The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-10-05
Rural Aspect OF villages.


The Rural Neo Yorker throws out
the following excellent hints upon
this important subject. We heartily
wish that the citizens of all our YER
mont villages might act in accordance
herewith:
We often wonder at the negligence
and Indifference of the citizens of
many of our most thriving villages
toward all work tending to public
convenience and the rural beauty of
their town. What is true in this re-
spect of the villages that have been un-
der our observation we suppose it
likewise true, to great extent,of 9TH
ers throughout the country. Yet the
fact is plainly before ALL that the vii
lage which offers the greatest attrac-
tons in pleasant shady streets, public
parks, well kept, tasty private lawns
ard gardens, and smooth, safe side
walks, is the chosen home of the citi-
zen of wealth and leisure, and the
frequent summer resort of the deni-
zen of the metropolitan town. 1t fol-
lows that the village property rises
constantly in value, society is attrac-
tive, and mutual benefits result to the
property holders, and the transient
pleasure-seekers. Hence, in q PEI
cuniary view, it is greatly for the in
terest of the people of our rural towns
to adorn their own homes, and con-
tribute literally of money effort to
beautify the public property and gen.
eral aspect of the village.
But the truth of the famous old adj.
age that what is everybody's bust
ness is nobody's," is here we'll exem-
plified. Generally there is lack of
systematic effort, and clashing of
plans and a tumble of designs, that
renders the landscape effect to the
village and it's surroundings produc-
tive of pain and regret to refined and
correct taste, instead of pleasure and
If from neighboring
eminence, one takes birds eye view
of many villages, the most striking eff
feet is that produced by two or three
clumsy steeples rising among mass
of glaring white, ill-shaped dwellings,,
varied, perhaps, by the sharp, angular
chimneys of n manufacturing estab-
lishment whose dirt-encumberedy yards
are also prominent features. And an
interior view of such town will not
disclose more attractive beauty
There is little temptation for the stran-
ger to sojourn there.
A rural town should be uncovered
III deciduous trees its broad,
smooth streets should be shady av-
enues lined with rows of majestic elms,
lindens, stately tulips, or
naples. Far beyond the
village limits these shady avenues
should extend, to prolong the pleasure
Of a rapid drive or lettering stroll. r
There is appropriate room in the
middle of the broad streets, or the
center of the -four corners" for pic
turesque fountains, fed by gushing
springs on the hill sides, whose nu-
merous splashings and cleaning sprays
delight the senses, and whose cool,
abundant water proclaim their utility.
Ii stream meanders near the town or
a lakelet spreads out its glossy mirror
before it, their beauties should be
made accessible by drives and walks
along the banks.
These are some of the means by
which the rural attractions of our VIII
lagos might be improved Each, how
ever, has its peculiar points of beauty
and persistent effort is most
to produce the best results in
future. Such improvement is neces-
sarily work Of years, but it is, like
wise, work of profit.