290 



Garden and Forest. 



[NuAfBER 226. 



of it, and means of transportation to distant parts of tlie 

 ground. To those who choose to go by water, a view 

 from the boats in the basin of the buildings above, crowned 

 with spirited groups of statuary and countless flags and 

 banners bearing- a]ipropriate devices and in harmonious 

 colors, will be particularly striking. Atnig-ht the Plaza will be 

 illuminated by search-lights from the square campanile on 

 the lake-side, and all the walls will be treated with rows of 

 incandescent lights along the cornices as well as the 

 upright lines of the building and the ribs of the aspiring 

 dome of the Administration Building. Lines of the same 

 lights will also be arranged along the edges of the terraces 

 and under the coping of the basin-walls, so that the entire 

 plan will be outlined and present a scene of unexampled 

 brilliancy, showing to advantage not only the general 

 architectural features which we have mentioned but illumi- 

 nating also the great statue of the Republic and the colos- 

 sal works of allegorical sculpture which, with fountains and 

 rostral columns in harmony with the classic character of 

 the architecture, are massed here in lavish abundance. 



In contrast with the elaborate and ceremonial treatment 

 of this Plaza, the grounds to the north of the Buildings of 

 Electricity and Mines open out to embrace the lagoon, 

 which is an irregular waterway flowing about a large 

 island, or rather a cluster of islands. The priniar}^ 

 purpose of this island is to add a touch of breadth and 

 natural openness to the scene and give a sense of some 

 informality and repose in the midst of the prevailing ac- 

 tivity and bustle. The larger island was originally high 

 enough above the water to support some moderate-sized 

 trees, and others have been planted to make a mass of 

 foliage, over and through which the buildings surrounding 

 the lagoon appear to great advantage. To secure the high- 

 est effect it was absolutely necessary that this island should 

 be green to the water's edge, and as the time for prepara- 

 tion is so brief it was necessary that the planting should be 

 made on an absolutely different method from that which 

 would be employed in a permanent work — that is, plants 

 were used primarily for their quickness of growth, and 

 they were set as thickly as they could stand. Im- 

 mense numbers of Willow-cuttings and shrubs of rapid de- 

 velopment have been planted on the banks ; and on the 

 immediate edge of the island, where the natural rise and 

 fall of the lake would leave a raw line under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances, plants like Rushes and Sedges and Flags and 

 others which grow even when their roots are under water, 

 have been selected. Great quantities of herbaceous ma- 

 terial have been cut in sods from the edges of natural lakes 

 near the city, and brought by the car-load to serve this pur- 

 pose, and already they are beginning to produce their 

 effect, while in the little coves and bays the Water-lilies are 

 now spreading their foliage and opening their flowers, so 

 that there is little doubt that the ideal of the designers will 

 be realized next year. 



That part of the grounds north of the lagoon will be oc- 

 cupied by the reservations for buildings of the various 

 states and of foreign nations, and for our present purpose 

 will need no explanation beyond what the map affords. 

 Indeed, we have only attempted an outline sketch of 

 the general features and leading motive of the design. 

 Very little, indeed, can be said of the horticultural work 

 now while the grounds are being graded and excavations 

 made in preparation for the elaborate system of sewers, 

 water-supply, electric wires and compressed air, not to 

 speak of the necessary foundation for roads and walks. 

