Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/317

 1868.] The Gazette. 257 thought of the man, who, in this enlight- ened day, would study to generate steam, without providing a safety-valve ? Yet the latter does not place human life in more danger than the former. It is a well-known fact that the ob- jection to the fire-place is really the most commendable thing about it ; that is, that it draws the cold air towards it, and sends the hot air up the chimney : so that, to keep warm, in front, one must receive the cold air, on the back, and vice versa. The fire-place, then, is a more sanitary institution, than it is credited to be, no matter how much more unpleasant than the stove. An eminent physician of a former day, on entering the close room of a patient, used to apply his cane to the wholesome task of ventilating, by breaking a pane or two of glass in the windows. Might not our profession follow so sensible an example ; and make venti- lating holes of some sort in the rooms designed for human beings to breathe in ? So, also, might our profession take care, that the heating process, adopted by them, be such, as to give a salutary- heat ; not by roasting air ; but by giving to the natural atmosphere, as introduced fresh from without, a warm- ing influence so gentle as to be genial — at the same time, that it is wholly in- noxious to the lungs. Such a desirable principle of heating may, at no distant time, be fully real- ized Meantime let us not discourage the inventors. THE BATTERY. New York. FEW cities are gifted with such a superb breathing-place as the Battery, and no city, save New York, would freely relinquish its possession to an institution, which at once renders it unfit as a pleasure ground for citizens to enjoy the ever-charming, ever-new scenes of moving water, bedecked with sleeping or dancing craft, of every form and size, that delight the eye of the visitor to that spot, once so much sought by our fashionable people. But the Emigration Commissioners got hold of Castle Garden ; and then the Battery at once lost its charm ; and declined steadily, until the war gave rise to the Barracks, when fully one-fourth of the public ground was taken from the peo- ple to be used for these, and shortly afterwards for a Cholera Hospital. Alas! what a falling away of pride and pretti- ness ! But there is yet a hope that the Bat- tery may some day be redeemed. The Barracks and Hospitals, being no longer required, have been taken down ; and the sea-wall is being" extended, so as to in- crease the area, by encroaching on Nep- tune's domain, forming a segment of a circle, faced with well-built masonry, on which are erected granite piers to have, at some future day, mayhap, either chains or bars, to fence in the pedestrians. Why not remove the unsightty emi- grant sheds, and turn Castle Garden into a public Bath ? Why not remove the Augean stable of emigration to Hart's Island, which is, report says, about to be relieved of its fearful pow- der-magazine ? There is a chance for New York to make this Battery a beautiful feature, whether viewed from the harbor, or en- j'03'ed, as it once was, on its broad clear walks and trim green swards. It is the central object of Manhattan Island ; and it should be made worthy of its position. It has claims, as well as Central Park, and a moiety of the money, so freely ex- pended on the latter, would make the Battery one of the most charming spots any city could boast of, — conducing