The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-14


the age on most of her sister cities, yet in ono
respect they are far ahead Of her. Few of them
are devoid of breathing space where the citizens
can walk and enjoy the frosh air sweetened by tho
shady trees that are one of the concomitants OF
these parks. White Point Garden or the Battery
and tho City Hall Park (the latter miserable bur-
lesque) We're for long time the ou1y public walks
that we could boast of. Subsequently, when the
pressure became too strong for resistance, Hamp-
stead Mall and Aken's Square were created, but
the benefit arising from them was enjoyed only by
the persons living in Tint locality. The north
eastern section Of the city has been thickly set
tied, and these parks are no doubt appreciated by
the neighboring residents, especially when they
were in their prime. Aiken's Square and that in
front Of the Second Presbyterian Church arc both
| quite small, and of not much use except as on
ornament to the city. They do not either abridge
the distance afford any short cuts, and are,
sequenty, frequented by few persons. Hampstead
Mall, on the contrary, has an area Of some three
or four acres. and when fenced in and furnished
with benches was quite d pleasant walk, and ad-
mirably adapted for lovers retreat The war
and its blighting influences destroyed it's serenity
and being used as camping ground for the
troops and subsequently rs common pasture for
cattle, the grass withered and was trampled into
the ground, while the trees wero denuded Of their
bark, and at present the Mall is bright example
Of the results Of war; neglect, and disuse. Its
location is very favorable and the streets that sur
round it are built up with fine houses, the owners
Of which were no doubt prompted to improve their
property when they saw the city authorities de-
sirous Of rcclaiming the sandy waste that former
ly occupied this site and transforming it into a
Park. A great incentive to private improvement
is the action of the authorities and any stops that
they take will be initiated and acted upon by pri-
vate PARTIES and the result will be city worthy Of
q Charlcstonian's pride.
at present the Mall is in q miserable condition;
the fence is destroyed, and the grounds open to
the depreciation of every one America and Co
lumbus streets cross it at right angles and it is
now mall only in name; few persons visit it, and
what was once the oasis OF that section, has de-
generated into desolate waste, useless as plea
sure ground, and o burleaaue on it's name. As
community We have lived so long without parks
that the want is not felt and the few do possess
suffer from neglect. The grand project of estab-
fishing q central park, OF Pdtdis Royal, in the
burnt district, has apparently been abandoned,
and little interest is now manifested in the sub
ject: The Battery is in q dilapidated condition,
and although tho workmen are busy removing the
warlike DISTRACTIONS it will be long before it pre-
sents it's former appearance.
It is true that tho financial embarrassment,
consequent on the result of the war; was nm effec-
tual in1pediment to any improvement; but any
IL 10 odd n Tho hnanty of
the city, is a strong incentive for emulation, and
vii! result in the growth, Development and en-
hanced appearance Of our battered and ruined
town. Hampstead Mall is the largest public square
we have, and should certainly be rescued from the
oblivion into which it is rapidly sinking. neat
and substantial fence would not require an extern
sive outlay, and would protect the property from
decay. Charleston Neck has long bcen part Of the
city, and improvements effectes there will rebound
to tho advantage of citizens generally, and be
hailed with aelightby the Hamrsteadites who will
thankfully appreciate the attention.