276 CITY PARKS. 



an effective way to enter a park. It makes the region 

 seem larger and more varied in effect. 



About half a mile along this drive, sixty feet wide, we come 

 to the most important semi-artificial effect of Central Park, 

 the Mall. It is a formal planted open-air cathedral of elms, 

 showing long vistas of natural Gothic arches, with a wide 

 walk in the centre and -grass alleys on either side. The 

 semi-artificial effect is relieved by irregular masses of trees 

 planted all around the " cathedral of trees," thus shading 

 off and merging the formal effect into the picturesque and 

 natural one peculiar to the remainder of the park. The 

 Mall is the most frequented part of the park. Beneath its 

 noble arches people linger to enjoy the cool of morning or 

 evening, or gather on bright afternoons in thousands to 

 enjoy the music of a band occupying a stand near the north 

 end. The Mall is about a quarter of a mile long, and at the 

 extreme north end the cathedral of trees culminates in 

 the Terrace, which is the most elaborate and manifestly 

 architectural effect in the park. 



A broad drive passes across the north end of the Mall, 

 and along its entire width extends a broad high Nova Scotia 

 sandstone balustrade, elaborately decorated with carved 

 fruits, animals, and birds. Broad stone steps lead under 

 this drive from the Mall itself ; and from the north side of 

 the drive two other sets of steps, bordered with carved 

 balustrades illustrating the seasons, go down to a great 

 Plaza, ornamented by the Bethesda Fountain. Beyond is 

 the Lake, and still beyond, the woods of the Ramble that 

 look illimitable. The view on an autumn day from the 

 drive across the Plaza and fountain and across the Lake to 



