74 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
measure the criterion of our civilization. It is sin- 
cerely to be hoped that the commercial spirit which 
has hitherto practically adjudged the value ot every- 
thing coming within its influence, has concluded 
that the value of art to a people cannnot be fixed by 
dollars and cents, any more than any other agency 
of higher thought and purpose. The time is ripe 
for a more enlightened consideration of the subject, 
and that the government itself should be in active 
sympathy with the cause, not only for the abstract 
good of the people which of course should be para- 
mount, but from the fact that it annually expends 
a large sum of money on art and artistic structures, 
without any responsibility as to the artistic value of 
what it receives in return, and carried out in a man- 
ner open to severe criticism, if not censure. The 
National Art League is making a gallant effort to 
increase its influence and gain the confidence of 
the people, and its objects are worthy the support 
of every thinking citizen. It is moving to obtain 
strength and backing enough to make an effectual 
appeal to congress to create an expert art com- 
mission to which all questions of public art should 
be submitted and whose decision would be final. In 
matters where awards are to be made the respon- 
sibility would lie with the commission, and the pub- 
lic having confidence in expert conclusions would 
uphold such d'ecisions. This would lead to more 
active recognition by the government of American 
Art and artists, making it more desirable to work 
at home than abroad, because of its intelligent ap- 
preciation, superinduced by well ordered government 
methods. A sculptor or painter of genius in the 
enlightened European nations is sure of recognition 
by his government as soon as his ability pronounces 
itself, and his position is secure in public estimation 
so long as his work maintains its standard of ex- 
cellence, and without the carping criticism of irres- 
ponsible journalism. Effort in this direction is bear- 
ing fruit, for a bill has been introduced at Washing- 
ton for the creation of an art commission to con- 
sist of five persons, citizens of the United States, 
distinguished in literature and fine arts, to be 
appointed by the president with the consent of the 
Senate. It would be the duty of this commission 
to meet semi-annually in the city for the purpose 
of examining the art collection in the Capitol and 
the Library, to examine all works of art offered for 
sale or as a donation for use in either building, and 
to make an annual report to the President and to 
the two Houses of Congress. 
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT. 
On a former occasion Park and CEMETERY 
gave a few brief hints upon the improvement of vil- 
lages — and their material welfare founded upon the 
continuous industry of their inhabitants. 
There are, as was then intimated, many villages 
in this country whose people are fully occupied both 
in summer and winter, and if the occupation be at 
all profitable there will always be a proportion of 
the inhabitants who will desire to make the fact ap- 
parent. How can they do so? It may be done in 
very many ways, but the very best and most eco- 
nomical way will be to plant something with know- 
ledge and taste. 
If a wealthy person starts in to build a model 
village as the Pullmans have done in this country, 
and as the Ingoldsby’s have done at Ripley Castle, 
and the Prince of Wales at Sandringham in England, 
they will probably create a beautiful harmony in 
architecture and good roads, sure to be embellished 
in England at any rate with a great deal of tasty 
planting. 
Such conditions rarely occur anywhere. Vil- 
lages and towns are commonly aggregations of in- 
dividuals who do as they please, and make or mar 
as their taste or inclination, or their want of taste, 
dictates. 
Very often a native grove or a paddock with a 
row of cottonwoods around it is all they can either 
afford or appreciate. 
On the other hand are communities of consider- 
able wealth and even culture, both desirous and 
willing to do any reasonable thing to make their 
place of residence attractive. To such good roads, 
neat fences, (if any), and the utmost embellishment 
that grass and trees and flowering plants can afford 
will commend themselves. If they can afford some- 
thing in a park, or garden, or cemetery, which not 
only in its inception, but in its progressive develop- 
ment and keeping will be a guide and stimulus to 
them and the surrounding country, so much the 
better. Sometimes wealthy citizens donate land for 
such purposes, and the question becomes a perplex- 
ing one as to what is best to do with it. There will 
always be a great many advisors of greater or lesser 
competence. Some will be architects who can eas- 
ily spend a great deal of money that will affect 
something to be seen; some will be engineers who 
can easily spend a great deal, the results of which 
can neither be seen nor appreciated, and the very 
person who can best embellish and redeem their 
combined works from barrenness, may never be 
consulted at all, or very tardily. There are a num- 
ber of people who spend more on a minute survey, 
than would effect the whole necessary improvements, 
and never get a step beyond their paper work — or 
if they do they speedily find themselves in financial 
straits. Evidences of this may be seen even in the 
laigest cities, where unkempt roads and “paths 
for equestrians” are common features. In numbers 
