WEST KOXBURY PARK. 49 



the Blue Hills of Milton, .slumbering in their dreamy 

 atmosphere, spanning the long extent of valley inter- 

 vening, dotted with eottages; also its glades and glens, 

 its native forests, slopes and lawns, I ean not but feel 

 that the loss to me of this lovely estate is almost inevit- 

 able. I have therefore, but with the greatest reluct- 

 ance, and against my pecuniary interest, made out the 

 inclosed bill or claim, which, if accepted by your board, 

 will cost me much regret, and many thousands of dol- 

 lars in money. 



Mr. Olmstead knows, you all very well know, that the 

 natural beauties of this valuable estate, Avith its lovely 

 valley, its glens, copses and fields, and with its Kavens- 

 wood Park, possesses rural charms unsurpassed, and 

 variety enough to be a lovely park within its own 

 boi'ders, in fact a gem, the treasure of the whole 

 ]3ark area, besides being the chief high gatcAvay to the 

 entrance of the great West Koxbury Park, and nature 

 without adornment has done the needful. 



Your commission has already secui'ed three or four 

 hundred acres for park purposes, which are all very well 

 in counting acres, and cheap enough, but what would 

 your great West Poxbury Park amount to, some of it 

 being low and boggy land, without Monteglade? Where 

 else within the city limits, can be found another estate 

 to compare with it for the gi-and entrance to the pai'k 

 domain? 



Gems and precious stones must bear corresponding 

 values; therefore, if the citizens of Boston desire such 

 treasures for their indulgence, they must be willing to 

 pay for them, or let them alone ; it is not my Avish to 

 sell this property now, even at the prices named for it 



