The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-07-31
fVIff VIC LItClHIy NNIIt
A Model Country Village.

inc country about, reminding us OF the eXuber-
ant bouquets or trimming baskets, of fruit which
country denizens sometimes favor their pent-up
city friends with. Mr.. Downing's leader is al
ways something pleasant and available, and the
ITO tho present improvement and specializing
movement in country lots and cottages on the
Hudson. Cannot some spectators 1--WE think
they would find Mr.. Downing's recommends
tons profitabe) be found to carry out his tempt
| ing plan of an Ornamental Village?
"ln no country, perhaps, are there so many
ne'o villages and towns laid out every year as in
the United States. Indeed. so large is the num-
Der, that the builders and projectors are fairly
at a loss for names-ancent and modern history
having been literally worn threadbare by the
godfathers, until all association with great he
roes and mighty deeds is fairly beggared by this
re-christening going on in our new settlements
and future towns, yet only populous to the ex-
tent of six houses. And Notwithstanding the
apparent vastness Of our territory, the growth
of new towns and new States is so wonderful
fifteen or twenty years giving a population of
hundreds and thousands, where all was wilder
ness before that the arrangement of new towns
ought to be a matter of national Importance -
And yet, to Judge by the manner in which we
see the thing done, there has not, in the whole
duration Of the republic, been a single word
said, or single plan formed, calculated to en-
body past experience or to assist in any way the
laying out of village or town.
''Now rural village-newly planted in the
suburbs ola great city, and planned, too, speci-
ally for those whose circumstances will allow
them to own tasteful cottage in such village
should present attractions much higher than
this. 1t should aim at something higher than
mere rows Of houses upon streets crossing each
other at right angles, and bordcrcd with shade
trees Any one may find as good shade trees,
and much better houses, in certain streets of the
city which he leaves behind him; and if he is
to give up fifty convenencies and comforts, long
enjoyed in town, for the mere fact of fresh air :,
he had had better take board during the summer
months in some snug farm house as before.
'The indispensable desiderata in rural villages
of this kind, are the following:-lst, large
open space, common, or park, situated in the
middle of the vllagc-not less than twenty
acres; and better, if fifty or more in extent
This should be we'll planted with groups Of trees,
and kept lawn. The expense Of moving it
would be paid by the grass in some cases and
in others considerable part of the space might
be enclosed with wire fence and fed by sheep
or cows like many of the public parks in Eng
land.
sThis park would be the nuclucs, or heart of
the rulagc and would give it an essentially rural
character. Around it should be grouped all the
best cottages and residences of the place; and
this would be secured by selling no lots fronting
upon it of less than one forth acre in extent.
Wide streets, with rows of elms or NAPLES,
should diverge from the park each side, and
upon the streets smaller lots, but not smaller
than 100 feet front, should be sold for smaller
cottages
ssln this way we would secure to our village
a permanent rural charactcr first, by the pos
session ola large central place, always held as
joint property, and for the common use Of the
whole village; second, by the imperative arrange
ment of cottages or dwellings, around it, in such
a way as to secure in all parts of the village suf:
ficicnt space, view, circulation Of air. and Broad
well planted avenues of shade trees.
"Attersuch a village was built, and the cen
trail park planted a few years, the inhabitants
would not be contented with the mere meadow
and trees; usually called park in this country.
By submitting to a small annual tax per family
they could turn the whole park, if small, or con-
siderable portions here and there, if large, into
pleasure grounds. In the latter there would be
collected, by the.combincd means of the village,
all the rare, hardy shrubs, trees, and plants,
usually found in the private grounds of any
amateur in America. Beds and masses Of ever
blooming roses, sweet-scented climbers, and the
richest shrubs, would thus be open to the enjoy.
ment of all during the whole growing season |
Those who had neither the means, time nor in
clination to devote to the culture of private
pleasure grounds, could thus enjoy those which
belonged to all. Others might prefer to devote
their own garden to fruits and vegetables, since
the pleasure grounds, which belonged to all
and which all would enjoy, would, by their
greater breadth and magnitude, offer beauties
and enjoyments which few private gardens can
give.
''The next step, after the possession Of such
public pleasure grounds, would be the social and
common enjoyment ofthem. Upon the we'll
mown glades Of lawn, and beneath the shade of
the forest trees, would be formed rustic seats
Little arbors would be placed near, where in
midsummer evening ices would be served to all
who wished them. And little by little, the
musical taste of the village with the help of
hose good musical folks-the German emf.
yrants,) would organize itselfnto band, which
would occasionally delight the ears of all fire.
luenters the park with popular airs.
"Do we overrate the mental and moral influ-
noes of such common ground of entertain
nent as this, when we say that the inhabitants
f such vllage-enjoying in this way COM
ION interest in flowers, trees, the fresh air and
weet music, daily--would have something
lore healthful than the ordinary life Of cities,
nd more refining and elevating than the COM
,on roasin If couutrv yi1aOes2