 These constructions are of the first importance, and the 

 surface is covered not only with material, but with engines 

 and temporary constructions for the contractors. As the 

 work progresses it is our purpose to give attention to its 

 special features and illustrate from time to time the 

 progress and completion of any of the work as it may 

 prove interesting or instructive to our readers. Some 

 of the more striking incidents of the design will 

 not escape the attention of those who give any 

 study to the plan, and without such a study the im- 



portance of this artificial water-system will hardly be ap- 

 preciated. It will be seen that every one of the prominent 

 buildings is provided with a water-front, so that visitors 

 can be carried in omnibus-boats propelled by electricity 

 from any one to all the other great buildings in the 

 grounds. Some views of conspicuous interest can also be 

 readily imagined from a glance at the map. For example, 

 from the southern end of the canal between the buildings 

 devoted to machinery and agriculture, where there is a 

 colonnade and obelisk, there is a direct line of water for 

 a mile northward to the Art Gallery, and from the bridge 

 near the Illinois State Building the view southward over 

 the waterway and between shores clothed with verdure 

 will be singularly attractive. A similar view can be had 

 either to the north or to the south over the western branch 

 of the»lagoon. From the same bridge just referred to the 

 view across the watej to the Art Gallery, which, of all the 

 buildings, is perhaps the one nearest perfection in its 

 classic proportions, will be a favorite one. Looking 

 from the island southward between the Buildings of Mines 

 and Electricity the lofty Administration Building will 

 appear to singular advantage ; and the presence of the lake, 

 even where it cannot be seen, is always felt as an element 

 of unfailing interest. The crow^ds who pass through the 

 Administration Building when they enter the grand 

 court will catch a glimpse of the lake between the 

 columns of the peristyle and through the triumphal arch 

 in the centre of this great colonnade. But the view of the 

 lake will perhaps be enjoyed most generally from the 

 eastern front of the main building, especially in the after- 

 noon, when this will be in shadow. Ample space for 

 promenade and seats for those who wish to rest, with 

 covered booths and refreshment-tables, will be provided 

 here and thousands can enjoy the coolness and beauty of 

 the outlook. 



A Rural Cemetery. 



IN contrast to the formal grounds and showy gardening wiih 

 stiff beds of foliage-plants and gaudy blossoms, which dis- 

 figure many well-known cemeteries, the restful spirit tliat 

 characterizes Walnut Hills Cemetery, in Brookline, Massachu- 

 setts, is most grateful. Under the management of careful 

 trustees, the arrangement of trees and shrubbery has been 

 made to assume as natural an appearance as is possible in 

 such a spot. The drives wind under the Oaks and Walnuts 

 and Maples in soft and pleasing curves, while the shrubbery 

 and undergrowth simulate the natural product of such seques- 

 tered woody places. 



Nothing glaring or incongruous distresses the eye. The 

 tomb-stones are modest and unpretending, many of them of 

 slate or sandstone or granite, which harmonize agreeably with 

 the natural features of the scene, and sometimes a name en- 

 graved upon a boulder is the only monument of the sleeper 

 in the smooth grassy space below. There are no divisions be- 

 tween the different lots, no raised mounds to indicate the grave. 

 The turf is closely clipped and green, the wild shrubbery 

 clusters round it, the birds sing overhead, and the effect is 

 sweet and solemnizing; as it should be in man's last resline- 

 place. 



The trustees control all the planting ; this influence, 

 though it may appear arbitrary to some, and I have been told 

 is often unpopular among those who do not fully grasp the 

 underlying idea, produces a result which could never be at- 

 tained but by some intelligent governing taste, which subor- 

 dinates detail properly to the general effect and prevents that 

 shock to the eye which is so frequently felt when a mistaken 

 zeal introduces some feature, good in itself, which conflicts 

 with the main scheme. No planting is permitted here with- 

 out the previous approval of the trustees, and the design of 

 the tomb-stones must also be submitted to their wise and 

 severe taste before being placed in the grounds. To those 

 who have no especial design to offer, carefully prepared draw- 

 ings are submitted of various unpretentious stones from which 

 they may make a selection. Some of these designs have been 

 illustrated already in these pages (vol. iii., p. 193), and are of 

 quaint and pleasing pattern, after old Celtic or Norman ideas. 



The effect of a simple slab, or of a Norman or Gothic cross, 

 is very grateful to the eye, while a stiff obelisk violates one's 

 sense of the beautiful and destroys the effect of repose, which 



