PARK AND CEMETERY. 
169 
THE ROSTRUM, NATIONAL CEMETERY, 
GETTYSBURG. 
The one who visits the National Cemetery, 
Gettysburg, will wish to view the Rostrum, the 
vine-clad structure beyond the portion of the grounds 
dedicated to the interments, and towards the part 
of the field in which are the Round Tops. The il- 
lustration presented herewith well represents the 
vine-adorned structure. At the time of my visit I 
observed that, owing to some repairs which had 
been undertaken, the building had not an appear- 
ance as much in keeping with its surroundings as 
it has at other times. The rafters had been re- 
newed, necessitating the cutting down of many of 
the vines, and the ivy had been cut from some of 
the pillars. Previous to this it had been, what it 
will be again in 
a short time, so 
vine embower- 
ed that not a 
vestige of any- 
thing artificial 
will readily be 
seen. At such 
times it must be 
a beautiful re- 
treat. Public 
speakers occupy 
it on Memorial 
and other days. 
Some of your 
readers may 
think of the 
floor in connec- 
tion with what 
I say that not a 
vestige of any- 
thing artificial 
is readily per- 
ceived. The floor is sod; beautiful green grass cov- 
ers it, the inside to the height of the retaining walls 
having been filled in with soil and then sodded 
over. The retaining walls are thickly clad with 
English ivy of both the large and the small leaved 
kinds, with honeysuckle mingling with it. The ivy 
clings closely to the bricks;, the honeysuckle does 
not, but forms a loose, bushy mass, which makes 
the whole covering much more natural looking than 
it would were the close growing ivy alone. The 
eight pillars are ivy clad, or will be again in a short 
time. 
As will be seen from the picture, stronger grow- 
ing vines have been planted to cover the roof. I call 
it roof, but it is simply what may be described as 
the joists of a floor covered with vines. It is a fair 
weather structure, not one to be used when it rains, 
The vines are Wistaria and Bignonia. The repair- 
ing of which I spoke of had been undertaken re- 
cently, so that the vines, though growing strongly 
again, had not yet covered nicely the entire roof. 
When full grown and in good season, what a charm 
the flowers of the Wistaria must be in May and the 
Bignonia in August? These are splendid vines for 
large structures or for purposes such as used here, 
but sometimes out of place set alongside of small 
porches, a position they sometimes occupy. 
The entrance to the rostrum is from each end, up 
a flight of eight stone steps. Looking south from the 
floor of this inclosure can be seen a large portion of 
the battlefield which lies between it and the Round 
Tops. On the other side is the sorrowful sight of 
the graves of the 4,000 Union heroes who fell in 
the battle. I 
say sorrowful, 
for though rest- 
ing as they do, 
mid beautiful 
scenes, beloved 
by their living 
comrades and 
honored by a 
grateful nation, 
those brave 
men, though 
willing to risk 
their lives, 
hoped to live 
through the war 
and rejoin their 
dear ones. 
How vividly 
this reminds us 
of the poet 
Gray’s beauti- 
ful lines : 
“For who to dumb forgetfulness a prey, 
This pleasing, anxious being e’er resigned, 
Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day, 
Nor cast one longing, lingering look behind?’ - 
To mention the trees displayed in the picture 
will interest many of your readers. Looking 
through the center of the Rostrum the shapely tree 
in the distance is a blood-leaved Beech. Between 
the pillars on the right is a native White Pine, and 
the heavy looking one on the right is Austrian 
Pine. On the left, though hardly distinguishable, 
are such sorts as Larch, Sweet Gum, Salisburia, 
Norway Maple, Cembran Pine, with many Retinis- 
poras and other evergreens. 
This cemetery, though overlooking a valley 
and itself occupying a place where was waged one 
of the fiercest contests of modern times, is to-day a 
