold, and the most 26 rigid measures will be taken to secure excellence and reliability. By the terms of the contract, a per-centage of the receipts on the annual sales is to be paid over by the contractors, to the park funds. The increased demands upon the area of the play-ground by the boys of the public schools, have shown the desirability of a structure for their accommodation, at a point convenient to the play-ground. The foundations of a moderate-sized building of brick and stone, of 52x25 feet, with an extension, 18x17 feet, have been laid at the north end of the play-ground, and in immediate connection with Transverse Road No. 1. It is intended to supply a place of deposit and distribution of the bats and balls and other paraphernalia of players, on a system of checks, and also for appropriate toilet arrangements. The play-ground is very much resorted to by the boys of the schools, and its capacity is often found insufficient to accommodate all who come to play. When the bases into which the ground is subdivided are filled, as is often the case, arrangements are made for the surplus players on the green. A neat house of 12x20 feet, with an extension, has been erected in connection with the girls' play-ground, OLMSTED & VAUX, L. A. BOYS' PLAY HOUSE. Front Elevation. URINALS W. C. W. C. W. C. LOCKUP CLOSETS REAR ENTRANCE STORE ROOM CLOTHES ROOM LOCKUP CLOSETS DRESSING MAIN ROOM DISTRIBUTING ROOM ROOM SEAT SEAT OMBRA PORCH OMBRA Plan.27 south of the Childrens' Gate, at 72d street and 5th avenue. At a late date in the season, a circular was sent to the female departments of the public schools of the city, giving notice that the grounds were ready for use, and a considerable number of applications have been received. The regulations will be necessarily strict, and the next season will, without doubt, see the grounds sufficiently occupied. The Commissioners of the Park are thus developing, year by year, their intention to make the Park useful to the children of the city, and an aid in its beneficent system of common school education. A house 12x20 on the shore of the Lake has also been erected for the use of the boatmen, and as a depositing place for clothing and furniture of the boats. To provide a place for the additions that are being made to the collection of natural history and of antiquity from various parts of the world, the old Arsenal building will be put in a proper condition to receive them. Some progress towards this has already been made. Among the donations to the Park collection during the past year, are the statue of the Tigress in bronze, by Cain, a work of great merit, and of a class of statuary peculiarly adapted to the Park scenery. Its height is six feet, and its extreme length seven and a half feet. It is 28 the gift of several public-spirited gentlemen, and is more particularly alluded to in a copy of the correspondence relating to it, which accompanies this report, marked Appendix A. THE TIGERS. A statue by Carl Muller, in marble, representing the protection extended by a lad to a wounded dog, presented by A. K. GARDNER, M. D. Capt. N. COLLINS, of the U. S. Navy, has been at much pains to secure for the Park rare specimens of the animal and vegetable kingdom, from various countries, among others a spotted deer from the Presidency of Madras, in British India. Admiral GODON, of the U. S. Navy, has also presented several interesting birds. 29 C. W. DABNEY, Esq., U. S. Consul at Fayal, in the Azores, has kindly forwarded, through J. W. ALSOP, Esq., of this city, a cow and calf from the Island of Flores, a diminutive specimen of mountain breed of cattle of peculiar interest. G. F. PRICHARD, Esq., has presented two Mexican deer. GEORGE T. POST, M. D., of Beyrout, Syria, presented a young eagle captured at Mount Lebanon. Appendix B, hereto annexed, shows a statement in detail of the gifts, devises, and bequests during the past year, for the purpose of embellishing or ornamenting the Park, and of the names of the persons by whom the same are so given, devised or bequeathed. In Appendix C, hereto annexed, will be found a list of the living animals in captivity, and of the mammals that have bred on the Park during the past year. Various shanties, booths, and stands have for several years been placed on the walks bordering the Park, as is claimed, by some city authority or permission. The Commissioners of the Park see no good results to arise from permission to encumber the sidewalks with this class of structures. They often operate unjustly upon others in a similar class of business, who pay rent and taxes. The public passageways are narrowed and encumbered 30 by them so much as to be the occasion of very great inconvenience. The Commissioners have, under the law of last winter, caused the removal of all these structures that came within the limits of their jurisdiction. Some progress has been made in regulating the positions of the hacks standing outside of the Park. This class of carriages require further systemization and regulation, to prevent the impositions upon citizens and strangers, that are perpetrated by some of those having charge of them, and which the Commissioners of the Park have not sufficient power to prevent. The officers and members of the Seventh Regiment N. G. S. N. Y. made application for a site in the Park, upon which to erect a monument to those of its members who have fallen in defence of the Union. In their memorial the officers of the regiment say: "It is expressly agreed, upon the part of the regiment, that no designs will be presented, the execution of which would give to the Park a sepulchral character; and it is expressly agreed, upon the part of the regiment, that this monument shall be so elegant in its character and design that it shall be an ornament to the Park, and to the city of New York." * * * "The committee of the Seventh Regiment upon this subject do not desire, and would not consent, by any act or any manner, to 31 change the purpose or character of the Park, which purpose is understood to be the health and amusement of the people." The Commissioners of the Park have expressed their willingness to accede to the request of the regiment, "provided that such structure, nor any of its appendages, be of a sepulchral character, and that the design plan of said structure shall be submitted to and approved by this Board, before any site be set apart; and provided that, before any site be set apart, the Association shall give satisfactory evidence to this Board of its pecuniary ability to complete the structure, according to such design and plan as shall be approved by the Board; and provided further, that said structure, when erected, shall be subject to the regulations made, or to be hereafter established, by the Board for the care and preservation of monuments, statuary, and such structures within the Park." The Commissioners of the Park have [*Copy*] been thus guarded in dealing with this subject (7th Regt. monument), because they have deemed the Park not an appropriate palace for sepulchral memorials; it is for recreation and pleasure; its especial aim and object is, by all justifiable means, to dispel from the mind of the visitor, once within its enclosure, thoughts of business and memories calculated to sadden or oppress. It is a pleasure-ground. The beautiful cemeteries in the vicinity of the city offer abundant 32 opportunity to commemorate, by appropriate memorials, the virtues of those who are passing away from the strifes and distinctions of the cabinet or the field. It will, on the whole, perhaps, always be wiser to defer the admission of monuments intended to commemorate individuals chiefly characterized by an active participation in any questions upon which the public mind is THE LAKE AND BOW BRIDGE. divided with a greater or less degree of vehemence, until time determines whether they are of those reputations that briefly flame and flicker, or of those whose lives of sacrifice and labor have formed characters that all ages delight to honor. 33 To prescribe a rule upon which sculpture is to be admitted to, or excluded from the park, is often a very delicate duty. The Commissioners of the park will aim to discriminate on this subject with sole reference to the highest permanent development of the grounds for the objects that they were primarily intended to subserve. The number of arrests made during the past year, and the offences by which they were occasioned, are given in the following tables. The number of Arrests on the park for the past five years are as follows: MONTHS. 1863. 1864. 1865. 1866. 1867. January 18 2 8 1 5 February 5 6 11 4 2 March 5 10 1 6 5 April 8 7 3 10 7 May 13 30 17 17 19 June 11 8 11 10 14 July 3 18 16 17 13 August 1 17 15 17 15 September 5 13 11 9 20 October 5 7 6 9 19 November 7 6 7 7 3 December 5 6 9 3 5 Total 86 130 115 110 12734 These arrests were for the following causes: CAUSES. 1863. 1864. 1865. 1866. 1867. Fast driving... 47 63 60 52 57 Fast riding... 1 5 3 1 0 Breaking shrubs and flowers... 9 2 0 2 1 Assault and battery... 1 6 6 1 5 Thieving... 1 6 1 2 2 Disorderly conduct... 23 48 34 31 41 Interfering with an officer... 0 0 0 4 0 Insane persons... 0 0 0 3 2 Impersonating an officer ... 0 0 0 1 0 Other offences... 4 0 11 13 19 Total... 86 130 115 110 127 The penalties imposed upon those arrested and taken before the Magistrate during the year, were as follows: Fined ten dollars and less each 72 Bound over for trial, or to keep the peace 5 Sent to House of Correction or Asylum 8 Committed for ten days each 1 Discharged with reprimand or otherwise 41 Total 127 More than 100 lost children have been returned to their friends, their homes, or sent to the Police Stations during the year. The increased expense of the Department of Park keepers during this year amounts to $5,156 89. 35 The Assessed Value of the Three Wards surrounding the Park, for twelve years, is as follows: WARD. 1856. 1857. 1858. 1859. Twelfth $8,149,360 $8,134,013 $8,476,890 $10,062,725 Nineteenth 8,041,183 8,558,624 10,971,775 12,621,894 Twenty-second 10,239,022 10,489,454 11,563,506 13,261,025 Total *$26,429,565 $27,182,091 $31,012,171 $35,945,644 WARD. 1860. 1861. 1862. 1863. Twelfth $11,857,114 $12,454,375 $13,100,385 $14,134,825 Nineteenth 16,830,472 16,986,152 17,903,137 19,003,452 Twenty-second 14,775,440 17,666,866 18,041,857 18,281,222 Total $43,463,026 $47,107,393 $49,045,379 †$51,419,499 WARD. 1864. 1865. 1866. 1867. Twelfth $15,493,575 $18,134,805 $18,381,650 $24,940,737 Nineteenth 20,462,607 23,070,890 37,636,050 46,249,340 Twenty-second 18,756,276 19,824,265 24,052,715 30,915,240 Total $54,712,458 $61,029,960 $80,070,415 $102,105,567 26,429,567 Showing a total increased valuation in these three wards, from 1856 to 1867, of $75,675,750 * The area occupied by the Park to One Hundred and Sixth street was dropped from the assessment books this year, the last tax collected on it being that of 1855. † The area occupied by the Park from one Hundred and Sixth to One hundred and Tenth street, was dropped from the assessment books this year.36 The rate of tax for the year 1867 is 2.67, yielding on the increased valuation above stated an increased tax of $2,020,542.53. The total expenditure for construction from May 1, 1857, to January 1, 1868, is $5,185,299 11 The cost of the land of the Park to the city is 5,028,844 10 Total cost of Park up to this time $10,214,143 21 Total increased tax in three wards $2,020,542 53 The annual interest on the cost of the land and improvement of the Park up to this time, at six per cent $612,848 58 Deduct one per ct. on $399,300 of the above stock, issued at five per cent 3,993 00 $608,855 58 Excess of increased tax in three wards over interest on cost of land and improvements $1,411,686 95 These tables show an extraordinary rapidity of increase in the values of the real estate in the upper portions of the Island, the Nineteenth Ward being chiefly conspicuous for the advance in its values. This is not entirely, but largely attributable to the improvements of the Park. The newly-projected avenues and improvements of the past year in the north end of the island, between the 37 Park and the Hudson River, have given fresh impetus to values, and new opportunities for permanent development of property. The subjoined table shows the days on which Musical Entertainments were given at the Park during the past nine years. [Table] TOTAL NUMBER OF MUSIC DAYS. 1859 10 1860 9 1861 10 1862 21 1863 20 1864 26 1865 30 1866 23 1867 33 It will be seen that there have been ten more music-days 38 than in the year 1866, and three more than in any previous year. In that part of the year when the temperature invites the people to the pleasures of the open air, musical entertainments are given on the Mall and on the Lake, and the performances are attended with unabated interest. Travellers in the European capitals almost universally go to listen to the music which is generally furnished in the public squares by the Government Army Bands. The brilliancy of the gatherings and the effects of the music are among the most pleasing of their remembrances. Comparisons of the excellence of these bands, of their numbers, modes of performance, their appearance, of the compositions played, of the surroundings, and of the arrangements for the public convenience and gratification, are not unfrequent, begetting an emulation which results in constant efforts at improvement, the reputation of the leader depending upon his exertions to excel. The progress lately made in the quality of these bands is quite marked. At the late Paris Exhibition prizes were offered for the best Military Band. The first premium was divided among the bands of three cities, of which the rival cities of Berlin and Vienna were two. The combination of instruments usually known as a military band has the unquestioned preference over the 39 orchestral, it being possible to bring out the full effects of the latter only within inclosed gardens or halls. The more refined and delicate notes are, in the open air, except on a very still day, lost to all but the few most contiguous to the instruments, by reason of the want of means of confinement, or of producing reverberation of the sounds. Within two or three years several new musical instruments, producing entirely novel effects in combination, have been invented in Europe, and are being brought into use. These instruments, being quite costly, are generally furnished the band at Government expense, and no pains are omitted to bring the bands up to the highest degree of efficiency in performance, and to a disciplined and orderly appearance. The music in the Park improves in character; the leader of the Park Band, and its members, are earnest in their efforts to attain the highest excellence. At its own expense the Band, during the year, provided three instruments newly brought into use in Europe, known respectively as Tenor Clarinet, Saxophone, a contra bass or Bombardome, an instrument of deeper quality of tone than has heretofore been used in this country, and with their aid a quality has been added to the music that is both pleasing and effective. The performances have been always reliable on the fixed days, Saturdays and Wednesdays; the programmes 40 have been varied; specimen works, considered standard by authors held in high esteem, are followed by melodies more popular, because more familiar to the ear. In every instance where new music has promised to be at all generally acceptable, it has, after the work of arrangement for Park execution is completed, taken its place on the programmes. The number of pieces played is greater than at any series of the same number of concerts elsewhere. The lovers of what is called the classical will be glad to know that several of the best compositions, such as "Iphigneia in Tauris" by Gluck; "Tannhauser" of Wagner; "Leonora" of Beethoven; and others of the same class, have been received by the audiences with evident pleasure. It is not saying too much to assert that while the character of the music is not excelled anywhere, at least in this country, the audiences are attentive and appreciative. It ought not to be the subject of remark that good order always prevails at these entertainments, it is chiefly because every individual takes it upon himself to take care of himself and not to interrupt or annoy others. It is desired that the usual modes of expressing satisfaction with the performances should be dispensed with on the Park. What is now needed to give fullness and perfectness to 41 the music is an increase in the number of the performers, and others of the new instruments lately introduced in Europe. There is no popular entertainment more refined, more soothing and agreeable, than that of the harmony of sweet sounds under the influence of leaves and flowers, and all the other elements of the natural landscape. A MUSIC DAY. The cost of these entertainments, kept within reasonable limits, is but trifling when the numbers who find pleasure in them is taken into account. Application has been made by the Board to the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of the Navy, for the services 42 of the Army and Navy Bands, stationed near the city, for one day in each week during the season. In their communication on this subject to these officers, the Commissioners of the Park say: "If this could be insured, we should be able to double the music days, and by combination, perhaps, go even further than this." * * * "We are thus specific because regularity and certainty in the recurrence of musical performances at the Park are essential, where so large numbers would be disappointed in case of failure." * * * "We would, therefore, respectfully request that such directions be given to the officer in charge here respecting this subject, as in your judgment will be consistent with the demands of the Government service, and, at the same time, give to the Commissioners of the Park, as far as practicable, the control of the Band on the days that you may deem proper to order it to the Park for duty." For reasons, which are given in response to these applications, and which seem to be well grounded, neither the Secretary of War nor of the Navy, felt at liberty to comply with the suggestions of the Commissioners in this regard. Though assurances were given by some of the City Railroads of contributions toward sustaining the music, no moneys have been received from any of them for this purpose. 43 The total expenses of the music for the year, was. . . $4,912 00 Of this was contributed by those licensed to sell refreshments and hire boats. . . . . . . . .$925 00 By W. R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 00 ------------ 935 00 --------------- Leaving a balance paid from the funds for maintenance of the Park of. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,977 00 RUSTIC STONE ARCH CARRYING THE DRIVE OVER THE BROOK.44 The subjoined table shows the statistics of the BOAT service for the year 1867. CALL BOATS. PASSAGE BOATS. For the week ending April 13th, 46 194½ " " " 20th, 167½ 713 " " " 27th, 147½ 955 " " May 4th, 175½ 961½ " " " 11th, 157 739½ " " " 18th, 364 1,756 " " " 25th, 193½ 1,474 " " June 1st, 441½ 2,379½ " " " 8th, 388½ 2,179½ " " " 15th, 547 4,173½ " " " 22d, 667 4,650½ " " " 29th, 365½ 3,485 " " July 6th, 742½ 6,020 " " " 13th, 649½ 5,398 " " " 20th, 770½ 4,079½ " " " 27th, 745½ 4,350½ " " Aug. 3d, 538½ 3,134 " " " 10th, 638 3,580½ " " " 17th, 1,187 4,736½ " " " 24th, 1,137½ 4,255½ " " " 31st, 1,081 5,021½ " " Sept. 7th, 853 3,990½ " " " 14th, 1,112½ 4,062½ " " " 21st, 1,100 3,256 " " " 28th, 548½ 3,083½ " " Oct. 5th, 522½ 2,441½ " " " 12th, 343½ 1,627 " " " 19th, 787½ 2,699 " " " 26th, 451½ 1,935½ " " Nov. 2d, 386½ 1,320½ " " " 9th, 97½ 639½ TOTAL, 17,335½ 89,282½ The total revenue derived from these passengers, b the contractor, was $12,412 20. 45 Total expense of conducting the boats, $10,844 93. As compared with the year 1866, there appears an increase of 23,281 persons carried. Three new boats have been added to the former number. There are now running on the Lake 25; one has also been placed on Harlem Lake. A visitor can pass an hour very pleasantly, and derive new impressions of portions of the Park from the water, in a brief tour of the Lake. The rates for the use of the boats are very low, barely sufficient to pay the expenses of maintaining them. The sum of $1,000 has been received as a compensation from the contractor, for the privilege of placing and operating the boats on the Lake. Following an intention, announced in their last report, the Commissioners of the Park have instituted a system of regular meteorological observations, comprising barometrical, thermometrical, and hygrometrical observations, 46 as well as those showing the force and direction of the winds, and other atmospheric phenomena. Although the Central park observatory is not yet provided with astronomical instruments of especial value or power, yet observations have been made which leave no inconsiderable records, and which are full o interest. The arrangements of the observatory are such as to compare favorably with those of much longer existence. Notes of the results obtained at the Observatory, are published weekly in several of the most prominent of the city journals, and have attracted attention all over the country. It will be the aim of the Commissioners of the Park to render this institution practically useful to the whole community, as rapidly as circumstances will admit. It is not to be denied that they city of New York should maintain an Observatory within its limits, of the first class. The one now modestly inaugurated at the Park, it is hoped, will grow into an establishment that will be worthy of the rank of this city, and such a one as has been contemplated and talked about for more than a quarter of a century. The condensed tables of these observations for the year 1867, are given in schedule D. The unusual moisture of the spring and summer stimulated vegetation to a very marked development. 47 The grass has required more frequent mowing, rendering this service more expensive than usual. Those portions of the Park which could be allowed to grow up without seriously detracting from its appearance, were mown with less frequency. The acreage cut over with machines and by hand, with the expense of each method of cutting, are shown approximately in the following figures: Number Price Cost. of acres. per acre. Cut by machine 2,101.75 $2 $4,239 50 Cut by scythe 465.70 7 3,259 70 Total number of acres 2.567.45 Total cost $7,499 40 To save expense and to serve the purpose of fertilization, much of the grass cut frequently is not removed from the ground. The quantity of green grass sold was 3,186 cart loads, of about 90 cubic feet each. This grass is carried from the field to certain gates of the Park, and by a system of tickets, sold principally to milk-men—often to those who keep horses for private use, or in the large establishments of livery or railroad stables. The amount of money received this year from the sale of grass was $4,774 46. In addition to the quantity sold, sufficient is retained to feed the Park animals, and hay is made sufficient for winter, and some for sale. There have been 132 days during the year on which rain fell—an unusual number; the quantity of water that 48 fell is far above the average rain fall, being 45.10 inches. This shows itself immediately in the expense of keeping the roads and walks in order, the wash being greater in the sudden and heavy showers. The increased expenses under this head are $8,716 32. About 11,000 cubic yards of gravel have been used during the year, in the repair of the roads and walks; 6,084 hand-cart loads, or about 3,600 cubic yards of manure, have been gathered from the roads, and composted for fertilizing purposes for next year. Notwithstanding the unprecedented number of rainy days during the year, the visitors at the Park have been very large, the number, as shown by the following tables, being 7,228,855. CHILDREN AT THE LAKE. 49 Table of the number of Visitors at the Park during each month of the year, for the past six years. MONTH. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. January [Table] February March April May June July August September Oc ob r November December Totals The largest number of pedestrians entering the Park during any one month of 1867 was in January 481,135 The largest number of equestrians entering the Park during any one month was in April 14,188 The largest number of vehicles entering the Park during any one month was in January 169,886 Allowing two extra for each vehicle, the number of visitors in 1867 was 7,229,85550 Table of the number of Visitors at each entrance to the Park for each month during the year. PEDESTRIANS. 1867. 59th st. 72d st. 79th st. 90th st. 102d st. 59th st. 59th st. 59th st. 72d st. 85th st. 96th st. 100th st. 110th st. 110th st. and and and and and and and and and and and and and and 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 6th av. 7th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 6th av. 7th av. January 74,476 49,738 22,085 1,623 229 112,467 37,385 108,048 58,714 1,716 224 568 13,737 125 February 17,089 6,946 5,053 2,010 145 15,225 7,321 9,003 3,666 1,153 204 345 2,341 . . . . . . . March 19,282 4,651 3,673 1,762 180 15,042 14,168 11,086 2,889 614 263 476 2,058 . . . . . . . April 75,632 17,592 12,227 4,124 508 51,858 57,780 52,779 9,406 3,301 425 793 5,827 . . . . . . . May 56,121 18,999 8,402 5,850 488 31,331 55,482 31,955 5,204 3,532 583 1,022 5,878 . . . . . . . June 67,348 26,511 7,075 5,462 514 73,326 69,121 64,103 11,155 4,177 568 1,041 6,350 . . . . . . . July 85,405 20,708 12,708 5,075 540 54,921 66,881 65,504 12,494 4,628 643 1,122 6,968 . . . . . . . August 65,592 29,353 18,441 4,396 469 56,614 51,545 62,219 9,868 4,048 570 1,021 5,015 . . . . . . . September 74,359 23,356 14,737 6,784 676 57,984 77,801 86,643 7,488 4,320 708 1,229 5,778 . . . . . . . October 54,165 17,265 10,524 4,567 528 54,905 50,165 49,628 9,078 2,865 575 1,006 5,159 . . . . . . . November 20,392 6,580 4,920 2,162 333 13,270 14,330 18,870 3,550 2,041 406 629 3,722 . . . . . . . December 32,455 17,218 7,859 2,004 271 35,068 14,707 32,095 5,982 1,775 285 484 6,691 . . . . . . . Totals 642,316 238,917 127,704 45,819 4,881 572,011 516,686 591,933 139,494 34,170 5,454 9,736 69,524 125 51 EQUESTRIANS. 1867. 59th st. 72d st. 79th st. 90th st. 102d st. 59th st. 72d st. 85th st. 96th st. 100th st. 110th st. 110th st. and and and and and and and and and and and and 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 5th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 8th av. 6th av. 7th av. January 1,311 139 130 124 3 476 40 32 4 12 207 7 February 2,035 230 301 200 37 531 145 14 7 13 443 ...... March 3,286 138 234 269 8 1,564 138 19 29 13 507 ...... April 8,208 892 443 621 10 2,139 340 117 84 15 1,319 ...... May 7,497 426 173 524 28 1,538 242 113 139 20 1,347 ...... June 5,476 510 174 461 11 1,239 311 153 110 9 1,377 ...... July 3,642 293 257 342 20 1,235 206 126 51 17 991 ...... August 2,041 335 216 363 24 724 127 74 47 15 622 ...... September 3,432 271 212 236 13 1,155 87 92 66 27 1,096 ...... October 3,382 219 131 343 22 1,544 164 77 115 31 1,038 ...... November 3,851 186 99 211 31 1,150 180 81 66 32 917 ...... December 1,964 125 58 234 6 1,101 62 43 7 7 350 ...... Totals 46,125 3,764 2,428 3,928 213 14,396 2,042 941 725 211 10,214 7 VEHICLES. January 91,287 1,995 3,096 928 43 31,240 2,056 475 539 590 37,074 45 February 24,847 1,700 3,223 1,700 39 6,063 1,649 262 306 251 19,025 ...... March 30,156 811 2,192 963 45 9,053 798 168 341 164 15,297 ...... April 49,046 6,591 6,099 3,279 141 22,233 1,480 1,067 532 395 35,990 ...... May 54,325 5,264 2,014 4,065 223 11,288 2,114 1,031 750 346 44,659 ...... June 55,004 6,308 2,754 5,586 242 12,274 1,617 1,406 729 561 49,188 ...... July 54,433 2,771 2,658 3,651 180 12,548 2,061 1,705 596 632 45,729 ...... August 41,643 3,380 4,349 2,322 222 9,250 2,751 1,467 671 558 33,512 ...... September 50,605 3,113 3,005 2,873 263 14,190 1,100 1,512 781 974 54,279 ...... October 81,268 2,834 3,056 3,302 295 14,434 1,198 1,200 805 1,161 49,268 ...... November 38,239 2,560 1,905 2,037 218 7,324 2,345 1,124 251 835 34,927 ...... December 40,645 4,070 2,213 1,848 90 10,275 527 1,001 390 663 32,313 ...... Totals 611,498 41,397 36,564 32,554 2,001 160,172 19,696 12,418 6,961 7,130 451,261 4552 The largest number of pedestrians that entered the Park on any one day was on April 21—50,780. The smallest number of pedestrians that entered the Park on any one day was on December 12—66. The largest number of equestrians that entered the Park on any one day was on April 19—836. The smallest number of equestrians that entered the Park on any one day was on January 17—2. The largest number of vehicles that entered the Park on any one day was on January 19—13,508. The smallest number of vehicles that entered the Park on any one day was on December 12—187. STATEMENT Showing Sunday attendance at the Central Park, by months, during the past five years. 1863. MONTH. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. January.. . . 17,539 792 8,254 22 February. 13,834 522 11,794 .. March..... 18,019 661 6 476 .. April .... 42,043 1,439 12,781 .. May. 63,994 2,141 20,423 .. June. 65,118 2,134 17,881 .. July . 38,613 1,018 13,845 .. August 73,428 2,600 21,815 .. September. 43,651 1,498 21,729 .. October.. .. 69,159 1,575 18,206 .. November... 40,775 1,614 16,550 .. December...... 25,276 461 7,032 .. Totals..... 501,944 16,455 176,826 22 1864. MONTH. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. January.. . . 134,738 757 9,881 11,097 February. 68,355 1,231 14,972 . . .. . March..... 59,458 1,755 16,911 . . .. . April .... 50,245 2,631 15,552 . . .. . May. 115,493 1,880 80,601 . . .. . June. 74,707 1,997 16,561 . . .. . July . 185,678 1,416 29,486 . . .. . August 55,293 540 11,400 . . .. . September. 51,287 576 12,962 . . .. . October.. .. 46,698 1,196 16,749 . . .. . November... 32,634 1,478 15,728 . . .. . December...... 57,542 403 7,793 9,624 Totals..... 882,123 15,860 198,590 20,721 1865. MONTH. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. January.. . . 