The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-05-30
The Eastern Promenade.

To the Editor Of the Press
have seen no public response to the arti-
Gle, which appeared in your paper some days
ago, denouncing as "Vandalism," the cutting
down of the high point of land at the south
end Of the Western Promenade-though /
was much gratiied to hear it said that the
present Mayor had, very sensibly, caused that
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least. .8e
As the season of the year is now approach
ing, when our people are accustomed to resort
to that very pleasant spot, affording, as it did,
one of the very best look-outs, from the ground,
anywhere in the city, I cannot doubt that
many will keenly regret this wanton destruc-
ton of height, SO much visited heretofore,
and from which we have had SO many views
OF that pleasant circle of land and sea. The
ocean is no longer visible from the Western
Promenade.
Almost at the same time that the pub
ic learned what was going on in the destruc-
ton OF the Western Promenade, there appear
in the report of doings of the City Coun-
Gil, reference to some Committee fthe ques-
ton of grading the Eastern Promenade. p
What is the origin, or what the design of this,
have no means of knowing. But it certain
ly deserves the attention of the people of the
city, so that proper public sentiment may
be consulted upon question of this kind, be-
fore the principal value of the Promenade is
irreparably destroyed. a.u
The Eastern Promenade, as we all know.
is fine carriage road, and broad mall ada
cent, skirting the whole eastern end of the
city, and afording one of the finest drives or
walks imaginable. 1t is already well graded
to level as serviceable as anything of the
Kind needs to be-that was done many wears
ago-and what is its principal beauty, it is ell
evated to such height above the tide, that it
affords, in all its parts an admirable lookout
over the waters and islands of our charming
bay.
Now, to grade this Promenade means, if it
means anything, to dig 1t doacn-to sink it
below its present level-how many feet, the
projectors do not inform us-probably far
enough to suit the interests of some private
spectators, regardless of the destruction of
the chief public value of this beautiful promen-
ade. Some few years ago, there was a scheme
for grading Congress street, by straight slope
back from the water to the Observatory. in
voiving cnt, or digging into the promenade,
sixteen feet deep at the place OF crossing The
City Council went SO far as to issue proposals
for contract for this work, and gave it up, be-
cause they found it enormously expensive. I
recollect asking some one then connected with
the city government, whether it was thought
to be apleasant and proper thing to compel all
of us who might enjoy riding or walking on
the promenade, to descend into that valley
and Chamber out again, or, whether it was in
tended to bridge the chasm 0rer from side to
side? The reply was, that he believed it was
to grade the aohole Of the East |
ern Promenade, eventually, down to some
thing like that depth!
This, it seems to me, would surely be de-
grddation in double sense. Is that what is
now contemplated, by the doings in the City
council? earnestly hope not. What could
Se more discredtable to our city's reputation
eoou sense and good taste, than that we
% sn., now destroy piece of public property
VI n Sucn an interesting character?
- LIN: als otner Atlantic cities, which would
give lniilons Of dollars without hesitation for
sucn a nlgh and beautiful roadway oronnd
their borders, and would not sutfar - - ~ H.
graded, single inch, upon anv oo-s...s..
we have have got? Mna'