30 



In a most classical and learned anniversary discourse, 

 delivered before tlie New York Horticultural Society 

 in 1828, 1 find the following elegant and remarkably 

 propbetic language: "Could I move the authorities 

 of our city in the cause which I es^^ouse, our public 

 squares and parks should become pleasure grounds, 

 disposed and decorated to regale our citizens. Within 

 their walks should be no fumes of the intoxicating 

 deity, but the pervading pure and salutary influence 

 of Nature's God; and in the suburbs of our metropolis 

 should be a cemetery where the ashes of the departed 

 might repose in peace, where children might be liter- 

 ally gathered to their fathers, and where rural beds 

 and summer flowers, and the seared leaves of autumn 

 might teach lessons of morality, and speak of the 

 resurrection and life to come." How truly its verifica- 

 tion has taken place, in part, in our own city, (but 

 without the aid of city authority.) Greenwood, our 

 pride and ornament, stands unequalled for the pur- 

 poses it was designed, abounding in rural beauty of the 

 most picturesque character. 



" From the proud woods whose heads the sky assail, 

 To the low violet that loves the dale." 



And we trust that the time may soon arrive when 

 our Parks, that are laying, uncultivated wastes, may be 

 adorned and beautified to promote the health and hap- 

 piness of our largely increasing population. Vast as- 

 sessments have been collected for these improvements. 