133,477 201 6,560 4,404 February. 21,755 319 7,293 .... .. March..... 38,279 1,152 16,840 .... .. April .... 107,548 2,232 27,346 .... .. May. 58,988 1,186 17,122 .... .. June. 118,982 1,663 26,509 .... .. July . 171,738 1,626 31 097 .... .. August 106,430 1,595 27,467 .... .. September. 107,416 2,153 34,205 .... .. October.. .. 90,522 1,832 32,736 .... .. November... 40,630 1,386 24,450 .... .. December...... 26,113 810 10,748 4,989 Totals..... 1,021,873 16,155 262,373 9,393 1866. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. January 129,200 323 8,363 6,453 February 71,533 486 9,403 .... .. March 30,657 782 12,332 .... .. April 73,064 1,423 32,702 .... .. May 149,846 1,960 28,482 .... .. June 121,849 1,025 20,297 .... .. July 125,517 1,289 25,655 .... .. August 127,784 954 24,184 .... .. September 153,624 1,496 37,637 .... .. October 104,022 1,312 22,117 .... .. November 47,440 1,144 20,364 .... .. December 101,536 886 13,684 26 Totals 1,226,072 13,080 255,220 6,479 1867. Pedestrians. Equestrians. Vehicles. Sleighs. January 116,570 226 5,448 17,279 February 24,660 525 7,296 969 March 43,699 1,305 19,822 2,746 April 161,768 2,460 30,759 .... .. May 117,852 1,666 23,982 .... .. June 129,725 1,234 23,821 .... .. July 123,578 984 27,589 .... .. August 130,676 812 24,402 .... .. September 161,115 1,365 32,096 .... .. October 104,791 1,285 33,094 .... .. November 30,657 929 16,966 .... .. December 25,807 749 11,791 8,322 Totals 1,170,898 13,540 257,066 29,316 53 Table showing the number of Visitors entering the Park during each hour of the day for each month during the year. PEDESTRIANS. MONTH. From 5 A. M. 6 A.M. 7 A.M. 8 A.M. 9 A.M. 10 A.M. to to to to to to 6 A. M. 7 A. M. 8 A. M. 9 A. M. 10 A. M. 11 A. M. January . . . . 7 1,254 3,564 9,134 18,277 February . . . . 569 1,468 2,695 3,795 March . . . . 465 1,336 2,408 3,957 5,161 April . . . . 1,183 2,230 3,722 6,304 10,397 May . . . . 1,830 2,551 4,260 7,375 11,083 June . . . . 2,996 3,698 6,322 10,950 15,648 July 1,525 3,129 4,783 7,188 12,988 18,960 August 638 2,041 3,158 5,425 9,730 14,838 September 321 1,562 3,240 5,117 10,314 17,693 October 869 1,806 3,095 6,189 10,665 November 551 1,326 2,820 5,218 7,743 December 826 2,517 6,610 10,783 Totals 2,484 14,573 26,777 47,906 91,464 145,043 EQUESTRIANS. January 1 311 224 229 198 February 194 292 296 276 March 390 549 537 539 527 April 7 1,706 1,474 712 653 675 May 2,130 1,296 567 551 541 June 1,858 853 424 337 294 July 626 1,157 634 518 364 306 August 232 510 335 242 215 202 September 286 900 611 413 396 481 October. 107 892 799 491 490 519 November 475 648 430 462 449 December 300 295 261 269 Totals 1,258 10,019 8,004 5,145 4,793 4,737 PEDESTRIANS. 11 A. M. 12 M. 1 P.M. 2 P.M. 3 P.M. 4 P.M. to to to to to to 12 M. 1 P. M. 2 P. M. 3 P. M. 4 P. M. 5 P. M. January 23,923 26,169 52,799 89,893 77,146 55,053 February 4,281 6,430 9,140 13,862 13,262 8,890 March 6,208 4,350 6,897 12,509 14,847 10,606 April 11,330 14,123 26,653 54,071 67,772 53,902 May 11,681 11,642 20,435 34,363 42,686 40,015 June 16,055 12,766 23,353 45,576 63,694 55,169 July 17,458 13,296 19,962 35,644 53,370 54,556 August 15,004 11,120 19,583 41,379 65,493 54,582 September 19,938 16,880 27,999 52,162 75,154 62,630 October 13,361 11,431 20,552 46,151 66,947 46,862 November 7,720 6,537 9,256 17,369 18,238 9,105 December 12,353 10,547 17,906 26,989 26,377 19,766 Totals 159,252 145,291 254,035 469,968 584,986 471,136 EQUESTRIANS. January 200 166 266 264 247 210 February 229 297 378 499 607 616 March 429 302 395 581 756 742 April 581 578 858 1,198 1,970 2,075 May 386 247 389 671 1,191 1,937 June 309 193 272 420 690 1,001 July 208 110 178 272 381 434 August 126 82 146 282 320 486 September 243 78 172 337 553 725 October 434 228 355 437 620 736 November 395 220 298 624 1,110 1,035 December 213 185 268 496 699 718 Totals 3,753 2,681 3,975 6,081 9,135 10,715 PEDESTRIANS. 5 P. M. 6 P. M. 7 P.M. 8 P.M. 9 P.M. 10 P.M. to to to to to to 6 P. M. 7 P. M. 8 P. M. 9 P. M. 10 P. M. 11 P. M. January 23,767 14,089 36,465 35,676 12,463 1,456 February 4,215 1,336 551 7 March 5,471 1,763 541 111 14 April 25,006 9,294 4,389 1,873 3 May 21,402 8,430 4,812 2,767 15 June 33,199 16,462 14,019 11,421 4,239 1,184 July 37,663 21,080 16,418 13,492 5,159 926 August 28,321 13,524 11,601 8,761 3,121 832 September 36,867 14,279 8,271 6,379 2,610 447 October 20,302 6,260 3,640 2,166 254 November 2,793 1,228 859 440 2 December 8,603 5,623 4,710 2,127 981 176 Totals 247,609 113,368 105,776 85,220 28,861 5,021 EQUESTRIANS. January 112 30 13 11 3 February 236 29 7 March 354 89 14 1 April 1,209 395 72 25 May 1,380 554 168 39 June 1,297 1,186 527 145 18 7 July 593 669 520 183 21 6 August 548 508 277 71 5 1 September 732 459 214 84 8 October. 627 249 74 8 November 469 149 32 8 December 214 47 1 Totals 7,771 4,364 1,919 574 56 1454 VEHICLES. MONTH. From 5 A.M. 6 A.M. 7 A.M. 8 A.M. 9 A.M. 10 A.M. to to to to to to 6 A.M. 7 A.M. 8 A.M. 9 A.M. 10 A.M. 11 A.M. January 6 150 1,874 3,579 5,798 8,812 February 957 1,787 2,537 3,444 March 361 1,455 2,494 3,827 4,933 April 479 2,333 3,542 4,195 5,018 5,134 May 2,184 3,271 4,011 4,674 5,380 June 2,727 3,821 4,258 4,814 5,161 July 885 1,930 3,943 4,470 4,962 5,169 August 509 1,513 3,556 4,013 4,126 4,532 September 340 1,284 3,797 4,441 4,842 5,579 October 36 977 3,325 4,264 5,114 6,016 November 397 2,531 3,297 3,993 4,421 December 1,470 2,683 3,845 4,788 Totals 2,225 13,856 33,542 43,492 53,550 63,366 11 A.M. 12 M. 1 P.M. 2 P.M. 3 P.M. 4 P.M. MONTH. to to to to to to 12 M. 1 P.M. 2 P.M. 3 P.M. 4 P.M. 5 P.M. January 10,442 8,956 13,119 20,105 30,187 32,575 February 3,730 3,884 4,314 7,502 9,606 10,285 March 5,560 2,686 3,381 6,329 9,179 9,023 April 5,229 7,019 10,307 17,260 22,726 20,987 May 5,716 4,328 5,455 9,010 15,910 22,935 June 4,351 3,594 4,504 6,956 11,879 18,609 July 4,894 2,558 3,163 5,607 9,621 13,626 August 4,076 2,659 3,706 5,805 9,106 12,298 September 5,480 2,657 3,710 7,503 13,989 20,048 October 6,782 6,075 8,564 17,414 28,848 32,176 November 4,421 2,821 3,979 9,288 17,424 19,231 December 5,121 3,527 5,569 11,005 17,456 22,827 Totals 65,802 50,764 69,771 123,784 195,931 234,620 3 P. M. to 4 P. M. 4 P. M. to 5 P. M. 5 P. M. to 6 P. M. January 30,187 32,575 16,279 February 9,606 10,285 7,131 March 9,179 9,023 6,683 April 22,726 20,987 13,465 May 15,910 22,935 21,558 June 11,879 18,609 21,166 July 9,621 13,626 16,170 August 9,106 12,298 12,569 September 13,989 20,048 21,420 October 28,848 32,176 23,924 November 17,424 19,231 12,124 December 17,456 22,827 10,294 TOTALS 195,931 234,680 182,783 5 P.M. 6 P.M. 7 P.M. 8 P.M. 9 P.M. 10 P.M. MONTH. to to to to to to 6 P.M. 7 P.M. 8 P.M. 9 P.M. 10 P.M. 11 P.M. January 16,279 7,183 4,095 3,107 2,054 1,047 February 7,131 2,617 806 229 158 78 March 6,683 2,441 1,143 481 10 2 April 13,465 6,328 2,225 596 13 May 21,558 13,689 6,245 1,711 2 June 21,166 21,720 14,686 5,088 1,623 712 July 16,170 20,551 18,836 7,226 2,538 815 August 12,569 14,281 10,303 4,551 1,768 754 September 21,420 18,502 10,809 4,950 2,351 993 October 23,924 9,619 4,059 1,637 November 12,124 5,522 1,934 634 18 December 10,294 3,451 1,493 269 148 89 TOTALS 182,783 125,904 76,625 30,479 10,683 4,490 55 These tables approximate correctness, but do not include large numbers that enter the Park on skating nights, and at the Arsenal and other entrances. The receipts from the products of the Park during the past year were: From pound receipts $257 70 " sale of grass 4,774 46 " " hay 396 00 " " sheep 761 60 " " wool 193 94 " " old tools and materials 788 99 " " white mice 1 75 " " hide of steer 6 74 " pasturage of cattle 198 00 " license to sell refreshments 5,057 79 " " " hire skates 800 00 " " " " ice-chairs 300 00 " " " " boats 1,000 00 " cash received for removing broken vehicles to Arsenal 53 00 $14,589 97 There has also been received the sum of $4,598.55, as interest on the deposits of the funds of the Board in the National Bank of Commerce in New York. The Commissioners of the Park hope the next year to be able to make a disposition of the ice from such of the waters of the park as are not used in skating, and to realize a fund therefrom.56 The roads and walks are kept in proper condition by a continual application of water; the wear of the gravel by the throngs of carriages and of pedestrians is very great, and to suppress the dust, sprinkling is resorted to. The method has been to distribute the water from ordinary casks upon trucks, filled from the hydrants that are situated near the roads. With the view of dispensing with the trucks, experiments have been made with hand machines somewhat similar to those used in Paris, but it is found that the expense of manipulating them, in the present state of wages, amounts to more than the ordinary method of distributing the water by carts. The sprinkling of the roads, under the constantly changing conditions of the weather, requires more care than is generally supposed, to deliver to the road surface the amount of water required. On the higher elevations the roads dry rapidly—the heat of summer, the winds, and the humidity of the atmosphere, all affect the quantity required; a change sometimes occurs in course of half an hour, and several times a day, that requires a fresh exercise of discretion to properly regulate the amount of water needed upon the roads, in order that they may not be too wet, nor, on the other hand, too dry. This is only reasonably well 57 accomplished by an active supervision and direction of the class of workmen to whom it is necessarily intrusted. There are several elevations on the Park to which the Croton water will not rise; in these places the water will have to be carried either by engines or by carts. The number of gallons of water distributed over the Park by means of carts during the past year was 18,993,260 gallons, weighing 79,139 tons, which, with the weight of the carts, &c., used for applying the same, is equivalent to 136,550 tons, and costing for its distribution about the sum of $14,616.16. This immense tonnage was carried a distance of about 7,357 9/16 miles, wearing the roads, and to the occasional inconvenience to the free passage of vehicles. It will be dispensed with as soon as any more economical method within the means of the Park can be substituted. The number of days of skating in the season of 1866 and 1867 is, as will be seen by the table, larger than the previous year. Frequent snow-storms, 36 in number, have occasioned increased expenditures for keeping the ice in good condition for the enjoyment of this healthful recreation. The depth of snow which fell during the year was 92.32 inches. The increased expense under this head amounts to $4,663.98.58 The number of skaters does not seem to diminish, nor does there seem to be any abatement in the enjoyment which they find in this now prominent winter-amusement for all classes and ages. The subjoined Table shows the days on which there was Skating at the Park during the past nine winters. 1858-9. 1859-60. 1860-1. 1861-2. 1862-3. 1863-4. 1864-5. 1865-6. 1866-7. Dec. 29 Dec. 24 Dec. 14 Dec. 29 Dec. 22 Dec. 11 Dec. 21 1866. Dec. 15 1859. " 25 " 15 " 30 1863. " 23 " 22 Jan. 8 " 16 Jan. 3 " 26 " 16 " 31 Jan. 20 " 24 " 23 " 9 " 19 " 22 " 27 " 18 '62 Jan. 1 Feb. 5 " 25 " 24 " 10 " 20 " 23 " 28 1861. " 2 " 24 " 26 " 25 " 11 " 21 " 24 " 29 Jan. 11 " 3 " 25 " 27 " 30 " 12 " 22 " 25 " 30 " 12 " 4 " 26 1864. '65 Jan. 2 " 15 " 26 " 26 " 31 " 13 " 5 Jan. 3 " 3 " 17 " 28 " 27 1860. " 14 " 6 " 4 " 4 " 18 " 29 " 28 Jan. 1 " 18 " 7 " 6 " 5 " 19 " 30 " 29 " 2 " 19 " 8 " 7 " 6 " 21 " 31 " 30 " 3 " 20 " 11 " 8 " 8 " 22 Jan. 1 Feb. 10 " 4 " 21 " 14 " 9 " 9 " 23 " 2 " 11 " 5 " 22 " 17 " 10 " 11 " 24 " 3 " 12 " 6 " 23 " 22 " 11 " 12 " 26 " 4 " 21 " 7 " 26 " 23 " 12 " 13 " 27 " 5 " 22 " 26 " 28 " 24 " 13 " 15 " 28 " 6 " 23 " 27 " 29 " 27 " 16 " 16 " 29 " 7 March 5 " 28 " 30 " 28 " 17 " 17 " 30 " 8 " 6 " 29 " 31 " 29 " 22 " 18 " 31 " 9 " 30 Feb. 1 Feb. 1 " 23 " 19 Feb. 1 " 10 " 31 " 4 " 2 Feb. 18 " 20 " 2 " 11 Feb. 1 " 5 " 3 " 19 " 21 " 3 " 12 " 2 " 6 " 4 " 20 " 22 " 4 " 13 " 3 " 7 " 5 " 21 " 24 " 5 " 14 " 5 " 8 " 6 " 25 " 6 " 15 " 8 " 9 " 8 " 26 " 7 " 16 " 9 " 10 " 9 " 27 " 17 " 19 " 10 " 10 " 28 " 18 " 20 " 11 " 11 " 29 " 23 " 12 " 12 " 30 " 24 " 13 " 13 " 31 " 25 " 14 " 15 Feb. 1 " 26 " 15 " 16 " 2 " 27 " 16 " 17 " 3 " 28 " 17 " 18 " 4 " 29 " 20 " 19 " 6 " 30 " 21 " 7 Feb. 1 " 22 " 9 " 2 " 23 " 10 " 25 " 11 " 26 " 13 " 28 " 14 March 1 " 15 " 2 " 18 " 3 " 19 " 5 " 20 " 6 " 21 " 7 " 22 " 8 " 24 Days, 19 Days, 36 Days, 27 Days, 50 Days, 6 Days, 24 Days, 50 Days, 29 Days, 39 59 With the view of gathering information on the subject of the insects of the Park, a collection of caterpillars has been made, and proper record taken of the trees which they seem to frequent. The very large number and variety of trees and shrubs at the Park will afford an excellent opportunity to observe the character of the insects by which they are respectively infested. The sewer, which is intended to take the water from that part of the Park formerly known as Manhattan Square, the site of the proposed Zoological Garden, is not complete, but in progress of construction. it is hoped that the grounds will be in such condition as to admit the improvements on these grounds to commence next year. The Board has heretofore alluded to the scheme upon which gardens of this character, as well as Museums of Natural History and Galleries of Art, should be founded and maintained. Undoubtedly the most extensive of these establishments are in Paris. They are there instituted and fostered by the direct action of the Government, are made free of ingress to citizens and strangers alike, and comprehend within their scope all the modern methods by which these magnificent collections from the treasuries of time, are made to minister at the same 60 time to the popular gratification, and to the advancement of the Natural Sciences and Arts. In the cities of Europe, Amsterdam, Ghent, Antwerp, and Brussels, Zoological Gardens are organized, supported, and conducted by societies formed for the purpose, and are self sustaining. The Antwerp Gardens were established by a Society formed in 1843; a loan of $20,000 was taken up in shares by the inhabitants of Antwerp, and devoted to the purchase of grounds, and to the erection of buildings; the grounds were enlarged in 1847, and the internal works increased. Its annual expenses are about $20,000, and are met from an admission fee of one franc, from the sale of exotic birds and animals, mostly bred in the establishment, and by an entrance fee of twenty francs, and an annual sum of twenty-five francs, paid by each member of the society. Each of the shareholders, regarding himself as a joint proprietor, displays a sort of self-esteem in maintaining the prosperity of the institution, and in increasing the collection. The gardens are kept in order by all the members interested: the wealth of natural history is placed under their safeguard, and everywhere is noticed in the management, that spirit of regularity and preservation which is developed by a feeling of responsibility. The capital of the Ghent Garden, originally $60,000, 61 was enlarged to $90,000; the grounds comprise 13 acres. The number of shareholders is about 4,000. In 1855 its income was about $12,500, and its expenses about $9,000; it is, like that of Antwerp, at the same time a place of study and amusement. In Brussels the grounds are well planted; "a few pleasing houses have been built, and the cages are so arranged as to hide under natural ornaments that sadness that ever clings to captivity." The remarks of a director to a visitor express the difficulties inherent in the maintenance of these collections; he says: "I have been engaged in this business for forty years, and I learn something every day." An intelligent writer, from whose contributions on the institutions and inhabitants of Holland, M. Esquíros, from whom the substance of the foregoing paragraphs, on the subject of Zoological Gardens, is derived, says: "Altogether the Zoological Gardens of Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, and Brussels offer us a type of institutions unknown in France. Formed by subscriptions, they owe nothing to the State, and they derive their resources from their own development. It is proposed to annex to the collections of living animals a Library of Natural History and Public Lectures; but, in their present state, even if the seinstitutions do not profit science, 62 they teach a liking for it. Hardly half a century back the Giraffe, Kangaroo, and Ornithorynchus were to the multitude of animals as paradoxical as the Unicorn and Griffin of the ancients. Even if a few exotic animals were better known, they were only met with in our collections of natural history; those cold catacombs of science, gloomy galleries, in which nature was classified, ticketed, stuffed, and covered with dust, were better suited to create weariness, than to attract people to the study of animals. "At the present day, these animals live, walk about, crawl, or fly before our eyes, and that is progress. The Zoological Gardens have rendered real service to natural history, by popularizing the knowledge of animals, and giving science a holiday air. They add to the pleasure of cities, and public education, civilization, and morality; for, as the old sage says, 'Man becomes better by studying the works of God.' In spite of incontestible services, we must be permitted to say that the true character of these institutions has not yet been determined. Created by the initiative of a few individuals, and by the aid of the town. Zoological Gardens cannot pretend to be free of instruction, illumined by all the scientific lights of the age. They will never rival the Natural History Museum of Paris, which is protected by the central power of a great State. 63 "These institutions, nevertheless, have a place to take. Nothing can be better than the propagation of a knowledge of animals, and rendering science attractive, by stripping it of its morose gravity; but the ambition of the directors ought not to stop here. The Zoological Garden of Amsterdam, and the rest we have mentioned, have hitherto only had a value as curiosities, but they might arise themselves to the rank of useful institutions. We have said what they might be. "The true destination of Zoological Gardens would be to serve as a stage for facts and experiments in natural history. An investigation into the laws, by virtue of which animals pass from the savage into the domestic state, attempts at acclimatization, the improvement of the conquered races, and the education of those that remain to conquer—such, in our view, is the field of practical studies, to which Zoological Gardens ought to limit their instructions." In London there seems to be no fixed rule concerning these establishments. The British Museum, which is accessible to visitors without any price, is supported entirely by the Government. The Zoological Gardens were established and are supported by private societies. The best method of carrying on these institutions, under our form of government, is yet to be determined, and it is the desire of the Board to exercise proper forecast 64 cast in their organization, in order that they may be established upon foundations that will be likely to render them enduring. OPERATIONS OUTSIDE OF THE PARK. The Legislature, at each of its last three sessions, committed to the Board duties of various, complicated, and responsible character, to the discharge of which much of the time of the last year has been devoted. Without entering upon any lengthy recital of the details of this legislation, or of the considerations that have controlled in carrying them into effect, the Board will proceed to state briefly, under appropriate heads, the progress made in the execution of the various powers thus conferred. THE GRADE OF THE EIGHTH AVENUE. As stated in its report for the year 1866, the grades of that part of this avenue, between Fifty-Ninth and One Hundred and Twenty-second streets, were fixed by the Board, and the consequences of the change of the grade were briefly alluded to. The Legislature of 1867, in one Act, (chap. 580 of Laws of 1867), again fixed the grades of this avenue, making some changes from those previously settled by the Commissioners of the Park; but by a subsequent Act of the 65 same year, (chap. 697), the Legislature again authorized the Board to act upon such of these grades as come within a district bounded by a line 350 feet outside of, and around the Central Park. Acting under this authority, the Board has again fixed these grades, from Fifty-ninth street to about One Hundred and Eleventh street, and it is hoped that the actual work of regulation will now soon be entered upon. EIGHTY-FIRST STREET. The regulating and grading of the south side of Eighty-first street, between the Eighth and Ninth avenues, is nearly completed. THE SEVENTH AVENUE NORTH OF THE PARK. The work of regulating and grading this avenue, from One Hundred and Tenth street to the Harlem River, has been let in two contracts, and the work is now in progress. About 31,800 yards of rock, and 45,000 yards of earth, have already been excavated. THE SIXTH AVENUE, NORTH OF THE PARK. The Commissioners of Assessment, appointed on this avenue August 5, 1865, not having yet made their report, 66 the Commissioners of the Park are unable to proceed with the work of its grading and regulation. MOUNT MORRIS SQUARE. By virtue of a clause in Chap. 585 of Laws of 1867, in the following words: "Mount Morris Square, improvement of, ten thousand dollars, to be expended by the Commissioners of Central Park;" the Commissioners of the Park have commenced the work of grading and improving this square, in accomplishing which about 11,000 cubic yards of earth and mould have been moved. It is a first requisite that a substantial enclosure be provided for these grounds, otherwise improvements made will be subject to injury from the incursions of cattle and goats that range about the neighborhood. A temporary wooden fence might serve the purpose for several years, but as the neighborhood is rapidly being settled, it will, perhaps, be as well to put up a permanent, satisfactory enclosure at once. The square comprises about 20 acres, and is formed by a mass of rocks rising to the height of about 80 feet above the surrounding plain, a portion of which is comprised within the limits of the square. It is a very picturesque piece of land, the elevated portion being well covered with forest trees, and with 67 proper arrangement it will be quite unique, differing entirely in the character of its surface from any other of the city squares. The Commissioners of the Park have represented to the Comptroller of the city, that of the above-mentioned sum of ten thousand dollars, "a balance of about five thousand dollars will probably remain unexpended at the close of the present calendar year," and that "the sum of forty thousand dollars will be required for the proper continuance of the work of regulating, improving, and enclosing the square during the year ending with December 31, 1868." CIRCLE AT EIGHTH AVENUE, BROADWAY, AND FIFTY-NINTH STREET. The Commissioners to acquire the land for the circular place at the intersection of Eighth avenue, Broadway, and Fifty-ninth street, were appointed July 31, 1866, and as their report has not been made to the Court, the Commissioners of the Park cannot yet proceed with the improvement. AVENUE ST. NICHOLAS AND MANHATTAN STREET. The Commissioners appointed by the Court on the 7th May, 1867, for the purpose of acquiring the land for the 68 Avenue St. Nicholas, and for widening and extending Manhattan street, are now engaged on the work. FIFTH AVENUE GRADE. The grades of the Fifth avenue, which bounds the Park on the east, being at several points very objectionable, the Board has changed them between Sixty-ninth and Seventy-first streets, between Seventy-third and Seventy-fifth streets, between Eighty-ninth and Ninety-first streets, and between Ninety-seventh and One Hundred and Ninth streets, and it is believed with advantage to the avenue and the property lying upon it, though at some expense in making alterations to the Park improvements. Further improvements of a less important character could doubtless have been made in the grades of the avenue along the Park, but considerations of cost have rendered it inexpedient to entertain them. THE GRADES OF STREETS AND AVENUES EAST OF THE EIGHTH AVENUE. In considering the grades of the Sixth and Seventh avenues, between the Park and the Harlem river, those of the intersecting streets necessarily required attention. The Commissioners of the Park therefore proceeded to 69 change, where necessary, the grades of all intersecting streets from One Hundred and Tenth to and including One Hundred and Thirty-fifth street between the Fifth and Eighth avenues, and to fix the grades of all streets from One Hundred and Thirty-sixth to One Hundred and Fifty-fifth streets, both inclusive, and between the Eighth avenue and the Harlem river. No grades for the avenues and streets above One Hundred and Thirty-fifth street were ever before established: this whole area is now ready for improvement. The number of miles of grades thus fixed to the east of Eighth avenue is about 28¼. This area constitutes a large portion of the level land known as Harlem Plains. In determining these grades, especial attention has been given to making provisions for the drainage that is so much required in this vicinity, as well as for proper cellar-room to the future buildings that may occupy it. THAT PORTION OF THE ISLAND NORTH OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIFTH STREET. In this district the following avenues and streets have been laid out: A street from Kingsbridge road at Inwood. Street to Harlem river at Sherman's creek.[Map] HUDSON [RIVER?] New Pier [Line?] Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. New Bulkhead Line RIVER STREET Fort Washington Depot Fort Washington Point 11TH AVENUE 10TH AVENUE AVENUE ST. NICHOLAS 9TH AVENUE 8TH AVENUE MACOMB'S LANE 7TH AVENUE EXTERIOR ST 153RD STREET TRINITY CEMETRY 154TH STREET 155TH STREET Central Bridge 156TH STREET 157TH STREET 158TH STREET 159TH STREET 160TH STREET 161ST STREET STREET ROAD OR PUBLIC DRIVE Kingsbridge Road ROAD OR PUBLIC DRIVE STREET RIVER STREET Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. New Bulkhead Line [?HARLEM RIVER] New Bulkhead Line High Bridge Landing MAP OF THAT PART OF THE CITY OF [NEW YORK?] North of 155th Street Showing the progress made in laying out Streets, Roads, [Public Squares and?] Places, by the Commissioners of the Central Park, under [Chap.565 of Laws of?] 1865 and of new Pier and Bulkhead lines under Chap. 697 [of Laws of 1867?]. January 1st 1868. [Map] [?HUDSON RIVER?] New Pier Line Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. New Bulkhead Line RIVER STREET Tubby Hook Inwood Depot ROAD OR PUBLIC DRIVE STREET INWOOD STREET Kingsbridge Road 11TH AVENUE Fort George Shermans Creek 10TH AVENUE ROAD OR PUBLIC DRIVE STREET RIVER STREET New Bulkhead Line Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. [?HARLEM RIVER?] New Bulkhead Line Landing High Bridge Landing MAP OF THAT PART OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK North of 155th Street Showing the progress made in laying out Streets, Roads, Public Squares and Places, by the Commissioners of the Central Park, under Chap.565 of Laws of 1865 and of new Pier and Bulkhead lines under Chap. 697 of Laws of 1867 January 1st 1868. Explanation Road ways and paths are shown in fine dotted lines. Fence walls are shown in fine solid lines. Otherfences are shown in heavy dotted lines. Dwellings are shown in solid black. Other buildings are shown in shaded black. Note; All the foregoing is taken from surveys made prior to Decr. 1865. The Streets and Roads laid out by the Commissioners of the Central Park are shown by red lines and [color.] The Public Squares and Places laid out by them are colored green. The new Pier and Bulkhead lines laid out by them are indicated by words and lines in red color.[Map] [?HUDSON RIVER] [?New Pier Line] Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. [?New Bulkhead] Line [?RIVER] STREET Tubby Hook Inwood Depot RIVER STREET SPUYTEN DYVIL CREEK New Bulkhead Line KINGSBRIDGE ROAD Shermans [Creek?] 10TH AVENUE Nagle Burial Ground Kings Bridge [?RIVER] STREET New Bulkhead Line Pier head line by Act of 17th April 1857. [?HARLEM RIVER] Landing Fortham Bridge Explanation [?Road ways and paths are] shown in fine dotted lines. [?Fence walls are shown in] fine solid lines. [?Otherfences are shown in] heavy dotted lines. [?Dwellings are shown in] solid black. [?Other buildings are shown] in shaded black. [?Note; All the foregoing is] taken from surveys made prior to Decr. 1865. [?The Streets and Roads laid] out by the Commissioners of the Central Park are shown by red lines and color. [?The Public Squares and] Places laid out by them are colored green. [?The new Pier and Bulkhead] lines laid out by them are indicated by words and lines in red color. SCALE The Major & Knapp Eng. Mfg. & Lith Co. 71 Broadway, N.Y.70 155th street from Hudson river to Harlem river. 156th street from Kingsbridge road to 11th avenue. 157th street from Kingsbridge road to Road or Drive. 158th street from Kingsbridge road to Hudson river. 159th street from Kingsbridge road to 11th avenue. 160th street from Kingsbridge road to 11th avenue, 161st street from 10th avenue to 11th avenue. 