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tions and which is herewith presented, for a revision of a part of the 

 present city map of this ground with a view to the introduction of the 

 suggested improvement. 



The period seems to have arrived, therefore, for a full and comprehen- 

 sive inquiry as to the manner in which the scheme would, if carried 

 out, affect the substantial and permanent interests of the citizens of 

 Brooklyn and of the metropolis at large. 



The project in its full conception is a large one, and it is at once con- 

 ceded that it does not follow but anticipates the demand of the public ; 

 that it assumes an extension of the city of Brooklyn and a degree of 

 wealth, taste, and refinement, to be likely to exist among its citizens 

 which has not hitherto been definitely had in view, and that it is even 

 based upon the presumption that the present street system, not only of 

 Brooklyn but of other large towns, has serious defects for which, 

 sooner or later, if these towns should continue to advance in wealth, 

 remedies must be devised, the cost of which will be extravagantly in- 

 creased by a long delay in the determination of their outlines. 



ELEMENTS OF OEDIXAEY STEEET AEEAXGEMEXTS. 



What is here referred to under the designation of our present street 

 system, is essentially comprised in the two series of thoroughftires ex- 

 tending in straight lines to as great a distance within a town as is found 

 practicable, one series crossing the other at right angles, or as nearly so 

 as can be conveniently arranged. Each of the thoroughfares of this 

 system consists of a way in the center, which is paved with reference 

 solely to sustaining the transportation upon wheels of the heaviest 

 merchandise, of a gutter on each side of this wheel-way, having occa- 

 sional communication with underground channels for carrying off' water, 

 and a curb which restricts the passage of wheels from a raised way for 

 the travel of persons on foot, the surface of which, to avoid their 

 sinking in the mud, is commonly covered with flags or brick. 



This is the system which is almost universally kept in view, not only 

 in the enlargement of our older towns, but in the setting out of new ; 

 such, for instance, as are just being projected along the line of the 

 Pacific Railroad. If modifications are admitted, it is because they are 

 enforced by some special local conditions which are deemed, by those 

 responsible for the arrangement, to be unfortunate. The reason for 

 this i-s probably found chiefly in the fact, that it is a plan which is 

 readily put on paper, easily comprehended, and easily staked out ; it 

 makes the office of an Engineer or Surveyor at the outset almost a sine- 

 cure, as far as the exercise of professional ability is concerned, and fa- 

 cilitates the operations of land speculators. 





