Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-12-22


Many people who are not Bostonans will
sympathize with the Advertisers protest against
the destruction of those stately and venerable
elms in the sidewalk on fremont street, in front
of the Germany burying ground" The people
of the city can appreciate better than visitors
whatever inconvenience is caused by the pres
ence of these trees; but this can hardly be great
enough to demand their sacrifice. No mere
pecuniary consideration ought TO have any
weight at all in the case. The trees are still
hale and vigorous and their natural beauty and
impressiveness are increased by associations that
no city, and Boston least of all, can afford to
underyalue. In ordering them to be removed,
without satisfying the public that the necessity
is Immediately pressing and imperative, and
without an opportunity for remonstrance, the
board of aldermen seem to have assumed re-
sponsibility which they will regret. We hope
their repentance will not come too late. With the
municipal affairs in general of Boston, it may
be impertinent for outsiders to interfere with
suggestion or remOustrance, but in the
historic associations of the capital the
people OF the whole commonwealth have
an interest TO which they may properly
give expression. The walk where these trees
stand was formerly known as paddock S Mall"
from Capt. Adino Paddock, who imported the
elms from England and planted them where
they now stand, about one hundred and ten
years ago. They were more numerous then,
several having been sacrificed to the same mar
row utilitarianism which now threatens them
all. They had narrow escape in 1860, when
an order for their removal was introduced in
the board of aldermen. The committee TO
which the subject was then referred, made a re-
port, the following extract from which, we pre-
sumo, expresses the sentiments of great part
OF the people Of Boston to-day.
The committee *&* have unanimously come
to the conclusion that their removal would ere
ate general discomfort among the citizens and
deprive the city of one of its principal embellish-
ments. Apart from their beauty and noble pro
portions, they have claims, from association
upon the affections of the inhabitants, which
should not he sacrificed TO any mere views of
utility. Besides, it would be both unjust and
ungenerous TO decide upon their fate when
stripped of their foliage and their plea for
mercy would be placed at a disadvantage Ii
not IN their prime, these nchle elms are still in
the full vigor Of middle age. NM They form
connecting link between ourselves and the
NCuSidtlOuo lhdl are gone, ana no mind,
ceptlOe OF generous sentiment can be inSen-
sible TO that additional pleasure we derive
either in contemplating nature or art, in the
reflection that the loved and nonored dead once
gazed upon their pleasing forms with the same
delight that we do. MIN Long may they rear
their honored heads above happy, prosper
GUS and grateful community May our chill.
dren's children derive comfort from their shade
take pleasure in their beauty! And however
stately the structures that may line our streets,
may the noble presence Of these venerated
trees be continuing proof that the proud
est creations OF human invention approach
not in perfection the works Of the great .aIchi-
tect of nature"
WoMAN's WORTH AND WoRTHLEssNEss, by
Gail Hamilton. New York: Harper & Brothers.
Gail Hamilton calls this book the complement
to "a New Atmosphere" to remove, if possible,
the misapprehension Of those who NAV be dis
turoed by an apparent change OF the views ex-
pressed in the earlier book. Strictly speaking,
she admits the change, and iusti6es herself by
explaining that change of views is necessary
in order TO present an adequate idea of any sub
ject or object, and change Of views involves
more or less change of opinions-is indeed made
for the purpose of forming opinion Looking
at woman suffrage casually, sue regarded it
with indifference; after careful survey she
cannot regard it, but with apprehension. So
much TO explain the general subject and tenden-
cy OF the book All who have read any of this
authors productions know in what a yyacious.
~ discursiye manner she skirmishes about her
subject, and will be prepared to find it full of
shrewdness, with a good deal of humor and
some wit, always entertaining, if not always
reasonable Or even just. Grout Putnam have
il for sale.
SoPHoMoREs OF RADCLIFFE, by Elijah KEEL
logg Boston: Lee G. Shepard. There seems
no end to the capital books which these enter
prising publishers offer for the captiyation and
bewilderment of young people during the ap-
proachng holiday season. Among their authors
who know how to hit exactly the fancies of BOYS
and girls, one cannot 60 amiss for pleasant read
ing; all Of it is pure and wholesome too, and
never leaves bad taste in ones mouth 10 this