62 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE. 



seemed very remote. The work at its inception was 

 denounced by many short-sighted economists as a meas- 

 ure of indefensible extravagance, and all the sterotyped 

 phrases of abuse, which pertain to political blackguardism 

 were brought to bear upon those who favored its prosecu- 

 tion. Yet in the ten years succeeding the commence- 

 ment of work upon the park, the increased valuation of 

 taxable property in the wards immediately surrounding it 

 was no less than fifty-four million dollars, affording a sur- 

 plus, after paying the interest on all the city bonds issued 

 for the purchase and construction of the park, of three 

 million dollars, a sum sufficient, if used as a sinking fund, 

 to pay the entire principal and interest of the cost of the 

 park in less time than was required for its construction. 

 The incidental value of such a work as a means of at* 

 tracting and diffusing wealth in the city is, of course, ines- 

 timable, but no more conclusive evidence could be 

 afforded than can be clearly proved and stated, of the 

 practical value of broad and liberal schemes of improve- 

 ment which add to .he elegance of a city and render it 

 attractive to visitors, while they strengthen the local pride 

 and affection of the inhabitants. 



On the other hand, the Central Park fails to supply the 

 demand of the old and densely peopled regions of the 

 city, for an easily accessible place of resort for pedestri- 

 ans, and such a place in the heart of the city, New York 

 with all her wealth will never be able to secure, and yet 

 such resorts for those who have not the means to provide 

 themselves with the enjoyment of nature's gifts of refresh- 

 ment are certainly as important, and involve moral duties 



