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others, progress in which is of special value with reference to the 

 enlargement of the mind and the development of healthy inclinations 

 and habits, which cannot be pursued with much advantage in this 

 second-hand way. 



Hence, it may be anticipated that the common school system of 

 a large city will, sooner or later, be generally considered incomplete, 

 unless ample opportunity is found within it for the direct exercise by 

 every student of his perceptive faculties, in regard to a large class of 

 objects not likely to come under his ordinary observation. The idea 

 of education, it must be confessed by all, unquestionably culminates 

 in the development of the reflective faculties, but the reflective facul- 

 ties — which are secondary — can never, it is obvious, be healthily 

 exercised if the perceptive faculties, which are primary, are neglected 

 and starved. 



The question therefore is pertinent, even at present, whether the 

 city, without absolutely assuming the whole expense and the whole 

 control of undertakings for this end, may not wisely offer some en- 

 couragement to associations voluntarily formed by citizens for the 

 purpose. 



Having some such views in mind as these, when we were prepar- 

 ing the design of Central Park, we advocated the retention of the 

 building near the Fifth avenue and Fifty-ninth street entrance, form- 

 erly used as an arsenal, simply because it would probably, if re- 

 tained, be found to be of sufficient value to be converted into the 

 nucleus of a museum, and although it was very inconveniently 

 located for any such purpose, taking the proposed landscape effects 

 of the park into consideration, we felt that the opportunity was one 

 that ought not to be lost. Our suggestion was adopted by the Com- 

 missioners, and the Historical Society has since asked for and ob- 

 tained possession from them of this site and this building, with the 

 understanding that it is to be improved and converted into a public 

 museum at the expense of the society. 



This illustration is presented with no purpose of favoring the in- 

 troduction of large structures of this character within the limits of a 

 public park, but rather to show that they ought in some way to be 

 provided for in season. The suggestion we have to make in this 

 case is that the stretch of ground abutting on Flatbush avenue, 

 marked R. R., and now in the possession of the Commissioners, 

 should be distinctly set apart for such purposes as we have indicated. 

 If this suggestion is accepted, the lots fronting towards the park on 

 this part of Flatbush avenue will probably, in course of time, be 

 occupied by handsome buildings, the objects of which vs ill in some 