11th avenue from Kingsbridge road to the street leading from Kingsbridge road at Inwood street to Harlem river. The Road or Public Drive along the easterly or Harlem river side of city from One Hundred and Fifty-fourth street to the street south of Sherman's creek. A street from Harlem river at High Bridge to the Road or Public Drive. A street between the lands of the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and the Institute for the Blind from the Kingsbridge road to the Road or Public Drive to the Hudson river. A street over the present Fort Washington Depot road from Kingsbridge to Hudson river. A street from the Kingsbridge road to the Road or Public Drive on the westerly side of the city, between lands of John A. Haven, Esq., and those of Charles M. Connolly, Jr., Esq. River street on the North river from One Hundred and 71 Fifty-fifth street to and through Spuyten Duyvil creek and Harlem river to One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street. Tenth avenue from One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street to Fort George Hill, and a street from that termination around Fort George hill to the Eleventh avenue. Eighth avenue from One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street to River street. Kingsbridge road has been laid out, straightened, and widened from One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street to Harlem river near Kingsbridge. Making together in that part of the city above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street, 14 4/10 miles of streets and roads laid out. 8 3/10 miles of exterior street laid out. 3 8/10 miles of Kingsbridge road straightened and widened. A public square or park has been provided of about 25 acres on the Harlem river, that will include all the important structures of the Croton Aqueduct Board at this point, viz., the west terminus of the High Bridge, the new Distributing Reservoir for high service of Croton water, the water-tower, and the engine-house. The lines of land now owned by the city in this vicinity are quite irregular, the grounds now proposed to be taken will afford abundant room for convenient public 72 access to the massive and interesting public works situated within its limits. A park of about 22 acres has also been laid out at Fort Washington Point, extending from the Public Drive to the Hudson river. This piece of land affords the only feasible opportunity on the Island, except at the Battery, for a public ground where the natural shore can be preserved. The railroad passes a considerable distance in from the river shore. From the land proposed to be taken, which is of a varied and rocky surface, well adapted for a public pleasure-ground, most extensive views are obtained both southward to Staten Island and northward up the river. The exterior street has been run across this point so as to leave the natural formation of the shore untouched, and afford opportunity for those aquatic exercises which add so much to the attractions of a park. Surveys have been made preparatory to laying out the avenues and streets in that part of the Island north of Tubby Hook. The work of setting substantial monuments to permanently indicate the lines of the ways that have been laid out, is now going on, and the maps are in course of preparation for filing, as required by law. In opening streets, the Board will regard the wishes 73 of the property owners in especial districts, except when public exigencies on general important lines require their opening for immediate public use. THE DISTRICT BETWEEN FIFTY-FIFTH AND ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIFTH STREETS, WEST OF EIGHTH AVENUE AND AROUND THE CENTRAL PARK. The Legislature, after a report made by this Board, in compliance with an Act passed in 1856, passed a further Act at its session of 1867, authorizing the Board to make changes in the existing plan and grade of that portion of the city lying within the above-mentioned district. Acting under the act last mentioned, as soon as the necessary surveys were made, and the requisite information obtained as to the subdivision of property within the district, the Board proceeded to make such changes in the plan as seemed requisite to set the property free from the hindrances that had long operated to prevent its improvement. These changes consisted chiefly in the discontinuance of portions of streets and avenues that lie on ground so precipitous, as to make the expense of cutting the streets through greater than the value of the lots, and the streets, after being cut through, of but little use, by reason of their steepness, and in laying out avenues in the immediate vicinity of the streets discontinued. 74 The face of the precipitous slope toward the Hudson river, and also on the Harlem Heights, being quite steep and generally held in small ownerships, gave rise to the question whether the land on these slopes, from which the lines of streets were stricken out should be left to private improvement, as the various owners may think proper, or be taken as open public grounds. The difficulty of access to the various lots situated on the avenues and streets so obliterated, were so great as to incline the Board to the latter as the wiser course. Wherever streets and avenues are abandoned through large subdivisions of property, the land has been left to private improvement. The subject of revising the grades within this district is now under consideration, and maps showing the streets and avenues are now in course of preparation. In dealing with such an extent of territory so much subdivided, the Board has deemed it better to confine its action mainly to the removal of these chief obstacles to improvement. While new streets, avenues, squares, parks, and terraces might have been laid out, considerations of expense and of the injury to existing subdivisions of property, by leaving it in unfit parcels to build upon, except by the tedious processes of exchanges and sales between owners, have led the Board to forbear 75 interference with existing lines of streets and avenues, except where obvious advantages were to be reached. Alterations have been made in the pier and bulkhead lines of the Hudson river, Spuyten Duyvil creek, and Harlem river, which are subject to the approval of the Legislature. They have been made in the interests of commerce, giving due weight to all the considerations that should be regarded in making changes affecting the harbor lines of this port. The changes made in these lines in the Spuyten Duyvil creek and Harlem river will be found of great value in facilitating the commerce that at no distant period must find its way through these tidal channels. In addition to soundings previously made on the Hudson river, between Fifty-fifth and One hundred and Fifty-fifth street, more than 550 distinct soundings have been taken in the Hudson river, from high-water mark to about the depth of fifty feet below high-water level, from One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street to Spuyten Duyvil creek, and a full survey, and more than 235 separate soundings made of the present and former channel of the Harlem river, on both sides of Kingsbridge, for the determination of the new pier and bulkhead lines above referred to. The Commissioners of the Central Park believe that76 all interests will be promoted by a Legislative approval of the pier and bulkhead lines adopted by them. Proceedings have been directed to open One Hundred and Forty-fifth street from river to river, and Seventy-second street from Tenth avenue to the Hudson river. The accounts of the Treasurer are herewith submitted. They contain a detailed statement of the receipts and expenditures of the Board for the past year, and are accompanied by tables showing a classification of these expenditures. Dated New York, December 31, 1867. Respectfully submitted, R. M. BLATCHFORD, President pro. tem. of the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park. ANDW. H. GREEN, Comptroller of the Park. 77 SUMMARY OF THE TREASURER'S ACCOUNT. Construction Account. Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1866, $159,778 92 The total receipts for the year ending December 31, 1867, are as follows: From issue of stock by the city of New York, $125,000 00 Interest on deposits in Bank of Commerce, 4,598 55 Sale of old tools and materials, 788 99 Amount retransferred to general fund from Maintenance, 1866, 29,779 96 Amount retransferred to general fund from "West Side Improvement," 4,928 09 Amount retransferred to general fund from "Seventh avenue," 433 86 Amount retransferred to general fund from "Seventy-seventh street," 32 20 165,561 65 $325,340 57 The total expenditures for the year ending December 31, 1867, are as follows: Salaries and compensation of officers and clerks, $19,354 24 Surveys, engineers, architects, draughtsmen, &c., 10,152 04 Salaries of gardening department 2,482 50 Incidental expenses, 8,214 25 Materials of construction and tools, 73,573 98 Stationery, printing, advertising, drawing materials, &c., 4,020 15 Trees and plants, 1,159 52 Labor account, amount paid laborers, mechanics, cartmen, &c., 77,428 43 Earth filling, 2,878 95 199,264 06 Balance, $126,076 5178 The total receipts of the Board from the commencement of its organization, May 1, 1857, are as follows: From issue of stock by the city of New York, $5,260,697 48 Sale of buildings on the Park. 6,155 87 Payment of lost tools, 451 23 Rent of buildings, 153 33 Exhibition of plans, 294 85 Sales of Grass, 2,213 25 Sales of wool, 222 40 Interest on deposits, 25,657 34 Pound receipts, 1,199 87 Licenses for the sale of refreshments, skates, &c., 7,175 61 Sales of old materials, 2,467 18 Sale of time-books, 7 75 Payment of labor and materials furnished by Park, 4,655 94 Premium on exchange, gold for silver, 23 52 $5,311,375 62 The expenditures thus far are as follows: From May 1, 1857, to January 1, 1858, $77,881 41 January 1, 1858, to January 1, 1859, 507,487 86 " 1859, " 1860, 1,179,246 47 " 1860, " 1861, 878,354 95 " 1861, " 1862, 479,163 66 " 1862, " 1863, 461,540 32 " 1863, " 1864, 331,871 60 " 1864, " 1865, 452,590 23 " 1865, " 1866, 366,915 38 " 1866, " 1867, 250,983 17 " 1867, " 1868, 199,264 06 5,185,299 11 Balance, $126,076 51 79 Maintenance Account for the Year 1866. To balance transferred from general fund, $29,779 96 The expenditures on account of maintenance in the year 1866, in addition to these in the report of last year, are as follows: LABOR. MATERIALS. TOTAL. Roads, $679 65 $12 02 $691 67 Walks, 478 94 478 94 Plantations, 336 55 35 04 371 59 Turf, 8 86 8 86 Ice, 1,157 53 1,394 00 2,551 53 Irrigation, 10 60 20 00 30 60 Masonry, 8 00 8 00 Tools, 40 50 102 44 142 94 Surface Drainage, 2 07 2 07 Buildings, 232 66 232 66 Park and gate-keepers' wages, 4,720 12 4,720 12 Animals, 174 22 221 74 395 96 Manure, 13 57 13 57 Special Police, 257 92 257 92 Art Gallery, 49 00 49 00 Lighting Park, 677 22 677 22 Stationery and Printing, 137 55 137 55 Miscellaneous, 270 20 274 57 544 77 11,314 97 $41,094 93 Received from the city of New York for deficiency for maintenance, 1866, 41,095 00 To balance carried to maintenance, 1867, 0780 Maintenance Account for the year 1867. The expenditures on account of maintenance, 1867, thus far are as follows: LABOR. MATERIALS. TOTAL. Roads, care of, $23,591 73 $534 94 $24,126 67 Roads, repairs of, 6,580 63 30,333 18 36,913 81 Bridle roads, care of, 950 17 28 55 978 72 Bridle roads, repairs of, 25 84 25 84 Walks, care of, 10,602 02 8 71 10,610 73 Walks, repairs of, 2,915 37 184 60 3,099 97 Plantations, 9,292 64 463 85 9,756 49 Turf, 17,338 36 496 50 17,834 86 Water, 147 36 147 36 Ice, 12,440 41 1,298 85 13,739 26 Irrigation, 13,405 96 1,210 20 14,616 16 Thorough drainage, 55 48 55 48 Transverse roads, 174 25 174 25 Masonry and bridges, 464 15 561 98 1,026 13 Tools, 717 20 1,120 74 1,837 94 Surface drainage, 313 66 313 66 Buildings, 4,478 34 747 47 5,225 81 Lighting Park, 1,367 50 533 74 1,901 24 Animals, 3,486 92 6,129 67 9,616 59 Sheep, 813 61 530 28 1,343 89 Manure, 792 57 792 57 Park and gate-keepers' wages and uniforms, 67,515 31 67,515 31 Special park-keepers' wages, 3,633 42 3,633 42 Music, 4,912 00 4,912 00 Stationery, printing and advertising 877 88 877 88 Gallery of Art, 2,203 43 526 98 2,730 41 Miscellaneous, 5,533 00 5,071 51 10,604 51 Proportion of salaries, 10,000 00 10,000 00 $254,410 96 81 By balance carried from maintenance, 1866, 07 Received from the city of New York for maintenance of the Park for the year 1867, $200,000 00 Received from sundries towards paying for music, 935 00 Received from licenses for sale of refreshments, skates, boats, &c., 7,157 79 Received from pound receipts, 257 70 Received from sale of grass, 4,774 46 Received from sale of hay, 396 00 Received from sale of sheep and wool, 955 54 Received from sale of white mice, 1 75 Received from sale of hide of steer, 6 74 Received for pasturage of cows, &c., 198 00 Received for removing broken vehicles to Arsenal, 53 00 By balance transferred from general fund, 39,674 91 $254,410 96 Island above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Street and Public Drive. (Chapter 565 of the Laws of 1865.) Balance on hand December 31, 1866, $15,054 72 Received from the city of New York for improvement of Island above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street and Public Drive, for the year 1867, I5,000 00 $30,054 72 The payments on this account for the year 1867, are as follows: Surveys, maps, &c., $6,657 17 Stationery, printing and drawing materials, 704 33 Tools and materials, 283 27 Incidental expenses 188 51 7,833 28 Balance on hand December 31, 1867, $22,221 44 Claims against Old Commissioners for laying out City north of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Street. Balance on hand December 31, 1866, $8,538 32 The following claim has been paid during the year ending December 31, 1867: C. O'B. Bryant, 1,500 00 Balance on hand December 31, 1867, $7,038 3282 Eighty-first Street. Balance on hand December 31, 1866, $20,984 41 The payments on this account for the year ending December 31, 1867, are as follows: John Healy, contractor, regulating and grading south half of Eighty-first street, $16,521 29 Surveys and estimates, 456 26 Stationery and incidental expenses, 104 68 17,082 23 Balance on hand December 31, 1867, $3,902 18 Seventh Avenue. Received from the city of New York on estimates for regulating and grading Seventh avenue during the year ending December 31, 1867, $58,809 80 To amount which was transferred from general fund December 31, 1866, $433 86 The payments on this account during the year ending December 31, 1867, are as follows: Thomas Crimmins, contractor, regulating and grading, 25,147 50 J. H. Sullivan & Co., contractors, regulating and grading, 7,507 50 Surveys, maps, and estimates, 2,639 44 Stationery and incidental expenses, 176 70 35,905 00 Balance on hand December 31, 1867, $22,994 80 West Side improvement. (Chapter 550 of the Laws of 1866.) To balance transferred from general fund December 31, 1866, $4,928 09 The expenditures on this account for the year ending December 31, 1867, are as follows: Surveys, maps, &c., $4,030 65 Stationery, printing, and drawing materials, 647 29 Tools and materials, 141 63 Incidental expenses, 188 52 5,008 09 To balance transferred from general fund, December 31, 1867, $9,936 18 83 Mount Morris Square. Received from the city of New York for improvement of Mount Morris Square, $10,000 00 The payments on this account for the year ending December 31, 1867, are as follows: Labor, amount paid laborers, cartmen, &c., $3,937 29 Tools and materials, 429 10 Surveys, maps, &c., 758 75 Stationery and incidental expenses, 26 37 5,151 51 Balance on hand December 31, 1867, $4,848 49 Seventy-seventh Street. (Chapter 632 of the Laws of 1866.) To balance transferred fro general fund December 31, 1866, $32 20 Avenue St. Nicholas. (Chapter 367 of the Laws of 1866.) Amount transferred from general fund during year ending December 31, 1867, for surveys and maps $422 50 Manhattan Street. (Chapter 367 of the Laws of 1866.) Amount transferred from general fund during the year ending December 31, 1867, for surveys and maps, $80 00 Grades, Fifth to Eighth Avenue, One Hundred and Tenth to One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Street. (Chapter 367 of the laws of 1866.) Amount transferred from general fund during the year ending December 31, 1867, for surveys and maps, $525 6284 RECAPITULATION. Balance on hand December 31, 1867—Construction account, . $126,076 51 Less amount transferred to the credit of the following accounts: Maintenance, 1867, . . . . $39,674 91 West side improvement, . . . . 9,936 18 Seventy-seventh street, . . . . . 32 20 Avenue St. Nicholas, . . . . . 422 50 Manhattan street, . . . . . . 80 00 Grades Fifth to Eighth avenue, One Hundred and Tenth to One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street, . . . . . . . 525 62 ----------------- 50,671 41 ----------------- Balance on hand December 31, 1867—Construction account, $73,405 10 Balance on hand December 31, 1867, "Island above One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street, and Public Drive," . . . 22,221 44 Balance on hand December 31, 1867, "Claims against old Commissioners for laying out city north of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street," . . . . . . . . . 7,038 32 Balance on hand December 31, 1867, "Eighty-first street, 3,902 18 Balance on hand December 31, 1867, "Seventh avenue," 22,994 80 Balance on hand December 31, 1867, "Mount Morris square," 4,848 49 ----------------- Balance on hand December 31, 1867, . . . . $136,410 33 ========== Dated, NEW YORK, December 31, 1867. ANDREW H. GREEN, Treasurer of the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park. REFERENCE TO THE CENTRAL PARK GUIDE. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GATES. 5th Avenue and 59th Street—The Scholars' Gate. 6th " " 59th " The Artists' Gate. 7th " " 59th " The Artizans' Gate. 8th " " 59th " The Merchants' Gate. 8th " " 72d " The Womens' Gate. 8th " " 79th " The Hunters' Gate. 8th " " 85th " The Mariners' Gate. 8th " " 96th " The Gate of All Saints. 8th " " 100th " The Boys' Gate. 5th " " 72d " The Childrens' Gate. 5th " " 79th " The Miners' Gate. 5th " " 90th " The Engineers' Gate. 5th " " 96th " The Woodman's Gate. 5th " " 102d " The Girls' Gate. 5th " " 110th " The Pioneers' Gate. 6th " " 110th " The Farmers' Gate. 7th " " 110th " The Warriors' Gate. 8th " " 110th " The Strangers' Gate. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. The Pond. 2. Museum and Park Offices. 3. Play Ground. 4. The Green. 5. The Marble Arch. 6. Site of the Shakespeare Monument. 7. The Mall. 8. Oak and Elm, planted by the Prince of Wales. 9. Music Pavilion. 10. Vine-covered Walk. 11. Carriage Concourse. 12. Casino, or Refreshment House. 13. Fountain. 14. The Terrace. 15. The Circle. 16. Site for Refectory. 17. The Lake. 18. The Bow Bridge. 19. Conservatory Lake. 20. Site for Flower-house. 21. Dove Cot. 22. Evergreen Walk. 23. The Cedars.86 24. East Carriage Step—entrance to Ramble. 25. The Ramble. 26. Ladies' Cottages. 27. Gentlemen's Cottage. 28. Schiller's Monument. 29. The Tunnel. 30. Balcony Bridge. 31. West Carriage Step— entrance to Ramble. 32. Spring. 33. The Knoll. 34. Site for the Maze. 35. South Gate House. 36. North Gate House. 37. The West Meadow. 38. The East Meadow. 39. The Nursery. 40. Old Fortification. 41. Mount St. Vincent House of Refreshment. 42. The Loch. 43. The Pool. 44. The Great Hill. 45. Block House, War of 1812. 46. The Cliffs. 47. Harlem Lake. 48. Statue of Commerce. 49. Proposed Belvedere. 50. Croton Board House. 51. Children's Summer House and Play Ground. 52. The Briars. 53. Bronze Statue of the Tigress. 54. Ball Players' House. 55. Croquet Players' House. 56. Mineral Spring. a. Arbor. c. Cascade. s. Summer House. d. Drinking Fountain. h. Drinking Place for Horses. b. Bridge, or Archway. l. Boat Landing. u. Urinal Length of carriage roads completed, 9 435/1000 miles. Length of bridle roads completed, 5 503/1000 miles. Length of walks completed, 27 443/1000 miles. 87 APPENDIX A. ~~~~~~~~ NEW YORK, October 28, 1867. ANDREW H. GREEN, Esq., Comptroller of Central Park: DEAR SIR,—The undersigned citizens of the United States, many of whom are temporarily residing in Europe, have great pleasure in presenting, through you, to the Central Park, the bronze statue of the "Tigress," heroic size, the master-piece of Cain, the celebrated French sculptor in animals, F. Barbedienne, fondeur, Paris. Its vigorous execution and acknowledged artistic merit, we trust, will entitle it to be considered by the Commissioners of Central Park as worthy of occupying a prominent position in the pleasure grounds to which every American points with pride. We are, My dear Sir, Very respectfully yours, S. F. B. MORSE, JOHN JAY, WILLIAM T. BLODGETT, JAMES MCKAYE, CHAS. S. P. BOWLES, ERNEST TUCKERMAN, ROBERT HOE, JOHN S. KENNEDY, W. W. CLARKE, JOHN A. HALL, CHAS. E. WHITEHEAD, H. G. WARD. ----------- OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS } OF THE CENTRAL PARK. NEW YORK, October 29, 1867. Messrs. S. F. B. MORSE, JOHN JAY, WILLIAM T. BLODGETT, AND OTHERS: GENTLEMEN,—Your note of yesterday, presenting to the Central Park a bronze statue of the "Tigress," is received. The Commissioners of the Park accept this munificent gift with peculiar gratification, 88 as well for its artistic merit, as an evidence of the public spirit and discriminating taste of the absent citizens who thus effectively co-operate with those at home in the intention to place our City in the same rank in the field of literature and art that she occupies in the affairs of commerce. The artist, by the freedom, vigor, and commanding expression with which he has treated his subject, has placed himself among the first of the school of sculpture to which it belongs—a school especially adapted to the landscape of the Park. The design, its execution, and the liberal disposition of its donors, among whom I recognize with pleasure names widely known in this community, as influential promoters of the interests of art, all combine to render this addition to the Park collection the subject of especial interest and regard. The Commissioners of the Park are very happy to be able to place it in the grounds under their charge, where its merits will long command the popular admiration, and where its example will be an enduring invitation to similar liberalities, I am, gentlemen, With great respect, ANDW. H. GREEN, Comptroller of the Park. 89 APPENDIX B. Statement in detail of the gifts, devises, and bequests during the past year for the purpose of embellishing or ornamenting the Park, and of the names of the persons by whom the same are so given, devised, or bequeathed: Miscellaneous. 1867. Jan. 3. One Oil-painting, "View of Dover Cliffs," presented by Master James T. Montgomery, Harlem, N. Y. April 8. One Matthews Medal, presented by Mr. Charles Muller, New York. " 17. A collection of Minerals, presented by Mr. William R. Jenkins, New York. " 18. One Oil-painting, "Head of Flores Bull," presented by Miss Amelia Inez Ludlow, New York. May 17. One Water color "Deer's-head," presented by Miss Amelia Inez Ludlow, New York. June 19. Bronze,—Cast of a "New York Fireman," presented by "E. S. C." " 26. Bronze, —"Harsen Medal," presented by Gordon Buck, M.D., New York. July 15. "Father Mathew" Medal, presented by Mr. Thomas Booth, New York. " 15. Schiller Medal, presented by Mr. W. A. Conklin, New York. " 25. "Masonic Temple" Medal, presented by Mr. W. A. G. Horton, New York. " 25. Ten Medals, presented by Mr. William A. Conklin, New York. Aug. 24. Lithograph of Australian Chief, " Simon," and one Australian Boomerang, presented by Mrs. Oldham, New York.90 Sept. 21. Two Fountain Ornaments, presented by Messrs. Miller and Coats, New York. " 21. Plaster Cast of Head and Bust, presented by Mr. Charles J. Innes. " 25. Birch Bark Canoe, presented by Messrs. Buck and Pendar, Newport, Vt. Oct. 21. Siamese Canoe, presented by Mr. William M. Tileston, New York. " 28. Bronze Statue of Tigress and Cubs. Dec. 10. Marble Statue of Boy Protecting Dog, presented by A. K. Gardner, M.D., New York. --------- Botanical. 1867. April 4. One package Bearsfoot Plant Seeds, presented by Mr. Thomas Ingham, New York. " 11. One hundred and fifty-five Plants, presented by Mr. James Lenox, New York. May 2. One package Water-lily Seeds, presented by Mrs. Sarah P. Mather, New York. " 15. Twenty-five packages Sandwich Island Seeds, presented by Mr. John T. Doyle, San Francisco. " 17. One hundred and ninety-eight Plants, presented by Mr. James Lenox, New York. June 1. Three packages Seeds, presented by Mr. Alexander Melville, New York. " 6. Five Plants, presented by Capt. N. Collins, U.S.N. " 6. One box Seeds, presented by John P. Green, M.D., Copiapo, Chili, Sept. 3. Thirty-two packages Seeds, presented by John P. Green, M.D., Copiapo, Chili. " 28. One package Seeds, presented by Mr. John H. Wyman, New York. " 30. Seventy-one Plants, presented by William G. Wood, M.D., Harlem, N. Y. Oct. 23. One Plant, "Diffenbachia Picta," presented by Mr. Ch. W. Turba, New York. Nov. 5. Sixteen bulbs "Lilium Candeum," presented by Mr. William Carr, New York. 91 Dec. 5. Two Cedars of Lebanon, presented by Mr. Arthur Leary, New York. " 11. One Herbarium, consisting of 1,325 specimens, presented by Mr. Frank A. Pollard, New York, " 20. Three Acorns of "Quercus Macrocarpa," presented by Miss Minnie Willard, Philadelphia, Pa. " 20. Eighteen packages Seed from India, nine packages Seed from South Africa, presented by Capt. N. Collins, U. S. Navy. --------- Animals. 1867. Jan. 2. One Opossum (D), presented by Master William Shelley, New York. " 12. One Rabbit (D), presented by Mr. William Astor, Jr., New York. " 28. One Hawk (D), presented by Mr. Louis H. Weinman, New York. " 28. One Virginia Horned Owl, presented by Mr. James H. Roome, New York. Feb. 8. One Armadillo (D), presented by Mr. Abram J. Dovale, New York. " 8. One Angola Rabbit (D), presented by Mr. Frederick P. Smith, New York. " 8. Two S. A. Whitefaced Monkeys (1 D). " 11. One Arctic Owl (D), presented by Mr. Robert L. Maitland, Jr., New York. " 26. One Hawk, presented by Mr. W. Pubenbring, New York. " 26. One Gallinule, presented by Capt. Edward E. Vaill. " 26. One pair Silver Pheasant, one English Male Pheasant, presented by Mr. Robert L. Maitland, Jr., New York. March 2. One Raccoon, presented by Mr. Albert A. Brockway, New York. " 19. One Owl, presented by Henry F. Quackenbos, M.D., New York. April 2. One American Elk or Wapiti, presented by Hon. J. D. Caton, Illinois. " 5. One Sea Gull, presented by Engine Company No. 17, New York.92 April 9. One pair of Swamp Turtles, presented by Master Duncan Emmet, New York. " 12. One Owl (D), presented by Mr. H. P. Hover, Milertown, N. Y. " " One Marmozet (D.), presented by Mr. Juan E. Serrano, New York. " 17. One Eagle (D.), presented by Mr. W. S. Hartshorne, New York. " 18. One Black Rabbit, presented by Mr. Herman H. Von Dreele, New York. " 22. One Rabbit, presented by Mr. Joseph Ogle, New York. " 24. Two Spectacle Bears, presented by Hon. A. A. Burton. Lancaster, Ky. (1 D). " 26. One Quail (D.), presented by Mrs. Elizabeth Hubbley, New York. " 29. Three Horned Toads, presented by Mr. Charles Boorman, New York. May 1. One Guinea Pig, presented by Miss Annie Beattie, New York. " 7. One Gannet (D.), presented by Mr. Sering Potter, Jr., New York. " 13. One Red Fox (D.), presented by Master Otto Kramer, New York. " 16. Two Red Squirrels, presented by Masters Charles and John Brown, New York. " 17. One Black Bear, one Prairie Wolf, presented by Hon. J, D. Caton, Illinois. " 29. One Water Hen, presented by Mr. Edward Marwedel, New York. June 3. One Gold Fish, presented by Master Frank Stoutenburgh. " 6. One Civet Cat, presented by Capt. N. Collins, U. S. N. Three Pair English Skylarks, presented by Mr. J. Jones, New York. " 7. One Deer, presented by Mr. E. W. Turner. " 8. Two Peacocks, two Pea Hens, presented by Mr. Joseph Dixon, New York. " 10. One Hawk, presented by Mr. John Wisnowski, New York. " 11. One Esquimaux Dog, presented by Mr. S. Whitney Phœnix. " 15. Three Pair English Skylarks, presented by Mr. J. Jones, New York. 93 June 15. One Pair Mountain Geese, presented by Capt. N. Collins, U. S. N. "19. Two Purple Gallinules (D.), presented by Capt. Joseph E. Corson. " 22. One Mexican Coatimundi, presented by Master George B. Walter, Jr. " 25. One Curassow (D.), presented by Mr. Lewis Joel, Angostura, Venezuela. July 1. One Great Horned Owl (D.), presented by Master Hiram C. Calkins, New York. " 2. One Monkey (D.), presented by Mr. Alfred L. Baker, New York. " 9. One Pair Box Turtles, presented by Master Alfred R. Leonard, New York. " 12. One Gray Squirrel, presented by Mr. G. Sigel, New York. " 20. One Java Monkey, presented by Mr. Robert B. Boyd, New York. "25. Two Small Black Bears, presented by Bt. Lt. Col. Horatio B. Reed, Harrisonburg, Va. Aug. 15. One Wild Cat, one Silver Gray Fox (D.), presented by Capt. M. S. Woodhull. " 19. Four Turtles (2 D.), presented by Mr. George Mixer. " " One Deer, presented by Mr. Thomas W. Palmer, Stonington, Ct. " 23. One Eagle, presented by Mr. Benjamin Hall, Brooklyn. " 24. One Red Fox (D.), presented by Messrs. Coughlan, Rundle & Co., New York. Sept. 3. One Silver Gray Fox, presented by Mr. Sylvanus Carter, Ellsworth, Maine. " 3. One Agouti, presented by Mr. George Mills, New York. " 7. One White Rat, one Striped Ground Squirrel, presented by Mr. Hugh Mitchell, New York. " 11. One Flores Cow and Calf, presented by Charles W. Dabney, Esq., U. S. Consul at Azores. " 18. One Monkey, presented by Mr. W. K. Crick, Brooklyn. " 20. One Fox Squirrel, presented by Mr. A. A. Rice, New York. " 21. One Mexican Parrot, presented by Master James Klaver, New York. " 26. One Raccoon, presented by Mr. Henry Hammock, New York. 94 Sept. 27. One Hawk, presented by Mr. Ely M. Boggs, Cleveland, Ohio. " 30. One Penelope, presented by Mr. John Fl Baldwin, New York. " " One Marmozet, presented by Albert H. Gallatin, M. D., New York. " " One Deer, presented by Mr. Charles H. Ludington, New York. " " One Red Fox, presented by Mr. Stephen Lownsbay, New York. Oct. 7. One Pigeon, presented by Miss Malina Durand, New Jersey. " 9. One Galeated Curassow, presented by Mr. Royal Phelps, New York. " 12. One Red Fox, presented by Masters Franklin and Charles Benner, Astoria, L. I. " 15. Two Curassows, two Penelopes, presented by Admiral S. W. Godon, U. S. N. " " Two Ring Doves, presented Mr. Eugene D. Miller, New Jersey. " 16. One Pair Wild Rabbits, presented by Mr. Henry H. Thompson, New York. " 18. Two Hawks, presented by Messrs. Clark Brothers, New Haven, Conn. " 22. One Red Fox. " 23. Eighteen Box Turtles, presented by Mr. William H. Radford, New York. " 28. One Ring-tail Monkey, presented by Masters Simeon and Fred. Leland, New York. " " Two Eagles. Nov. 2. One Black Squirrel, presented by Master George Adams, New York. " 4. One White Rat, presented by Mr. S. Beebe, Brooklyn. " 11. One Mocking Bird, presented by Master Lewis E. Smith, New York. " 12. One Ring-tail Monkey, presented by Mr. James L. Jackson, Jr., New York. " 13. One Robin, presented by Mr. John Fagin. " 14. One Virginia Horned Owl, presented by Mr. E. Willard Smith, Detroit, Mich. 95 Nov. 17. Two Mexican Deer (1 D.), presented by Mr. Guillermo T. Prichard, Mexico. " 20. One Robin, Presented by Mrs. C. O. Turbin, New York. " " One Syrian Eagle, presented by George E. Post, M. D., Beyrout, Syria. " 21. One Pair Opossums, presented by Mr. Thomas Farran, New York. " 21. One Spotted Axis Deer, presented by Capt. N. Collins, U. S. N. " 25. One Boa Constrictor, presented by Mr. C. Fred. Hartt, New York. " 26. One Silver Gray Fox, presented by Messrs. Bennett & Co., Beaufort, S. C. " 30. One Deer, presented by Mr. G. F. D. Lanier, New York. " " One Monkey, presented by Masters James and Arthur Eyre, New York. " " One Curassow, presented by Mr. A. Joel, New York. Dec. 3. Two Mexican Coatimundi, presented by Master Freddie Swinburne, Staten Island. " " One Moongus (D.), presented by Mr. E. Brown, New York. " 14. Two Lop-eared Rabbits, one Common Rabbit, presented by Messrs. J. W. Mount and W. U. Reynolds. The letter D, opposite the donation, denotes that it is dead. The above are in good condition, except otherwise noted.96 Appendix C. A detailed statement of the Living Animals in captivity, and Mammalia, that have bred on the Central Park during the year 1867: Mammalia. 