60 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE. 



other hand, it must be confessed that hardly any commun- 

 ities are free from representatives of the class whose 

 object seems to be to profit by the labor and enterprise 

 of others, and who block the efforts of their neighbors by 

 refusing to cooperate with them. 



It would be easy to point out instances of towns or 

 villages possessing all the requisite elements of attractive 

 development, but in which the efforts of the enterprising 

 and public spirited members of the community have 

 been completely thwarted by the swinish obstinacy of a 

 single individual of the class alluded to. But such men 

 have existed from the time ^Esop wrote the fable of the 

 dog in the manger, and we can only trust that like other 

 vermin whose presence is offensive, they may serve some 

 useful purpose of which we and probably they them* 

 selves are ignorant. 



The point of essential interest in the experience of 

 those who have undertaken the construction of orna- 

 mental suburban additions, is the evidence they afford 

 that tasteful and skillfully arranged improvements are 

 readily appreciated, and if wisely managed are very sure 

 to prove lucrative investments. 



Inasmuch as they add materially to the attractions of 

 a city, and enhance the value of real estate in its vicinity, 

 the projectors of such improvements should be encour- 

 aged so far as possible by liberal treatment on the part of 

 municipal authorities. Even if the motive be only a 

 speculative one the result is nevertheless a public benefit 

 and every such effort should be facilitated by such 

 public aid as may be legitimately afforded. 



