The republic., 1851-09-06
The improvements OF washington.


The rural and picturesque improvement Of
Washington was placed this season, as many
OF our readers are aware, under the able direc-
ton OF MIR. DOWNING, whose plans for turning
the wide waste extending from the Capitol
grounds to the Potomac into magnificent
public park were adopted by the PRESIDENT
MIR. DowNING has had large force en-
Ployed for some time past, under the su-
perintendence of Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE, in the
preparation of portions of the park around
the Smithsonian Institute on the south
of the Presidents House. In the former
grounds many thousands of feet Of covered
drains and culverts have been laid, and the
surface is now being prepared in the most tho
rough manner for the reception of trees In
the square south of the PRESIDENTS large
swampy surface has been filled up, and lake
Is now In course of formation. In all these
operations MIR. DowNNe's experience and
skill is applied to the preservation of features
OF natural beauty and the preparation of the
SOIL In such manner as to promote the rapid
growth OF trees when planted. This park,
when completed, will afford fine carriage
drive of three or four miles, and will contain
specimens of every tree and shrub that will
flourish in this climate, especially of the
finest forest and ornamental trees indigenous
to this country. For scenic features it will
have the Potomac at one end and the Capitol
which, when the new wings are completed !,
will cover an area of over four acres-at the
other; the Smithsonian Institute and the
Washington Monument being situated in its
midst.
Besides this larger work, Mr.. DOWNING has
shown us beautiful plans for the Improvement
of Lafayette and Franklin Squares, which are
now In process of being converted into the
finest pleasure grounds for the enjoyment of our
citizens. In the centre Of Lafayette Square
will be placed Mr.. MILLs's colossal equestrian
statue of General JACKSON, WHICH will be
finished about the first of January.
Among the unsightly corners of Washing
ton are the triangles along Pennsylvania ave-
nue-the receptacles of rubbish and building
materials. The Secretary of the Interior has
directed one of these-thal in front Of the the
atre-to be enclosed, as specimen of what
may be done towards the establishment of the
great avenue of the city; and Mr. DowNING
has shown us design for very handsome
iron railing which is to be used for this purpose.
MIR. DOWNING justly deplores the ignorance
which has dictated the introduction of so many
foreign trees-not adapted to the climate-ike
the English elm and the alanthus. when
our own country is the richest in the world in
ornamental trees. The English elm, for ex-
ample, is native of a COOL northern climate,
where it thrives well; whilst here, in our hot
summers, it has miserable existence, and is
annually devoured by insects. On the other
hand, the American elm-a far more beau
tiful and graceful tree--is perfectly adapted to
the climate, and much more luxuriant in
growth.
Now that the embellishments of the Capt.
tol-both rural and architectural-haveb been
placed in the hands of men of acknowledged
taste and ability, we feel confident that
Washington will begin to wear very differ
ent aspect, and we look forward to the day
when it will be known, not for its "magnifi-
cent distances" but its magnificent public
parks and buildings.