Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1874-09-03
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENTS.


Our attention has been called recently
TO several anniversaries of a peculiar
character. They were of associations
formed for the purpose of identifying
and adjoining the towns in which they
were organized, by planting shade trees,
laying out parks. placing fountains and
making improvements in the general APP
pearance of things. One of these as
sociations was established ut Williams
town, Mass, by the late Prof Albert
Hopkins. He was rare man and a
rich possession to any town. even
though he had no such association
through which to make practical his
ideas of beauty. Similar organizations
exist in other towns in Massachusetts,
and Connecticut, as well as in some
Western States, and the quiet aud COM
paratiyely the inexpensive work which
they have done, has gone far towards
giving these towns great attractiYeness.
But it is not alone the beauty which
they can add to a village which makes
the establishment desirable. They may
become an educational power of no
mean value.
We need not look far 10 be reminded
that it is the tendency to forget the
value of that which is merely orna-
mental. The effect Of such forgetful-
ness on character is sure, if not so i'm
mediately apparent. AT the anniver-
sary of the Laurel Hill Association, of
Stockbridge, Mass, Prof. B. G. North
rup gave an address from which we
quote the following:
1t would be a grand step of progress
in American education if associations
for village improvement likeyours could
be multiplied throughout the land. 1t
would tend to relieve one Of~the great
est deficiencies, both in our schools and
IN our individual and national character.
The aesthetic element as an educational
force has been ignored, and the instinc-
tive cravings of the juvenile mind for
the beautiful rudely repressed, while
ugliness, neglect and slatternhness have
tended to vitiate the taste, it not deprave
the morals and repel from the country
homes many youth who might other
wise be bound to the homestead. A
true. Christian culture should lead the
American citizen everywhere to adorn
his own town, village. street, school
house, and, first of all, his home. Every
tree in ones street, every flower or
shrub in the garden, every tasteful en-
craving or painting in the house, may
add new link TO the golden chain
which should ever bind the heart of
childhood to the hearth-stone When
taste early brightens the joys of the do
mestic circle, it helps invest every after
scene in life with higher significance and
beauty ... .
1t is hard 10 see how more good TO our
our own village could be done by so
small an expenditure. of money and
labor than by such an organization. 1t
will not be questioned that we have
been, and still are, too neglectful of APP
pearances. A greater regard for beauty
and ornament, or even for decent preser-
walton, would greatly increase the de-
light of living in place for
which Nature has done SO much.
That the West street cemetery should
have been left so long ia its disgraceful
condition was.a shame upon us, from
which we cannot, even by our tardy inn
proyement, wholly free ourselves. It
ought to be recognized as, blot upon
our good name that we can devise no
better fountain than that unsightly
trough which defaces the fair possible
ties of depot park. With the many in
stances Of utter disregard of appearances
by the authorities, we can expect moth
ing better from individuals. A society
well differed would have a large mem
bership who would consent. most cheer
fully to an annual tax of dollar or so.
This fund, with the gifts and legacies
which would follow, would do very
much towards transforming our village.
Nature has done her part with abound
ing generosity. Let such a society i'm
prove the chances which exist. Let
them plant trees, a few each year. Let
them do much moving of weeds by the
highways. Let them keep the street |
lines well marked, and the turf unbroken
by the public property, Individuals |
will quickly follow with Strengthened !
. % 4