II2 
PARK AND CEMETERY. 
ous inadequacy of toilet accommodations in the ma- 
jority of such places, and what is still more to be 
decried, is the lack of common decency displayed 
by most of the structures set apart for the purpose. 
Even in the majority of our finest parks no effort is 
made to invest the exterior of such absolutely neces- 
sary buildings with any architectural attractiveness. 
T hat growing menace to our parks and boule- 
vards and the landscape generally, the ever- 
present advertising sign-board, came in for 
well-deserved censure at the convention of the 
American Park and Out-door Art Association, and 
a committee was appointed to agitate possible re- 
forms in the placing of these objectionable accom- 
paniments of modern business methods. This is an 
encouraging sign of the far reaching influence of 
out-door art. There is no good reason why all the 
points of vantage in a beautiful landscape should 
be monopolized by the individual pushing his trade. 
It is conceded in this age that the landscape in a 
general sense belongs to the people, and most of 
the enlightened governments are exercising their 
functions to preserve the most celebrated natural 
beauties of their domains to the people, for all time. 
On general principles an advertising sign is an ugly 
blot on the face of nature, and both the advertiser 
and the civic authorities or property ovvne4's per- 
mitting such desecration are equally to blame. It 
is more than probable, let us hope, that the awak- 
ening of public sentiment to the proper apprecia- 
tion of the beauties of nature, will be a strong 
factor in helping to relegate to the past a system of 
advertising so directly opposed to the principles of 
art out of doors. 
I T has been prognosticated that the next century 
would be the humanitarian century, that is to 
say when the true meaning of neighborlincss 
will be better understood, when there will be a 
more incisive sense of the duty one owes to his fel- 
low, and the duty the municipality owes to its citi- 
zens, and there are many indications that the pro- 
phesy may find fulfillment. One is impressed, how- 
ever, sometimes with the idea that in certain direc- 
tions we are going too fast and too far, not making 
the foundations sufficiently broad nor of the best 
material; but after all, effort in the proper direction 
always has the right to back up for a (resh start, 
and it always gathers renewed strength for the final 
consummation. This reflection is induced by the 
activity of the Brooklyn park authorities in erecting 
their pretty little park houses, with the proposed 
addition of libraries thereto. This is a step of the 
most advanced order, and well becomes so progres- 
sive a locality as Brooklyn, it points a way for oth- 
ers to follow when experience has proved the advisa- 
bility of the step. On the other hand there has 
been considerable criticism of the proposition, 
mainly on the ground that the park is for fresh air 
and recreation and that a library attachment will 
divert interest from the real reason of its existence. 
This does not cover the ground however, for rest 
amid beautiful surroundings is also a leading func- 
tion of the park, and added to this an opportunity 
for rest with mental recreation, would perhaps in- 
crease the weight of argument, in favor of the park 
as an actual necessity in human progress. 
A DOMINANT law concerning public statuary 
is appropriateness, and it is a gratifying 
feature of the present interest in such mat- 
ters that several public monuments recently erected 
have been peculiarly appropriate, notably the 
statue of Benjamin Franklin on the scene of his 
labors in Philadelphia, and the statue of Burns at 
Barre, Vt. , in front of the school building. The 
fact of the probable removal of several monuments 
proves the necessity of very careful consideration 
in this respect in relation to the future. It is so 
often forgotten that public statuary, while erected 
to fill a public desire to express gratitude for ser- 
vices, or as a commemorative object, is really set 
up for future criticism, for while the history of the 
rm nument may be of passing interest, and all its 
associations worthy of historic record, the appio- 
priatencss of its design or setting will either justify 
or condemn its permanence. An example of this 
is the reconstruction of the Beacon Hill monument, 
Boston, which was originally erected in 1790 to 
commemorate the events which led up to the Ameri- 
can Revolution, and was afterwards pulled down. 
An association was formed to construct it once 
more on as near as possible its original site and 
after the same design, and this being done it has 
been transferred to the care of the state, and will 
be maintained. Perhaps a more difficult question 
of appropriateness is that involved in the placing of 
statuary in our parks. As a general proposition, 
park statuary per se, should partake mainly of the 
ideal, and in this line of art little encouragement 
has been accorded our sculptors. It is, however, 
certain that in the near future more of this class of 
woik will be forthcoming. The establishment of 
art commissions in our leading cities, at least prom- 
ises that we shall have artistic judgment brought 
to bear on all art offerings for public places, and it 
is also to be expected, that the refinement which 
is gradually becoming a ruling principle of our ed- 
ucated classes, will dictate in their gifts of statuary 
to our parks, and will result in the encouragement 
of ideal work among our sculptors, to the end thac 
artistic embellishment of our public places may not 
only regale the senses but educate the mind. 
