171 



great pleasure to the crowds of delighted visitors who thronged 

 to hear. 



The Commissioners are much gratified to record the fact 

 that the city is indebted to our distinguished fellow-citizen the 

 Hon. Demas Barnes, for the gift of a beautiful collossal bust, 

 in bronze, of Washington Irving, the work of that eminent 

 artist J. Wilson McDonald, Esq. Mr. Barnes' presentation 

 letter, with a resolution of the Board accepting the gift, will 

 be found appended to this report. This fine work of art, 

 erected upon a granite shaft on the east drive of the park, was 

 unveiled, with music and appropriate services, on a beautiful 

 bright day in July last, in the presence of at least ten thousand 

 persons. Mr. Low presided, and introduced the ceremonies 

 with an appropriate speech. He was followed by Mr. Barnes, 

 whose elegant presentation address was received by the audi- 

 ence with frequent bursts ol applause. The President of the 

 Park Commission, on behalf of the Board, accepted the bust 

 for the city in suitable terms ; and the Rev. Mr. Beecher added 

 to the enjoyment of the delighted assemblage by the delivery 

 of an excellent address, well adapted to the occasion. This 

 splendid exhibition of refined taste and large public spirit re- 

 flects great credit upon the generous donor, and entitles him 

 to the warmest thanks of every citizen of Brooklyn. His 

 noble gift, like the monument of the Martyr President, will 

 stand for ages as one of the sweetest charms of Prospect 

 Park. 



The Commissioners also have the pleasure of acknowledg- 

 ing the receipt of two pelicans from Mr. Stephen Havnes ; one 

 deer from Mr. Ambrose L. Snow, one from Mr. IT. Ilentz, 

 two from Mr. S. B. Chittenden, one from Mr. John Norrit, 

 and two from Mr. W. B. Leonard ; also of three Muscovy 

 ducks from Mr. Gerster ; five hundred tulips from Mr. John 

 Douglas ; and fifty side-saddle plants from Mr. F. Y. Morrison, 

 of Kew Burgh. The animals are in good condition, and con- 

 tribute largely to the picturesque effects which are being con- 

 tinually produced upon this park. 



The financial statement of the receipts and expenditures 

 of the Commission, for the year 1ST1, is annexed to and forms 

 part of this report. It includes a statement of the fund raised 

 by general tax, under the law of 1S68, for the maintenance of 



