Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-08-29


muncated to Congress in December last, that
during the past session, ''the public grounds at
| the Capitol and PREsiDENr's MANSION have been
faithfully attended to by the PUBLIC GAR.
DENER AND THE HANDS UNDER HIM.
The trees hare been skilyuLy pruned and trained,
| many choice ornamental trees and shrubs have
been planted; and the plcts, borders, and graUeL
WaLES hare been kept in SUPERIOR ORDER" The
report might have also stated, with perfect truth,
that men had been hired by the Government, and
paid out Of thegpublic Treasury, TO pick up The
falling lcaUcS, and pluck up by the roots the
xanthium spinosum and rumcx acctosella, or, ac
cordjng to Vulgar "lingo,' burdock and sheep
sorrcl.
As the Presidents garden is enclosed by high
stone wall, and as the gates are generally secured
with locks, very few persons, have been in
formed, visit it, except by special invitation, or in
company with the President or some member of
his household. The exclusion, however does
not extend to Members Of Congress- some of
whom, (and more especiallysuch as are ravortcs,)
every alternate season, that is, during every long
session. frequently take a stroll through the gar.
den and adjacent grounds. The present session
is my fourth at Washington, and have been in
the garden twice, but on both occasions, we
(anothermember was in company were compelled
on reaching the western end Of the garden, to
Chamber over the stone wall, finding the gates
locked.
In regard to the progressive improvement of
the grounds and garden Of the President, various
syggo,tjons have recently been made and partic.
ularIy by individuals whose taste and nice dis
elimination Gin matters of luxury and rcfnemenO
have been greatly improved by visit 10 the mag
nifcent gardens at the palace Of Versailles and
al he ri o,,I
gardens belonging to the Crown Of England. 1t
is supposed by these persons that the Presidents
grounds would present more complete and fin
ished appearance by erecting Paran marble bal
us.radeS on either side Of the main gravel walks;
by building some twenty or thirty miniature tenn.
pies and paviljons at regular intervals along and
adjacent to the southern outer WALL by construct
ing five or six artificial lakes and fountains TO pour
their silver waters through the mouths Of 'hugc
river gods and seahorses, with double the num-
Der oil Jets eau to fill the atmosphere with spray
and vapor. 10 these Improvements might well
be added two OF three hundred pieces Of the first
class OF Italian statuary--such, for instance, as
Saturn, Jupiter Juno, Mercury, Diana, Ncptu-
NUS folus, Apollo, Venus de Medecs, the
Loves and Graces, the Naiades and Dryades Jol-
" BacchUs and the Bacchantes, Vulcan and his
CycIops, Hercules, Pan, Pinlus, Midas, and the
Dragon that guarded the Golden Apples in the
garden Of the Hesperdes.
There is only one other ornament which may
with great proprety be procured, inasmuch as it
would serve to il Iusrate and perpetuae in suita-
Bile form the truth Of a very important historical
event, and that ornament should be bronze
cloSSial equestrian sta ne Of AndreU Jackson lcib
the little Emderto0h magician mounted on be.
hind him. This statue would have conspicu.
ouSly placed upon the stone balustrade which
crowns the palace. Before the administration OF
J. Q. Jams, the appropriations for improving the
Presidents grounds had been very trilling. Du.
ring his term, however, two considerable sums
were voted by Congress for that purpose The
first OF these grants was five thousand dollars BY
the act Of the 18th Of February 1925, for leccIL-
ing grading and importing the Presidents
square. The second grant was five thousand
eight hundred and sixty five dollars by the act Of
the 22d May, 1926, for finishing the JcnceS grad
uGting and importing the public grounds
Prior to the disbursement Of these appropriations
| the grounds presented a rude, uneven, and shape.
/ less appearances not few Of the pristine sandy
knobs and small hoLlows still remained. The
fencing too was quite imperlect but, by the exer-
else of a commendablc economy in the expend
turc of the sums Just mentioned, and by the appli-
ca ion of money in the most beneficial manner
10 accomplish the objects contemplated By The lars,
the grounds of the President were brought into
fine condition, the fences were put in excellent
order. the high hills were made plain, and the
deep valleys were made smooth, and the entire
grounds, by the close Of Nh. Adams Presidency,
wore a style and finish quite acceptable to tue
taste and Judgment Of our plain, republican far
mers. But new order oil things was soon des.
tined to take place. You sir and l. and a large