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Iii this temple the Indian tribes reverently gathered with 

 emotions of religious awe. It was their popular resort. It 

 was open for all to nse and to enjoy. To this beautiful 

 spot at length came the settlers. They warned oft' the Indians. 

 They cut down most of the high trees. They desecrated the 

 ancient temple and replaced its solemn architecture 

 with rows of residences, fronting on the water, gradually shut- 

 ting out from view, save to a few favored eyes, the splendid 

 spectacle that lay beyond ; till at length nothing remains to 

 tell of the great temple of cedars save the lingering echoes of 

 its lovely name, "Ihpetonga." In all this let us he distinctly 

 understood. We are not animadverting upon the arts of 

 civilization as displayed in the architecture of Brooklyn 

 Heights. We are not questioning the right of occupancy or 

 ownership. We are simply stating in this report what should 

 obtain, as a constructive principle, in the laying out oi great 

 cities, viz., that those particular spots which are specially 

 notable for the favors of nature and from which noble views 

 can lie obtained by the common people should, in part at least, 

 be, so far as possible, thrown open for the public use. 



With such a praiseworthy object in view an attempt was 

 made in 1825 by H. B. Pierrepont (be it remembered to his 

 honor forever), to preserve a portion of this peerless eminence 

 for such public purposes. Feeling the importance of a park 

 at that point for the people, he went to no small expense in 

 laying out a plan for its construction. At that time a few of 

 these cedars were still standing. This plan was submitted to 

 the village trustees, as well as to the parties in interest, and was 

 by them approved. It was finally, however, defeated through 

 the obdurate selfishness of one individual who held a small 

 interest in the property. Thus the project fell through. 



Another signal spot that should have been reserved as a 

 city square was the conical knoll, formerly known as Cobble 

 Hill, situated at Atlantic avenue and Court street. Other 

 superior sites might be likewise mentioned, ad seriatim. 

 This continual surrender of rare natural sites at length aroused 

 a number of citizens to the sense of their duty in the premises. 