511 Specimens. Order: QUADRUMANA. 9 specimens. Family: Simia. Genus: Circopithecus. 1 specimen. Genus: Cynocephalus. 1 specimen, Chacma Baboon, C. Pocarius. Family: Cebidus. Genus: Cebus. 6 specimens, 3 species, 3 White-breasted Sajous, C. Hypoleucus; 1 Brown Sajou, C. Apella; 2 Sai, C. Capucinus. Genus: Iacchus. 1 specimen, Titi, Simia Sciurea. Order: CARNIVORA. 44 specimens. Tribe: Plantigrada. Genus: Ursus. 6 specimens, 2 species, 5 American Black Bears, U. Americanus; 1 Spectacled Bear, of New Granada, U. Ornatus. Genus: Viverra. 5 specimens, 2 species, 4 Brown Coatimundi, V. Nasua Narcia; 1 Red Coatimundi, V. Nasua Rufa. Genus: Procyon. 6 specimens, Raccoon, P. Lotor. Genus: Taxidea. 1 specimen, American Badger, T. Americanus. Tribe: Digitigrada. Genus: Felis. 1 specimen, Ocelot, F. Pardalis. Genus: Lynx. 1 specimen, Texas Wild Cat, L. Rufus, Var. Maculatus. Genus: Canis . 19 specimens, 5 species, 10 Prairie Wolves, C. Latrans; 6 Esquimaux Dogs, C. Familiaris, Var. Borealis; 1 English Greyhound, C. 97 Familiaris; 1 Shepherd's Dog, C. Familiaris; 1 Alpine Mastiff, C. Familiaris. Genus: Vulpes. 5 specimens, 2 species, 1 Gray Fox, V. Virginianus; 4 Red Foxes, V. Fulvus. Order: MARSPIALA. 2 specimens. Genus: Didelphis. 2 specimens, Common Opossum, D. Virginiana. Order: RODENTIA. 251 specimens. Genus: Sciurus. 13 specimens, 5 species, 2 varieties, 3 Southern Fox Squirrels, S. Vulpinus; 1 Fox or Cat Squirrel, S. Cinereus; 4 Gray Squirrels, S. Carolinensis; 2 Black Squirrels, S. Carolinensis, Var. Niger; 2 Red Squirrels, S. Hudsonius; 1 Costa Rica Squirrel. Genus: Tamias. 1 specimen, Striped Squirrel, or Chipmunk, T. Striatus. Genus: Cynomys. 2 specimens, Short-tailed Prairie Dog, C. Gunnisonii. Genus: Arctomys. 1 specimen, Woodchuck, or Ground Hog, A. Monax. Genus: Mus. 202 specimens, 2 species, 2 White Rats; 200 White Mice. Genus: Cavia. 25 specimens, Guinea Pigs, C. Cobaya. Genus: Lepus. 5 specimens, 3 varieties, Rabbits. Genus: Dasyprocta. 2 specimens, Common Agouti, D. Acuti. Order: PACHYDERMATA. 7 specimens. Genus: Tapirus. 1 specimen, American Tapir, T. Americanus. Genus: Sus. 2 specimens, Japanese Hog. Genus: Dicotyles. 4 specimens, Collared Peccary or Mexican Hog, D. Torquatus (sus Tajassu). Order: RUMINANTIA. 198 specimens. Family: Cervidœ. Genus: Cervus. 19 specimens, 3 species, 2 American Elk or Wapiti, C. Canadensis; 16 Virginia Deer, C. Virginianus; 1 Mexican Deer, C. Mexicanus. Genus: Axis. 1 specimen, Axis Deer, A. Maculata. Family: Cavicornia. Genus: Ovis. 164 specimens, 2 species, 1 Cape or broad-tailed African Sheep; 163 South down Sheep, O. Aries. Genus: Capra. 1 specimen Domestic Goat.98 Genus: Bos. 10 specimens, 3 species, 4 Cape Buffaloes, B. Caffer; 4 Flores Cattle; 3 Kerry Cattle. Family: Camelidœ Genus: Camelus. 3 specimens, Dromedary or African Camel, C. Dromedarius. Aves. 339 specimens. Order: RAPACIÆ. 36 specimens. Family: Falconidœ. Genus: Accipiter. 2 specimens, Hawks. Genus: Buteo. 3 specimens, 2 species, 2 Red-tailed Hawks, B. borealis; 1 Hawk, B. ———. Genus: Archibuteo. 1 specimen, Rough-legged Hawk, A. Lagopus. Genus: Aquila. 1 specimen, Imperial Eagle, A. Mogilnik. Genus: Haliœtus. 18 specimens, Bald-headed Eagle, H. Leucocephalus. Genus: Thrasœtus. 1 specimen, Harpy Eagle, T. Destructor. Family: Strigidœ. Genus: Strix. 2 specimens, Barn Owl, S. Pratincola. Genus: Bubo. 8 specimens, Great Horned Owl, B. Virginianus. Order: PAPPERINÆ. 9 specimens. Family: Turdiœ. Genus: Turdus. 4 specimens, 3 species, 1 English Blackbird, T. Merula; 1 Central American Robin, T. infuscatus; 2 Common Robins, T. migratorius. Family: Liotrichidœ. Genus: Mimus. 1 specimen, Mocking Bird, M. Polyglottus. Family: Fingillidœ. Genus: Cyanospiza. 1 specimen, Indigo Bird, C. Cyanea. Genus: Cardeulis. 1 specimen, Canary Bird, C. Canaria. Family: Corvidœ. Genus: Corvus. 1 specimen, Common Crow, C. Americanus. Genus: Pica. 1 specimen, Magpie, P. Caudata. Order: SCANSCORIÆ. 10 specimens. Genus: Ara. 1 specimen, Red Macaw, A. Aracanga. Genus: Cacatua. 2 specimens, Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, C. Sulphurea. 99 Genus: Conurus. 5 specimens, 2 species, Paroquets. Genus: Psittacus. 2 specimens, 2 species, 1 Mexican Parrot, 1 Parrot. Order: GALLINACIÆ. 150 specimens. Sub-order: COLUMBÆ. Genus: Streptopelia. 19 specimens, 2 varieties, 17 Ringdoves, S. Rosoria (Linn.); 2 Ringdoves, S. Risoria, var. alb. Sub-order: GALLINÆ. Genus: Pavo. 50 specimens, Pea Fowl, P. Cristatus. Genus: Numida. 54 specimens, 2 varieties, Guinea Fowl, 52 Gray, 2 White, N. Meleagris. Genus: Phasianus. 8 specimens, 2 species, 1 English Pheasant, P. Colchicus; 7 Sebright Bantams. Genus: Gallophasis. 3 specimens, 2 varieties, 2 Silver Pheasants, G. Nycthemerus; 1 Hybrid Pheasant. Genus: Lophortyx. 3 specimens, California Valley Quail, L. Californicus. Genus: Penelope. 5 specimens, 2 varieties, Penelopes, P. Cristatus. Genus: Ourax. 1 specimen, Galeated Curassow, O. Pauxi. Genus: Crax. 7 specimens, 2 species, Curassows, 5 C. Globicera; 2 C. Alector, var. Fasciolata (Spix). Order: GRALLATORLÆ. 6 specimens. Genus: Nyctiardea. 1 specimen, Heron, N. Gardeni (Gm). Genus: Tigrisoma. 2 specimens, Tiger Bitterns, T. Brasiliense. Genus: Ciconia. 1 specimen, White Stork, C. Alba. Genus: Cancroma. 1 specimen, Arapapa or Boat-bill, C. Cochlearia. Genus: Rallus. 1 specimen, Rail, R. ———. Order: PALMIPIDES. 128 specimens. Genus: Cygnus. 65 specimens, 2 species, 1 Trumpeter Swan, C. Buccinator; 64 White European Swans, C. Olor. Genus: Cygnopsis. 20 specimens, 2 varieties, 7 White and 1 Gray Chinese Swan Geese, C. Sinensis. Genus: Anser. 1 specimen, African Mountain Goose. Genus: Bernicla. 6 specimens, Canada or Wild Geese, B. Canadensis. Genus: Cairina. 35 specimens, 2 varieties, 19 Brazilian Ducks, 16 Hybrid Ducks. Genus; Chroicocephalus. 1 specimen, Gull, C ———.100 Reptilia. 29 specimens. Order: CHELONIA. 23 specimens. Genus: Cistudo. 16 specimens, Box Turtle, C. Virginea. Genus: Emys. 2 specimens, Carolina Terrapins. Genus: Chrysemys. 1 specimen, Painted Turtle, C. Picta, Gray. Genus: Thyrosternum. 3 specimens, Mud Tortoise, T. Pennsylvanicum, Ag. Genus: Chelydra. 1 specimen, Common Snapping Turtle, C. Serpentina. Order: SAURIA. 3 specimens. Genus: Alligator. 3 specimens, Common Alligator, A. Mississippiensis. Order: OPHIDIA. 3 specimens. Genus: Eunectes. 1 specimen, Anaconda, E. Marinus. Genus: Chilabothrus. 2 specimens, Jamaica Yellow Snake, C. Inosnatus. 101 SUMMARY. Mammalia. Aves. Reptilia. Quadrumana 9 Rapaciæ 36 Chelonia 23 Carnivora 44 Passerinæ 9 Sauria 3 Marsupialia 2 Scansoriæ 10 Ophidia 3 Rodentia 251 Gallinaciæ 150 Pachydermata 7 Grallatoriæ 6 Ruminantia 198 Palmipides 128 Total 511 Total 339 Total 29 GRAND TOTAL. Mammalia 511 Aves 339 Reptilia 29 Living collection 879 NUMBER OF ORDERS, GENERA, AND VARIETIES. Orders. Genera. Varieties. Mammalia 6 30 54 Aves 6 38 52 Reptilia 3 8 8 Totals 15 76 114102 LIST OF SPECIES EXHIBITED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THE CENTRAL PARK, DURING THE YEAR 1867. Mammalia. QUADRUMANA. Sai Monkey, Cebus Capucinus. Brazil. Tee-tee Monkey, Callithrix. Central America. CARNIVORA. Spectacled Bear, Ursus Ornatus. Central America. Civet. Viverra Civetta. Asia. Moongus, Hespestes Griseus. Asia. St. Bernard Dog, Canis Familiaris. Switzerland. RODENTIA. Red Squirrel, Sciurus Hudsonius. North America. EDENTATA. Armadillo, Dasypus Novemcinctus. South America. PACHYDERMATA. Japanese Hog, Sus ——. Japan. RUMINANTIA. Axis Deer, Axis Maculata. India. Kerry Cattle, Bos. Ireland. --- Aves. RAPACLÆ. Imperial Eagle, Aquila Mogilnik. Asia. PAPPERINÆ. Mocking Bird, Mimus Polyglottus. North America. GALLINACIÆ. English Pheasant, Phasianus Colchicus. China. Silver Pheasant, Gallophasis Nycthemerus. China. Galeated Curassow, Ourax Pauix. South America. GRALLATORIÆ. Purple Gallinule, Gallinula Martinica. North America. PALMIDES. Gull, Chroicocephalus. North America. 103 Reptilia. CHELONIA. Carolina Terrapin, Emys. North America. Painted Turtle, Chrysemys Picta. North America. Mud Tortoise, Thryosternum Pennsylvanicum. North America. SAURIA, Horned Toad, Phrynosoma Cornuta. North America. LIST OF SPECIES THAT HAVE BRED IN THE CENTRAL PARK FOR THE YEAR 1867. Mammalia Number bred. 6 Prairie Wolf, Canis Latrans. North America. 4 Esquimaux Dog, Cani Familiaris. North America. 300 White Mice, Mus. Europe. 40 Guinea Pig, Cavia Cobaya. South America. 2 Collared Peccary, Dicotyles Torquatus. South America. 3 Viriginia Deer, Cervus Virignianus. North America. 95 Southdown Sheep, Ovis Aries. England. Aves. 16 Ring Dove, Streptopelia Risoria. North America. 29 Pea Fowl, Pavo Cristatus. Asia. 100 Guinea Fowl, Numida Meleagris. Guinea. 4 Sebright Bantams, Phasianus. Java. 27 White Swans, Cygnus Olor. G. Britain. 30 Brazilian Black Ducks, Cairina. Brazil.104 APPENDIX d. OBSERVATORY. Latitude 40°, 45', 58" north. Longitude 73°, 57', 58" west. Height of ground above the sea 44 feet. Height of instrument above the ground 24 " Height of instrument above the sea 68 " METEOROLOGICAL TABLE No. 1. Table showing the observed heights of the Barometer, monthly, for the year 1867. MONTH, Mean at Mean at Mean at Month Difference 1867. 7 A. M. 2 P. M. 9 P. M. mean. Maximum. Minimum. or range. January . . 29.865 29.855 29.858 29.859 30.454 29.354 1.100 February . . 30.100 30.082 29.734 29.972 30.941 29.312 1.692 March . . . 29.734 30.013 30.043 29.930 30.471 29.431 1.040 April. . . . . 29.994 29.934 29.959 29.962 30.383 29.380 1.003 May. 29.894 29.860 29.886 29.880 30.453 29.051 1.402 June. . . 30.099 30.085 30.088 30.101 30.362 29.663 0.699 July . . . 30.015 30.006 30.015 30.012 30.340 29.742 0.598 August. . . 30.060 30.039 30.049 30.049 30.302 29.710 0.592 September. . . 30.162 30.120 30.138 30.140 30.513 29.703 0.810 October. . . . . 30.099 30.060 30.078 30.079 30.512 29.643 0.869 November. . . 30.038 29.990 30.019 30.016 30.364 29.353 1.011 December 30.048 30.019 30.039 30.035 30.593 29.542 1.051 Year mean, at 7 A. M., of 1,095 observations 30.009 Year mean, at 2 P. M., of 1,095 observations 30.005 Year mean, at 9 P. M., of 1,095 observations 29.992 Year mean of 3,285 observations 30.002 Maximum for the year 30.941 at 2 P. M. of February 11. Minimum for the year 29.051 at 2 P. M. of May 8. Difference or range 1.890 105 METEOROLOGICAL TABLE No. 2. Table showing the state of the Thermometer, monthly, for the year 1867. MONTH, FORENOON. AFTERNOON. 1867 . No. of Mean. No. of Mean. Month Maximum. Minimum. Difference or observations. observations. mean. range. January . . . . 274 20.44 287 24.18 22.31 39.00 1.50 37.50 February . . . . 267 34.04 284 37.99 36.01 54.20 12.00 42.20 March . . . . . . 349 32.87 303 36.15 34.51 54.20 18.00 36.20 April 328 46.00 315 51.25 48.62 69.50 32.50 37.00 May 358 51.55 359 56.39 53.97 80.10 32.00 48.10 June. . . . . . . . 356 64.09 358 70.17 67.13 85.00 46.00 39.00 July . . . . . 372 68.30 372 73.32 70.81 89.00 56.50 32.50 August . . . . . 360 68.29 366 72.17 70.23 85.30 51.50 33.80 September . . 335 61.70 342 66.14 63.92 81.00 44.00 37.00 October . . . . 371 51.31 363 57.06 54.18 75.00 37. 80 37.20 November. . . . . 346 43.29 345 45.76 44.52 65.40 20.00 45.40 December . . . . 351 27.33 365 31.02 29.17 50.00 3.80 46.20 Year mean, in forenoon, of 4,067 observations 47.43 Year mean, in afternoon, of 4,059 observations 51.80 Year mean of 8,126 observations 49.61 Maximum during the year 89.00 at 4 P. M. of July 4. Minimum during the year 1.50 at 6 A. M. of January 30. Difference or range 87.50106 METEOROLOGICAL TABLE No. 3 Table showing the durations and depths of rain and snow, monthly, during the year 1867. RAIN. No. of days on MONTH. which rain DURATION Depth in Total depth 1867. occurred. Days. Hours. Minutes. inches. in inches. REMARKS. January ................................................................................................................. No rain in January. February 11 2 21 27 4.34 4.34 March 9 3 6 20 2.36 6.70 April 13 3 16 59 2.24 8.94 May 15 4 4 37 5.76 14.70 June 16 5 11 03 10.48 25.18 July 15 2 11 59 3.90 29.08 August 18 4 . . . . 01 7.93 37.01 September 8 . . . . 6 52 0.84 37.85 October 11 2 16 34 4.15 42.00 November 9 1 22 21 1.83 43.85 December 7 . . . . 17 20 2.27 Totals 132 31 15 33 45 10 45.10 8.03 Depth of water produced from snow. 53.13 Total depth of rain and melted snow for year 1867. SNOW. No. of days on Depth of water REMARKS. MONTH. which snow DURATION Depth in Total depth produced 1867. occurred. Days. Hours. Minutes. inches. in inches. in inches. January 9 2 1 30 30.50 30.50 2.646 February 4 2 2 10 20.45 50.75 1.698 March 11 3 . . . . 34 24.00 74.75 2.101 Depth not measureable, April 1 . . . . . . . . 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . a few flakes only. May 1 . . . . 1 16 0.37 75.12 0. 031 November 2 . . . . . . . . 48 . . . . . . . . . . . . December 8 1 19 15 17.20 92.32 1.554 Totals 36 9 1 44 92.32 . . . . 8.030 107 METEOROLOGICAL TABLE NO. 4. Table showing the number of Igneous Meteors observed, monthly, during the year 1867. Shooting Stars. Months, Number Full particulars Fire Balls. Areolites. Remarks. 1867. observed. obtained of. January 16 15 February 4 4 March .......................................................................... Not one observed in March. April 5 4 May 11 10 June 3 3 July 5 5 August 262 62 ............................................. Of this number 198 were observed September 25 4 on the 12th. October 8 4 November 335 8 .............................................. 334 of these were observed on night December 3 3 1* of 13th and morning of 14th. Total 677 122 1 * PARTICULARS. Time of observation, 6 + 47 A. M. of 19th. Position, N., 82 degrees W., and 47 degrees above horizon. Course, about S., 18 degrees W. and downward, at angle of 30 degrees with horizon. Velocity, moderate and uniform. Distance travelled, 26 degrees. Size, fully four times that of Jupiter. Shape, spherical, and not changeable. Color, whitish-yellow of great brilliancy; lower part tinged with brilliant blue. Time visible, two and a quarter seconds. Scintillation, none; left no luminons train behind.108 METEOROLOGICAL TABLE No. 5. Table showing the number of Luminous Meteors observed, monthly, during the year 1867. Months, 1867. Solar. Lunar. Rainbows. Paraselenæ. Polar Lights. Total. Glories. Halos. Glories. Halos. Single. Double. Mock Mooms. January 1* 1 ... 4 ... ... ... ... ... 6 February 1 1 1 3 ... ... ... ... ... 6 March 11 2 ... 1 ... ... ... ... 1 15 April 21 2 2 7 ... ... ... ... 1 33 May 18 1 ... 1 ... ... 6 ... 2 28 June. 12 ... ... 2 ... ... 11 16 ... 41 July 13 ... ... ... 2 2 6 4 1 28 August 6 ... ... ... 1 2 1 4 ... 14 September 13 ... ... 1 ... ... 1 3 4 22 October 14 ... ... 1 1 ... 5 11 5 37 November 5 ... 1 ... ... ... 1 2 ... 9 December ... ... ... 2 ... ... 1† 4 ... 7 Total 115 7 4 22 4 4 32 44 14 246 * This was observed at 4 P. M. of 19th. Diameter 22 degrees. It was very grand. † This was observed at 3.34 1-2 A. M. of 21st. It, with its two mock moons, were very peculiar and beautiful. 109 METEOROLOGICAL TABLE No. 6. Table showing the number of Thunder Storms, monthly, and the days on which they occurred, during the year 1867. Months, Number of Storms. Days on which they occurred. Number of Days. Remarks. 1867. January February 2 2d, 9th 2 March April 2 20th, 22d* 2 * Two thunder clouds from N. W. and S. W. met. Thunder loud, and lightning terribly severe. May 5 1st, 13th, 14th†, 29th 4 † Two storms. June 2 16th, 18th 2 July 8 4th, 5th, 6th, 9th, 12th, 19th, 26th, 28th 8 August 6 9th, 10th, 14th‡, 15th, 19th, 29th 6 ‡ Thunder distant, but lightning seen and thunder heard. Rain present. September October 1 11th 1 November December Total 26 25 The lightning, generally, was very mild.110 METEOROLOGICAL TABLE No. 7. Table showing the temperatures (Fahrenheit) of springs and Croton water for eight months of the year 1867. MONTH, SPRINGS. CROTON WATER, UNDER BRIDGE 3. 1867. Base of Knoll. Base of Great Hill. Rustle Bridge at head of Harlem Lake. Days. Hour, A. M. Hour, A. M. Hour, A. M. Hour, A. M. Ther. in open air. Ther. in open air. Ther. in open air. Ther. in open air. Ther. in water. Ther. in water. Ther. in water. Ther. in water. Difference. Difference. Difference. Difference. January February March April May 13 9.5 60.0 47.5 12.5 10.15 63.3 48.1 15.2 10.45 56.3 46.0 10.3 June 5 10.10 69.5 49.1 20.4 11 30 79.0 50.2 28.8 11.50 78.0 48.5 29.5 9.20 72.3 55.5 16.8 July 5 10.5 81.6 52.5 29.1 10 36 77.3 52.7 24.6 10.55 72 3 51.0 21.3 9.30 79.8 63.8 16.0 August 5 10.5 77.0 55.0 22.0 11.25 83.1 55.8 27.6 11.50 79.0 55.0 24.0 9.30 76.4 65.8 10.6 September 5 10.10 80.0 56.0 24.0 11.15 78.0 56.0 22.0 11.30 74.5 56.5 18.0 9.40 79.5 66.5 13.0 October 3 9 11 61.5 56.2 5.3 10.40 68.0 56.0 12.0 11.05 69.0 57.1 11.9 8.35 59.2 59.2 November 6 10 0 45.4 52.0 6.6 11 06 44.0 50.3 6.3 11.22 47.0 56.0 8.3 9.27 45.4 52.0 6.6 December 4 10.45 32.5 48.0 15.5 11.22 38.0 45.5 7.5 Noon. 33 5 53.0 19.5 10.15 34.0 42.0 8.0 NOTE.—From the above it may be seen, that in May, June, July, August, September, and October, the temperatures of the waters were below that of the air, with the exception of the Croton water, in October, when there was no difference. In November and December the temperatures of the waters were above that of the air. The waters of the lakes and ponds were, during the year, unusually pure, and that supplied from the Croton reservoirs, was almost free from sediment and all other impurities 111 METEOROLOGICAL TABLE No. 8. Table showing the number of observations made and recorded, monthly, during the year 1867. MONTH, Barometrical. Igneous Meteors. Thunder Storms. Total. 1867. Thermometrical. Luminous Meteors. Temperatures of Pysychrometrical. Aerial Meteors. Springs and Croton Hydrometrical. Aqueous Meteors. Water. Miscellaneous. January 93 561 16 6 93 9 4 782 February 84 551 84 4 6 87 15 2 11 844 March 93 652 93 15 95 20 2 11 981 April 90 643 90 5 33 90 14 5 31 1,001 May 93 717 93 11 28 63 16 2 3 37 1,093 June 90 714 90 3 41 90 16 8 4 46 1,102 July 95 744 93 5 28 124 15 6 4 33 1,147 August 94 736 93 262 14 124 18 4 42 1,387 September 95 677 90 90 25 22 121 8 1 4 32 1,165 October 93 734 93 93 8 37 124 11 4 19 1,216 November 90 691 90 93 335 9 121 12 4 22 1,467 December 93 716 93 90 3 7 124 15 4 11 1,156 Totals 1,103 8,136 1,002 366 677 246 1,286 169 26 31 299 13,341CIRCULAR. OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CENTRAL PARK, 31 Nassau Street, New York, October 20, 1867. The Commissioners of the Central Park, carrying out their intention with respect to out of door exercises on the Play Grounds of the Park, as heretofore communicated to the Board of Education, have, during the past three years, endeavored, by observation, to determine to what extent these exercises can be allowed without injury to the lawns, and without impairing their attractiveness in the landscape. It is intended to confine the privilege of playing upon the grounds of the Park to children attending the Schools of the City; and it is the desire of the Commissioners of the Park to make this privilege, as far as is practicable, dependent upon regular attendance and good standing of the pupil in the School. To this end, the co-operation of School Officers and Teachers is desired, in order that the advantages of these arrangements may be extended to those only who will use it properly, and that the influence of the teacher may be made available to secure the proper behavior of their pupils while at the Park. It will be readily seen that the large numbers that will desire the use of the grounds will render it essential for the preservation of order that the Regulations of the Park be strictly observed. These Regulations are simple, and intended to secure the convenience and gratification of all. Girls, regularly attending the Public Schools, within the School age, in good standing, are allowed to play at croquet, and such other games or exercise, on the grounds of the Park set apart for that purpose as the Commissioners may approve, on Saturday of each week, from 9 A. M. till sundown, and on Wednesday and Friday, from 1 P. M. till sundown, during the season.114 Applications for permission should be signed by those desiring to play, addressed to the Commissioners of the Central Park, at their Office, 31 Nassau Street, accompanied by a certificate, in the form shown on the next page, signed by the Principal of the School at which they attend. On the receipt of the application and certificate, the necessary permission will be issued. While these arrangements are specifically designed for pupils of the Public Schools, those of private schools making similar applications and bringing a similar certificate from their principles, will be afforded equal advantages on the grounds. The Commissioners of the Park desire that it be expressly understood that these arrangements are still experimental, and that they will be modified or suspended from time to time, or altogether discontinued, as experience may prove necessary for the proper appearance of the Park, or if they are found to conflict with its convenient enjoyment by the general public. ANDW. H. GREEN, Comptroller of the Park. To Principal of Grammar School No. 115 CHAPTER 580. AN ACT To amend an Act entitled, "An Act to amend an Act entitled 'An Act in relation to the Croton Aqueduct in the city of New York, and certain streets in said city,' passed April twenty-seventh, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and to provide for the full execution thereof," passed April seventeenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six. Passed April 23, 1867; three-fifths being present. The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: SECTION 1. Sections one, two, and three of an Act entitled "An Act to amend an Act entitled an Act in relation to the Croton Aqueduct in the city of New York, and certain streets in said city, passed April twenty-seventh, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, and to provide for the full execution thereof," passed April seventeenth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, are hereby amended so as to read as follows: §1. The second section of the Act entitled "An Act in relation to the Croton Aqueduct in the city of New York, and certain streets in said city," passed April 27, 1865, is hereby amended to read as follows: § 2. The grade of the Eighth avenue, between Fifty-ninth and One Hundred and Twenty-second streets, is hereby established as follows: Commencing at an elevation seventy-six feet four inches above the high water line, at the point where the centre line of Fifty-ninth street intersects the centre line of the Eighth avenue, and continuing thence along the centre line of said avenue, on a level line, to the intersection of the centre line 116 of Sixty-sixth street; thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of Sixty-ninth street, at such rate of ascent as to intersect the same at an elevation eighty-eight feet above the high water line; thence on a level line to the intersection of the centre line of Eightieth street; thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of Eighty-fourth street, at such rate of ascent as to intersect the same at an elevation one hundred and six feet above high water line; thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of Eighty-fifth street, at such rate of ascent as to intersect the same at an elevation one hundred and eight feet above the high water line; thence on a level line to the intersection of the centre line of Eighty-seventh street; thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of Ninety-first street, at such rate of ascent as to intersect the same at an elevation one hundred and fifteen feet above the high water line; thence on a level line to the intersection of the centre line of Ninety-second street; thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of One Hundredth street, at such rate of descent as to intersect the same at an elevation eighty-one feet above the high water line; thence on a level line to the intersection of the centre line of One Hundred and Third street; thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of One Hundred and Tenth street, at such rate of descent as to intersect the same at an elevaion forty-five feet above the high water line; and thence on a straight line to the intersection of the centre line of One Hundred and Twenty-second street, at such rate of descent as to intersect the same at an elevation twenty-five feet three inches above the high water line, except that there may be such elevations on the level lines hereby prescribed, not exceeding six inches to one hundred feet, as may be necessary for drainage; and all grades heretofore established for that part of the said avenue are hereby discontinued and abrogated, and the grade established by this Act shall not be changed or altered. The Commissioners of the Central Park shall regulate and grade, pave and flag that part of the said avenue between the centre lines of Seventy-seventh and Eighty-first streets, and also the northerly half of Seventy-seventh street and the southerly half of Eighty-first street, between the Eighth and Ninth avenues, and shall certify the expense 117 thereof, and of an arch or arches or other structure, for a passage way under said Eighth avenue; and also, of adapting the work on the Park to the grade of the said Eighth avenue, established by this Act. And the Board of Supervisors of the county of New York are hereby authorized and directed to raise and collect by tax, the several amounts of money so certified, in the same manner that the other expenses of the city of New York are raised and collected by them. The Street Commissioner of the city of New York shall proceed forthwith to regulate the rest of the said Eighth avenue in conformity with the grade hereby established, and for that purpose shall, within sixty days after the passage of this Act, make one contract for that part of the work between the centre liens of Fifty-ninth and Seventy-seventh streets; one contract for that part of the work between the centre lines of Eighty-first and One Hundredth streets, and one contract for that part of the work between the centre lines of One Hundred and One Hundred and Twenty-second streets; and he shall insert in each contract a provision requiring that the work on the easterly side of the avenue, to the width of about fifty feet, shall be first done; and he shall also insert in each contract a provision that the easterly half of the work shall be finished within one year; and also that the whole work shall be finished within such limit of time as in his opinion is practicable for the full and complete performance of the work under the contract; and also such penalty for each day that may elapse between that limit and the full completion of the work, as in his judgment will secure the prompt and efficient execution of the work. That part of the grading and regulating the said avenue to be done by the Street Commissioner, as herein provided, shall be considered as one improvement, and the expense thereof shall be assessed, collected and paid in the manner now provided by law; such assessment being made upon all the property benefited by the improvement, but not to extend on either side beyond a line four hundred feet from the avenue. § 2. That part of the Eighth avenue between One Hundred and Third street and One Hundred and Seventh street, shall be widened on the map or plan of the city of New York, by adding on the westerly side thereof, a strip of land twenty-five feet 118 wide, so as to make the whole width of that part of the said avenue one hundred and twenty-five feet; provided that the owners of two-thirds of the land to be taken for such widening, shall file with the Commissioners of the Central Park, a written consent that such land be taken; and the addition to the said avenue, to be made by such widening, is hereby declared to be a part of one of the streets or avenues of the city of New York, in like manner, and with the same effect as if the same had been originally laid out as a part of the said avenue in the map plan of the said city; and all Acts and parts of Acts now in force in relation to the widening, laying out, grading, regulating, sewering, paving, and improving streets and avenues in the said city, shall apply to the said part of the said avenue, in its enlarged width, excepts as may be herein otherwise provided. Upon receiving the said consent, the Commissioners of the Central Park are hereby authorized and directed, for, and in behalf of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, and for public use, to apply to the Supreme Court, at any Special Term thereof, held in the First Judicial District, for the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment, for the widening of that part of the Eighth avenue authorized to be widened by this Act; and all laws now in force relative to the widening of streets in the city of New York, so far as the same are not inconsistent with this Act, shall apply to the proceedings for the said widening; and it shall be the duty of the Counsel to the Corporation of the city of New York to preform all necessary legal services in the proceedings authorized by this Act, without any additional compensation, beyond the salary and allowances now provided by law. The assessment for the said widening shall, upon the confirmation of the report of the Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment, become a lien upon the land upon which the assessment is made, and such assessment may be collected and enforced in the manner now provided by law; but no assessment shall be made upon any land more than four hundred feet from the said avenue. § 3. If the said avenue shall be widened as authorized by this Act, the Commissioners of the Central Park shall divide that part of the said avenue so widened, in such manner that the 119 easterly part thereof, to the width of at least sixty-five feet, shall be of the grade established by this Act, and the westerly part thereof, to the width of at least fifty-five feet, shall be of a higher grade to be established by the said Commissioners, but such higher grade shall not in any part be higher than the natural surface of the ground. And the Commissioners of the Central Park shall build a supporting wall along the easterly side of that part of the said avenue so widened, as is of a higher grade than that established by this Act, and place an iron railing upon the coping of the said wall; and the expense of the said wall and railing, to be certified by the said Commissioners, shall be assessed, collected and paid as part of the expenses of regulating and grading the said avenue. The said Commissioners shall also have power to build a supporting wall on the easterly side of that part of the said avenue so widened, to the height of a line parallel to the grade line of the higher grade of the westerly part of the said avenue; and to slope off or terrace the part of the surface of the Central Park immediately behind the said supporting wall; and to erect an iron bridge to connect the higher grade of the said avenue, in the part so widened, with the Central Park; and to establish an entrance into the Park opposite to the said bridge, and to erect an iron stairway near such entrance, leading to the lower grade of the said avenue; and if the said Commissioners shall make any of the said improvements, they shall certify the expense thereof as a part of the expense of adapting the work on the Park to the grade of the said Eighth avenue, established by this Act, and the amount so certified shall be raised and collected as a part of the said expense, in the manner provided by this Act. § 2. This Act shall take effect immediately.120 STATE OF NEW YORK, } Office of the Secretary of State. I have compared the preceding with the original law on file in this office, and do hereby certify that the same is a correct transcript therefrom, and of the whole of said original law. Given under my hand and seal of office, at the city of Albany, this 26th day of April, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven. [SEAL.] ERASTUS CLARK, Deputy Secretary of State. 