60 REPORT OF THE 



be accomplished before many years, no place could be more 

 fitting for it than on the large triangle facing the Plaza, and in 

 front of the Reservoir grounds, accessible from different 

 quarters, and passed already by thousands of people every 

 day. More directly within the proposed Park territory, too, 

 at least two, possibly three, other institutions of a public na- 

 ture might find ample and admirable sites, without interfer- 

 ing in the least with the general Park arrangement, only add- 

 ing indeed to its dignity and beauty. One of these is a Botan- 

 ical Garden, with the attached green-houses and hot-houses, 

 the whole being most appropriate to the place, and most 

 charming in itself, while ministering directly, in a large way, 

 to the general popular culture and pleasure. Another is a 

 Museum of art, archaeology, scientific collections, in which 

 paintings, marbles, historical and ethnographic collections may 

 be gathered and housed, and which, if established, will be sure 

 to become a constantly richer centre in the city of instruction 

 and enjoyment. Nor does it seem to us impossible that men 

 may be found, hereafter if not now, of large means and of sci- 

 entific tastes, willing to erect a stately and sufficient observa- 

 tory tower, on what would be as eligible a site for it as can be 

 found upon the entire Atlantic slope, and to furnish it with 

 instruments, its guardianship and maintenance being left to 

 the city. There will be sometime in Brooklyn, and we trust 

 at no distant day, an enthusiasm for good and large works of 

 the nature which we have indicated ; and such places for them 

 as are offered in this neglected but conspicuous tract of land 

 cannot, we are sure, be duplicated elsewhere. 



Other ecpially desirable sites, too, will afterward remain, 

 even a considerable number of them, to be utilized for gen- 

 erally similar purposes, if the controlling judgment of the city 

 should hereafter approve it ; and we know of no reason why 

 one or more buildings should not ultimately be placed there 

 for the higher class of free lectures on the different branches 

 of knowledge and study pursued in the city. But this is a 

 thing for the future to decide. That which distinctly impresses 

 your Committee is the fact that here and now is presented a 



