78 



Assuming that there is adequate space foi* the development of both 

 ideas in this case, our first study has been to establish a division which 

 shall give to each class the site which will be most convenient for it. 



For refreshing purity of air and beauty of prospect, the central part 

 of the square is, beyond question, to be preferred. As a place for pub- 

 lic assemblages, the lowest ground, in the angle between Myrtle avenue 

 and Canton street, has the advantage of being readily accessible from 

 the more densely populated parts of the city, and offers a sufficiently 

 large area of surface that will require but little alteration to make it 

 available. 



We accordingly set off, in this quarter, a space 370 feet in diameter, 

 which will give easy standing-room for a mass meeting of thirty thou- 

 sand persons. The whole of this ground will have a regular slope 

 towards the north end, which furnishes a suitable location for the dis- 

 play of fireworks, and is provided in the center with a " rostrum" for 

 public speakers, to which may be attached, if thought desirable, con- 

 venient accommodations for the seating of guests of the city, for bands 

 of music, or for committees. 



Although the space is not large enough for the practice of military 

 manoeuvres, it will serve for the parade and drill of a regiment, and for 

 a marching review of a division or larger body. It would, on any 

 occasion of necessity, be a convenient and suitable position to place 

 and hold in readiness for service a large or small body of troops. 



It has the advantage for this purpose of being in the immediate 

 vicinity of the State Arsenal, and between it and the Jail and the City 

 Hall ; and as there is no other position in the city which could be thus 

 occupied, without interrupting the common use of the streets, such a 

 reservation may eventually prove to be one of importance. The whole 

 space may be brilliantly lighted. There will be no fence or barrier of 

 any kind between it and the streets on either side, and when occupied 

 by public meetings, thousands of persons may pass in and out, without 

 confusion or serious disturbance to the main body. 



The high ground in the interior of the Park, immediately opposite the 

 rostrum, has been the scene of great historical events, and for many 

 years has been used by the citizens of Brooklyn as a place for patriotic 

 demonstrations. The sentiments and purposes which are thus associated 

 with the site should, we think, be respected. We therefore propose to 

 reestablish, in a more fitting manner, at this point, the feature of the 

 " Saluting Ground," and have laid out, in connection with it, a road 

 for artillery, 20 feet in width, which will be entered from the gate near- 

 est the Arsenal. 



