76 THE BOTANISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



fire engines could reach the spot the flames had spread over 

 a considerable portion of the roof. The fire originated at 

 the north-west corner of the building, and practically the 

 whole of the third story was destroyed. The firemen 

 succeeded in keeping the flames out of the tower on the 

 south-east corner, but it was undermined to such an extent 

 that it may have to be torn down. The lower floors were 

 saved, but the ceilings and walls of the spacious rooms were 

 badly damaged by water. 



" Although the property has now been secured by the 

 city for a public park, to the satisfaction of everyone 

 interested in the early history of the city, it will be seen 

 from the above account that the preservation of this historic 

 and beautiful garden is really owing to the earnest desire 

 of Mr. Eastwick to have it preserved for all time. 



" It will be noted that the burned building is on that 

 portion of the property which Select Council decided to 

 purchase as an addition to the part before taken for a public 

 park. The present owners entered heartily into the desire 

 of their father for the preservation of everything connected 

 with Bartram, and had been anxious for the city to own 

 this addition. They generously proposed in the negotia- 

 tions to leave completely out of consideration the house, 

 looking only to the absolute value of the ground. 



"It had been the thought of Mr. Eisenhower, Chief 

 Commissioner of City Property, to use the Eastwick building 

 for free library purposes. In this sense the destruction of 

 the building may be considered a loss."* 



* The building has since been torn down. The Bartram Association has 

 started (1899) a botanical library which occupies one of the rooms of the old house. 

 A considerable number of books presented by the courtesy of friends repose on the 

 book shelves, and a number of interesting relics recently collected also add much to 

 the interest of the place. Meetings organizing the memorial library were held at the 

 University of Pennsylvania on March 23rd, and at the Pennsylvania Historical 

 Society on April 10, 1899. 



