) As if New York
would show these afternoons what it can do in its humanity, its
choicest physique and physiognomy, and its countless prodigality of
locomotion, dry goods, glitter, magnetism, and happiness.
Second: also from 5 to 7 P.M. the stretch of Fifth avenue, all the way
from the Central Park exits at Fifty-ninth street, down to Fourteenth,
especially along the high grade by Fortieth street, and down the hill.
A Mississippi of horses and rich vehicles, not by dozens and scores,
but hundreds and thousands--the broad avenue filled and cramm'd with
them--a moving, sparkling, hurrying crush, for more than two miles.
(I wonder they don't get block'd, but I believe they never do.)
Altogether it is to me the marvel sight of New York. I like to get in
one of the Fifth avenue stages and ride up, stemming the swift-moving
procession. I doubt if London or Paris or any city in the world can
show such a carriage carnival as I have seen here five or six times
these beautiful May afternoons.
CENTRAL PARK WALKS AND TALKS
_May 16 to 22_.--I visit Central Park now almost every day, sitting, or
slowly rambling, or riding around. The whole place presents its very
best appearance this current month--the full flush of the trees, the
plentiful white and pink of the flowering shrubs, the emerald green of
the grass spreading everywhere, yellow dotted still with dandelions
--the specialty of the plentiful gray rocks, peculiar to these grounds,
cropping out, miles and miles--and over all the beauty and purity,
three days out of four, of our summer skies.
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