Public (.'< ;?;< VrnV.s- <in<l Public Gardens 



Boston by thousands and tens of thousands, is it not likely 

 that such a garden, full of the most varied instruction, 

 amusement, and recreation, would be ten times more vis- 

 ited? Fetes might be held there, horticultural societies 

 would make annual exhibitions there, and it would be the 

 general holiday-ground of all who love to escape from the 

 brick walls, paved streets, and stifling atmosphere of towns. 



Would such a project pay? This is the home question of 

 all the calculating part of the community, who must open 

 their purse-strings to make it a substantial reality. 



We can only judge by analogy. The mere yearly rent of 

 Barnum's Museum in Broadway is, we believe, about 

 810,000 (a sum more than sufficient to meet all the annual 

 expenses of such a garden); and it is not only paid, but very 

 large profits have been made there. Now, if hundreds of 

 thousands of the inhabitants of cities like New York will 

 pay to see stuffed boa-constrictors and un-human Belgian 

 giants, or incur the expense and trouble of going five or six 

 miles to visit Greenwood, we think it may safely be esti- 

 mated that a much larger number would resort to a public 

 garden, at once the finest park, the most charming drive, the 

 most inviting pleasure ground, and the most agreeable prom- 

 enade within their reach. That such a project, carefully 

 planned, and liberally and judiciously carried out, would 

 not only pay, in money, but largely civilize and refine the 

 national character, foster the love of rural beauty, and in- 

 crease the knowledge of and taste for rare and beautiful 

 trees and plants, we cannot entertain a reasonable doubt. 



It is only necessary for one of the three cities which first 

 opened cemeteries to set the example, and the thing once 

 fairly seen it becomes universal. The true policy of repub- 

 lics is to foster the taste for great public libraries, sculpture 

 and picture galleries, parks, and gardens, which all may 

 enjoy, since our institutions wisely forbid the growth of 

 private fortunes sufficient to achieve these desirable results 

 in any other way. 



.Vo/e. -- Experience has hardly curried out Mr. Downin.y's ideas, per- 

 haps for the very reason that, soon after the time of his writing, it became 



