or the Reformation of
Juvenile Delinquents, the first organization instituted in America to
care for youthful offenders. In 1839 it was destroyed by fire. That was
two years after the Parade Ground had been reduced to its present limits
of 6.84 acres and renamed in honour of President Madison. In 1844 the
Eastern Post-road was closed. Its course may still be traced by the
double row of trees that runs northeast towards Madison Square Garden.

In 1847 the Square was formally opened and soon after society began to
migrate there. That was during the mayoralty of James Harper. From 1853
until the end of the Civil War it was the social centre of the city.
"Among those who lived in this vicinity," says "Fifth Avenue," "were
Leonard W. Jerome, and his elder brother, Addison G. Jerome, who, with
William R. Travers, were social leaders and prominent Wall Street
brokers; James Stokes, who, in 1851, built at No. 37 Madison Square,
East, the first residence on Madison Square, and whose wife was a
daughter of Anson G. Phelps; John David Wolfe, whose daughter, Catherine
Lorillard Wolfe, gave her magnificent art collection to the Metropolitan
Museum of Art; Frank Work, William and John O'Brien, Henry M.
Schieffelin, James L. Schieffelin, Samuel B. Schieffelin, Benjamin H.
Field, Peter Ronalds, and William Lane."

Elsewhere is told of the glories of the Fifth Avenue Hotel, of the part
it played as one of the Hosts of the Avenue, of its share in the great
days, of its Amen Corner, and of the distinguished men like General W.T.
Sherman, former Senator Platt, and the actor, William J. Florence, who
for years made it their home. A quarter of a century ago the entrance to
the hotel was the starting point, every Thanksgiving Day noon, for many
gaily decorated coaches bound for the old Manhattan Field. In earlier
days the destination had been Berkeley Oval at Williamsbridge, or the
old Polo Grounds at One Hundred and Tenth Street and Fifth and Sixth
Avenues. Draped down to the wheels with bunting of dark blue or of
orange and black the tally-hos drew up before the portico and were soon
topped with eager, ardent youth. As they were whirled away up the Avenue
there broke out upon the autumn air the sharp "Brek-a Coex-Coex-Coex" of
Yale, or the sky-rocket of Princeton. The return was marked by high
elation or deep depression according as the Fates had decided on the
chalk-lined turf. For the collection of sundry wagers the victors
hurried into