The national Republican., 1861-10-30
tCommunIcated,l
WASHINGTON CRY, Oct. 26, 1861.


DEAR SIR: Your leading article ofthis morning
In reply to structures in regard to the condition
Of our streets aud avenues induces me to make
few remarks, with the view of showing that
the expense of paving, b., need not be 30
great as imagined.
II has been proved by the experience Of the
largest cities in the world, that roadway Of
40 feet will suffice for the greatest traffic. or
what use then Is II to have our broadest ave
nues almost from side to side? The great de
feet Of our finest avenue (Pennsy ylvauia) is that
its beauty is injured by the imperfection Of the
laying out 1t is l60 feet from house 10 house
and the division between carriage way and
sidewalks il so out Of proportion as to be
really ridiculous to on experienced eye.
The true rule by which to lay out this foe
avenue is this: 80 feet of roadway from curbstone
to eurbstone; and 40 feet for each sidewalk.
This width OF roadway will amply allow for n
double railroad track, aud the width of side
walk for double row of trees, OF the right
kind, trimmed as all trees ought to be trimmed
on public walks and roads. The sidewalk
should be bricked near the houses, as at pres
eat, with o gutter, and then rounded with a
gentle slope to the outer curbstOne, and on this
rounded portion the trees should be planted,
and the surface gravelled. One half the gas
lamps should remain near the brick walk, and
the other near the curbstone. II the work is
done in a workmanlike manner, the regularity
of the line Of lamps, &C., will have good ei-
feet, both In the day and at night. This rule
may be followed In other streets and avenues,
and would much improve the city.
will remark in addition, that we have no
public gardens which the public will regular
iy frequent; and the reason is that there is not
| one, excepting to some extent the Capitol gar
den, which Is laid out to attract The Avenue
| IL the sole promenade. An opportunity now
occurs, however, TO make a suitable garden
for the West End" in the grounds below the
Presidential Mansion.
The public grounds We want, are the old.
fashioned, formal, straight walks, in combina
tion with serpeutine walks. 1t Is remarkable
private gar dens, is always most frequeuted, and
we know 1t is so in public gardens. We there
fore require, as a goal of attraction in addition
aud continuance of the Pennsylvania avenue
sidewalk, two wide, straight walks In the Pres
idential grounds; one In westerly direction,
somewhat In the line Of the old road, and an
other in southerly direction down Fifteen h
street to the canal These promenade avenues
should be about forty feet wide, and have a
smaller avenue on each side Of about ten feet,
and bordered with trees, except that crossing
the front of the Mansion. At the end OF tie
promenade avenue, near the canal, should be q
ummerShouse. OF an attractive kind, with some
piece of statusry. Refreshments ght be sold
there suitable for ladies aud children. The
walk near Fifteenth street might be raised q
few feet above the level of the road and prom
ensde on each side Of it.
While have pen in hand will make an
other suggestion, pro bono p,tJlico. When We
go, In the winter season, to pay our respects to
our worthy President, the smallness of the Man
| sion, its passages, doorways, and rooms, with
| the exception of the East Room, is such as to
be constant cause Of complaint. 1t will be-
public 10 get in at all. As 1t is, the suffering
| to ladies is great.
Now, the Presidential Mansion Is amply
| large enough for ordinary purposes but the
great public demands, and has a right, to more
space. To obtain this, there is on easy wuy
without encroaching on or altering the house.
namely: by constructing a conservatory or
winter garden on the east, south, and west sides
of it, and in iron and glass 1t may be got up
reasonably.
The President might then take his stand to
receive guests, 10 the east room, opposite the
broad passage from the main hail. and the pub
lie would then pass on into the winter garden
and disperse over it. Laid out with taste, with
lawns, boscage, parterres, fountains, arbors, &c,
nothing W uld be more agreeable. Allowing
200 feet from the house on the two sides, aud
100 feet on garden front, there would be ample
space for these arrangements, aud for two or
more floors encircled by benches, where con-
certs and balls might be given.
The house, as 1t at present stands, would re-
main more private, and more room would be
afforded for entrances and exits, cloak .rooms
&c. Your constant reader l..