more accessible, considering the two railroads, the excellent drives over Brush or Milton Hill, and the roads through Hyde Park, West Roxbury and Dedham.

The old plain could be easily adorned and made to furnish, as it has done, wide fields for military reviews, for sports and games or drives. It has a deep pond of never failing water, while the river beyond, flowing "with many a winding bout" through its broad, green meadow, could be easily expanded into pretty lakes for bathing, fishing or sailing. A winding carriage road should be constructed to the summit of the Blue Hill, while foot-paths, threading the wild wood in various directions, and leading to charming lookouts, or to dusky dells, would give opportunities for air and exercise, recreation, rest and enjoyment.

Little need be done but to make it common property, and accessible to all; while the wealth and taste of a great city for centuries, might be profitably bestowed in its adornment. Here art and science, inspired by natural charms, might join hand in hand to develop these. And the people, wearied by the noise and turmoil of the city, would find here that rest and refreshment so wholesome and needful.

Hoping you will consider this with other plans, I subscribe, with great respect,

GEORGE HOLLINGSWORTH,

LETTER FROM GEORGE CLARK, JR.

To the Chairman and Gentlemen of the Joint Special Committee of the City Council of the city of Boston, appointed to consider the subject of a Public Park:

Your indulgence is asked for offering, at this late hour, when

your deliberation may properly be considered closed, the following suggestions upon the matter before you:

The question of the need of a great public park, or an out-of door place of amusement and recreation for our fellow-citizens, where the light of the sun and the pure air of the country can give them that health, vigor and vitality which is not attainable in our narrow and crowded streets, where nature and art pleasingly blended would add to the many attractions of our favored city has been ably discussed by gentlemen who have addressed you upon the subject. I therefore do not deem it necessary to add much on that point, but as the discussion before you, has been permitted to take a pretty wide margin, and included that of locality, some of the gentlemen describing in glowing terms tracts of land as suitable for a public park, I desire to call your attention to a spot admirably adapted for the purpose, and possessing many advantages over the places named by them.

LOCATION, BOUNDARIES, ETC.

The tract I refer to is situated on the south bank of the Neponset River, near the village of Neponset, and is a part of North Quincy. It is bounded on the east by the Old Colony and Newport Railroad, along which it runs nearly ten thousand (10,000) feet to a point a few hundred yards north of the old President Adams' estate; thence running on a line nearly west of, and near the old Plymouth road; thence by a line, northerly, to the Neponset River at Granite bridge, and contains an area of about one thousand (1,000) acres. (See accompanying map.*)

It will be seen that but two streets, Beal and Squantum, pass through the territory. They are but little used. On Squantum street there are five houses, neither of them of great value. On Beal street, within the limits of the "Park," there

* The map referred to may be seen at the office of the Clerk of Committees.

is but one house. On the old Plymouth road, now less used than formerly, there are two or three of the better class of suburban residences.

DISTANCES, ROUTES, ETC.

The land is situated a little more than five (5) miles from State street, Boston, and may be reached by a drive over many excellent roads, some of them shown on the map. On these roads are many of the most costly residences and finest gardens to be seen anywhere in New England. The Metropolitan cars, by a new branch of half a mile extending from Dorchester avenue, would reach the "Park" at Granite bridge. The Quincy Horse Railroad, lately discontinued, will probably be relaid, and, branching from the Metropolitan Railroad, at Field's Corner, could convey passengers near to the "Park" at Neponset bridge. By either of these routes the trip could be accomplished in thirty (30) or forty (40) minutes. Trains over the Old Colony Railroad reach the main entrance to the "Park" in ten minutes after leaving the depot in Boston, and as this road runs along the easterly boundary as before stated, a depot could be located at the southerly gate so that visitors could enter at the northerly end, and traversing the entire length, terminate their visit at the Heights, and take any return train to the city from that point. Another means of conveyance worthy of consideration, and especially adapted for summer excursionists, is by water. To a landing within half a mile of the "Park," the river Neponset is navigable for steamers. The distance from Boston, by a pleasant circuitous route, passing by and in the immediate vicinity of the islands and fortifications in the harbor, is only eight miles, giving us the double luxury of a sail over the water and a ramble in the country the same afternoon.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

This land, commencing from the banks of the Neponset River, rises gradually to the Heights on the extreme south; is grace

fully undulating to Beal street, and contains many spots of romantic interest. On the northwest, near the river, is a delightfully situated elevation known as "Mount Hope," east of which is a beautiful grove. South of Beal street are the hills "Forbes" and "Taylor," both of great natural beauty, and together known as Wollaston Heights, the views from which are picturesque, grand and varied. Looking to the north is seen the city of Boston, with the crowning dome of the State House, its many church spires, the masts of its shipping, the smoke arising from its workshops, and its stately warehouses; Dorchester Heights, Boston Highlands, and the localities of Savin Hill and Harrison square, with their genteel and costly residences; the thriving village of Neponset, and the gracefully winding river from which it derives its name. Along the east we have a bird's-eye view of Forts Independence, Winthrop and Warren, the lighthouses and islands in Boston harbor, the white sails of ships outgoing with the products of American fields and industry, and incoming with the luxuries of other lands. To the west may be seen the stone quarries of Quincy, the villages of Milton and the romantic "Blue Hills." At the base of these heights is the elegant ancestral estate of the Quincy family, the ancient home of the Adamses, and the principal village of Quincy, showing its neat, substantial churches and private dwellings. Turning to the south are seen near and far many flourishing villages dotted with pretty cottages and well cultivated fields, all of which forms a scene attractive for its loveliness, variety and beauty unsurpassed by any in the world.

In conclusion, I believe it is desirable to locate the proposed public park" on the spot I have described, because :

1st. The land can be purchased at a very moderate price. 2d. It has so many natural beauties that it would require but a small outlay to make it as attractive as any park in this country.

3d. There are so many avenues and means of conveyance by which it may be reached that the competition for transporting passengers would keep the fares so low as to be within the reach of all classes.

4th. It is alike accessible by direct routes from all sections of our expanding city.

5th. Without being too far removed, it is yet of sufficient distance to be beyond the noise, bustle, and smoke of the city.

I have the honor to be yours respectfully,

BOSTON, Nov. 2, 1869.

GEO. CLARK, JR.

LETTER FROM URIEL H. CROCKER.

To the Committee of the City Government, on the subject of a Public Park:

GENTLEMEN: I desire to bring to your notice a plan for a park which had not been thought of at the time of your last public meeting, but which seems to me to combine more and greater advantages than any hitherto proposed.

The basis of the plan is a new road for pleasure driving, to extend, by a route which I will presently define, from a point on the Mill-dam to the main entrance to the driveway around the Chestnut Hill reservoir, a distance of between three and a half and four miles; this new road to be accompanied, in portions at least of the route, by paths and promenades for persons on foot, and to be bordered on each side by ornamental grounds of a width varying with the nature and adaptability of the country through which the road shall pass.

I propose that this new road shall commence at a point on the Mill-dam at or near the building formerly called the "Heus