The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-19
Correspondence Of the Republic.
BosroS, June l6, ls4s.

BosToN, june l6, l649
An improvement is contemplated at the west end
of Boston, which, if carried into effect, will form
one of the most remarkable and ornamental fea-
lures that any modern city can boast. Those who
have ever entered Boston by railroad must remem-
Der the large tract of fiat, marshy land, known as
the ''Back Bay" amounting 10 some four or FIVE
hundred acres, lying westward of the "Common,"
and bordered towards the north by the mill dam,
and towards the south by the fremont road Some
twenty-five acres of this land adjoining the "Com-
mon" have been thrown into public garden, and
Handsomely laid OUT but the remainder of the tract,
large enough for an extra city, is unoccupied, and
Overfowed by the tide, except where it is enclosed
by dikes, or rayersed by the Providence and Wor-
cester railroads.
The right to great part of this tract is matter
of dispute between public and private parties; but
it is now proposed, by on amicable arrangement
between the cities of Boston and Roxbury, the
Water Power Company, and the owners of the
Flats in the "Back Bay" to remove the present
nuisance of empty or shallow basin, and convert
this desolate tract into the most ornamental and at
tractive public feature upon scale of magnifcence
rarely equalled 1t is proposed, in the first place,
to enlarge the publc'garden from twenty-five acres
to fifty; and then to throw the present unsightly
basin into clear and beautiful oval-shaped lake of
seventy.fpe acres; bordered by elegant carriage
road and footpath closely planted with trees; the
remainder Of the vacant tract to be cut up into
building lots, setting apart six public squares,
rally 200 feet by 400 in size. A map exhibiting
this colossal improvement has been Autographed,
and many of the parties interested are strongly in
favor of the plan The rise in the value of the land
would more than reimburse the owners The salt
water lake would be fed by sluices from Charles
river on the south, and the receiving basin on the
west and could be kept always full by means of
Aood-gates. Imagine such an extent of water in
the midst of great city, with sail-boas and barges
crossing its surface, and its shores bordered with
thick growth Of trees
Our city continues healthy, and the weather
moderately warm. Our New York friends send
us great abundance of strawberries, they being
afraid to eat them themselves The fruit is, conse-
quently, quite cheap in markets Speaking of
strawberries, Mr.. Colman tells us he saw in Eng
land variety, ten of phich ,oeighsd pound. One
of them, he says, measured the length of his little
finger, abating about half the nail.
gentleman, who was personally acquainted
some years since with Kossuth, the great Hunga-
rian lberator, and at present the man of mark in
Europe, writes to friend in this city, that Kos
suth is Washington and Charming combined )" and
adds, that when in company with him at his room
he often saw Channings works on his table y
for among his other accomplishments, Kossuth
can read English.
Joshua Bates, esq, partner in the distinguished
at present at the fremont House, on visit to this
his native State, leaves in the steamer of Wednes
day next for Liverpool. His letters from England
speak rather discouragingy of the prospects in
France, consequent upon the agitations of the So
enlist theorizers and their partial success at the
late election. They are said to have indoctnnated
half the army
On Wednesday the goth instant, the ceremonies of
the Inauguration of President Sparks over Harvard
College are to take place. There is to be great
procession on the occasion, terminated by COLA
ton in Harvard Hall.
We received the first number of your new paper
yesterday; and after faithful scrutiny of its
tents and general aspect have come to the cenclu-
sion that 81 the Republic is safe" .'