121 CHAPTER 697. AN ACT To alter the map or plan of certain portions of the city of New York, and for the laying out and improvement of the same. Passed April 24, 1867; three-fifths being present. The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows: SECTION 1. The Board of Commissioners of the Central Park shall have and possess exclusive power to lay out and establish streets, avenues, roads, public squares or places, of such width, extent and direction as to them shall seem most condusive to public good; and also to designate and direct what part or parts of any streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places, now laid out, shall be abandoned and closed, and also to widen any street or avenue or road now laid out, and also to alter and amend the present grades of any street, avenue or road that may be retained by them, and to establish new grades for all other streets, avenues or roads that may be laid out and established or retained by them, within that part of the city of New York, which is bounded as follows: Northerly by the southerly side of One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street, easterly by the westerly side of the Eighth avenue, southerly by the southerly side of Fifty-ninth street, and westerly by the Hudson river, and also within a space three hundred and fifty feet in width surrounding the Central Park. And also to lay out and establish new pier and bulkhead lines, and the grades thereof, as to them shall seem proper for the requirements of commerce in said North or Hudson's river from Fifty-fifth street to Spuyten Duyvil Creek, and on both sides of Spuyten Duyvil Creek and the Harlem river 122 fom the North or Hudson's river to the line of the Third avenue; but such new pier and bulkhead lines, and the grades thereof shall not be deemed finally established until they have been approved by the Legislature. § 2. It shall be lawful for the said Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, and for all persons acting under their authority, to enter in the day time into and upon any lands, tenements and hereditaments which they shall deem necessary to be surveyed, used or converted, for the laying out, opening and forming of any such street, avenue, road, public square and place, and the establishment of pier and bulkhead lines; and the said Commissioners shall, in all cases of laying out streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places, and in the establishment of grades therefor, and of pier and bulkhead lines, which they are authorized or directed by law to lay out or establish, cause to be made two similar maps or plans showing the streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places, and the pier and bulkhead lines, which they shall lay out or retain as aforesaid, showing the width, extent and location of the same, and also two similar maps or plans, showing the grades that shall be amended or established by them, for the streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places so laid out or retained by them, and said maps or plans, when so made, shall be certified by one of the officers of the Board of Commissioners, of the Central Park, to be designated by said Board for such purpose, and one of said maps showing the width, extent and location of the streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places, and the pier and bulkhead lines so laid out and established or retained, and one of said maps showing the grade so amended or established, shall be filed by them in and remain of record, in the office of the Street Commissioner of said city, and the others shall remain of record in the office of said Commissioners of the Central Park. § 3. The maps or plans, excepting the pier and bulkhead lines, and the grades thereof, when made and filed as aforesaid, shall be final and conclusive, as well in respect to the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, as in respect to 123 the owners and occupiers of lands, tenements and hereditaments, within the boundaries aforesaid, and in respect to all other persons whomsoever, with the same intent and effect as if the same had been laid out and established by the Commissioners appointed in and by the act entitled "An Act relative to improvements touching the laying out of streets and roads in the city of New York, and for other purposes," passed April 3, 1807; and all s re ts, avenues, roads, public squares and places, and the grades therefor, heretofore laid out and established within the district mentioned in the first section of this act, which shall not be shown or retained on the maps to be filed by the Commissioners as before mentioned, shall, from and after the time of filing of said maps, cease to be or remain public streets, avenues, roads, squares or places. And the abutting owners, on such of said streets, avenues and roads as have been opened or ceded, and as shall be abandoned or closed under the provisions of this act, shall become and be seized in fee simple absolute therein, to the centre line thereof in front of his or their lands, respectively, except where such streets, avenues or roads, shall, on said maps, have been retained or taken for other public use, but subject, however, to any existing right of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the city of New York, to maintain and keep in order any sewer, Croton water aqueduct or pipe, or the appurtenances thereof that may have been constructed in any street, avenue or road so closed. All damage to any land or to any building or other structure thereon existing at the time of the passage of this act, or any street, avenue, or road laid out on the map of the city of New York within the district specified in the first section of this act, by reason of closing such street or altering the grade thereof, shall be ascertained and paid in the manner specified in sections three and four of an act entitled "An Act to make permanent the grades of thestreets and avenues in the city of New York," passed March fourth, eighteen hundred and fifty-two. And whenever said Board of Commiseioners shall deem it proper so to do, they may file maps, plans or surveys in the manner before provided, showing the streets, avenues, and public squares or places, which they have determined to lay out, abandon, close or retain within any particular section of the district mentioned in the first section of this 124 act, and of the grades therefor, and from and after the filing of said maps as aforesaid, the powers of said Board of Commissioners to lay out, widen, abandon, close, or alter any street, avenue, road, public square or place within such section of said district shall absolutely cease and determine. § 4. In all cases of improvements touching the laying out of streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places, and where said Commissioners of the Central Park are required to file maps, plans or surveys thereof, and of the grades therefor, except those laid out under the authority of this Act, it shall not be necessary to file the maps showing the laying out, and the maps showing the grades therefor, at the same time, but whenever they shall deem the public interest so require, they may file in the offices hereinbefore designated, maps, plans, or surveys, certified as hereinbefore provided, of such streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places, and of grades, as they may, from time to time, lay out and establish, and all the provisions of this Act shall be applicable to the same when so filed ; but such streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places, and grades, shall be again exhibited on the maps, plans, or surveys filed upon the completion of the whole work. § 5. Whenever the grade of any street, avenue or road, or any part of any street, avenue or road, shall be fixed, established or changed by said Board of Commissioners of the Central Park as provided by this Act, such grades shall not be thereafter changed, unless the owners of two-thirds of the land in lineal feet fronting upon the street, avenue or road where such changes are proposed to be made, shall first consent in writing to such proposed change of grade, and file such consent in the office of the said Commissioners, and upon such consent being so filed, such grade may be so changed by said Commissioners, if they shall deem it expedient to do so, and if any such change of grade shall be so made by said Commissioners, they shall cause maps, plans, or surveys showing such changes of grade as may be so made by them, to be filed in the offices mentioned in section two of this Act, in the manner provided by said section. 125 § 6. The Commissioners of the Central Park for and in behalf of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, are authorized to acquire title for the use of the public to any of the public squares and places, streets, avenues or roads, that have been or may be laid out or retained by them, whether under this Act or otherwise, whenever they shall deem it for the public interest so to do, and such Commissioners shall for that purpose within two years from the time of filing the map thereof as provided in the second section of this Act, make application to the Supreme Court in the First Judicial District, for the appointment of Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment, specifying, in such application, the lands required for that purpose; and such proceedings, to acquire title to such lands, shall be had pursuant to such acts as shall then be in force relative to the opening of public sqares and places, streets, avenues and roads in the city of New York, except that in such proceedings the Commissioners of the Central Park shall act in lieu and place of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, and except that the said Commissioners of Estimate and Assessment, who may be appointed as herein provided, may assess, for such openings, all such parties and persons, lands and tenements, as they may deem to be benefitted by such improvement, to the extent which said Commissioners deem such parties, persons, lands and tenements benefitted thereby; and it shall be the duty of the Counsel to the Corporation of the city of New York to perform all the legal services required of him in the proceedings authorized by this Act, without any additional compensation, beyond the salary and allowance now provided by law; and all such public squares and places, that shall be laid out or retained by said Commissioners of the Central Park, as aforesaid, shall, immediately after the same are opened, be and remain under the control and management of the Commissioners of the Central park, as to the regulating, grading, paving, sewering and otherwise improving and maintaining the same; and all parts of any public street, avenue, road or public square and place, within the distance of three hundred and fifty feet from the outer boundaries of the Central Park or place, and all others laid out as aforesaid, shall, at all times, after the opening of the same, be subject to such rules and regulations, in respect to the 126 uses thereof, and erections or projections thereon as the said Board of Commissioners of the Central Park may make therefor. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the Commissioners of the Central Park to do any work in the matter of regulating, grading, paving, sewering or curb and guttering any of the streets, avenues or roads within the district mentioned in the first section of this Act, which any of the departments of the Government of the city of New York are now authorized by law to do, but said Departments shall upon the requisition of said Commissioners proceed forthwith to do such work and make such improvements within the district aforesaid as properly come under their respective powers as shall be required by the said Commissioners, upon the plan and in the manner specified by the said Commissioners, except that any sewers within the district shall be constructed on the plan provided therefor by the Croton Aqueduct Board; and nothing in this Act shall affect existing ordinances of regulations concerning hackney coaches. § 7. If at any time after the filing of the maps showing the laying out of the streets, avenues, roads, and public squares and places before provided for, or that may be laid out by the said Commissioners of the Central Park, by virtue of any other act, the owner or owners of any plot of land bounded on all sides by streets, avenues, or roads, and not laid out as and for a public square or place shall desire to subdivide such plot and give public right of way into or through such plot, he, she, or they may do so, by submitting two maps, plans or surveys of such plot and of such proposed right of way, showing the width, which shall not be less than thirty feet, and the location, extent and direction of the same, and the proposed grade therefor, to the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park for their approval, and if the same shall be approved by said Board, and the owner or owners aforesaid shall immediately thereafter convey, in such form as shall be approved by said Board, the title to the land required for such right of way, free and clear from all incumbrances, until the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, in trust, as and for a public street, road or avenue; the same shall from that time be and become an open public 127 street, road or avenue, the same as if it had been laid out and opened as other streets, roads or avenues are or ought to be; and the maps, plans or surveys thereof and of the grades therefor shall immediately thereafter be certified and filed in the manner provided in section two of this Act. § 8. The Comptroller of the city of New York is hereby authorized and directed to deposit to the credit of the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, with such Bank or Trust Company as shall be designated by the said Board, such sums of money as said Board shall from time to time require, for payment for any work, services or material furnished under any contract, proceeding or otherwise, for laying out, opening, regulating, grading or otherwise improving any street, avenue, road, public square or place, the construction or maintenance of which by law is or shall be under the direction, control and management of said Board of Commissioners of the Central Park, specifying on what particular work or proceeding said money is required, and to enable said Comptroller to raise such money and so deposit it, he is hereby authorized and empowered to borrow from time to time in the name of the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York, by the issue of bonds, bearing such rate of interest as he may deem proper, not exceeding seven per cent. per annum, such sum as shall be necessary to pay all expenses incurred or to be incurred as aforesaid; and whenever such expenses or any part thereof, is afterwards to be collected by assessment from the property benefitted by such work or works, the proceeds of such assessments so to be laid and collected for each and every such work or works, are hereby pledged for the redemption of the bonds so to be issued, and the remainder or deficiency necessary for the redemption of said bonds, and the interest thereon, shall be certified by said Comptroller to the Supervisors of the county of New York, as soon as the same shall be ascertained by him, and be by the said Supervisors included and raised in the then next annual levy for annual taxes in the city and county of New York, and be applied to the final and full redemption of said bonds and the interest thereon.128 § 9. All acts and parts of acts now in force in relation to opening, widening, laying out, grading, regulating, sewering and otherwise improving, streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places in the city of New York, and the assessment and collection of the expenses for the same, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby declared to be applicable to this Act, the same as if they were incorporated herein. § 10. The powers of the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park under this Act, to lay out, establish, and widen streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places, and bulkhead and pier lines, and to designate and direct what parts of streets, avenues, roads, public squares and places shall be abandoned and closed, shall cease on the first day of May, eighteen hundred and seventy-two. § 11. This Act shall take effect immediately. STATE OF NEW YORK, } Office of the Secretary of State. I have compared the preceding with the original law on file in this office, and do hereby certify that the same is a correct transcript therefrom, and of the whole of said original law. Given under my hand and seal of office, at the City of [L. S.] Albany, this twenty-fourth day of April, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven. ERASTUS CLARK, Deputy Secretary of State, COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMPTROLLER OF THE PARK, TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE CENTRAL PARK, RELATIVE TO THE DISTRICT BETWEEN FIFTY-FIFTH STREET AND ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIFTH STREET, WEST OF THE EIGHTH AVENUE AND AROUND THE CENTRAL PARK.TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CENTRAL PARK: By the provisions of an Act, entitled " An Act to enable the Commissioners of the Central Park to make further improvements in the city of New York," passed April 13th, 1866, it is made the duty of the Commissioners of the Park "to cause a survey to be made of that part of the city and country of New York, bounded northerly by One Hundred and Fifty-fifth street; easterly by the westerly line of the Eighth avenue north of Eighty-second street, and by the westerly line of the Ninth avenue south of Eighty-second street; southerly by the southerly line of Seventy-second street east of the Tenth avenue, and by the southerly line of Sixty-seventh street west of the Tenth avenue, and westerly by the Hudson river, and to prepare maps, plans, and profiles, embracing and showing such changes in the width, direction, and grades of the streets, avenues, and roads now laid out within the area above described, and in the pier and bulkhead lines now established, as, in their opinion, can be made with benefit to the property affected, and to the public interests, and also the boundaries and grades of such streets, avenues, roads, and public squares and places, as, in their opinion, can be laid out or discontinued with like benefit," with the view of enabling the Board to present a report to the Legislature, at as early a day as is practicable, all the information on the subject that was accessible within the time that has elapsed since the passage of the act has been gathered, and with the considerations that arise thereon are embodied in this communication. The territory above described forms the westerly slope of the range of high land that extends across the whole island from about 42nd street to 109th street, includes both slopes of the elevated land from 109th to 155th street, and comprehends an area of about 1860 acres. According to the existing plan of the city, this area is divided into 332 blocks of about 800 feet by 200 feet each, and is intersected132 by 69 42/100 miles of streets and avenues, the streets being, with few exceptions, 60 feet in width, and about 200 feet apart, and the avenues 100 feet in width, and about 800 feet from one to the other. These streets and avenues intersect each other at right angles, and were laid out without any reference to topography. The natural features of this area are very picturesque, and its improvement during the past two centuries, by cultivation and by the erection of mansions and public institutions, has added much to its interest. The Hudson river is its western boundary, from which, along nearly its entire extent, the land rises more or less abruptly to the irregular and broken surface that lies between the brow of the river slope on the west, and the Central Park, the Harlem flats, and the Harlem river on the east. The highest elevation of the natural surface, within this area, is near the intersection of the 10th avenue and 139th street, but nearly the same elevation is attained at several other points. The ordinary gneiss rock of the island, with which the whole area is underlaid, frequently approaches the surface, and whole acres are entirely bare of soil. Rocky hills or knolls, and basins of limited extent frequently occur, and occasional depressions in the immediate river slope, where the water-ways and land-slides have formed ravines, afford the most accessible means of approach to the river. The Bloomingdale road, dating its origin about the year 1740, passes irregularly through the whole extent of this territory is bordered by numerous elms, sycamores, and locusts, which, standing for nearly a century, have attained great size, and add much to the interest of this ancient way. Along this road, and between it and the river, some of the numerous fine old mansions, monuments of the wealth and taste of a past day, are still occupied as private residences, though many of the most prominent have succumbed to the changing occupancy that indicates the immediate advent of a great city. The Bloomingdale road, until the Park roads were in proper condition for use, was the main westerly avenue of travel from the suburbs to the city. It is still much travelled, and portions of its line are included in the route of the public road or drive laid out by the commissioners of the Central Park under the Act of 1865. The grounds along the slope, when viewed from the river, generally, appear well covered with trees of large growth, and, from long cultivation, are in a highly fertile condition, presenting, for miles of their varied surface, the appearance of an established 133 park or forest. The natural depressions that afford approaches to the river are from 79th to 83d street, at 96th street, or Stryker's bay, and at Manhattanville, all varying in the elevations to be overcome, and in their adaptability for ways to accommodate traffic; decidedly the most advantageous approach, and the only one on the whole extent that is well adapted to the purposes of commerce being at Manhattanville. The Croton Aqueduct, constructed through this territory about the year 1841, enters it at One Hundred and fifty-fifth street, between the Ninth and Tenth avenues, and following down the Tenth avenue, crosses Manhattanville valley in iron pipes; thence by masonry to One Hundred and Seventh street; thence between the Ninth and Tenth avenues to Eighty-eighth street; there crossing the Eighth avenue, to the receiving Reservoir. By a late Act, the existing Aqueduct is to be discontinued at Ninetieth street, and the water conducted in pipes through that street to the Eighth avenue, and thence to the old distributing Reservoir. A part of the Aqueduct is supported on arches at Ninety-eighth, Ninety-ninth and One Hundreth streets, and at other points rises above the natural surface, so as to offer a serious impediment to the proper grading of the streets that cross it. The area in question lies immediately upon the border of the city, and is already pressed upon by demands of population. Through its entire extent the lines of the streets and avenues are defined, and their grades and elevations are established up to One Hundred and thirty-third street. The foundation and the frame work of the future city being thus fixed by law, legislative action alone can relieve the infelicities of the plan, and the expensive incumbrance of its existing grades, and this, but to a limited extent, without great inconvenience, expense and confusion. The demand for property in this vicinity for occupancy, has already forced parts of these streets and avenues through massive ledges, and contracts under the Street Department exist for working nearly two miles more of them. But few of the sewers have been built. The northermost sewer, except that running through Manhattan street, is now under contract up to Seventy-sixth street. The bulkhead line along the river in front of this tract, was fixed by Act of the Legislature in the year 1837, and was changed by the Legislature on the recommendation of the Harbor Commission, in the year 1857, and a pier-head line was then established that would admit of piers about 300 feet in length.134 The attempts to carry into execution the plan of this part of the city which was originally not well considered, have developed the fact that large outlays must be made to prepare it for building upon. Feeble and partial efforts have been made to overcome the net work of obstacles to improvement that must attend the carrying out of these existing legal lines and grades. Legislation has fastened upon this territory, land and water, a heavy incumbrance in the shape of an illy adapted, expensive plan for its development, and owners and occupants, and expectant owners and occupants, are alike conscious of, and unable to dispose of the difficulties that attend its execution. It is already so far carried out as to be, in a large degree, practically incapable of being changed, and if carried out, must be attended with great disadvantages, expense, inconvenience and delay. Here a street or part of a street has been worked—there a monument of the plan stands in the shape of an abandoned attempt to cut a street through a mountain of rock. Here an avenue has been essayed, there a bit of paving done—here curb and gutter is set according to the methods of these later days—here the land has been acquired for a portion of a street—there it has not. Everywhere a mingled mass of tangled legislation and execution, surrounds the question of proposed amendments with difficulties that must be solved to a great degree by considerations of expediency, Individual efforts having been unequal to the task of dealing comprehensively with existing obstacles, or of establishing a satisfactory method for the development of this area, the Legislature made it the duty of the Commissioners of the Park to examine it with the view of submitting their recommendations in the premises. To enable them to discharge this duty intelligently, they have caused surveys to be made of considerable portions of the district in question, having, as a matter of economy, made use of such imperfect surveys as already existed in the public departments of the city; they have also gathered from all accessible sources, a mass of facts in detail, including the number, class, and location of the structures within the district, the line of the numerous subdivisions and ownerships of property, the extent of streets and avenues opened by law or ceded to the city, the extent of streets regulated, graded, curbed, and guttered, the extent of sewerage, and such other data as would be useful. The plan of this part of the city, adopted more than half a century since, is simply the extension over an irregular, rocky, and 135 sometimes precipitous surface, of a rectangular system of ways, which, however well devised it may be for a more regular and less uneven surface, is obviously illy adapted to considerable portions of the territory in question, as well on account of considerations of economy as of convenience. An accurate topographical knowledge of the district embraced by the Act referred to, renders it certain that if it were now for the first time to be laid out into avenues, roads, streets, and public squares, the rectangular plan would not be exclusively adopted, because a very large expense might be saved in grading and improving the streets and lots if diagonal streets had been laid out in the natural valleys, and drainage provided in them, as almost all the natural water-courses run obliquely to the general direction of the streets and the river. This fact does not appear to have been considered when the first plan was made, and the only innovation in it for such purpose was made thirty years ago, when Manhattan and Lawrence streets were laid out. In discussing the subject, it is to be borne in mind that a plan exists, that it has been in part actually put on the ground, and that the lines of property already largely conform to it. It was adopted fifty-five years ago, at a time when the area in question was owned in farms, generally bordering on the river, or on the road Since that time estates have been so divided that but occasional tracts of any considerable extent remain under one ownership. Although most of the streets and avenues were not opened for several years after they were laid out, many of them still remaining unopened, yet the street and avenue lines, as shown on the Plan, were so convenient a method of describing lands in cases of transfer, that a very large proportion of the whole territory is now held by titles bounding on the streets and avenues, and they have become the only legal means of access to and from these properties. A careful detailed examination of the accessible sources of information on this subject, shows that all the blocks below 133d street are very much subdivided. of the 332 blocks composing the district in question, each comprehending originally 64 lots of 25x100, 104 are now divided into from 2 to 5 separate ownerships, 101 from 5 to 10 distinct ownerships, 63 into from 10 to 20 ownerships, 12 into 20 to 30 separate ownerships, 3 into from 30 to 40 separate ownerships, and 1 into more than 50 ownerships. Large tracts under a single ownership are comparatively few. The grounds of Trinity Cemetery and of the Lunatic Asylum, 136 each being about 27 acres in extent, and those of the Leake & Watts Asylum about 22 acres, and those of the various other institutions, are located in this district. Forty-eight blocks are undivided in ownership, the same individual owning one or more of them. The subdivisions of the territory, with the buildings erected on it, are, with other information, shown on the herewith submitted Map No. 1.