108 Architecture in the United States. 
mon objects of pursuit and pleasure, of regret and praise ; something 
to make us more a people of one heart and one mind, is needed. I 
do not say that objects of architectural beauty, would do every thing, 
towards correcting the evil; but I believe they would be found of 
vast benefit in that way. ‘They would be public, objects of sense as 
well as study, constantly before us, and, of necessity, matters of 
thought and remark. Place ina village a handsome public monv- 
ment, or pillar, or church, and I do not hesitate to say that, all other 
things being equal, those villagers will be bound more to one another, 
and to their village, than those of another. Place by another a 
group of trees, with a fountain playing in their midst: have beneath 
them tasteful seats, and make it a place to which experienced age 
and prattling infancy will go for company or amusement ; a spot where 
the villagers will assemble in the evening for cheerful conversation, 
and I venture to say that these people will love their homes more, 
and thinking less of changing, will improve them more ; that they 
will be wiser ; that. their taverns will be less fréqoeiited ; and that 
every good feeling will’ prevail more among them, than would have 
been the case without. Place in a town or city, a spot with spread- 
ing trees, and pleasant walks between, a spot which would serve as 
an agreeable promenade, and the feelings of that people’ will flow 
ina kiader and smoother channel; there will be more cheerfulness 
and more happiness than there would otherwise have been. It is 
a delightful amusement to saunter along the French promenades 
about sunset, and observe the happy groups, of all ages, that throng 
them; to watch the rapid sale of bouquets, at the platforms which 
line their sides (flowers only are admitted there); and as an Ameri- 
can looks at the cheerful scene, he must think with pain of his own 
eities, where every thing seems calculated for dull labor, or lynx- 
“eyed gain. Tt-is doubtless owing, in some degree, to the provision of 
‘Such places, in foreign countries, that their natives resort less to 
‘taverns for amusement than with us; ; and that intoxication conse- 
‘quently is less frequently seen. The French have their Boulevards; 
= consti their Prado; the Italians their Corso; all of these 
ve their public gardens ; ait we—we have our tippling shops, the 
ers and disgrace of our land, and shall have them, I fear, till we 
provide more innocent places of resort. All attempts to check this 
current of human feeling are vain; the stream must flow; aud if we 
“sive it a channel, will refresh site beautify the land, it would other- 
wise have desolated and-destroyed. 
