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embellished in the highest style of art. The land north and 

 south of this hill, running along the avenue to the depth of 

 perhaps two hundred and sixty feet, embracing in the whole an 

 extent of about twenty-five acres, can be retained by the city, 

 and used to good advantage for various municipal purposes ; 

 but we believe the time is not far distant when a generous 

 public sentiment will require that considerable portions of this 

 land shall be devoted to still more liberal uses. 



Upon the basis of carefully collected statistics, showing the 

 actual progress of the last forty years, the steady advance of 

 Brooklyn will, within the next fifteen years, carry the aggregate 

 of its population beyond a million of inhabitants. A com- 

 munity of this magnitude, second to none in wealth, intelligence 

 or enterprise, must not only occupy a large territorial extent, 

 but will, in its expansion, require great educational, social 

 and artistic facilities. Our young and aspiring historical, 

 botanical and other kindred societies already demand ampler 

 space for their development, while our men of letters and of 

 science are preparing to seize the splendid opportunity here 

 presented of establishing a university which shall be metropoli- 

 tan in character as well as in position. The location we refer 

 to will soon become the geographical centre of a great religious 

 and intellectual people, which, with its park surroundings, will 

 afford opportunities for mental culture, as well as for artistic 

 and athletic training, such as can probably be nowhere else 

 found, in equal measure, upon our continent. A wise forecast, 

 therefore, seems to demand that these advantages shall be 

 secured for the generations who are to follow us, and who are 

 to advance the moral and mental progress of our race. 



After making this reservation, there will still remain east of 

 the avenue a high plateau of land of about one hundred acres, 

 remarkably well adapted for building purposes, whose value 

 has been recently much increased by surrounding improve- 

 ments. And the Commissioners respectfully submit for the 

 consideration of their constituents whether, in view of what has 

 been suggested, as well as of the financial considerations about 

 to be presented, it may not be judicious to adopt the proposal 

 of some of our wisest and most practical citizens, to allow this 

 land to return to its former domestic uses, and thereby diminish 

 the city debt and increase one of its great sources of revenue. 



