TALKING OVER PARK MATTERS Colonel Culyer expressed gratification at the extensive use made of the picnic privileges at Prospect Park. On this point he said: "It is surprising to notice the revolution wrought in the matter of picnics by the accommodations provided by the Commission. Last Summer we had our hands full in taking care of the thousands who came to the park, but it is pleasant to recall the fact that all went away satisfied. To the churches the park picnic ground has been peculiarly beneficial, and I have received scores of letters from clergymen approving its use for that purpose. Many of the churches, and particularly those of the Roman Catholic faith, which formerly had their picnics in parks conducted under private management in and out of the city have expressed their preference for Prospect Park."

PASSING ALONG FULTON STREET I OBSERVED that weather beaten veteran, Colonel E.B. Fowler, marching to his daily task at the office of the Collector of Internal Revenue. The Colonel has grown stout in these piping times of peace, but adipose additions have not in the least affected his genial nature or reduced the fund of quaint and entertaining reminiscences of the war on which he draws at will to the delight of all who listen to his interesting stories. Colonel "Ned," as the boys of the Fourteenth love to call him, is never emotional or effusive, but he is very popular among the vets who served under his command. They agree in testifying to his tolerant, thoughtful and generous qualities as a commander in the field.

TWO OR THREE DAYS of mild weather during the week, with the accompanying thaws, further disclosed the awful condition of the city streets. It seems, even if the authorities insist upon refusing to relieve the distress of the people, that a decent regard for the reputation of the city ought to compel the occasional clearing of Fulton street in the vicinity of the municipal buildings. Last Thursday the mud in the stretch of roadway running past Boerum place was at least four inches deep, making it a labor of extreme discomfort and disgust for pedestrians to cross. So far as the responsibility for this state of affairs has been traced it rests at the door of the Commissioner of City Works. Mr. Fleeman has given proof of his benevolent instincts by association with several charitable organizations. Possibly this association has exhausted all the benevolence of his nature and the suffering people have nothing left to hope for at his hands. Many of the afflicted still cherish the expectation of a reminder from the Mayor that Mr. Fleeman promised to resign when the Mayor asked him to.'

TWO PROMINENT BROOKLYNITES were extensive losers by the fatal fire at Park place and Barclay street, New York, last Thursday night. The building was owned by Mr. Simeon B. Chittenden, and the chief occupant was Mr. Joseph F. Knapp, of Bedford avenue. Mr. Chittenden, who probably owns more real estate than his friends have any idea of, has appeared little on the surface of affairs since his defeat for re-election to Congress in the Fall of 1880, by the Rev. J. Hyatt Smith. That reverse was a severe blow to Mr. Chittenden, and it was rendered all the more unwelcome by the fact that the House in that election passed under the control of the Republicans. Never a leader in legislation, Mr. Chittenden had an idea that much of the embarrassment under which he undoubtedly labored in the House was attributable to the unkindness of the unappreciative Democratic majority which dominated the popular breach from 1875 to 1881. Had he been returned to the Congress chiefly memorable as the personal property of the departed Robeson and the expiring Kelfer, he might have maintained his reputation in Washington society as a liberal entertainer, but he would have achieved nothing in any effort to restrain the disgraceful proceedings of the House in which Mr. Smith displaced him.

AFTER THE AMIABLE MR. FLEEMAN WAKES UP__if he ever does and gives us clean streets, perhaps he will again jostle the Aldermen about that hideous caricature of statuary, the Cogswell monstrosity, which continues to up rear its horrid front at Lafayette avenue and Fulton street. What a fine subject it (the effigy, not Mr. Fleeman) would be for the dynamiters to practice on!

IF THE NAME OF THE NEXT MAYOR OF BROOKLYN does not begin with a capital Q it will not be the fault of one of the most distinguished orators in the present Board of Aldermen.