* It will readily be seen that accurate information respecting these subdivisions is of the first importance in determining the practicability of changes in the lines of streets or avenues from the existing plan. Every property, though it be but one ordinary sized city lot, is entitled to access, which is provided in the adjacents streets or avenues. Take these away, if it can be legally done, and the property is deprived of a chief element of its value, and some method of compensation for the resulting damage must be provided. The difficulties, complications, and expenses that would attend the abandonment of any legally existing street or avenue upon which various properties now abut, will readily be perceived. The owners would in most cases be left without any access to their properties, and it would be, to say the least, doubtful to whom the fee of the abandoned way would fall; endless confusion and delay in the adjustment of titles would arise, and where improvements have been made compensation must necessarily follow the abandonment of the streets. Questions as to the ownership of the reversion of the fee of the street, and of compensation for its abandonment, would be of so complicated a character as to render their adjustment only practicable through the delays of litigation. The same questions would arise, as have already arisen, in attempts to abolish squares laid out on the plan of the city. In these cases the difficulty of devising a rule for disposing of the fee of the abandoned land, or of distributing the avails of it, owing to changes in ownership of the lots to which the lands proposed to be abandoned were appurtenant, had a large influence in preventing the closing of the squares. It may be said in those cases where the streets have not been opened and the fee of the land paid for, no damage would accrue by reason of their abandonment. If this be so, still it does not provide for the difficulty that would occur from the want of access to the various properties lying upon the abandoned street. *This large and voluminous map is not printed. 137 Respecting the closing of cross-streets, it would seem that the method upon which the land is now laid out, and the growing disposition in the city to subdivide into properties less than 25x100, would preclude it. The blocks being 200 feet in depth, if the intermediate streets were abandoned, it would leave parcels of 230 feet in depth on each street, by 25 feet in width, a shape so inconvenient that intermediate alleys would immediately be found essential. Of the 332 blocks into which the territory is divided by the existing plan, 210 have been subdivided into various ownerships. Of the 69 42/100 miles of streets and avenues laid out on this plan, the land for 30 27/100 miles, or nearly one-half of the whole, has been acacquired by the Corporation. Of this 30 miles of streets, nearly one-half have been graded, or partially graded. Over three miles of curb and gutter have been set. Sewers have been built in Manhattan and 125th street, from the North river to and east of Eighth avenue, also in 130th street, from the river to Bloomingdale road, and in Ninth avenue from 125th street to 126th street, and contracts entered into for, and progress made in building sewers in 70th street, from North river to Tenth avenue, and in Tenth avenue from 70th to 76th street. There are in the district 2,365 separate subdivisions of property, 1,656 buildings, not including those worth less than about $200, 1,154 of these including 168 brick buildings, 658 frame buildings, and 328 barns and sheds, have been built on the lines of the streets and avenues of the existing plan of the city, and 502 have been built without respect to it. These statistics and considerations are cited with the view of showing some of the obstacles and inconveniences likely to arise from changes of the existing lines of streets and avenues. We now pass to the examination of the existing conditions of this area as especially bearing upon the question of LAYING OUT NEW STREETS AND AVENUES. Generally speaking, and with reference to the whole tract under consideration, all that would be apt to meet any general favor in this way will be to provide longitudinal avenues intermediate those already laid out, and parallel to them. The cross-streets are, if anything, already too frequent, and no general convenience is likely to be subserved by an increase of them. In proposing intermediate avenues, we are again met with the 138 features of the existing plan, and the same questions of subdivision of property. The avenues on this side of the city being 800 feet apart, the introduction of an intermediate avenue of 75 feet, which is the least admissible width, would leave the block of a length of 362½ feet, and about 200 feet in width. It would require six lots in each block, or about one-eleventh of the whole property, for the intermediate avenue, and would, in frequent cases, leave the remaining portion of the lots on the intermediate avenue unavailable by reason of a want of depth, until, in the process of time, sales and transfers, back and forth, shall add to them sufficient rear property to render them of a convenient size for improvement. It is asserted that, in some localities west of the Park, lots situated on streets running towards the Park will be quite as valuable as they would be on an intermediate avenue. Madison avenue has been cited as an example of the advantages of the introduction of an intermediate avenue, but that, it is to be remembered, was inserted in the block between the Fourth and Fifth avenues, which is at some points 900, at others 920 feet in length, and when its width was taken out, left the avenue blocks 405 to 425 feet each in width. The subdivisions of property over which the avenue was laid were, at the time it was introduced, much fewer, comparatively, than those on the west side of the Park. An effort to show the effect of laying out an intermediate avenue on the property along its line, is shown on Plans hereto annexed, the black lines showing the present subdivisions, and black dotted lines the divisions that would result from the laying out of the new avenue. By the Act of 12th April, 1837, chap. 182, the Thirteenth avenue was made the permanent exterior street from Hammond street to the north line of 135th street, and the streets laid out by the commissioners appointed under the Act of April 3d, 1807, were extended to such exterior street or Thirteenth avenue, south of and including 135th street. The same act vested the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York with all the right and title of the State to the lands under water east of the westerly line of said Thirteenth Avenue. Between the years 1837 and 1855 the Mayor, &c., made many MAP. SHOWING THE EFFECT OF EXTENDING AN INTERMEDIATE AVENUE through blocks now subdivided into lots. 9th Ave. 98th Street Mrs B Bruce. T. Goodwin. J. Larry. Jas. N. Horton. J. J. Smith. Andrew Bleakley. Danl McLeod. J. G. Tallman. Henry Raittan. J. Watts De Peyster. John Hunt. J. G. Tallman. C. Van Winkle. R. G. Richards. O. McAdam. B. J. Lecker. W. J. Adams. Unknown. Thos O'Conner. A. P. Brinkerhoff. T. O'Conner. J. H. Reilly. J. J. Smith. J. Senior. A. Cooper. L. Johnston. Hasper Ditinan. Peter Boor. Unnown. N. Sandford. J. Horseley. Chas B. Hart. Thos Malcolm. E. A. Hovey. N. Heckart. E. Spurling. E. J. Jardine. G. Ferguson. J. P. Jardine. W. J. Adams. D. Campbell. O. McAdam. Mary Anne Anderson Robt Donohoe. Mrs H. D. W. Chamber. Emeline O'Conner. Jackson & Purdy. Jams Coy. O McAdam. J. Watts De Peyster. W. R. Eddy. Jas J. Smith. S. Westropp. J. B. Laing. Jas Cuthill. 99th Street W. J. Syms. C. Westbrook. J. D. Benedict. J. Mc Regan. J. Regan. F. Clinck. J. Watts DePeyster. C. Westbrook. W. A. Wackee M. S. Cohen. T. Brennan. J. Watts De Peyster F. Farrell. J. Puryis. Patrick Dee Peter Powell D. H. Kingsley. A. C. Post. John Hamilton W. J. Syms. Geo Baker. Jacob Brown. H. Mc Manus. J. Watts De Peyster. Andw Harrison. John Corbill. A. Froment. Peter Powell. Mrs Anne Dawd. Patk Deery. F. Vogel. J. C. Wolf. Catharine Bradley. R. Mc Fadden. J. Watts De Peyster. 100th Street S. Campbell. New Ave. S. Campbell. Henry R. Treadwell. J. Mancin. J. Scheiper Rolph Marsh. J. B. Mitchell. 101st Street W. D. Murphy. 8th [Ave.] { The heavy dotted lines show the lines of the Avenue extended across the blocks } The fine dotted lines represent lots fronting on the Avenue, and show the number of changes of ownership that would be necessary to place the title to a full lot, front on the Avenue, in one owner The Major & Knapp Eng. Mfg. & Lith. Co. 71 Broadway N.Y.MAP. SHOWING THE EFFECT OF EXTENDING AN INTERMEDIATE AVENUE through blocks now subdivided into lots. Ave. W. J. Syms. C. Westbrook. J. D. Benedict. J. Mc Regan. J. Regan. F. Clinck. J. Watts DePeyster. C. Westbrook. W. A. Wackee M. S. Cohen. T. Brennan. J. Watts De Peyster F. Farrell. J. Puryis. Patrick Dee Peter Powell D. H. Kingsley. A. C. Post. John Hamilton W. J. Syms. Geo Baker. Jacob Brown. H. Mc Manus. J. Watts De Peyster. Andw Harrison. John Corbill. A. Froment. Peter Powell. Mrs Anne Dawd. Patk Deery. F. Vogel. J. C. Wolf. Catharine Bradley. R. Mc Fadden. J. Watts De Peyster. 100th Street S. Campbell. New Ave. S. Campbell. Henry R. Treadwell. J. Mancin. J. Scheiper Rolph Marsh. J. B. Mitchell. 101st Street W. D. Murphy. W. D. Murphy. F. S. Wiley. 102nd Street { The heavy dotted lines show the lines of the Avenue extended across the blocks } The fine doted lines represent lots fronting on the Avenue and show the number of changes of ownership that would be necessary to place the title to a full lot. fronting on the Avenue, in one owner Ave. The Major & Knapp Eng Mfg & Lith Co. 71 Broadway N.Y.139 grants of land under water south of 135th street, extending from the shore out to the Thirteenth Avenue, by authority of the above mentioned Act of April 12th, 1837. On the 4th March, 1852, an Act of the Legislature was passed (chap. 52 Laws 1852) establishing grades for streets and avenues in the city of New York south of 63d street, and authorizing the establishment of grades for streets and avenues north of 62d street, and providing that when so established they should not be changed except upon the written consent of the owners of at least two-thirds of the land in lineal feet, fronting on each side of the street or avenue opposite to that part which is proposed to be changed or altered, and also providing for an estimate of damage by reason of such change. By virtue of the Act of 1852 last mentioned and prior to the year 1855, grades were established for the streets and avenues between 62d and 133d streets, extending out to the westerly side of the Thirteenth avenue, as established by the said Act of 1837. The grades for the Twelfth avenue, which is near the present shore, were also fixed at various heights above high-water level, varying from ten feet to forty feet, but generally about twenty feet, and from the Twelfth avenue the street grades were established by regular slopes to the west side of the Thirteenth avenue, and remain unaltered. On the 30th March, 1855, an act was passed entitled "An Act for the appointment of a Commission for the preservation of the Harbor of New York from encroachments, and to prevent obstructions to the necessary navigation thereof." (Chap. 121 Laws of 1855.) The Commission so appointed made its reports to the Legislature —one dated January 8th, 1856, one January 27th, 1857, and the other, March 18th, 1857; and on the 17th April, 1857, (chap. 763 Laws of 1857,) an act was passed entitled "An Act to establish bulkhead and pier lines for the Port of New York," which establishes the bulkhead line or lines of solid filling, between the points referred to the consideration of the Commissioners of the Central Park, on a line parallel to the Twelfth Avenue and one hundred feet west of the same, whenever such bulkhead line is westerly or outside of the present high-water mark, and at almost all other points at near the high-water mark. In some places there would be no water at the bulkhead line so established, unless the upland were excavated for the purpose. One consequence resulting from this legislation is, that the Corporation 140 of the city of New York are deprived of the beneficial enjoyment of means for the extinguishment of the city debt, by the curtailment of the right to make grants or sell the land between the bulkhead line or line of solid filling defined by the Act of 17th April, 1857, and the westerly line of the lands granted to them by the Act of April 12th, 1837, another is, that the proprietors of lands adjacent to the shore, who, between the years 1837 and 1855, took title to, and paid for, the land between the shore and the permanent exterior street established by the Act of 1837, are debarred from filling up and improving the same, as they supposed their right was when they took out and paid for the grants from the Corporation; and another is, that the grades of the streets between the upland and the exterior line of 1837, which cannot be changed under any existing law, except with the consent before mentioned, having been fixed with reference to the exterior line of Thirteenth Avenue, cross or intersect the existing bulkhead line fixed by Act of 1857, at elevations so far above its proper grade as to render the existing streets useless for connexion with the water front and vessels at the wharves, and entirely inapplicable to the state of things as provided for in the Act of 1857. The effect in these changes in grade is shown in Profiles 1, 2, 3, 4, herewith submitted.* From this review, it will be seen that the laws on the subject of the street grades, and on that of the commercial facilities at the water are so contradictory as to render further legislative action necessary to the progress of improvement. The existing grades of the avenues and streets in that part of the district specified in the act, south of 133d street were established under the Act of 1852; north of that street, with the exception of parts of 134th and 135th street, the grades have not been established. These grades were established with reference to the Thirteenth Avenue bulkhead line of 1837, which is generally about 700 feet outside of the present bulkhead line (that of 1857). If the present bulkhead line is to remain as it now is, the streets will terminate accordingly, and the grades must be altered so as to conform to it; if so altered and made continuous to the bulkhead line, the streets will, in frequent cases, be so steep as to be of little utility. The result of the action of the Legislature on this subject is to _____________________________________________________________________ *These profiles are not printed. 141 draw in the bulkhead line towards the shore, leaving the streets to run out 700 feet beyond it into the water; to establish the grades for these streets but to forbid the building of them. The cross streets are thus cut off at the new bulkhead line of 1857, with their surface so far above the water as to render them of no service to commerce or in reaching the river. The grades of the streets between the Eleventh avenue and the Eight avenue, south of 110th street, will require modifications to adapt them to the existing grades of the Eighth avenue, and the grades of all the cross streets where now fixed, require a thorough revision, in order to avoid expensive cuttings, otherwise inevitable. Authority will be required to fix the grades from 132d to 155th street from river to river. Above 110th street and as far up as 132d street, the grades, so far as fixed, contemplate passage to the river down the westerly slope, and to the Harlem Plains, down the easterly or rocky bluff, at a rate of descent so steep as to render the streets of very little utility, even though the great expense required to cut them through the rock should be incurred. In determining grades, the questions involved are numerous and important; without going into detail, it is sufficient to say, that the general object is to provide adequate ways convenient for the movement of persons and property at the least practicable expense. Questions of convenience and expense must be considered together, sometimes one giving way and again the other, as circumstances indicate. The kind of travel or traffic likely to use the street is an important element to be considered in fixing its grade. If a street is to be used merely as an access to a private dwelling, the grades may be laid much steeper than if is intended to accommodate heavy traffic or a throng of vehicles of pleasure. The working of a street over an uneven surface upon a regular grade, is very like to involve expensive excavation and filling. In a rocky district, excavations of over a certain depth cost more than the value of the lot. The grade of the street not only involves the excavation or filling of the width of the street, but also the reduction or elevation of the adjacent lot to nearly the same level. If a lot of 25x100, with its half of a 60 feet street, requires to be excavated 10 feet to reduce it to the grade, 1,200 cubic yards must be removed, besides the additional amount required for cellars, basements, yards, &c. If this 1,200 yards happens to be composed of 142 rock, the expense of its removal would be equal to a fair priced lot. Experience shows that where heavy rock excavation is required to grade lots, they remain ungraded and unimproved for years after neighboring lots, more favorably situated, have been improved— each succeeding year of non-improvement adding taxes and interest to the original cost. The cost of regulating and grading a street may be averaged over its whole extent, and thus equalize the expense upon the less favorably situated lots, so, if a mass of rock happens to be within the limits of a street in front of a specific property, the expense of removing it is averaged on the whole line then regulating, but the much greater expense of grading the body of the lot itself, must be borne by its owner. It will be seen, therefore, that by the exercise of good judgment in fixing the grades of the streets and avenues of a particular district, very much may be done to facilitate the progress, and reduce the cost of its improvement. If a district is kept back by the expensiveness of its grades, it is an actual specific loss to the owners, and to the public to the extent of the diminished taxes that may be realized from it. The avenues in this city must generally be the superior lines of travel, and they should be kept on the best grades consistent with economy, and those of the cross streets should be left to conform as nearly as may be to the natural surface. Experience has shown, that if grades are established a little above rather than below the natural surface, the excavation that comes from the areas, the cellars, the yards, &c., will supply the requisite amount of filling in a district of the average level character, and if the grades are put below the surface, some place of deposit must be provided for the surplus excavation, the expense of the removal of which is dependent in a greater or less degree upon the convenience of this place of deposit, which has been found in other parts of the city, in filling out the land under water to the bulkhead line. Such a place is not likely to occur to any considerable extent on the water front of the district in question, and the transportation of the masses of excavation required by existing grades becomes a most serious matter. The chief difficulty in arranging the grades for this district is found in the fact, that the lines of the streets as laid down on the existing plan, pass directly and within a short distance from the river level to the plateau level and above 110th street, from that plateau to the level of the Harlem plains. 143 In these cases, the excavation required to make the streets safely accessible and desirable will be very large, and involve an enormous expenditure of money, so much so that some method must be devised to avert the serious consequences that will otherwise ensue. According to the existing plan of the grades of the cross streets, they are frequently laid out on the top of the bluffs, at high elevations, and on the space below on much lower elevations, so that the connection or continuance of the cross streets is impossible, and they are left as cul de sac both above and below, having but one inlet and outlet, and no provision is made to maintain the bank upon which the upper grade is laid. In other cases, the grades were laid so low, for the purpose of communicating with the river, that excavation on the streets and lots to the depth of 60 feet, and in some cases nearly 100 feet, is required to regulate them, and even then, on many streets the grade would be so steep as to be almost unsurmountable. On the easterly bluff on the Harlem Heights, below 134th street, the grades were run from avenue to avenue, so steep as to be almost impassible, and to require an amount of excavating in most cases through rock, which would be ruinous in expense, and in the time required to do the work on the streets alone, and trebly so on the lots, as is shown by the Profiles Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. With reference to the widening of the cross streets, it is clear that on the existing plan they are laid out so near to each other that any widening of them would so reduce the depth of the lots, as to render them less convenient for occupancy; as a general thing, therefore, the streets in the subdivided districts cannot be widened with advantage, though it would without doubt have been a great improvement on the present plan if the streets had been made of a greater width. Having thus presented a view of the natural topography of the district in question, the progress made in fixing upon it the surface plan of 1811, and the grade plan of 1852, the improvements in the way of building, and having considered the consequences that would be likely to follow any considerable changes in the existing surface plan, it remains to present those considerations that occur in favor of modifications in these plans notwithstanding the difficulties that surround them. FIRST.—The adoption of a new Bulkhead line along the whole extent of the district in question, in such depth of water as will answer the full purposes of commerce of the Port, and at the same 144 time infringe as little as possible on the natural boundaries of the river, and also the adoption of a new pier line, which will afford proper accommodations and security for any vessels that may use or lie at t he piers, is recommended. The line of 1837 has been abolished; it lies at some point 1,000 feet distant from the natural shore line, and at an average distance of about 800 feet, sometimes runs into a depth of water of over 60 feet, and was probably located on the theory that the immense excavations to conform the neighboring streets and lots to the plan, would find a convenient place of deposit in filling out this bulkhead line. No pierhead line was adopted in that year. The present bulkhead and pier head lines were adopted by the Legislature of 1857, on the recommendation of the New York Harbor Commissioners. For a large portion of the distance between 67th and 155th streets, the bulkhead line is impracticable for commercial uses, being for nearly 28 per cent. of that distance, or about 6,500 feet in length, located at the present high water mark. The main object of a bulkhead being to enable vessels to lie at it, it would seem desirable that it should be placed where there was some water. As the above part of the present line is located, it does not afford depth of water sufficient to float any vessel; for more than half of its length, it is so located as not to afford 10 feet depth of water at low water, while for commercial purposes at least 20 feet depth of water at low water should be the minimum maintained at the bulkhead line. The present pier head line does not admit of piers longer than 300 feet in any case, and at some points of not more than 100 feet in length. It was urged by the New York Harbor Commissioners, in their report that encroachments should not be permitted in the harbor and rivers, which by decreasing the area of the basin inside Sandy Hook, to be filled and emptied on each flux and reflux of the Ocean tide, would prevent the passage of as much water as at present flowed in and out over the bar at that place, lest by diminishing the volume which scoured and kept it clean, the depth of water on it should be decreased, and permanent injury done to the main ship channel of the Port. This is the only reason which can be gathered from their reports as controlling the location of the existing bulkhead line which was adopted on their recommendation. Yet an accurate calculation shows that between the points mentioned (67th and 155th streets) the additional space necessary to occupy for the purpose of locating the line in 20 feet 145 water at low tide, is but 2 64/100 per cent. of the tidal space in the North river, directly in front of it, and consequently, but an atom in comparison with the whole tidal space inside Sandy Hook. While the same Commissioners drew lines for bulkhead or solid filling on the New Jersey side of the North river and New York Bay, which at the present session of the Legislature of New Jersey, are under discussion, and if adopted and filled out to, would occupy more tidal space than all New York city has from its formation ever occupied or proposed to occupy. It would seem that if restrictions were to be placed upon the extent to which the basin inside of Sandy Hook should be filled in, for the purposes of commerce, some regard should have been had to the location where commerce would congregate. As the bulkhead lines of the basin are now fixed, New York city, the very seat of the commerce of the Port, is much more restricted in the expansiveness of its facilities to provide for this commerce, than the more remote points of the same basin on the Jersey shore and Brooklyn. Soundings of the shore from 59th to 155th streets have been made on the line of every street, so as to ascertain the line of 20 feet depth of water at low water These soundings show that the bulkhead line, if placed at the line of this depth, would afford sufficient room for an avenue, at the foot of the bluff, and also a considerable space for the buildings required by commerce, and the depth of water would accomodate all vessels likely to seek for pier and dock facilities in this neighborhood. The bulkhead line, as shown on the plan No. 2 presented herewith, should unquestionably be extended with some exceptions up to Spuyten Duyvil Creek. In this connection, the insufficient width between the bulkhead lines on both sides of the Harlem river may be properly brought to the notice of the Legislature, as the consideration of the subject naturally comprehends the whole extent of the bulkhead and pier line from 59th street on the North river, to Spuyten Duyvil Creek, and to the 3rd avenue bridge on the Harlem river. The Pier-head line established by the Act of 1857, on the recommendation of the New York Harbor Commissioners, on the North river, between 67th street and 152d street, is a straight line parallel to the Twelfth avenue, and 400 feet west of it, and in no case admits of piers exceeding 300 feet in length, being built, and in some parts they could not exceed 100 feet. Vessels coming to the port of New York over 300 feet in length, which are not uncommon, could 146 not be safely accommodated at any of the piers that could be built in the district by the existing laws. It is considered proper that the pier-head line should be extended at least 200 feet further into the river than it now is, in order to afford proper accommodations for large vessels. SECOND.