Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-18

health Of those residing in that section OF the CITY, 1t
becomes our duty not only TO provide for the comfort
OF those by whom surrounded, but to look ahead
ana secure the means whilst we may OF transmitting
comforts to those who shall after us-more
pecally when we leave TO them the burhen of innu-
merabe improveme nts designed for the benefit Of the
present as well as future generations.
HaVlhg lmpartlally glanced the probable advana-
ges and disadvantages resulting from she selection of
grounds for Park No. 2, and promising that the adj
vantages more than counterpose the disadvantages we
may be permitted to entertain the hope that the Couu.
Gil will also ratify this selection.
The committee selected upwards of seven acres of
ground Candles Hill, suitable location for the
third Park As TO the proprety of this selection there
cannot be a question /; and the price agreed upon
($F 5000 is regarded reasonable The location in
one ofsurpassng beauty beautiful and appropriate
indeed that the citizens would have held the omis.
sion wholly lneXcusabe, had the committee neglect
ed the selection of grounds this mill. We only re-
greet that the finances of the city are not in condi
ton sufficiently prosperous warrant the purchase of
he enclosed square the summit of the hill which,
together with the buildings, offered at 1920 600
The committee, however have succeeded in obtain
ne grounds, this hill, which are indeed "worthy
Of the best exercise of that which deveIoes and
dsposes advantage, the beauties of Naure'' Here
the brief soJourner lie city can obtain view SO
picturesque and beauful-one combining in rare
degree, all the elements which constitute a lovely
landscaRe-as to cause our city TO be long associated
in memory with all that is pleasing and beautiful
elbow sweet to the remembrance are the things we
have enjoyed our time, because of their loyeness,''
remarks an English journalist 'EOu. vision derives
its charm from the things which are in harmony-the
picturesque and the uniform contribute largely to It's
advantage, and so 30 the things which are brant
and the colours of which light. II is usual for
he mind to experience orders of circumstances
the favorable and the unfavorable, From the unhap
Ply constitution OF things in general, it Is compelled
to draw more largely from the than from the 9TH
err but the more seek raise it above the COM
mon level Of surrounding Influences the greater ele-
walton will 1t achieve, and therefore, should be to
the former we should adhere, and not to the latter
Let the grounds on Candles Hill, then, be so dspo-
sed as to present the landscape in its utmost harmo
NY, and our city will become sweet to the remem-
brance, because ofthe loneliness public grounds
the charms of its animated landscape and the pic.
turesqueness of its position. In the eloquent language
OF the committee, let them be arranged us to eek
alt the ideas OF the behoder, who will be made in
vou ntariy to look through Mature up to Natures
God a"
If the recommendations of the Committee shall be
ratified by the Council the citizens residing in Jefer
son Ward will enjoy the privileges of Public Park on
Church Hill; those residing in Madison Ward will
nave the use OF the Oapltol square and the City
Spring; the Park on Gamble Hill will accommodate
those living in the dsrctying South of Broad street
and West of the Capitol Square, whilst the Park
West of Mrs. sBullock's residence nav in course Of
time, accommodate those residing South of Marshall
and West OF Third streets. But the Committee on
Public Grounds, and the Council will recollect that
large and populous district of the CIV will by these
arrangements OF Public Parks be measurably deprived
OF any participation in the benefits resulting there
from. All that portion of the city lying North Of
Broad street and Northwest of the City Spring, will
be deprived OF the use of the Parks by of their
remoteness. Now this large and populous district
shares equally the burt hens of taxation and no valid
reason exists why 1t should participate in all the
benefits resulting from such taxation The Commit
tee, obviously alive to the injustice done this large
portion OF the city, throws ont vague and indefinite
recommendations touching the location of Park on
"Navy Hill,' on the grounds East of Mr.. Webb'S
residence. Now "Navy Hill,'' it will be readily con-
coded affords very ae site for Park but it is cut
off from the city proper by impossible gull, which
it will take the abour of years, perhaps, to fill up and
grade, to say nothing of the expense attending the i'm
provement of the grounds Moreover, nearly the
whole of ''Navy Hip lies in Madison Ward, where
there are already two places of public resor-the cap
iol Square and the City Spring. Unless Jackson and
Duval streets shall be extended EaswardIy from 2od
to 9Th street. FfNavy Hip will be inaccessible to the
large population residing Northwest of 2nd street.
The objections which exist against the purchase o
"Navy Hill" apply with greater force to the grounds
lying East of Mr.. Webb's residence They are simply
out Of the question.
We had hoped to see the grounds known as s'Jack
sons Garden" selected by the Committee as suitable
location for ofthe Parks. But the price demand
ed for these grounds places hem in the opinion of the
Committee. entirely out of the question. The main
reason which induced us TO hope that Jackson's Gar
dem might be selected was, that by converting it into
Public Park, it might have tendency TO arrest the
tide which flows into the Shockoe Hill Burying
Ground. The thoughess crowds who now visit that
place on holidays impeliel hither by other motives
than those of devotional character: The flowers and
shrubbery-meet emblems of affection to departed
triendsare pilased and disgured aud instead of the
silence and repose BETTING the last resting place Of the
Dead the bald Jest and wanon laugh are not unro.
quenty heard Now, these things ought to be re-
formed altogether. Grief IS sacred eGnotion those
who visit the Burying Ground for devotional purpo-
ses ought to be protected from rude interruption and
idle curiosity; let the Couaci, then, provide a public
Park which shall draw off from the Burying Ground
the gay voares OF pleasure. It"Navy Hill" will &C.
compish this desirable end, let it, by all means be
purchased. That it will do so, we have little doubt
provided Jackson and Ddva streets shall be extended
Eastwardly TO 5th street.
In conclusion, we have to say, that we entirely con-
cur with the Committee in the opinion that wisdom
and popriety alike demand the selection of additionaI
public grounds noO, whilst they be procured on
| reasonable terms