30 REPORT OF THE 



The proper site in the park on which to erect a music stand 

 was very thoroughly discussed by the Commissioners. 



Music Island, which was the spot originally designed by the 

 architect for the pagoda was thoroughly tested. A temporary 

 stand was erected there on which several concerts were given. 

 So far as the acoustic effects were concerned the experiment 

 was finally declared a failure. The sound of the music, how- 

 ever, as enjoyed by the people in the boats at some distance 

 from the Island, was delightful. 



The design of the new music pagoda is peculiar and ap- 

 propriate to the place. It has the shape and general ap- 

 pearance of a fort provided with angled coiners and 

 loop-hole windows. The rock out of which it was built is 

 from the hallowed ground of Sullivan Heights. Behind these 

 very rocks and boulders our brave revolutionary forefathers 

 fought the Hessian hordes. The site itself on which the 

 pagoda now stands was traversed by brave men fighting stub- 

 bornly in freedom s cause. As no structure of such a char- 

 acter has been erected at Battle Pass, it seemed appropriate, 

 as this site was hard by, and as the material brought to it had 

 been used in the defense of its territory, that its identity 

 should receive incorporation in some permanent and appro- 

 priate form. The Commissioners therefore decided that the 

 foundation or base should partake of the shape of a fortifica- 

 tion. In the massive foundation, as so constructed, it is in- 

 tended to provide lockers and conveniences for the storage of 

 sets of lawn tennis, croquet, &c. The games .ire played upon 

 the Nethermead. 



The upper part of the structure is made very durable, rest- 

 ing upon twelve substantial posts. The sounding board in the 

 ceiling was designed and made with great care and has proved 

 a great success, as the distance at which the music can be dis- 

 tinctly heard is three times ,-is great as it formerly was. The 

 . site on which the pagoda stands was surrounded until a recent 

 period with a. dense growth of underwood and evergreen, skirt- 

 ing on Lily-pond Lake and Binnenwater Stream. This has all 

 been removed, the trees trimmed up and a clearing made, ex- 