—Opening New Avenues and Streets, and their effect upon the existing Streets and the Grades thereof. As the bulkhead line of 1857 cuts off and extinguishes the exterior avenue on the water, the Thirteenth avenue, it is proposed to lay out a new avenue at the foot of the bluff on the North river shore, at a grade of about ten feet above high water, which will provide an easy descent along the cross-streets to the piers. This avenue to be under the hill, to be at least 100 feet wide, and to follow a course nearly parallel to the bulkhead. From it the cross-streets as now laid, are to extend as the width of the space will allow, to the foot of the hill on the one hand, and to the bulkhead line on the other. Public piers, built at the foot of each street, would be sufficient to serve the public requirements, and the spaces between the lower avenue and the bulkhead line could be filled up and improved by the riparian owners as fast as required for commerce, independent of improvements on the high land. This street may be made continuous from 67th street, to and beyond 155th street. A Terrace avenue of 100 feet in width, to be planted, and divided into proper carriage and foot-ways and court-yards, is proposed, so near to the top of the bank as to allow the cross-streets to be graded and improved, as nearly in conformity to the natural surface of the elevated land as possible, and as near as may be to the edge of the rapid declivity of the bank, and to run more or less circuitously, according to the formation of the lands, in the same general direction as the lower avenue, and on the lines and grades that are suggested by the natural features of the land, and by the existing improvements, leaving the space within which the sudden descent towards the river is made, and between the upper and lower avenne, to be disposed of as a public or private park, or by a system of terraces, as is found most suitable to the ground, and the most economical disposition of the land. The great difficulty in arranging this side of the city is found in 147 making the connections between the river and the bold bluff that skirts it. To regulate and grade the cross-streets alone, between the 11th avenue and the river, on reguler grades descending from the grade of 11th avenue to the present shore, at the elevation of ten feet above high-water level, would require the removal of 2,400,000 cubic yards of earth and rock, beyond what would be required by the park or terrace plan, and to bring the lots on these streets to the level of the street would require the excavation of over 7,000,000 cubic yards more, or an aggregate of 9,800,000 yards. The difference in quantity of excavation required to regulate the streets and lots, is 5,800,000 cubic yards in favor of the park plan, over the present grades of the streets in the district west of the 11th avenue, between 72nd and 129th street, assuming them to be laid so as to terminate at an elevation of about ten feet above tide-water, and about one-fifth less if the present plan of grades were adopted. If this excavation is composed of equal parts of rock and earth, it would cost on an average one dollar per cubic yard, or a total sum of $5,800,000. In addition to this, a heavy item of cost will be found in the delay in the progress of improvement occasioned by the amount of work to be done before the lots can be built upon, interest and taxes being annually added to the original cost of the lot. If the new bulkhead line is adopted, there will be no place for the deposit of the large quantity of material that must be removed from the streets between the upper and the lower avenue, in order to adapt them to convenient use, and from the adjacent lots to reduce them to the grade of the streets. While, if the park or terrace system is adopted, there would be some surplus material on the high land for filling inside the bulkhead line, which with the rubbish and cinders of the vicinity, will as experience shows, provide sufficient filling for land gained out of the river. This material is now almost exclusively carried to make land on the New Jersey shore, in consequence of there being no convenient place of deposit on New York Island. The quantity of land required for these parks, would, if they were made from 72d to 128th streets, as shown on plan No. 3,* be 1,358 lots, independent of the land required for the new intermediate avenue. ________________________________________________________________________ *This map corresponds generally with the large map herewith printed, excepting that the amount of land required for parks is somewhat less. 148 The arrangement of the declivity into a series of parks intersected by streets extending into the river, where practicable, would ef- fectually separate the character of the property, leaving that below the bluff, and between the parks and the river, with a leading ave- nue, and crossing streets to the bulkhead and piers, on low grades, for the purpose of commerce and manufacture, and the elevated land east of the bluff, for dwellings and other appropriate improve- ments. Between the upper and lower avenues, the cross streets would under this arrangement, with but few exceptions be abandoned, these exceptions would be at the points where the natural confor- mation of the land rendered an easy descent to the river practica- ble without great expense, as at 79th and 96th streets. These park spaces may be left as private property, free for the owners to improve as their judgment dictates, or to be taken in the usual way for public places, assessing a fair proportion of their cost, on the adjacent property benefitted. They have certain characteristics favorable for park ornamenta- tion, the three bays that are formed on the shore, afford opportu- nities for extensive salt-water baths and swimming ponds, easily supplied with water at each tide, while the surface of the land about the bays in such as to accommodate without much expense in preparation of structures required for such establishments. That the property overlooking this chain of parks would be largely enhanced in value, there is no reasonable doubt. The cost of the land would be as nothing to the increased values that such an arrangement would create in the neighborhood, the plan once settled, and the grades fixed in conformity to it, improve- ments would at this commanding part of the city advance with unexampled rapidity. On the easterly side of the district in question a somewhat similar condition of things exists. From 110th street north, to Manhattan Valley, the ridge of rock almost verdureless, mainly between the 9th and 10th avenues, breaks so abruptly towards the east as to render the streets that have been laid over it in rigid conformity to the plan of the city, very expensive to work, and when worked so steep as to be very inconvenient for use. It is proposed to lay out an avenue on a line parallel to the 9th avenue, commencing at 106th street, midway the block between the 8th and 9th avenues, below the rocky bluff, to connect with the Avenue St. Nicholas at 124th street, and with the 9th avenue, 149 by a diagonal avenue, from 113th street to 116th street. Also to lay another avenue on the top of the bluff, as an outlet for the 9th avenue, between the 9th and 10th avenues, from 110th to 122d streets. Also to lay out an intermediate avenue, commencing at the pre- sent 9th avenue between 126th and 127th streets, and diverging towards the 10th avenue, passing to the westward of the Convent of the Sacred Heart, then turning slightly to the eastward, and passing from 135th street to 145th street, about midway between the present 9th and 10th avenues. To close that part of the Bloom- ingdale Road between 108th and 127th streets, if the system of Parks is adopted, but retaining it across Manhattanville from 127th street to 133d street, closing it from 133d to 137th street, and straightening and widening the part from 11th avenue, at 137th street, to the 10th avenue, at 144th street. Also to close and aban- don the Bloomingdale road between 10th avenue, at 144th street, and 9th avenue, at 147th street. It is also proposed to close and abandon all the cross streets be- tween the Avenue St. Nicholas and the new avenue intermediate the 9th and 10th avenues, from 126th street to 145th street, except- in the 141st street. Also to abandon 9th avenue from 110th street to 116th street, and the cross streets between the proposed new avenue intermediate the 8th and 9th avenues and the 9th avenue, and the proposed new avenue on the bluffs between the 9th and 10th ave- nues from 111th street to 122d street both inclusive; also to aban- don the present 9th avenue from near 127th street to 129th street, and continue the closing of it as at present between 129th street, 135th streets, and abandon it from 135th to 145th street; and also to close the 12th avenue between 111th and 131st streets, and curve it outwards around the bluff between those points, if the plan of making a Park on the bluff is adopted. Also to close 134th, 135th, 136th, and 137th streets, between the 10th and 11th avenues, ex- cepting that part of 136th street from 11th avenue to Bloomingdale Road, and close 132d, 133d, and 134th streets, between the 10th avenue and the proposed extension of the 9th avenue. Also to close 128th street, between 10th avenue and Lawrence street. Also to lay out two intermediate avenues between 8th and 9th avenues, and 135th and 155th streets, one adapted to the low level of land below the bluff, and the other to the high level on the bluff, closing the cross streets between the 9th avenue and the lower ave-150 nues from 145th to 155th street, excepting 150th street, on the bluff. Also to close all parts of the Bloomingdale Road south of 106th street which are not absorbed in the new road or public drive lately laid out. The foregoing are the principal alterations in the present plan of laying out the city which are suggested, and the reasons for them and benefits anticipated by such change may be reviewed as follows : The changes suggested in and about the 9th avenue from 96th street to 124th street, and between 8th and 9th avenues and 135th and 155th streets, are required by the abruptness of the rocky surface ; if the 9th avenue were to be retained in the present lines from 110th to 123d streets, and worked on a grade suited to its average surface, all the lots on the west side of it from 110th to 116th streets would be so much above the grade as to be comparatively valueless, and direct access through the cross streets could not be had from the 9th to the 10th avenues, on 111th, 112th, 113th, 114th, 115th, 116th, 117th, 118th, 119th, 120th, and 121st streets, except by streets so steep as to be unfit for the travel ; or by grading through rock to such an extent as to make the cost of the work greater than the value of the lots—for to regulate those parts which it is proposed to abandon, according to the existing grades, would require 331,000 cubic yards of excavation, and to reduce the lots to the level of the street grades, 1,007,000 yards in addition, or together 1,338,000 cubic yards, which would be principally rock, the cost of the removal of which would be at least $2,000,000, and would have to be borne by about 1,000 lots, producing an average cost of $2,000 per lot, while the introduction of an intermediate avenue between the 8th and 9th avenues, from 106th streets to 124th street, will allow of the grades being so amended as to save a large amount of work and expense in regulating the cross streets, and the lots fronting on them ; and the new avenue to the west of the present 9th avenue would run along the crest of the hill in the nature of a terrace avenue, and form the termination of the streets from the 10th avenue, allowing the steep bank between the top and bottom of the hill to be improved at the discretion of the owners of the property. The same remarks will apply to the district between 8th and 9th avenues and 135th and 155th streets. The suggestions in relation to alterations proposed between 127th street and 145th street and 11th avenue, and Avenue St. Nicholas, arise from similar considerations to those last mentioned, and also 151 from the fact, that the 10th avenue from 128th street to 135th street is so steep as to be difficult to travel, and has the Croton Aqueduct in the centre of it, which cannot be altered except with great expense and at the risk of interfering with the supply of water below 135th street, and even then the grade of it could be but slightly improved, while a new avenue can be laid out, as shown on the maps, the steepest grade of which would not exceed four feet in one hundred feet distance, and at the same time develop the property, and save large expense in regulating the cross streets. The Bloomingdale Road, from 137th street to 144th street is retained as an outlet for the 10th avenue, because of the steepness of the 10th avenue, referred to above, and also with reference to the fact, that it is an original boundary road between several properties between 137th street and 133d street ; it is recommended to close the Bloomingdale Road, because of its proximity to the 11th avenue, but from 133d street to 127th street it is thought best to retain it, as many improvements front on it on both sides. From 127th to 116th streets, it is thought best to abandon the Bloomingdale road, as it would, for a large distance, be too near the new public road or drive, and of necessity, would retain its present steep and unsafe grades, in some parts eight feet in one hundred feet distance. The abandonment of that portion of the Bloomingdale road, between 87th and 104th street is recommended because of its proximity to the new Drive, and the 10th avenue. The actual closing of such of these streets and roads as are in actual use should be deferred until the avenues and streets adjacent to them are opened and worked, so that owners of property may not be cut off any further than is necessary from access to their lots. Instead of the plan of public or private parks along the river bluff, from 72d street to 129th street, another method of realizing economical results, quite as important as the park plan, entirely practicable, and attended with some advantages over the Park plan, may be found in the adoption of a plan comprehending a terrace, wall and avenue near the river, at such altitude as would allow of economical grades being made from the 11th avenue to the Terrace avenue, through all the cross streets, and allowing all the property within the proposed park limits (equal to about 800 lots) to be devoted to building purposes. The arrangement of streets and terrace avenues, according to this plan, is shown by Map 2,* and is a continuation from 72d street to ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Map No. 2 is not printed.152 109th street of the system incorporated in the plan of parks, shown on Map 3, between 85th and 88th streets, where the elevation of the land and the improvements existing were such as to warrant a deviation from the plan of the parks. The terrace avenue on this arrangement would be constructed parallel to, and adjoining the lower avenue proposed for commerce, so that both avenues and the retaining wall would be comprehended within one width or strip of land solely under public regulation and management, and accessible for construction or maintenance without interference with private property. If it should appear that more frequent communications between the shore and the 11th avenue are desirable, they can be provided by tunnelling through and arching the bluff, in the line of some of the streets, or by making a thorough cut sufficiently wide for travel, and keeping the sides of the street at the higher level; the cost of doing the work should in such case be assessed on all the property benefitted, and not on the line of the street exclusively, and appropriate legislation to that end will be required if the plan is adopted. If the plan of parks should be adopted for the bluffs, stair-ways could be provided from the lower avenue to the park surface, whenever necessary for pedestrian communication, and walks through the parks to the Terrace avenues, at comparatively little expense, and if the terrace plan be preferred, stair-ways would be arranged in the retaining wall wherever needed. Between Manhattanville and 153d street and the 11th avenue or New Drive and the 12th avenue, no change in the existing plan of streets is at present specifically recommended, all the streets in this district can be graded by direct lines from avenue to avenue, within a reasonable limit of cost, and none of the grades would be steeper than 151st street, which is now the principal road to the railway station, and river; these cross streets, although too steep for commerce, being much more favorably situated for grading to the river, than those below Manhattanville. Should the owners of property desire it, an intermediate avenue might be laid out in this district and the cross streets abandoned wherever the various owners would not be thereby deprived of access to their property, and the grounds generally left to be improved according to the wishes of the owners. The abandonment of the masonry aqueducts and substitution of pipes for the conveyance of Croton water, south of 112th street, 153 would allow of much more favorable and economical grades, being established for the streets, from the 11th avenue to the 9th avenue, between 112th street and 106th streets, and between the 10th avenue and 9th avenue, from 106th street to 94th street, and also for the 10th avenue from 106th to 112th streets, and this abandonment is recommended, unless in the opinion of the Board having the aqueduct in charge, very serious consequences to the water supply, and distribution would result from it. The Legislature has at the entrance to the park at 59th street and 8th avenue, provided for a symmetrical and convenient arrangement of the numerous sharp angles and corners that occur at this important point, Enlargements of a similar character adapted to the circumstances of each case are desirable at the other entrances to the park, especially those on its northerly and southerly boundary. To provide facilities of access to the land known as Manhattan square, the widening of 77th and 81st streets from the 8th to 9th avenues, is desirable. This widening should, in order to preserve the lots fronting on the square of sufficient depth, be taken from the square. The widening of 110th street at least from the foot of the bluff to the East river, would also be beneficial. It would be very desirable as a matter of economy, that the power given to the Board, at the last session of the Legislature to regulate and grade one-half of 77th street between 8th and 9th avenues, were extended so as to provide for regulating the whole width of the street, the expense to be assessed as is usual in such cases. With the Central Park extending for nearly three miles on the easterly boundary of the district in question, it has not been deemed advisable to recommend any provision of open grounds, squares or public places, other than those that occur where the streets from the natural formation of the ground, can be advantageously discontinued. These would naturally comprehend, both on the river bluff and the Harlem Heights, a total area of 137 14/100 acres. Along the public road or drive laid out by the Act of 1865, at the spaces formed by the diagonal intersections of the avenues and streets, opportunities occur for appropriate monumental structures, and for an ornamental architecture that, not being closely confined to the ordinary straight lines of the streets, will fittingly decorate the spacious extension of the great Broadway. The power to effect a symmetrical arrangement of these and similar places would, if judiciously exercised, result advantageously.154 Where, from the precipitousness of the land, or for other reasons, the street and avenue lines have heretofore been obliterated by the Legislature, though some minor modifications are suggested, their restoration is not proposed. In making the plans submitted, the principle that has controlled with respect to those spaces where the abandonment of the cross-street is suggested, is,—that where the expense of grading the streets and the adjacent lots would be in effect a confiscation of the lots, it would, without some controlling exceptional reason, be better to strike out the streets. If a grade must be absolutely established by law at such an elevation as requires the owner to expend more money than his lot is worth to grade it, the lot is practically valueless to him. Another controlling consideration in these cases is, if the streets were conformed to the legal grade, they would often be valueless for any general public travel, on account of their steepness, and for that reason they should be abandoned. The spaces within which the streets are so abandoned can be more profitably used either by the private owners or under a public ownership, than they can be if cut up into lots with the succession of streets. In the recommendations made, due regard has been had to the consideration that this area has intimate relations with the territory on the north, east, and south of it. Sanitary considerations, the sewerage, drainage, and proper ventilation of that portion of the city have not been lost sight of. The passage of a law such as the one under which this report is made, has on the area to which it applies an effect something like an injunction against improvements. By creating doubt and uncertainty as to the plan upon which improvements are to be based, development is paralyzed, and they should not be allowed to exist one day longer than is necessary to rectify those previous mistakes, which, if fastened upon the ground, will be productive of consequences more serious than the delay necessary for their rectification. The language of the Act requires the Commissioners "from time to time to report to the Legislature, maps, plans, and profiles, with their proceedings," evidently contemplating more than one report, and provides that the authority of the Commissioners under it "shall expire on the 1st day of May, 1868." Impressed with the importance to all interests, at a period when this area is in actual demand for occupancy, of removing all hindrances to improvement, it would seem almost a duty to present at least a preliminary report at the earliest day practicable. 155 While the full time allowed by the Legislature, to wit, May 1st, 1868, will be required to perfect the detail of lines and grades over the whole district, and to prepare and file the necessary maps and profiles, it has been thought best to present general views, and in some degree particular recommendations, in order that the Legislalature may be enabled to act on the subject, either by conferring the power to make the proposed changes in the plan, or by relieving the whole or particular portions of the district, where it is apparent that no changes can properly be made in the lines of the streets and avenues, from the effect of the law as it now stands. The property owners will regard with unanimity of approval any well advised measures that tend to improve the plan of this district. Where, within any given area, it is apparent that no change of line of streets can be made with advantage, legislation should be shaped to relieve it from any uncertainty as to the plan, so that owners may proceed to improve with confidence. In making the surveys, soundings and examinations necessary for the preparation of the maps, plans, &c., called for by the Act of the Legislature, the Commissioners of the Park have incurred expenses amounting to about the sum of $7,500, provision for the repayment of which will be necessary. The following maps, plans, and profiles have been prepared to accompany this report, to wit: Map No. 1, showing the streets and avenues, public squares or places, the bulkhead, and pier lines now established by law, also all the buildings, excepting those under $200 in value, which existed in May last, when the survey was made, and also designating by a dark line on the north side of the streets, and on the west side of the avenues, those which have been opened or ceded, while those streets and avenues which have been opened or graded, or otherwise worked for public travel, or are under contract for grading, are designated by dark lines on both sides, and where curb and gutter stones have been set, they are shown by fine black lines in the streets and avenues. The buildings, which are of a substantial character, are shown by shading, while sheds, barns, and stables of a inferior class are shown without shading. Profiles Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4,* showing by the irregular shaded lines, and the black figures, the elevation of the natural surface of the several streets above high water level, where it has not been graded, and *These profiles are not printed.MAP Showing the [progress?] made by the Commissioners of the Central Park new Pier and Bulkhe within the district sh January 1st 1868 New Pier Line N O R T H O BROADWAY ROAD OR PUBLIC New B[?]ot Line CENTRAL PARK MERCHANT'S GATE [?oman's] Gate Hunter's Gate Mariner's Gate RIDE RIDE RIDE THE KNOLL THE POND DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE Play Ground The Green MUSEUM Walk Walk MUSIC PAVILL THE MALL THE LAKE CARRIAGE [CONCOURSE?] 7TH AVENUE ARTIZANS GATE 6TH AVENUE Artist's Gate WALK WALK WALK WALK WALK WALK WALK DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE Museum WALK WALK WALK ORNAMENTAL WATER 5TH AVENUE Scholar's Gate [?Children's] Gate Miner's Gate [??]rcle The Lake Ornamental Water 85TH STREET 84TH STREET 83RD STREET 82ND STREET 81ST STREET 80TH STREET 79TH STREET TRANSVERSE ROAD NO. 2 CROTON RESERVOIR 78TH STREET 77TH STREET 76TH STREET 75TH STREET 74TH STREET 73RD STREET 72ND ST 71ST STREET 70TH STREET 69TH STREET 68TH STREET 67TH STREET 66TH STREET TRANSVERSE ROAD NO. 1 65TH STREET 64TH STREET 63RD STREET 62ND STREET 61ST STREET 60TH STREET 59TH STREET 58TH STREET 57TH STREET 56TH STREET 55TH STREET 54TH STREET 000875MAP [Showing the] progress made by the Commissioners of the Central Park in laying out Streets, Roads, Public Squares and Places and new Pier and Bulkhead Lines within the district shown thereon. January 1st 1868. New Pier Line T H O R H U 12TH AVENUE 11TH AVENUE ROAD OR PUBLIC DRIVE 10TH AVENUE 9TH AVENUE CENTRAL PARK Hunter's Gate Mariner's Gate 8TH AVENUE Gate of all Saints Boy's Gate THE KNOLL POOL THE GREAT HILL WALK WALK WALK WALK WALK WALK WALK WALK WALK THE LAKE BRAMBLE TRANSVERSE ROAD NO. 2 CROTON RESERVOIR TRANSVERSE ROAD NO. 3 CROTON RESERVOIR TRANSVERSE ROAD NO. 4 GATE HOUSE West Meadow East Meadow LOCH DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE RIDE RIDE RIDE RIDE RIDE RIDE ORNAMENTAL WATER MOUNT ST. VINCENT en's Gate Miner's Gate Engineer's Gate 5TH AVENUE Woodman's Gate Girl's Gate 105TH STREET 104TH STREET 103RD STREET 102ND STREET 101ST STREET 99TH STREET 98TH STREET 97TH STREET 96TH STREET 95TH STREET 94TH STREET 93RD STREET 92ND STREET 91ST STREET 90TH STREET 89TH STREET 88TH STREET 87TH STREET 86TH STREET 85TH STREET 84TH STREET 83RD STREET 82ND STREET 81ST STREET 80TH STREET 79TH STREET 78TH STREET 77TH STREET 76TH STREET 75TH STREET 74TH STREET 73RD STREET 71ST STREET ENDICOTT & CO. LITH. 59 BEEKMAN 000876Places and Explanation The Streets Avenues and Roads laid out by the Commissioners of the Central Park and the 6th and 7th Avenues [and] the Circle at 8th Av. and 9th St. as widened and laid out by the Legislature, are shown in Red The Streets widened by said Commissioners are shown in Blue The Public Squares and Places laid out by said Commissioners are shown in Green The New Pier and Bulkhead Lines laid out by said Commissioners are shown in words and red lines The parts of former Streets Avenues and Roads not shown on the Map are abandoned and closed. The figures in red thus show the elevation of the natural Surface above high water. H U D S O N ROAD OR PUBLIC DRIVE 9TH AVENUE 8TH AVENUE [B]oy's Gate POOL THE GREAT HILL DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE MEADOW LOCH HARLEM LAKE MOUNT ST VINCENT AVENUE ST NICHOLAS NEW AVENUE WEST MOUNT MORRIS 134TH STREET 133RD STREET 133RD STREET 132ND STREET 132ND STREET 131ST STREET 131ST STREET 130TH STREET 130TH STREET 129 STREET 129TH STREET 128TH ST 128TH STREET LAWRENCE STREET MANHATTAN STREET 127TH ST 127TH STREET 126TH ST 126TH STREET 125TH 125TH STREET 124TH STREET 124TH STREET 123RD STREET 123RD STREET 122ND STREET 122ND STREET 121ST STREET 121ST STREET 120TH STREET 120TH STREET 119TH ST 119TH STREET 118TH ST 118TH STREET 117TH ST 117TH STREET 116TH ST 116TH STREET 115TH ST 115TH STREET 114TH STREET 115TH STREET 113TH STREET 113TH STREET 112TH STREET 112TH STREET 111TH STREET 111TH STREET 110TH STREET Stranger's Gate 110TH Warriors Gate Farmers Gate STREET Pioneers Gate 109TH STREET 108TH STREET 107TH STREET 106TH STREET 105TH STREET 104TH STREET 103RD STREET 102ND STREET Girl's Gate 102ND ST 101ST STREET 100TH STREET ENDICOTT & CO. LITH. 59 BEEKMAN ST. NEW YORK. 000877the Central Park and the 6th and 7th Avenues and Legislature are shown in Red e shown in Green are shown in words and red lines are abandoned and closed. above high water. 