SuI}urI)(Ut Resiliences. 



THE present is eminently a time of improvement. Go where we will — in the sub- 

 urbs of all our cities, in our country villages, and far into the farming districts — we 

 find the people busy constructing and re-modeling their dwellings, laying out gardens, 

 and planting trees. At no previous time, in the history of this country, has such a 

 spirit prevailed. The rage for money-making seems at length to have so far abated 

 as to allow men to think of their homes, and to go about making them somewhat 

 comfortable, and even beautiful. This is something to rejoice at. Were it not so, 

 we should ill deserve the overflowing measure of prosperity which Providence has 

 vouchsafed us. Certainly, no people in the world have stronger inducements to 

 improve and beautify their homes, than Americans. Our present purpose, however, 

 is not to expatiate on this subject, pleasant though it be, but to call attention to a 

 certain defect, which we apprehend is very general among modern suburban residences. 



There seems to be a prevailing passion for building on the most pubHc thorough- 

 fares, and for making an undue display of the dwelling and every portion of the 

 ground, to the public. Now this is manifestly a great mistake. Quiet and seclusion 

 we have always regarded as among the most important requisites, and, indeed, the 

 greatest charms of a country or suburban residence. What is it that people seek, who 

 retire from the crowded streets of the city, and erect for themselves a dwelling on an 

 acre or two of ground, in the suburbs ? Do they go there to erect a costly house, make 

 a beautiful lawn, and plant fine trees, merely to be gazed at and admired by the 

 public ? Or do they not rather seek relief from the noise and bustle of the streets, and 

 a quiet, retired place, in which themselves and families may enjoy [ure air, and health- 

 ful, pleasant recreation ? This, we believe, is the aim of by far the greater number ; 

 a few, only, are prompted by feelings of vanity, or urged by the power of fashion. 



We take it for granted that people erect houses, and make gardens and pleasure- 

 grounds, first and foremost, for their own comfort and gratification. We are sur- 

 prised, therefore, to see such a passion for building on the most public thoroughfares, 

 and we are inclined to attribute it, in a great measure, to the wart of experience. 

 Sites for dwellings and gardens can be had at least one-fourth cheaper, on less fre- 

 quented and much more desirable localities. The only advantage that can be claimed 

 for the leading avenues, is, that they are nearer to the public conveyances ; but this is 

 of trifling importance, especially to those who keep a horse and carriage of their own, 

 and in any case, it would be a poor compensation for the countless annoyances insep- 

 arable from such locations. But a few days ago, we passed along one of the popular 

 avenues of our city, where, within a few years, a large number of very tasteful residen- 

 ces have been erected, each having a garden in front, varying from 50 to 100 feet 

 deep. It was a dry time, and the clouds of dust that arose from the street, (thronged 

 with wagons at all hours), had covered every tree, shrub, and plant, with a thick coat, 

 giving them, at the most delightful season of the year, when gardens should be in the 



July 1, 1854. ol No. VII. 



