WEST llOXBURY PARK. 23 



out of season — and besides these sales, the city bought 

 on Wahiut and Sigourney streets a large lot at 28 cents 

 a foot, adjoining my property; on Blue Hill avenue at 

 21 cents, and on Ruthven, Crawford, Harold, Humboldt, 

 Seaver and Walnut streets, a great many sales have 

 been made at auction, the prices ranging from 17 1-2 

 to 40 cents or more. Even higher prices than these are 

 demanded for lots on Elm Hill and vicinity. 



The rise and appreciation of real estate near by, when 

 favorably situated, may be shown by the prices often 

 paid over the assessors' valuations : the city paid for one 

 lot f 30,000, which was assessed at f 4,700; for another 

 lot for the Marine Park at South Boston, taxed on 

 $7,400, the owner obtained $20,635; and for still another 

 lot taxed on $14,800 the city was obliged to pay 

 $55,125.11. These real estate transactions are sufficient 

 to convince any conscientious, fair-minded men that 

 there is a positive value in real property. 



The low boggy lands beyond Monteglade and ^N^ew- 

 stead, running down to Forest Hill street southwesterly, 

 and along on Morton and Canterbury streets, would 

 bear no comparison with the charming uplands embrac- 

 ing Monteglade and ^ewstead, no more than a coarse 

 piece of bagging would compare in value with a fine 

 piece of silk or satin. 



The following letter was written to the chairman of 

 the Park Commissioners on learning that they thought 

 of condemning Monteglade: 



Boston, November 4, 1875. 

 T. Jefferson Cooltdge, Esq. : 



Dear Sir: — I have seen by Mr. Keith's plan which 