1000 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1000 SCALE 2000 3000 4000 FEET New Pier Line R I V E R New Bulkhead Line RIVER STREET 12TH AVENUE ROAD OR PUBLIC DRIVE 10TH AVENUE AVENUE ST NICHOLAS AVENUE ST NICHOLAS 9TH AVENUE 8TH AVENUE 7TH AVENUE 6TH AVENUE 5TH AVENUE EXTERIOR STREET H A R L E M R I V E R 155TH ST TRINITY CEMETRY 154TH ST 154TH ST 153RD STREET 153RD ST 152ND STREET 152ND STREET 151ST STREET 151ST STREET 150TH STREET 150TH STREET 149TH STREET 149TH STREET 148TH STREET 148TH STREET 147TH STREET 147TH STREET 146TH STREET 146TH STREET 145TH STREET 145TH STREET 144TH STREET 144TH STREET 143RD STREET 143RD STREET 142ND STREET 142ND STREET 141ST 141ST STREET 140TH STREET 140TH STREET 139TH STREET 139TH STREET 138TH STREET 138TH STREET 137TH ST 137TH STREET 136TH ST 136TH STREET 135TH ST 135TH STREET 134TH ST 134TH STREET 133RD STREET 133RD STREET 132ND STREET 132ND STREET 131ST STREET 131ST STREET 130TH STREET 130TH STREET 129 STREET 129 STREET 128TH ST 128TH STREET 127TH ST 127TH ST 127TH STREET 126TH 126TH STREET 125TH 125TH STREET 000878156 also by the the more regular black lines, those parts of the streets which have been graded or worked, or are under contract for so doing. Also, by red lines and figures, the grade lines established for the streets, under the authority of the Acts of 1852, and their extent into the North river, beyond the bulkhead line established by the Act of 1857. Map No, 2,† showing the plan for laying out according to the Terrace system, on the west side, and the Park system on the east side of the district, including the bulkhead and pier line proposed. Where streets which it is proposed to retain, have been opened, ceded, graded, or otherwise worked, or curb and gutter stones set in them, the same designation has been given as in Map No. 1. Map No.3,* showing the plan for the laying out the part of the city west of the 11th avenue, from 72d street to 129th street, by introducing public or private parks, and closing parts of many cross streets. Profiles Nos. 5, 6, 7, 8,† showing by irregular shaded lines the natural or present surface of the present street lines above high water level, and by red lines and figures the grades that are proposed for the parts of them which it is proposed to retain if the system of terracing should be adopted according to Map No. 2, and by blue lines and figures the grades proposed if the system of public or private parks along the river front between 72nd street and 129th street, should be preferred to the terrace plan. Maps Nos. 4, 5, 6, and 7,† prepared to illustrate the effect upon the property adjacent, of the laying out of intermediate avenues, the present subdivision of property being shown by black lines, and the proper arrangement of lots for an intermediate avenue, by blue lines. It is intended, by the recommendations of this report, and by the maps, plans, and profiles mentioned, to indicate improvements that seem to be attended with advantages: further examination may develop other practical improvements and that those suggested may to some extent be omitted or modified. The lines on the maps are illustrative, and not designed to indicate a conclusion that they should be finally located as herein suggested or laid down on the maps, plans, or profiles. Dated New York, March 14th, 1867. Respectfully submitted, ANDW. H. GREEN, Comptroller of the Park. * Map No. 3 corresponds generally with the large map herewith printed, which also shows the Park system on the east of the district alluded to in Map No. 2. † These profiles are not printed, and but one of these maps. REPORT ACCOMPANYING THE PLAN ADOPTED FOR THE WEST SIDE OF THE CITY, FROM 55TH STREET TO 155TH STREET. TO THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE CENTRAL PARK: In submitting this plan* it is thought best to accompany it with a brief statement of the reasons that could not well be delineated upon it, for the changes proposed from the previous plan of the City. By the terms of the Act of April 24th, 1867, the plan that the Board may adopt within the district specified in its first section, becomes final upon its being filed, excepting as to the pier and bulkhead line, which does not become final until approved by the Legislature. And further, whenever the Board “deem it proper so to do, “ they may file maps, plans, or surveys,” “showing the streets, avenues “ and public squares or places, which they have determined “ to lay out, abandon, close or retain within any particular section “ of the district mentioned in the first section of the act, and of the “ grades therefore, and that from and after the filing of such maps,” “ the powers of the Board of Commissioners to lay out, widen, “ abandon, close, or alter any street, avenue, road, public square or “ place within such section of the district, absolutely cease and determine.” It will be seen that the maps and plans now presented embrace the whole district mentioned in said first section, west of the 8th avenue, except a small area between the northerly line of 109th and 111th streets, and between the easterly side of the 8th avenue and a line parallel to and two hundred and fifty feet west of it. It has been deemed best to preserve the powers of the Board within the section of the district lying east of the easterly line of the 8th avenue, and the small area west of the 8th avenue, between 109th and 111th streets above described. The great importance of prompt action on the part of the Board * The plan was adopted by the Board Nov. 25, 1867, and similar maps filed, as required by law.158 in the exercise of the powers conferred by this act, has not been lost sight of. Within a period of less than five and a half months from its passage this plan is submitted, although by the terms of the act the powers of the Board do not expire till the 1st day of May, 1872. The district now reported on, embraces property owned by more separate persons, and pays more taxes than did the whole of the City above Astor Place in 1811, when the Commissioners for laying out the City reported the plan which we are now amending; and it would have been impracticable to make a report on its revision, at so early a period as the present, if the subject had not received much attention and investigation during the last year. A comparison of the plan now submitted with the former plan of the same part of the City, will show the changes proposed; the reasons for them are substantially those mentioned in my communication to the Board last winter. Time and further consideration of the subject have confirmed the judgment then expressed, upon the proper method of meeting, and, as far as is now practicable remedying, the defects of the original plan. The difficulties that attend the revision of any plan of this portion of the City, which, after the lapse of more than fifty years, has become identified with property and its subdivisions are great, and radical alterations it it would be likely to create delays and confusion in the adjustment of boundaries, and thus as effectually retard improvement as a strict adherence to the old plan would, by reason of the difficulties of grading the streets and avenues, on the rigidly right-angled plan, laid out over hilly and abrupt surfaces. The Terrace avenues have been laid out as near the upper edge of the steep declivities as possible, so that all available lots might be used for residences. In general the grades are so arranged on the plans submitted that the outer side of the Terrace streets will frequently require embankment walls, and the inner sides correspond nearly to the natural surface, and allow of the cross streets being regulated to the Terrace avenue with the least possible expense. The portions laid out as public squares or places are usually so steep as to be unavailable for buildings, yet in some cases flat land is embraced in them, not only because regularity and symmetry could not otherwise be maintained, but the purposes of the improvement would not have been complete without it. This occurs at 72d street and 96th street, on the east side of 12th avenue, and near the 9th avenue and 122d street. Wherever it was practicable to avoid it, access to existing subdivisions of property has not been cut off by closing streets, and new avenues have only been provided 159 in those cases where they were clearly conducive to economy of expenditure and to public convenience. In most of the plots resulting from closing the former streets and avenues, where the land is not taken for public use, the ownership is in large parcels, and the proprietors may avail themselves of the provisions of Sec. 7 of the act of 1867, by which in certain cases they are allowed to lay out roads and give public right of way into or through the property, subject to the approval of the Commissioners of the Central Park, Examination of the figures in red on the map, denoting the height of the natural surface above high-water level, will more fully illustrate the reasons for laying out the terrace and closing the cross streets. If the increase of population and business should show that the travel from the river to the interior of the city, through the few streets which can be retained for it, should be so great as to interrupt or seriously impede travel through the Terrace avenues, the arrangement of grades submitted is such as to allow of the cross streets being bridged on the line of the terrace, and all direct travel up and down the city, maintained above the cross streets. An avenue intermediate the road or drive and the Terrace, has been laid out from 116th to 127th streets, for the purpose of rendering the property affected more available for buildings than it would be on the old plan. From 111th street to 129th street, the former 12th avenue has been abandoned and closed by reason of its location over a hill, which is at some parts 120 feet above the river, and less than 250 distance from it, and a new avenue has been laid out around the foot of the hill as a substitute for the part of the 12th avenue so closed. The 9th avenue, from 110th to 116th street, has been abandoned and closed by reason of the rugged and abrupt bluff of rock over which it passed, and an avenue connecting with it at 110th street, has been laid out, which passes along the upper edge of the bluff between the 9th and 10th avenues to 122d street, which last named street has been widened to 80 feet by taking off ten feet from the lots on each side—from the terrace last mentioned to the terrace west of the 11th avenue—and 127th street has been widened to 100 feet, from the westerly terrace to the road or drive. A new avenue has also been laid out, connecting the 9th avenue, at 116th street, with the new avenue intermediate the 8th and 9th avenues, at 113th street.160 110th street has also been widened in similar manner and extent as 122d street. The 9th avenue, from 126th street to 145th street, has been abandoned and closed for similar reasons to those for closing it between 110th and 116th streets; and a new avenue has been laid out, passing along the west side of the ridge between the former 9th avenue and the 10th avenue, from 126th street to 145th street; such new avenue affording much easier and cheaper grades than could be obtained on either the old 9th avenue or the 10th avenue. New bulkhead and pier lines have been laid out, subject to the approval of the Legislature, between 55th street and Spuyten Duyvil Creek. The bulkhead lines being laid as nearly as practicable in the average depth of twenty feet water at low tide, and the new pier lines at such distance from it as will allow of piers being built, or for the construction of wet basins, if they should be deemed more desirable than piers for the accommodation and protection of vessels, of lengths varying from 180 to 500 feet. The material differences between the plan now submitted and one of those suggested last winter, consist in the introduction of an avenue from 116th street to 127th street, intermediate the road or drive and westerly terrace, to reduce the area to be taken for a park or public place on the river bank, and afford more space for buildings on the high ground—the configuration of the natural surface rendering this change advantageous; also in the extension of the avenue intermediate the 8th and 9th avenues, from 106th street down to100th street, at the most northerly carriage entrance on the west side of Central Park, and in some slight changes in the location of the avenues intermediate the 8th and 9th avenues, from 141st street to 155th street, as well as the abandonment of parts of streets from the Avenue St. Nicholas, between 137th and 145th streets, and the retention of 137th street, from the Avenue St. Nicholas to the 10th avenue, as it has lately been opened and the fee of it vested in the city. The conformation of the natural surface is such that if more cross streets were laid out from the 11th avenue to the North River than appears on the plan, they would be reason of their steepness, be of but little utility, even if the expense of cutting them through in direct lines were submitted to. A drift or tunnel may hereafter be constructed at 86th street, from the 11th to the 12th avenue, as the grade will admit it, and also at other points. Some transverse roads extending diagonally across the Park may 161 also be made to connect the 12th avenue with the interior of the city by lines much more practicable, through the public ground, than across lots owned by private persons. The new pier and bulkhead lines now reported are similar to those suggested last winter, and no reasons have been offered that should induce any change in their location as now shown; or to the system of providing a bulkhead line without an exterior street along it, in those parts of the city likely to be devoted to commerce and manufactories; the space between the 12th avenue and the bulkhead may be appropriated to warehouses or the landing and discharging of cargoes, without encumbrance of the necessary avenue parallel to the river, which must be preserved for access to public piers at the ends of the cross streets. If it should hereafter be deemed desirable to provide wet basins instead of piers at the ends of streets, it can be done at several places between 55th street and 155th street, without encroaching on the channel of the river beyond the line proposed for the outer ends of piers. In my communication previously referred to, the subject of closing parts of the old Bloomingdale Road was alluded to briefly. As much importance is attached to this subject by owners of the property fronting on the parts which it has been deemed best not to lay out and retain, it seems proper to refer to it more fully. It never has been legally contemplated that this road would be retained at any of the places now abandoned. As early as the year 1807, when Commissioners were appointed to lay out streets and roads above Astor Place, it was enacted (Sec. 4, Chap. 115 of Laws of 1807,) "And no square or plot of ground " made by the intersection of any streets to be laid out by the said " Commissioners, shall ever, after the streets around the same shall " be opened, be or remain divided by any open lane, alley, street or " thoroughfare." The Bloomingdale Road, now called Broadway, was not laid out on the map made and filed by the Commissioners, any further north than 23d street. The retention of this road above 23d street as one of the permanent streets, was not contemplated until about the year 1838, when an Act of the Legislature (Chap. 223) was obtained, straightening and widening it up to the 7th avenue, near 45th street; in the year 1847, (Chap 203,) another Act was passed, laying it out from 45th street to the 10th avenue at 71st street, and in the year 1851, (Chap. 183,) still another was passed, continuing it from the 10th 162 avenue to 86th street, nearly midway between the 10th and 11th avenues. During the whole period from 1811 to 1838, all parts of the Bloomingdale Road which had not been legally recognized as a public road, were subject to the operation of the Act of 1807, which would close it across any block around which the streets and avenues had been opened, and thus stop direct travel through it, and seriously interfere with access over it to the remote parts of the City, although all other ports of the road might remain open. To prevent this, it was provided in Sec. 3, Chap. 223 of Laws of 1838, " All that part of the Bloomingdale Road, in the City of New York, " which lies north of the intersection of the said road with the " Seventh avenue, shall remain and be kept open as a public road, " until the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of New " York shall deem proper, by an ordinance, to direct the same to be " closed." The Act of 1865, (Chap. 565,) which directed the Commissioners of the Central Park to lay out the road or public drive, prescribes the route for it "along the westerly or Hudson river side of the City, " until such road or public drive shall enter the Central Park at or " near the junction of the Bloomingdale Road, 8th avenue and " 59th street; such road to follow the course of the Bloomingdale " Road below 106th street, whenever the Commissioners shall deem " such course advantageous." The line of the road was followed as far as the Commissioners of the Central Park deemed it advantageous to do so, as seems to be contemplated by the act. All purchases or sales which have been made of property laid out as fronting on the Bloomingdale Road, above 86th street, have thus far been made, subject to the temporary use of it provided in the Act of 1838, and also subject to the provisions of the Act of 1807. The subject of altering, amending and establishing grades for the district west of 8th avenue, from 59th to 155th street, has already occupied much time during the years 1866 and 1867; it was necessarily considered in connection with the proposed changes of the streets, avenues, roads and bulkhead lines; yet until a definite plan is adopted, and it is known what new streets, avenues and roads will be laid out, and what will be abandoned and closed, and where new bulkhead lines will be established, no definite plan for grades can be submitted where changes are proposed. As previously mentioned, the terrace avenues have been proposed to obviate the necessity of cutting down the heights and filling up 163 the hollows, and to allow the cross streets leading to them to be regulated with the least possible expense; the general principles which have regulated the consideration of grades thus far, are, to preserve as far as practicable, good grades on the lines of the avenues, so as to allow of easy travel through them, and to fix the regulation for the cross streets near to the natural surface. The natural surface over much of the district is so very uneven that a large amount of cutting and filling is unavoidable. Much of the district between the 8th and 9th avenues, from 73d street to 112th street, lies lower than the 8th and 9th avenues, and deep filling will sometimes be required to regulate the intersecting streets; so also between the 10th and 11th avenues, from 82d street to 100th street. The subdivisions of property in conformity to the existing lines of the streets and avenues between the 8th and 11th avenues, from 59th street to 110th street, are so great as to forbid the attempt to radically alter the plan of the streets and avenues, otherwise it might be so arranged as to allow of much more economical grades being established. It was not considered desirable that the grades of 8th avenue throughout its length, should anywhere exceed the rate of four in one hundred, and the maximum grade established for it does not reach this; neither is it thought proper that the grades for the 9th and 10th avenues, between 59th street and 110th street, should for any considerable distance exceed that limit, while for the road or public drive south of Trinity Cemetery, grades of less steepness are proposed, except in crossing Manhattan Valley between 116th and 135th streets; between those streets, except for one block in length, the rate of grade of four in one hundred is unavoidable, unless what is considered an unjustifiable expense should be incurred in regulating the road. The 10th avenue, across Manhattan Valley, has the large mains in it for conveying the Croton water to the reservoir, and the valley is so short between the hills, that grades steeper than 4 in 100 seem unavoidable. The 11th avenue grades, between 59th street, and 106th street, need not anywhere exceed the rate of 4 in 100, except in crossing the valley at Stryker's Bay, between 96th street and 99th street. For the Terrace avenues, grades are proposed adapted nearly to the natural surface, and except at the crossing of Stryker's Bay and 164 the descent into Manhattanville at 12th avenue, the gradients will vary from level to 6 in 100. A considerable time must elapse before the maps showing the laying out of new streets, avenues, roads and public squares and places can be filed, because the law under which the proceedings are had requires that the maps showing the grades, shall be filed at the same time, and until the plan of laying out is determined, grades can only be provisionally considered, for the system of grades for new streets and avenues is inseparably connected with that for streets and avenues retained, consequently about eighty-six miles of grades have to be arranged and the maps of them drawn, after the plan of laying out streets, &c., is settled on.* A great obstacle to an early determination of the grades is presented by the question whether the Croton aqueduct, between 92d street and 112th street, as built, shall be abandoned or retained. The subject was referred to in my report to the Board, and the report made by the Board of Commissioners of the Central Park to the Legislature last spring, but no definite action was had on it. The removal of the aqueduct between these points, for the purpose of relieving the surrounding property from the great expense of regulating it, on grades conformable to the aqueduct, appears desirable; for it presents quite as great obstacles to the proper and economical grading of the district in question, as the portion which has been abandoned, did to the district between 85th street and 92d street. By the grades which existed in the spring of 1867, the retention of the aqueduct virtually closed 95th, 96th, 97th and 101st streets where it crossed them, for in some places it would present a barrier thirty-four feet above the street grade, and nowhere less than fourteen feet, while for the purpose of passing under the aqueduct at 98th, 99th and 100th streets, and passing over it at 94th street and 102d street, the grades of the 9th avenue were made steeper than is deemed proper for a main line of travel. Between 106th street and 112th street, where the aqueduct approaches and passes through the 10th avenue, the grades were arranged to pass over the aqueduct, and additional filling, fifteen feet deep, through the 10th avenue from 107th street to 112th street was necessary for so doing, and the cross streets from 107th to 112th street, both inclusive, required an average of seven and a half feet ----------------------------- * The plans of grades for the district west of 8th avenue, from 59th street to 155th street, were presented to the Board Feb. 26th, 1868, adopted March 3d, and filed March 7th, 1868. 165 more filling than they otherwise would, to conform them to the grades of the 10th avenue. The impropriety of maintaining this structure across streets, and seriously and permanently interrupting travel upon them, because of the expense of removing it and substituting other means for attaining the object for which the present structure was built, is manifest. If no other means for conducting the Croton water to the reservoir could be devised and operated with safety, the public necessities would justify the retention of the aqueduct as at present built, at the present injury to private interests, but the supply of Croton water for the whole portion of the city below 135th street, is now and has been for the past twenty-five years, safely and successfully brought in pipes across the valley at Manhattanville, under a pressure more than four times greater than would have to be resisted if the water was conducted in pipes through the 10th avenue from 112th street to 92d street, and through 92d street to the reservoir. Thus the whole matter resolves itself into a question of expense. For the purpose of obtaining information on that subject, calculations have been made to determine the difference of quantities of material required to be furnished, if the grades should be established with reference to the retention of the present aqueduct, and that which would be required if the grades were established with reference to its removal, and it is found that additional filling would be required to regulate the streets and avenues alone, which are affected by it, to the amount of eight hundred and eighteen thousand cubic yards, and to make the private property affected as well situated with regard to the elevated grades, as it would be to the proper grades if the present aqueduct is removed, would require the amount of sixteen hundred thousand cubic yards additional filling, making together 2,400,000 cubic yards, which would have to be brought entirely from outside the district, for even with the present grades, that do not regard the aqueduct, there would not be sufficient excavation above grade, to furnish all the filling required below grade. No estimate has been attempted to the injury and inconvenience that would result to private property by the retention of the aqueduct and closing any of the streets, because the district to which such damage would ensue cannot be easily determined. Neither has any estimate been made of the injury to the property fronting on and adjacent to the 9th avenue, if the present very steep grades 166 previously referred to were retained, because they are only needed if the aqueduct is to remain as at present, and the cross-street grades pass above and below it, in the manner formerly laid out and submitting to the barriers across 95th, 96th, 97th and 101st streets. Almost thirty years have elapsed since the construction of the Croton aqueduct across the Clendenning valley was commenced, and the effect of such a structure on the value of adjacent and surrounding property, was not then so fully appreciated as it now is. The compactly built part of the City then scarcely averaged as far north as 14th street; the distributing reservoir at 42d street was built in fields in the year 1841, yet shortly after that time, and at a period when the value of real estate was comparatively small, damages were recovered against the City, and paid to one estate near 87th street and 9th avenue, in the amount of twenty thousand dollars, for injury done to property adjacent to the aqueduct, by reason of its projection above the natural surface, and its effect upon the grades of the streets and avenues; and notwithstanding that fact, the aqueduct south of 92d street has recently been abandoned, and the property it occupied sold to private persons. That similar results would follow the retention of the aqueduct between 92d street and 112th street, is to evident to admit of doubt, and at the present period, when the plan of laying out and closing streets and avenues, and the revision of and establishing new grades is under consideration, it would seem unwise to neglect the teaching of the past. A great similarity exists in the situation of the aqueduct above and below 92d street, with regard to private property and public streets and avenues. With reference to the future growth of the City, and its effects on private and public interests, it was an error to continue the masonry aqueduct below 112th street. The aqueduct has been removed for nearly one third of the distance below 112th street, and the present time seems suitable for the determination of the question whether the remainder of it should be retained or abandoned.* Dated Nov. 1st, 1867. ANDW. H. GREEN, Comptroller of the Park. *The grades adopted by the Board March 3d, 1868, are arranged with reference to the removal of the aqueduct at the point above referred to. 167 Topographical Description of the Central Park, by Areas of Surface, &c., January 1, 1868. Length of Park, from 59th to 110th streets 13,507 ft. 9 4/10 in. Breadth " " 5th to 8th avenues 2,718 " 6 9/10 " Superficial area 843. 019/1000 acres. " " Ground known as Manhattan Square 19. 051/1000 " Acres. Elevation 862. 070/1000 " of water above tide Area, exterior to inclosure, 59th street and Feet. 110th street, Broad Walks 3. 098/1000 Do. occupied by four Transverse Roads 9. 474/1000 Do. " new Croton Reservoir 106. 726/1000 115.20 Do. " old Reservoir 35. 289/1000 115.20 154. 587/1000 " Total area of Park within enclosure, exclusive of above areas 707. 483/1000 acres. Acres. Elevation of surface when full above tide. Summer lev'l Area of the Pond (near 59th street, between Feet. 5th and 6th avenues) 4. 800/1000 26.00 Do. " Lake (between 72d and 78th sts.) 20. 167/1000 53.20 Do. " Conservatory water (east of Lake near 5th av.) 2. 579/1000 41.00 Do. " Pool (near 8th av., between 101st and 102d streets) 2. 013/1000 45.00 Do. " the Harlem Lake 12. 654/1000 11.00 Do. " the Loch 1. 046/1000 24.50 Total area of waters of the Park at this date. 43. 259/1000 acres. Acres. Area occupied by Carriage Roads. 49. 530/1000 Do. occupied by Bridle Roads 15. 371/1000 Do. occupied by Walks 38. 527/1000 Total 103. 473/1000 acres. 146. 737/1000 " Total area of ground within inclosure, exclusive of Reservoirs, Ponds, Roads, and Walks 560. 746/1000 acres. Area of rock surface mainly without soil or shrubbery, estimated 24 " Area of Park ground fertilized, or chiefly fertilized, and in trees and shrubbery, or in open lawns, exclusive of Reservoirs, Roads, Walks, Ponds, rock surface, &c., estimated 536. 746/1000 acres.