14 IIISTOKY OF THE 



owners nor offLTcd ibr sale, thus talking their property 

 in tact out of the market. I say that during all these 

 years, running through that dreary period of mercantile 

 depression, the land oAvners were obliged to pay their 

 taxes on this pro})erty annually, even while it Avas under 

 the clutches of the city of Boston; not only did they 

 pay these unrighteous taxes, but many ofthemAvhose 

 estates Averc encumbered by mortgages were obliged 

 also to pay interest on the same. In this Avay thousands 

 of dohars wei-e paid into the city treasury and to money 

 lenders, Avhile their pi'operty Avas virtually doomed and 

 tied up from their control, thus robbing the ])Ockets of 

 the land owners, and saving to the city time, price, 

 interest and taxes. Who Avould believe that the city of 

 Boston, acme of refinement and culture, could be gov- 

 erned by such a spirit in acquiring a public park for the 

 indulgence of its citizens? 



One of these oAvners, a Avell knoAvn merchant of Bos- 

 ton, Avho paid his taxes there for more than forty years, 

 now Avell advanced in years, possessed a section of these 

 park lands, expected some time to realize a handsome 

 surplus over the mortgage incumbrance, sufficient to 

 place himself and family in comfortable circumstances 

 during his declining years. He looked hopefully upon 

 the constant and rapid groAvth of the city and its sur- 

 roundings in population and wealth, as surely pi-omising 

 to reward him for his long and patient Avaiting. But 

 his property Avas ci"uelly taken from him just as the 

 Avave of prosperity and demand began to move toAvard 

 his estate; for the location of it was such that it would 

 first feel the benefit of the advancing population. 



This old gentleman told me after a suit at law, which 



