The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-04-14
TnE CAPITOL SQUARE.

THE CAPITOL SQUARE.
The improvements contemplated by the plan
Of Mr.. Notman, which have been in progress
for some time past, under the supervision Oh
the Committee on the Public Square, are now
nearly finished as far as the western seciion u
the Square is concerned. No one, we think'
who remembers The former appearance OF this
section, can look at il now, without oeus
forcibly struck with the very great change LOT
the better which has already been wrought.
few weeks hence, when the complete verdure
of early summer has maniled the slopes and
the trees are out in full foliage, no public plea.
sure ground in this country will present more
grateful or picturesque sight to the eye.
We feel great pride in the Capitol Square,
and we have therefore taken real interest in
the Improvements which have been recently
begun. We are glad to learn that it is pro.
posed to remove the unsightly Bell House
which now deforms the southwestern extremi-
ty. and to erect handsome building over the
principal gateway which shall be used, as a
place of deposit for the standard weights and
measures of the Commonwealth, as well as for
the purposes which the present Bell House
subseryes. This is wise III every respect. 1t
is designed that the town time shall be struck
in the new edifice, as il should be, by machi-
merry, connected with an accurate and well con.
structed clock. 1t is perhaps not known to
many of our country readers that there is not
in Richmond single public clock upon any
church, tewn.hall or other structure, with dais
showing to the passer-by what is the hour OF
the day. twill certainly excite a smile with
such readers to be informed, Furthermore, that
the hour is now struck by hand, and that some
times it happens, through the drowsiness of
the guard, that the stroke is not given for mi
nutes after the proper moment has arrived.
Now, the want ofa public clock, regulated with
care, and of delicate mechanical contrivance, is
felt by our citizens more seriously than they
are themselves aware of, and is the cause Ct
two little Inconvenience that may seem whim-
steal. One is the frequency with which they
are stopped by strangers asking What's
o'clock1r and the other is the universal de-
rangement of their watches, which they under.
take, absurdly enough, to regulate by the
town-bell. The old maxim of the law, nullum
tempus occarit negt, might be applied here,
with some show offairness, to the guard. This
: is, to be sure. good thing for our excellent
friends, the jewellers, who profit thereby in the
perpetualrepairingo fther customers watches,
but it is Of real and serious disadvantage to
the commppity. We are therefore greatly in
favor of the project of the new gateway ediffce,
and of removing the old pepper box of Bell
House which has so long disgraced the city.
The basin of the fountain. which has been
constructed in the dell west of the Capitol,
seems substantial and well adapted to its pur-
pose, and we hope to see an appropriate orna
ment introduced in the centre, a dolphin or
something of the sort, out of which the jet
deaa may throw up its spray to the sunshine.
We have but one suggestion to make to the
Committee concerning their beautiful improve
ment, and for this we respectfully ask their at
tention. II seems to US that no adequate pro-
vision has been made for the drainage of the
grounds, which will very soon be in danger OF
violent iwashing by the drenching thunder
storms of our spring and summer seasons
Perhaps the Committee yet intend guarding
the plats and parteres by proper cutters for
conveying off the water If SO, we think il
should betdone at once, before the furious rains
begin. 1t would grieve US TO see the gentle
declivities, into which the ground has been
shaped, furrowed by gullies, and the gravel
Of the walks washed over the greensward.
II seems to be matter of some doubt whe-
ther or not the improvement of the grounds is
to be carried out fully, in accordance with Mr.
No,man's original drawings. The eastern sec
ton presents a much better field for the display
OF taste in the arrangement of ornamental plea
sure-grounds than the western, and in its pre-.
sent condition, is certainly quite out Of keeping
with the general appearance of the Square,
There is but one walk through it, and this
straight down the middle, while the terraces
are overrun with the wid-onion. Our citizens,
we are sure, will never rest satisfied until the
same pleasing Improvement is made in il that
commands such admiration in the western sec.
ton. Another fountain is embraced in the
drawings. to be placed near the new Cour,
House, and to be of similar design with the
one already completed west of the Capitol
building.
We have spoken thus at length on the sub.
ject of the Square, because we think there is
nothing which adds SO much to the beauty and
comfort OF city as large and welI-ordered
parks. accessible to all classes OF the citizens.
The magnificent parks of London have been
called the lungs of that great metropolis, and
itcannot be doubted that they contribute great.
~ 10 the health Of IFS crowded population
Our little Square Of twelve acres is ilnsigni6-
cant when compared with such immen Sc
grounds as Regents, or Hyde Park, and vet il
10 not less important to the citizens Of Rich.
nond than these celebrated resorts 10 the cock.
nsys. Weibsrefore feel that no apology is me-
cessary for the space we have devoted to the
subject this morning.
APPoMArrox RIvER.-The citizens Of Pc.