The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-07-07

Owing to the lateness of the hour at which the
large and enthusiastic meeting in the Square broke
ND last night compelled to omit the speeches
in our report this morning. In Monday mornings |
paper we shall publish the proceedings Of themeet-
ing with full photographic reports of the speeches.
Ever since the project Of a great public park
was first started in this city, there has been but
one opinion with regard to its moral, social and
sanitary value That there should be considerable
difference of opinion as 10 where such park
ought 10 be located is natural enough, because in
every large community there are sure to be found
some persons whose judgments will be warped by
local predictions, and others whose views are
colored by private interests and considerations
Of the three sections of the city, East, West and
North, each has its preferences and each iavltes
the Commissioners 10 decide in favor of particu-
lar site One calls attention to the Rogers prop
erty on Madison or Green Spring avenue; another
suggests the Almshouse property; third eXpa-
tiates in glowing terms over the diversified beau
ties of a tract of land lying between the York and
Hartford roads; fourth advocates as the most APP
proprate site those handsomely ornamen'cd
grounds, belonging to n wealthy citizen, which
lie between lnc anu bSlui io'u1i ~ ii''A
nroposes the purchase of The Wetter farm on the
Philadelphia turnpike, not far from ''the drowned
lands" which our City Fathers in the penitude of
their wisdom have recently purchased for Aims
house purposes. A sixth through the columns of
THE EXCHANGE has pointed out the many pictur
esqne features which are presented by that admi-
rablv wooded and well-watered tract which, COM
mencing at the Northern avenue, where it inter-
secs Charles street avenue, is bounded on the west
by the latter TO Huntingdon avenue. con the east
'sby the York road 10 Frisby's woods, by the lane
rat that point TO inersect Charles street avenueat
'ihe Cattle Show grounds; thence norhwardly
Cup Charles street avenue to Merryman's lane;
"thence westwardly 10 the cross road leading from
"Prentice's lane; thence south, running through
''Clark's and Mankin's place, 10 the top of hill
''south of Mount Vernon factory, and thence
''southwardy down the Falls road to intersect
''Huntngdon avenue" We have quoted this des-
cription in full because the tract thus indicated
possesses, in our opinion, more decided advan-
tages than any other to which the attention of The
Commissioners has been called 1t is central to all
parts of the city. 1T can be approached by q
variety of avenues already constructed and fami-
grounds arc broken and picturesque in the highest
degree. From several Of the eminences there are
fine views of the city and the bay, whilst stone for
all purposes of construction, and gravel for the
drives may be had in any quantity, and in the
immediate vicinity. To lay out public Park
where much planting up is required, is not only
tedious but very costly affair. How costly in
such cases it may be, will be readily understood
when we state that many of the trees in the Cen
trail Park, New York, were purchased at an ex
pense of thirty dollars each Every landscape
gardener we'll knows how much cheaper it is to cut
out than to plant up, and how readily wild and
rugged, but we'll timbered domain, can be con-
verted into ornamental grounds by the simple
ercise of fair amount Of taste and judgment.
Where nature furnishes to the hand of the i'm
proven I" boundless contiguity of shade" the
principal portion of his work is already performed.
A typographical survey will not only enable him
to lay out his walks and drives TO advantage but
will also point out in what manner he can,
By merely cutting away some portions of the
woodland and by leaving Others distribute his
groups and masses, and open his glades and vistas
The nature and quality of the soil should also be
taken into account, for it be thin, and POOR and
arid, neither the grasses, shrubs trees can
be made to flourish except by trenching or sub
soiling, and under other conditions which would
involve annually an immense outlay. Since this
matter has been agitated, very strenuous efforts
have been made by interested parties 10 induce
the city TO orego the idea of single park, and 10
sanction instead, smaller tracts of land at various
points either within the city limits or on the out
skirts. The ordinance, while providing for ga
park or parks - wisely leaves the decision of the
question of one or several 10 the discretion of the
Commissioners. Their prompt action in calling
for proposals for the sale of II not less than five
hundred acres, in one body, has settled, def
nitvely we trust, the matter in dispute. If the
money Of the city is to be expended in purchasing
a pleasure ground for the use and enjoyment of
the peope-and we know of no object to
which it could be more beneficially applied
any number of acres short of that which the Com
mssioners have fixed upon as the minimum would
fail more less to meet either the general wish or
to answer the object which Park for purely
public purposes is designed TO serve. 1t is not to
be expected, is it at all essential to the popu-
larity or usefulness of the proposed Park that the
cost of construction and decoration shall be inor-
dinatey large. But breadth Of area and diversity
of surface are of the utmost Importance, and where
these are to be had the accessories in the way of
ornamental decoration, may be controlled by the
public voice and by the amount of means placed
at the disposal of the Commissioners. How so
large space as is covered by the New York Gen.
trail Park is to contribute 10 the health of the in
habitants we may learn from the following ex-
tract from DIR. HALLs Journal of Healh:
''The Central Park will he magnificent gymnasium
where opportunities will he afforded for variety of
exharating exercise There will he vain beatings
the air. frog putting, penduations of doefu dumb.
bells no vulgar scufs no objectless arm swingings:
but there will be the drive the saddle the promenade
the the skate the cricket and the ball There
will be hvemile oopath for the ounger the lover,
and the contempatve; there will be nine mile carriage
drive over easy graded and beautifully smooth turn
pike and separate bride road of twenty miles
hill, now down. straight Bit then winding around some
projecting rock miniature mountain through shaded
dell and by secluded cavern, hills through tun
nels, thus giving to and daughters invaluable
opportunities for perecting themselves in that
harang and health giving of all the graces riding on
horseback
Similar sources of enjoyment are open 10 US also
unless those persons who own the lands that are
most centrally situated and are at the same time,
most susceptible of improvement, in their eager
ness to speculate upon n recognized public want
should demand for their acres such exorbitant
prices as to defeat not only their own desire of
gain, but likewise the end in view.