29 



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

 of a large city will, sooner or later, be generally considered incom- 

 plete, 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 faculties — 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 

 encouragement to associations voluntarily formed by citizens for 

 the purpose. 



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

 paring the design of Central Park, we advocated the retention 

 of the building near the boundary, north of the Artistes Gate, 

 formerly used as an arsenal, simply because it would probably, if 

 retained, be found to be of sufficient value to be converted into a 

 suitable building for a museum, and although it was veiy inconve- 

 niently located for any such purpose, we felt that the opportunity 

 was one that ought not to be lost. Our suggestion was adopted by 

 the Commissioners, and the Historical Society has since asked -for 

 and obtained 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. 



We have before shown the impropriety, as a general rule, of 

 placing edifices, which are not strictly auxilliary to the primary 

 purpose of a park, within its boundaries, and this illustration is, of 

 course, presented with no purpose of favoring their introduction 

 but rather to show that they ought in some other way to be pro- 

 vided for in season. The suggestion we have to make in this case 

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

 towards the park (marked E. R. on the plan), and now in the pos- 

 session of the Commissioners, should be distinctly set apart for such 

 purposes as we have indicated. If this suggestion is accepted, the 

 lots on this part of Flatbush avenue, will probably, in course of time, 

 be occupied by handsome buildings, the objects of which will in some 

 way be connected with the educational system of the city, but 





