House and Garden 
VIEW OF THE CAPITOL AND THE MALL FROM THE MONUMENT 
at the time of Le Notre. Such treatment would 
also have made the Capitol grounds a more appro¬ 
priate central feature for the “Twentieth Century 
Washington” now being advocated by the Park 
Commission.* I here is reasonable hope that the 
improvement of the city of Washington will he 
the principal artistic achievement of the next 
hundred years. The conditions are more than 
ready; they are propitious; the nation is rich, 
the people are awakening to the value of art, 
and the consideration of the plan is in the hands 
of men who are masters in their several profes¬ 
sions. It is impossible to believe that through 
the ignorance, shortsightedness or obstinacy of a 
few, such an opportunity will be lost. If it is not 
lost it will be in no small measure because Freder¬ 
ick Law Olmsted, in his time and generation, and 
in his field, contributed to the Capitol grounds all 
of good art that the pubilc mind was then prepared 
to support. Thus he has, as landscape architect 
of the United States Capitol during its most critical 
period, won for himself a permanent place as a 
leader, not only in informal but also in formal de¬ 
sign.'!' His position, therefore, in the art history 
of this country is unique. 
* See “The Improvement of the Park System of the District of Columbia,” 
edited by Charles Moore, 1902. Also “ House and Garden,” February, 1902, 
—“The Twentieth Century Washington,” by Glenn Brown. 
f “ The wisdom shown in the selection of Frederick Law Olmsted has been 
proved by the broad, imposing, as well as pleasing effect recognized by all who 
view the finished results. The dignity and effectiveness of the Capitol might so 
easily have been spoiled by a man of moderate capacity that it is cause for con¬ 
gratulation that the one capable man, probably, in the country at that date, was 
chosen for this important work. The selection of Thornton for the original 
design, Walter for the extension, and Olmsted for the final landscape work has 
produced most happy results.” (Glenn Brown’s History of the U. S. Capitol, 
II, page 168.) 
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